FYROM is located in the heart of south central Europe. It shares a border with Greece to the south, Bulgaria to the east, Serbia to the north, and Albania to the west. The country is 80% mountainous, rising to its highest point at Mt. Korab (peak 2,764 m).

Government type: Parliamentary Democracy

Capital: Skopje

Administrative divisions: 84 municipalities; Aerodrom , Aracinovo, Berovo, Bitola, Bogdanci, Bogovinje, Bosilovo, Brvenica, Butel , Cair , Caska, Centar , Centar Zupa, Cesinovo, Cucer Sandevo, Debar, Debarca, Delcevo, Demir Hisar, Demir Kapija, Dojran, Dolneni, Dorce Petrov (Gjorce Petrov) , Drugovo, Gazi Baba, Gevgelija, Gostivar, Gradsko, Ilinden, Jegunovce, Karbinci, Karpos, Kavadarci, Kicevo, Kisela Voda , Kocani, Konce, Kratovo, Kriva Palanka, Krivogastani, Krusevo, Kumanovo, Lipkovo, Lozovo, Makedonska Kamenica, Makedonski Brod, Mavrovo i Rostusa, Mogila, Negotino, Novaci, Novo Selo, Ohrid, Oslomej, Pehcevo, Petrovec, Plasnica, Prilep, Probistip, Radovis, Rankovce, Resen, Rosoman, Saraj , Sopiste, Staro Nagoricane, Stip, Struga, Strumica, Studenicani, Suto Orizari, Sveti Nikole, Tearce, Tetovo, Valandovo, Vasilevo, Veles, Vevcani, Vinica, Vranestica, Vrapciste, Zajas, Zelenikovo, Zelino, Zrnovci

Executive Branch:
Chief of state: President
Head of government: Prime Minister
Cabinet: Council of Ministers is elected by the majority vote of all the deputies in the Assembly

Legal System: based on civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Population: 2,066,718 (July 2009 est.)
Country comparison to the world: 144

Ethnic Origin: FYROMn 64.2%, Albanian 25.2%, Turkish 3.9%, Roma (Gypsy) 2.7%, Serb 1.8%, other 2.2% .

Area total: 25,713 sq km
Country comparison to the world: 149
Land: 25,433 sq km
Water: 280 sq km

Natural Resources:low-grade iron ore, copper, lead, zinc, chromite, manganese, nickel, tungsten, gold, silver, asbestos, gypsum, timber, arable land

FYROM's climate is relatively warm with dry summers and autumns. The country also experiences cold winters with heavy snowfall.

An excellent time to visit FYROM is between May to October, as it's the warmest and driest part of the year. In summer the average temperature is 23° C or 73° F and a light sweater in the evening makes it quite pleasant. On the other hand the winters are very cold with an average temperature of 2° C or 35° F. Maximum summer temperatures goes up to 40° C and the lowest winter temperatures drop to about -30°C.

The entire territory of FYROM with its latitudinal extent is a transitional region between the Mediterranean and continental climates. Temperate Mediterranean type of climate is experienced along the valleys of the Vardar and Strumica rivers. The interior of the country has a moderate continental climate with warm and dry summers and cold and wet winters.

Winters are fraught with lots of snow, cold chilled winds and even rain drizzling. The rainfall is also insufficient because of the openness of the Aegean Sea river basin and the high mountains reaching 2,700 m. the geography of FYROM receives about 500-700 mm rainfall annually, badly distributed throughout the year.

Free to Import
- 200 cigarettes, or
- 100 cigarillos, or
- 50 cigars, or
- 250 gms of smoking tobacco, or
- proportional quantity of various above listed tobacco products

- alcohol and alcoholic beverages:
- 2 litres of wine, and
- 1 litre of spirits or strong liqours
- perfume: 50ml, or
- toilet water: 250 ml.

Please note that 50 Euros customs allowance does not apply to tobacco products, alcohol an alcoholic beverages, perfume and toilet water in quantities exceeding the above listed.

When entering into the country the non-residents:

Could freely bring into the country the amount that does not exceed the equivalent of 2.000 euros in foreign currency and checks and up to 20.000 denars per person.

They are obliged to declare their foreign currency and checks to the Customs authority where the total amount exceeds the equivalent of 2.000 euros, it is compulsory to receive written certificate issued by the Customs authority

1 Jan New Year's Day
6-7 Jan Orthodox Christmas
8 Mar International Women's Day
28 Mer Orthodox Easter Monday.
1 May Labour Day
2 Aug Ilinden (National Holiday).
8 Sep Independence Day

In Skopje and FYROM as well, is very common to meet people who speak English well, so expect from a pedestrian you might stop to ask for information at least to know mid-level English to help you.

Criminals and the downtrodden might try to use illegal means to get money from you, but most of Skopje is extremely safe, and recently the level of safety is increased. Citizens are warm-hearted and generous people, and you will enjoy their splendid hospitality offering you all that they have to make you feel as comfortable as you can. It is a place worth visiting, so please don't hesitate to come.

SAFETY

Skopje suffers primarily from the same types of crime as most international tourist cities: petty theft and pickpocketing. Pickpocketing is the most frequent crime perpetrated against tourists. Be careful above all at the bus and train stations, as well as in the Old Bazzar, Stone bridge and Bitpazar disctricts.

Medicines, doctors and medical care

Skopje has some very good private hospitals, an excellent ambulance service, and good medical care. It is easily for you to find a medicines at the local pharmacies. However, if you need some more expensive medicines, it's always best to bring your own.

Skopje's only other safety issues are health related. The city can get very warm during the summer, and sunblock, sunglasses and hats are all necesserities. To avoid heatstroke, drink plenty of water and try to confine your activities to air-conditioned buildings or shaded areas as much as possible.