Explore Macedonia

Location:
Macedonia

Currency:
Macedonian denar (MKD)

Communications:
The telephone code for Macedonia: + 389

About:
The historic country of Macedonia was once the Kingdom of Macedon, ruled by Alexander the Great (355-325 BC).

Over many centuries it was exploited by the Romans, Byzantines, Bulgars and Serbs; finally conquered by the Ottoman Empire.

Macedonia gained its independence peacefully from Yugoslavia in 1991, but Greece's objection to the new state's use of what it considered a Hellenic name and symbols delayed international recognition, which occurred under the provisional designation of the "Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia." In 1995, Greece lifted a 20-month trade embargo and the two countries agreed to normalize relations, although differences over Macedonia's name remain.

The undetermined status of neighboring Kosovo, implementation of the Framework Agreement - which ended the 2001 ethnic Albanian armed insurgency - and a weak economy continue to be challenges for Macedonia.