Macedonia

Background: International recognition of The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia's (F.Y.R.O.M.) independence from Yugoslavia in 1991 was delayed by Greece's objection to the new state's use of what it considered a Hellenic name and symbols. Greece finally lifted its trade blockade in 1995, and the two countries agreed to normalize relations, despite continued disagreement over F.Y.R.O.M.'s use of "Macedonia." F.Y.R.O.M.'s large Albanian minority, an ethnic Albanian armed insurgency in F.Y.R.O.M. in 2001, and the status of neighboring Kosovo continue to be sources of ethnic tension.
Location: Southeastern Europe, north of Greece. Area: Total: 25,333 sq km, water: 477 sq km. land: 24,856 sq km. Area - comparative: Slightly larger than Vermont. Land boundaries: Total: 766 km, border countries: Albania 151 km, Bulgaria 148 km, Greece 246 km, Yugoslavia 221 km. Coastline: 0 km (landlocked).
Climate and Terrain: Climate: Warm, dry summers and autumns and relatively cold winters with heavy snowfall. Terrain: Mountainous territory covered with deep basins and valleys; three large lakes, each divided by a frontier line; country bisected by the Vardar River. Elevation extremes: Lowest point: Vardar River 50 m, highest point: Golem Korab (Maja e Korabit) 2,753 m. Natural resources: Chromium, lead, zinc, manganese, tungsten, nickel, low-grade iron ore, asbestos, sulfur, timber, arable land.
People: Population: 2,054,800. Ethnic groups: Macedonian 66.6%, Albanian 22.7%, Turkish 4%, Roma 2.2%, Serb 2.1%, other 2.4% . Religions: Macedonian Orthodox 67%, Muslim 30%, other 3%. Languages: Macedonian 70%, Albanian 21%, Turkish 3%, Serbo-Croatian 3%, other 3%.
Government: Government type: Emerging democracy. Capital: Skopje. Independence: 17 September 1991 (from Yugoslavia).
Economy overview: At independence in November 1991, Macedonia was the least developed of the Yugoslav republics, producing a mere 5% of the total federal output of goods and services. The collapse of Yugoslavia ended transfer payments from the center and eliminated advantages from inclusion in a de facto free trade area. An absence of infrastructure, UN sanctions on Yugoslavia, one of its largest markets, and a Greek economic embargo over a dispute about the country's constitutional name and flag hindered economic growth until 1996. GDP subsequently rose each year through 2000. However, the leadership's commitment to economic reform, free trade, and regional integration was undermined by the ethnic Albanian insurgency of 2001. GDP - composition by sector: Agriculture: 10%, industry: 32%., services: 58%.
Statistics: Telephones - main lines in use: 408,000. Telephones - mobile cellular: 12,362. Radio broadcast stations: AM 29, FM 20. Radios: 410,000. Television broadcast stations: 31 (plus 166 repeaters). Televisions: 510,000. Internet users: 100,000. Railways: Total: 699 km. Highways: Total: 8,684 km, paved: 5,540 km, unpaved: 3,144 km. Airports: 17, with paved runways: 10, with unpaved runways: 7.