The Republic of Macedonia is a landlocked country in southeastern Europe. The former Yugoslav republic gained independence in 1991 and currently has the status of EU candidate country.

The population is made up to two thirds of Macedonians and various minorities such as Serbs, Albanians, Roma and Valach.

Macedonia has valuable mineral resources like iron ore, copper, lead and zinc. Main trade sector is the textile industry, which generates more than 50% of exports. Other major exports include iron, steel, wine and agricultural products.

Facts and figures:
• Languages: Macedonian mainly, with some limitations Albanian;
  at the local level also Turkish, Romani, Serbian, Valach (Aromanian)
• Capital: Skopje
• State form: Republik
• Head of state: Gjorgji Ivanov
• President of the Government: Nikola Gruevski
• Area: 25.713 km²
• Population: 2.063.122 (2004)
• Population density: 81 Einwohner pro km²
• Gross domestic product in nominal terms (2007): 7.497 Mio USD (123.)
• Gross domestic product per capita: 3.659 Mio USD (2008)
• Human Development Index: 0,801 (69th)
• Currency: Mazedonischer Dena
• Independence: 8th of September 1991
• National hymn: Denes nad Makedonija
• National Day: 2nd of August (Ilinden Uprising of 1903) and 8th of September (Independence Day)
• Time zone: UTC +1 GMT, UTC +2 GMT (March to October)
• Vehicle characteristics: MK
• Internet TLD: .mk
• Calling code: +389