# North Macedonia

> country in southeastern Europe

**Wikidata**: [Q221](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q221)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Macedonia)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/north-macedonia

## Summary

North Macedonia is a sovereign state located in Europe [1]. It was established in 1991 , with Skopje as its capital [2]. The official languages are Macedonian and Albanian [3], and the country had a population of 1.8 million in 2021 [4]. Its total area is 26,000 square kilometers .North Macedonia observes multiple time zones, including UTC+01:00, UTC+02:00, and Central European Time . The country functions as an independent nation with defined administrative and linguistic structures. No additional details about governance, economy, or history are provided in the source facts. The information presented is limited to the specified attributes and their corresponding references.

## Summary
North Macedonia is a sovereign state and landlocked country located in southeastern Europe, established as an independent nation on September 8, 1991, following its declaration of independence from the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. Officially known as the Republic of North Macedonia since 2019, it is a parliamentary republic with its capital in Skopje. The country has a population of approximately 1.8 million as of 2021 and is recognized for its strategic position in the Balkan Peninsula.

## Key Facts
- **Official Name**: Republic of North Macedonia (adopted in 2019 to resolve the Macedonia naming dispute).
- **Capital**: Skopje.
- **Independence**: Declared on September 8, 1991; recognized internationally after the Prespa Agreement in 2018.
- **Area**: 25,713 square kilometers.
- **Population**: 1,831,713 (2021 estimate).
- **Continent**: Europe.
- **Bordering Countries**: Albania, Serbia, Bulgaria, Greece, and Kosovo.
- **Highest Point**: Korab (2,764 meters).
- **Lowest Point**: Vardar River (50 meters).
- **Time Zone**: Central European Time (UTC+1) and Central European Summer Time (UTC+2).
- **National Language**: Macedonian; Albanian is also recognized.
- **Currency**: Macedonian denar (since 1993).
- **Driving Side**: Right-hand traffic.
- **Electricity**: 230V, 50Hz (Type C, E, F, G, L plugs).
- **Emergency Number**: 112.
- **International Calling Code**: +389.
- **Internet TLD**: .mk.
- **ISO Codes**: Alpha-2: MK, Alpha-3: MKD, Numeric: 807.
- **M49 Code**: 807.
- **Aircraft Registration Prefix**: S9.
- **License Plate Code**: MK (since 1992).
- **Maritime Identification Digits**: 274.
- **Mobile Country Code**: 294.

## FAQs
**What type of government does North Macedonia have?**  
North Macedonia operates as a parliamentary republic with a president serving as head of state and a prime minister as head of government. The current president is Stevo Pendarovski, and the prime minister is Dimitar Kovachevski.

**What are North Macedonia's key economic indicators?**  
As of recent data, North Macedonia's nominal GDP was $13.8 billion (2021), with a Gini coefficient of 33 (2018) indicating moderate income inequality. The unemployment rate stood at 14.5% in 2022, and the VAT rate is 18%.

**What international organizations is North Macedonia a member of?**  
North Macedonia is a member of the United Nations (since 1993), the World Trade Organization (since 2001), the Council of Europe, and NATO (since 2020). It is also part of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe and UNESCO.

**What is North Macedonia's human development status?**  
The country has a Human Development Index (HDI) of 0.770 (2021), classified as "High," with a life expectancy of 77 years (2022).

**What are North Macedonia's major holidays?**  
Key public holidays include Independence Day (September 8), New Year's Day, and Orthodox Christmas (January 7).

**What administrative divisions does North Macedonia have?**  
The country is divided into 80 municipalities, including the City of Skopje, which is further subdivided into 10 municipalities.

## Why It Matters
North Macedonia holds significance as a bridge between Western Europe and the Balkans, playing a critical role in regional stability. Its accession to NATO in 2020 underscored its strategic importance in European security. The country's resolution of the naming dispute with Greece in 2018 marked a pivotal moment in its international relations, facilitating deeper integration into European institutions. Economically, North Macedonia serves as a transit hub and benefits from its membership in the Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA). Culturally, it preserves a rich heritage influenced by its Ottoman, Byzantine, and Yugoslav history, contributing to the diverse tapestry of Southeastern Europe.

## Notable For
- **Prespa Agreement**: Resolved the decades-long naming dispute with Greece, enabling NATO membership.
- **Biodiversity**: Home to Lake Ohrid, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Europe's oldest lakes.
- **Cultural Heritage**: Rich blend of Ottoman, Byzantine, and Slavic influences, evident in historic sites like Stobi and the Old Bazaar in Skopje.
- **Wine Production**: Recognized for its viticulture, particularly in the Tikveš region.
- **Democratic Transition**: Successfully transitioned from a socialist republic to a parliamentary democracy post-independence.

## Body

### History and Independence
North Macedonia's path to independence began with the dissolution of Yugoslavia in the early 1990s. The country declared independence on September 8, 1991, following a referendum. The Prespa Agreement in 2018 resolved the naming dispute with Greece, leading to the official name change to the Republic of North Macedonia and paving the way for NATO membership in 2020.

### Geography and Environment
Situated in the southern Balkans, North Macedonia shares borders with Albania, Serbia, Bulgaria, Greece, and Kosovo. The terrain is mountainous, with the Shar Mountains dominating the northwest and the Pindus Mountains to the south. The Vardar River, the country's longest, flows through the capital, Skopje. Lake Ohrid, a significant natural and cultural landmark, is shared with Albania.

### Government and Politics
As a parliamentary republic, North Macedonia's government is headed by a prime minister, with the president serving as a ceremonial head of state. The unicameral Assembly of North Macedonia holds legislative power. The country has a multi-party system, with the Social Democratic Union of Macedonia (SDSM) and the Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization – Democratic Party for Macedonian National Unity (VMRO-DPMNE) being major political forces.

### Demographics and Society
The population of approximately 1.8 million (2021) is ethnically diverse, with Macedonians constituting the majority, followed by Albanians, Turks, Roma, and others. The official languages are Macedonian and Albanian, reflecting the country's multicultural identity. Life expectancy is 77 years (2022), with urbanization rates increasing steadily.

### Economy and Infrastructure
The economy is characterized by a mix of agriculture, industry, and services. Key sectors include textiles, food processing, and construction materials. The country is a member of CEFTA and seeks EU accession. Infrastructure includes a railway network connecting to neighboring countries and three international airports, with Skopje "Alexander the Great" Airport being the largest.

### International Relations and Memberships
North Macedonia joined the United Nations in 1993 and NATO in 2020. It maintains diplomatic relations with over 180 countries and participates in regional initiatives like the Berlin Process. The country is an observer in the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC).

### Symbols and Culture
The national flag features a sun symbol derived from the Vergina Sun, while the coat of arms incorporates historical elements. The anthem, "Denes nad Makedonija," was adopted in 1993. North Macedonia celebrates its cultural heritage through festivals like the Ohrid Summer Festival and the Struga Poetry Evenings.

### Administrative Divisions
Divided into 80 municipalities, including the City of Skopje, which is further divided into 10 municipalities. Each municipality has its own local government, contributing to decentralized governance.

### Technical Identifiers and Standards
The country uses the .mk domain and the +389 country code. Its ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 code is MK, and it is assigned the M49 code 807 by the United Nations.

### Related Entities
- **Lake Ohrid**: A UNESCO World Heritage Site shared with Albania.
- **Prespa Agreement**: A 2018 treaty with Greece resolving the naming dispute.
- **NATO Membership**: Joined in 2020, enhancing regional security ties.
- **EU Accession Process**: Officially recognized as a candidate for EU membership since 2009.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.workwithdata.com/place/north-macedonia)
2. [Source](https://www.britannica.com/place/North-Macedonia)
3. [Source](https://www.foxnews.com/world/pendarovski-sworn-in-as-new-north-macedonia-president)
4. Law for use of languages
5. [Source](https://d-nb.info/gnd/1181214262/about/lds)
6. [Source](https://d-nb.info/gnd/4114937-3/about/lds)
7. archINFORM
8. Virtual International Authority File
9. BnF authorities
10. [Interpol](https://www.interpol.int/Member-countries/World)
11. [Source](https://www.interpol.int/Who-we-are/Member-countries/Europe/NORTH-MACEDONIA)
12. [Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons](https://www.opcw.org/about-opcw/member-states/)
13. [Source](https://www.opcw.org/about-us/member-states/north-macedonia)
14. [Source](http://www.unesco.org/eri/cp/ListeMS_Indicators.asp)
15. [Source](http://www.upu.int/en/the-upu/member-countries.html)
16. [Source](https://www.upu.int/en/Universal-Postal-Union/About-UPU/Member-Countries?csid=-1&cid=221)
17. [Source](https://www.itu.int/online/mm/scripts/gensel8)
18. [Source](https://public.wmo.int/en/members/north-macedonia)
19. [Source](https://www.who.int/choice/demography/by_country/en/)
20. [Source](https://www.wcoomd.org/-/media/wco/public/global/pdf/about-us/wco-members/list-of-members-with-membership-date.pdf)
21. [Source](https://holocaustremembrance.com/countries/north-macedonia)
22. [Source](https://www.ncnk.org/sites/default/files/content/resources/publications/NCNK_Issue_Brief_DPRK_Diplomatic_Relations.pdf)
23. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
24. Czech National Authority Database
25. FIPS 10-4
26. MusicBrainz
27. Integrated Authority File
28. [Human Development Report. 2022](https://hdr.undp.org/data-center/human-development-index#/indicies/HDI)
29. World Bank Open Data
30. [Source](https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/tgm/table.do?tab=table&plugin=1&language=en&pcode=tps00001)
31. [Source](https://www.stat.gov.mk/PrikaziSoopstenie_en.aspx?rbrtxt=146)
32. [Source](https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SI.POV.GINI)
33. [Source](http://cnig.gouv.fr/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/CNT-PVM_r%C3%A9vis%C3%A9_2020-01-27-1.pdf)
34. [Source](http://ksng.gugik.gov.pl/pliki/nazwy_panstw_swiata.pdf)
35. [Source](https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-world/freedom-world-2017)
36. [Source](http://chartsbin.com/view/edr)
37. [Source](https://unstats.un.org/unsd/methodology/m49/)
38. [World Bank](https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.MKTP.CD)
39. Library of Congress Authorities
40. [UNESCO Institute for Statistics](http://data.uis.unesco.org/Index.aspx?DataSetCode=DEMO_DS)
41. [UNESCO Institute for Statistics](http://data.uis.unesco.org/index.aspx?queryid=3372)
42. BabelNet
43. [International Numbering Resources Database](http://www.itu.int/net/itu-t/inrdb/e129_important_numbers.aspx)
44. [World Plugs](http://www.iec.ch/worldplugs/list_bylocation.htm)
45. UMLS 2023
46. [Source](http://otif.org/fileadmin/user_upload/otif_verlinkte_files/06_tech_zulass/05_Reglementation_en_vigueur/Neu_ab_01_01_2015/UTP_MARKING_2015_e_in_force.pdf)
47. [Source](http://uic.org/country-codes)
48. [Source](https://countrycodebase.com/undp/)
49. Aligned ISNI and Ringgold identifiers for institutions
50. [UNESCO Institute for Statistics](http://data.uis.unesco.org/index.aspx?queryid=239)