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. The United States began referring to Macedonia by its constitutional name, Republic of Macedonia, in 2004 and negotiations continue between Greece and Macedonia to resolve the name issue. Some ethnic Albanians, angered by perceived political and economic inequities, launched an insurgency in 2001 that eventually won the support of the majority of Macedonia's Albanian population and led to the internationally-brokered Framework Agreement, which ended the fighting by establishing a set of new laws enhancing the rights of minorities. Fully implementating the Framework Agreement and stimulating economic growth and development continue to be challenges for Macedonia, although progress has been made on both fronts over the past several years.
Full Name: The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
Area: 25,333 sq km (land: 24,856 sq km, water: 477 sq km)
Population: 2,061,315 (July 2008 est.)
Capital City: Skopje
People: Macedonian 64.2%, Albanian 25.2%, Turkish 3.9%, Roma 2.7%, Serb 1.8%, other 2.2% (2002 census)
Language: Macedonian 66.5%, Albanian 25.1%, Turkish 3.5%, Roma 1.9%, Serbian 1.2%, other 1.8% (2002 census)
Religion: Macedonian Orthodox 32.4%, other Christian 0.2%, Muslim 16.9%, other and unspecified 50.5% (2002 census)
Government Type: Parliamentary democracy
Chief of State President Branko CRVENKOVSKI (since 12 May 2004)
Head of Government: Prime Minister Nikola GRUEVSKI (since 28 August 2006)
GDP: $US 17.35 billion
note: Macedonia has a large informal sector (2007 est.)
GDP per Capita: $US 8,400 (2007 est.)
Inflation: 2.3% (2007 est.)
Unemployment: 34.9% (2007 est.)
Industries: Food processing, beverages, textiles, chemicals, iron, steel, cement, energy, pharmaceuticals
Currency: Macedonian denar (MKD)
Member of EU: No
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Info provided by the CIA World Factbook
Updated 10/2008
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