General
General facts
Official name: Republic of Macedonia
Area: 25 713 km 2
Population: 2.038.059 (census from 2002)
Capital: Skopje, about 600.000 citizens
Other bigger cities: Bitola, Tetovo, Kumanovo, Prilep, Ohrid, Stip, Strumica
The official language: Macedonian
Alphabet: Cyrillic
Religions: mainly Orthodox Christians, then Muslim, Roman Catholic and others
Political structure: State with parliamentary democracy
Independence day: 8th of September (1991 from Yugoslavia)
Localities under UNESCO protection: the town of Ohrid and Ohrid Lake
Currency: Macedonian Denar (MKD): 1 Denar
Time: GMT+1
Weights and measurements: SI
Electricity: 220 volts, 50 Hz
Macedonia in CIA world factbook: https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/mk.html
Weather
Climate - In the plains, continental (hot and dry summers and cold winters); In the highlands, mountainous (cool summers and cold winters with plenty of snow).
Health
In all towns there are hospitals and pharmacies. The service is good and prices moderate. Foreign tourists don't pay for the health services if their native country signed the Health Convention with Republic of Macedonia (in case you only need a form from your native country).
The people in Macedonia
The people in Macedonia are open, friendly, comunicative with everybody, and willing to party (you'll be surprised how much!). The Balkans are known for having people with great hospitality and friendliness, and Macedonians are BEST example of it.
Money
The only legal tender in Macedonia is the Macedonian "Denar" (MKD).
Note bills: 10, 50, 100, 500, 1000 and 5000 MKD
Coins: 1, 2 and 5 MKD.
Money exchange
At the time of writing the exchange rates were:
1 EUR = 61,50 MKD
1 USD = 41,00 MKD
Money can be exchanged at hotels, banks and exchange offices at the current rate of exchange. You won't have a problem finding an exchange office. It's safe to change money in the exchange offices without being deceived. Also, if it's matter of emergency, or it's a non working day, you'll have no problem paying with euro.
Credit cards
There are a lot of cash machines available at your service everywhere throughout the city. All major credit cards are accepted: American Express, Visa, Diners club, MasterCard, Maestro, Cirrus and Eurocard, and many others. Travelers checks can be exchanged in any major bank or office.
Prices
| Products |
MKD |
EUR |
| Beer (The most important) |
25 - 35 (in bars: 60 - 120) |
0.4 - 0.6 (1.0 - 2.0) |
| Milk |
50 |
0.8 |
| Bread |
20 - 30 |
0.3 - 0.5 |
| Wine |
80 - 180 |
1.3 - 3.0 |
| Cigarettes |
30 - 100 |
0.5 - 1.6 |
| Pizza |
200-300 |
3.5 - 5.0 |
| Hamburger |
70 - 110 |
1.2 - 1.8 |
| Coke (can/2l bottle) |
25/75 |
0.4/1.2 |
Telephones
International call number of Macedonia is 389.
Mobile (GSM) operators
There are 3 mobile (GSM) operators in Macedonia. T-mobile, Cosmofon and VIP.
Both mobile operators can provide you roaming service. Check if your GSM operator has roaming in Macedonia.
You can also buy a SIM card, during your stay in Macedonia. It will cost not more than 10 € (with all 10 € to spend).
Useful telephone numbers
Police 192
Fire brigade 193
Ambulance 194
Transportation
Bus
In Skopje the regular bus transport starts around 5am and finishes around 11:30pm. There are no night buses. Bus ticket costs 35 den. (0,5 €) for any destination.
In Ohrid there are local busses that go to all the places near the Lake Ohrid and the price depends of destination - from 20 to 100 den. (0,30 - 1,70 €).
Taxi
In Skopje taxi service is easy to get and not too expensive. Starting fares are 50 MKD for the first 2km, and 15 MKD for every next kilometer. In Ohrid taxi is almost the same price or little cheaper. There is no additional charge reflecting the number of passengers.
Taxi company numbers in Skopje:
15169, 15187, 15191, 15192, 15193, 15165, 15173, 15167...