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Region: Europe
Full Name: Republic of Macedonia
Capital City: Skopje
Language Spoken: Macedonian 66.5%, Albanian 25.1%, Turkish 3.5%, Roma 1.9%, Serbian 1.2%, other 1.8% (2002 census)
Get travel insurance to Macedonia from Direct Travel Insurance. We offer low cost and high quality travel insurance to Macedonia and most of the world.
41 50 N, 22 00 E
lowest point: Vardar River 50 m highest point: Golem Korab (Maja e Korabit) 2,764 m
total: 766 km border countries: Albania 151 km, Bulgaria 148 km, Greece 246 km, Serbia 221 km
high seismic risks
low-grade iron ore, copper, lead, zinc, chromite, manganese, nickel, tungsten, gold, silver, asbestos, gypsum, timber, arable land
arable land: 22.01% permanent crops: 1.79% other: 76.2% (2005)
air pollution from metallurgical plants
As a landlocked country, (Former Yugoslav Republic of) Macedonia has a pronounced continental climate, with very cold winters and hot summers. Required clothing Mediumweight clothing and very warm overcoats in winter; lightweight clothing and raincoats required for the summer.
time difference: UTC+1 daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
2,050,554 (July 2006 est.)
0-14 years: 20.1% (male 213,486/female 199,127) 15-64 years: 68.9% (male 711,853/female 701,042) 65 years and over: 11% (male 98,618/female 126,428) (2006 est.)
total: 34.1 years male: 33.2 years female: 35.1 years (2006 est.)
0.26% (2006 est.)
12.02 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
8.77 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
-0.65 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
at birth: 1.08 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
total population: 73.97 years male: 71.51 years female: 76.62 years (2006 est.)
1.57 children born/woman (2006 est.)
Business meetings are formal, with suits and ties appropriate for men and skirts and blouses usually worn by women. English, French and German are spoken in most business circles. Office hours are 0700-1500 Monday to Friday.
Personal attacks, including serious sexual assaults and rapes, are rare. However, there has been a recent increase in reported street robberies involving the use of violence. Personal attacks against foreigners are extremely rare. However, acts of intimidation and harassment against nationals of Western countries have been reported. There have also been cases of foreigners being pickpocketed by gangs of children and bag snatchers in the main shopping and entertainment areas late at night. Foreign nationals appear to have been specifically targeted. Pickpocketing is an especial concern at Skopje's Petrovec Airport and Trgovski Centar, the main downtown shopping mall. Credit card fraud is widespread and caution should be exercised when making a purchase using this method. ATM use is considered safe as long as standard safety precautions are taken. Valuables, including cell phones and electronic items, should not be left in plain view in unattended vehicles. Windows and doors should be securely locked when residences are uninhabited. Organized crime is present in Macedonia, which occasionally results in violent confrontations between rival organizations. Criminal inter-gang rivalries and individuals associated with organized crime, particularly in western Macedonia, have been the source of periodic violent confrontations resulting in serious injury and even death to innocent people.
Macedonia has no deluxe/A-class hotels. There are B-class hotels in Skopje and the Ohrid Lake tourist area on the border with Albania and Greece.
Telecommunications/Post: IDD is available. Country code: 389. Outgoing international code: 99. All telecommunications services, as well as the post, are generally working normally, although uncertainty still surrounds all future international connections via Serbia and Greece. The Ministry of Information acts as the state news agency, periodically producing material in English for international distribution.
is 220 volts AC, 50Hz. Electricity 220 volts AC, 50Hz.
C,F
Macedonian cuisine is similar to that of Turkey and Greece. Different varieties of kebab can be found almost everywhere, as can dishes such as moussaka (aubergines and potatoes baked in layers with minced meat). National specialties are gravce tavce (beans in a skillet) and the delicious Ohrid trout.
* Please see passport section
Passport with at least three to six months' validity (depends on the individual case) required by all.
Required by all except the following:
(a) 1. nationals referred to in the chart above (except Australia, Canada, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovak Republic and Slovenia) for tourist and business stays of up to three months;
(b) nationals of Barbados, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Botswana, Croatia, Cuba, Iceland, Israel, Liechtenstein, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland and the Vatican City for tourist and business stays of up to three months;
(c) nationals of Serbia & Montenegro and Turkey for tourist and business stays of up to 60 days;
(d) nationals of Bulgaria and Malaysia for tourist and business stays of up to one month;
(e) nationals of CIS countries, except nationals of Moldova and Uzbekistan, can travel without a visa for purposes such as organized tourism and visiting relatives.
(a) Nationals of the following countries need to obtain official approval from the Ministry of Interior in (Former Yugoslav Republic of) Macedonia. in order to obtain visas: Afghanistan, Algeria, Bangladesh, Burundi, Cameroon, Chile, China (PR), Congo (Rep), Egypt, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Honduras, Hong Kong (SAR), India, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, The Philippines, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syrian Arab Republic, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, Vietnam and Yemen. Their visas must also be issued at an embassy (including for nationals of Czech Republic, although they do not need prior approval). All other nationals require visas, but their applications do not need to be referred to Skopje. (b) Any holders of travel documents other than a passport must also require approval from (Former Yugoslav Republic of) Macedonia.
Single-entry: ?13 (?21*); Double-entry: ?17 (?25*); Multiple-entry: ?24 (?32*).
* These prices are for those nationals that require approval from the Macedonian authorities. Visas are issued free of charge to nationals of the CIS (except nationals of Moldova and Uzbekistan).
Valid for 30 days. Transit visas valid for up to five days.
Nearest Diplomatic or Consular mission (see General Info section).
(a) Valid passport. (b) Application form, which must be submitted in person. (c) One passport-size photo. (d) Fee payable in cash. Tourist: (a)-(d) and, (e) Hotel reservation. Business: (a)-(d) and, (e) Letter of invitation from Macedonian company. (f) Business letter from the applicant's company. Transit: (a)-(d) and, (e) Visa for next country, if required.
Usually one to three, although if approval is needed from (Former Yugoslav Republic of) Macedonia (see above), can take a minimum of 10 days.
No Test Required
None
Suite 2.1 & 2.2, 2nd Floor, Buckingham Court, Buckingham Gate, London SW1E 6BE, UK
Tel: (020) 7976 0535 or 0538 (consular section).
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0930-1730; Mon, Wed and Fri 1200-1500 (for personal callers).
1101 30th Street, Suite 302, NW Washington, DC 20007, USA
Tel: (202) 337 3063.
E-mail: rmacedonia@aol.com
Most visits to Macedonia are trouble-free but you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks, which could be against civilian targets, including places visited by foreigners.
Travelers intending to travel to the northern and western border regions of Macedonia should exercise caution.
Sporadic acts of violence do still occur in Macedonia, particularly in the north, but also including Skopje.
This advice is based on information provided by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office in the UK. It is correct at time of publishing. As the situation can change rapidly, visitors are advised to contact the following organizations for the latest travel advice:
Website: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice
Macedonian Denar (MKD) = 100 deni. Notes are in denominations of MKD5000, 1000, 500, 100, 50 and 10. Coins are in denominations of MKD5, 2 and 1, and 50 deni.
There are no restrictions on the import and export of local or foreign currency.
Mon-Fri 0700-1900; Sat 0700-1300.
All major currencies may be exchanged, but Euros are easiest to exchange.
Very limited acceptance. Check with your credit or debit Card Company for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available.
To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take cheques in US Dollars or Euros.
| City/Region | City/Area code | Followed by |
|---|---|---|
| Bitola | (0)47 | + 6 digit subscriber nr |
| Gevgelija | (0)34 | + 6 digit subscriber nr |
| Gostivar | (0)42 | + 6 digit subscriber nr |
| Kicevo | (0)45 | + 6 digit subscriber nr |
| Kocani | (0)33 | + 6 digit subscriber nr |
| Kumanovo | (0)31 | + 6 digit subscriber nr |
| Ohrid | (0)46 | + 6 digit subscriber nr |
| Prilep | (0)48 | + 6 digit subscriber nr |
| Skopje | (0)2 | + 7 digit subscriber nr |
| Stip | (0)32 | + 6 digit subscriber nr |
| Tetovo | (0)44 | + 6 digit subscriber nr |
| Veles | (0)43 | + 6 digit subscriber nr |
Reasonable dental care can be found in the capital
Some international medication is available from the larger pharmacies and hospitals in the larger towns and cities.
Blood supplies should be considered as unsafe in Macedonia
Health facilities are limited. Medical facilities are rarely up to Western standards. Patients may have to undergo medical procedures without the benefit of anesthesia. Medicines may be in short supply. Maternity hospital facilities are considered less than adequate. Women may wish to consult their physicians about the advisability of traveling to and in Macedonia after the fourth month of pregnancy.
Recent medical and dental exams should ensure that the traveler is in good health. Carry appropriate health and accident insurance documents and copies of any important medical records. Bring an adequate supply of all prescription and other medications as well as any necessary personal hygiene items, including a spare pair of eyeglasses or contact lenses if necessary. Drink only bottled beverages (including water) or beverages made with boiled water. Do not use ice cubes or eat raw seafood or rare meat. Eat well-cooked foods while they are still hot and fruits that can be peeled without contamination. Avoid roadside stands and street vendors. Only pasteurized dairy products should be consumed.
AIDS occurs. Blood supply may not be adequately screened and/or single-use, disposable needles and syringes may be unavailable. When possible, travelers should defer medical treatment until reaching a facility where safety can be assured. Hikers should take protective measures against ticks.
Hepatitis A: Consider active immunization with hepatitis A vaccine or passive immunization with immune globulin (IG) for all susceptible travelers. Especially consider choosing active immunization for persons planning to reside for a long period or for persons who take frequent short-term trips to risk areas. The importance of protection against hepatitis A increases as length of stay increases. It is particularly important for persons who will be living in or visiting rural areas, eating or drinking in settings of poor or uncertain sanitation, or who will have close contact with local persons (especially young children) in settings with poor sanitary conditions. Hepatitis B: Vaccination is advised for health care workers, persons anticipating direct contact with blood from or sexual contact with inhabitants, and persons planning extended stays of 6 months or greater (especially those who anticipate using local health care facilities, staying in rural areas, or having intimate contact with the local population). Polio: A one-time booster dose is recommended for travelers who have previously completed a standard course of polio immunization. Refer to CDC guidelines for vaccinating unimmunized or incompletely immunized persons. Pregnancy is a relative contraindication to vaccination; however, if protection is needed, either IPV or OPV may be used, depending on preference and time available. Typhoid: Vaccination should be considered for persons staying longer than 3 weeks, adventurous eaters, and those who will venture off the usual tourist routes into small cities, villages and rural areas. Importance of vaccination increases as access to reasonable medical care becomes limited. Contraindications depend on vaccine type. Note: All routine vaccines (such as DTP or Td, Hib, MMR, polio, varicella, influenza and pneumococcal) should be kept up-to-date as a matter of good health practice unrelated to travel.
Insect-borne illness: Encephalitis (tick-borne) - occurs Hemorrhagic fever - occurs Lyme disease - occurs Typhus (Murine and tick-borne) - occurs Food-borne and water-borne illness: bacillary dysentery and other diarrheas and typhoid fever are more common in the summer and autumn. Hepatitis occurs. Other hazards: Diseases such as measles and diphtheria are commonly reported. Polio is still considered a possible risk, although cases have rarely been reported in recent years. Influenza risk extends from November to April. Rabies - occurs in animals
None.
No recent disease outbreaks
| Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Bucharest Ployclinic | Partizanski odredi Skopje |
| Neuromedica - Centar | Partizanski odredi No. 3/1-4 Skopje |
| Neuromedica- Ador | ul.11 Oktomvri No. 25 (in the building of Insurance Makedonija) Skopje |
| State University Hospital (Klinicki Centar ) | Vodnjanska 17 Skopje 1000 |
The Constitution guarantees freedom of speech.
Press: The main daily newspapers are Dnevnik, Flaka e V?llaz?rimit, Nova Makedonija and Vecer (an evening paper). Weekly papers include Fokus and Puls. The Macedonian Times comes out monthly in English and Macedonian.
TV: MTV operates three national networks and a satellite network. Private channels include A1 and Kanal 5.
Radio: Radio Macedonian is state-owned. Kanal 77 and Antenna 5 are private stations.
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