Republic of North Macedonia
About Republic of North Macedonia
| Currency | Macedonian denar (MKD) |
| Language | Maacedonian |
| Capital | Skopje |
The Republic of North Macedonia is situated in southeastern Europe, north of Greece in the central part of the Balkan Peninsula, with a population of just over 2 million people. The government is a parliamentary democracy with a president as chief of state and a prime minister as head of government.
Although Macedonia is a young state, the ancient Macedonian civilization thrived in this area between 7000 and 2500 BCE, peaking under Alexander III the Great. In 1912, Greece, Serbia, and Bulgaria joined with the Macedonians to defeat the Turkish army in Macedonia. Conflict over boundaries continued until after World War I when the present-day area of Macedonia was incorporated into the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes.
During World War II, Italy and Bulgaria occupied Macedonia. After the war, the country became one of the republics of the new Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.
With the demise of communism in Eastern Europe late in the 20th century, Macedonia declared its independence from Yugoslavia in late 1991 while avoiding ethnic violence that plagued the Balkans in the early 1990s. However, Macedonia has a significant Albanian minority, and the independence of neighbouring Kosovo continues to create ethnic tension in the area.
Tourism is a promising area of growth for Macedonia’s economy. At this time, the country is an “unspoiled,” off-the-beaten-path destination for those interested in wine country, national parks and nature reserves, historical towns, churches, and monasteries.
Recommended Vaccinations For Republic of North Macedonia
For Most Travellers
Hepatitis A Vaccine
There is a risk of exposure to hepatitis A for this country. The vaccination is recommended.
Hepatitis B Vaccine
There is a risk of infection with hepatitis B for this country. The vaccination is recommended.
For Some Travellers
Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Vaccine
A dose of Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is recommended for infants aged 6 to 11 months.
Rabies Vaccine
Vaccination against rabies is recommended for travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, adventure travellers, and cavers) who may have direct contact with rabid dogs, bats, and other mammals. Those with occupational risks (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers) and long-term travellers and expatriates are at higher risk and should be vaccinated.
Recommended Medications For Republic of North Macedonia
There are no recommendations for Republic of North Macedonia at this time.
Diseases To Be Aware of for Republic of North Macedonia
For Most Travellers
Hepatitis A
There is a risk for hepatitis A virus exposure in Macedonia through contaminated food or water.
Hepatitis B
There is a risk for acquiring hepatitis B in Macedonia.
For Some Travellers
Leishmaniasis
There is a risk of acquiring Leishmaniasis in this country through sand fly bites, particularly between dusk to dawn. Adventure tourists, outdoor athletes, or humanitarian aid workers are at a higher risk.
Tuberculosis
Travellers to this country are at risk for tuberculosis if visiting sick friends or family, working in the healthcare field, or having close prolonged contact with an infected person.
Hanta Virus
There is a risk of acquiring Hantavirus in this country through the consumption of food and water contaminated by an infected rodent or through rodent bites.
Measles
A dose of Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is recommended for infants aged 6 to 11 months.
Rabies
Rabies occurs in this country. Travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, adventure travellers, and cavers) may have direct contact with rabid dogs, bats, and other mammals. Those with occupational risks (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers) and long-term travellers and expatriates are at higher risk.
Safety & Security in Republic of North Macedonia
Personal Safety
Most travellers have no safety or security problems. Violence related to organized crime does occur, especially in the northwest, but foreigners are not targeted.
Petty crime or other theft can occur anywhere. With respect to your personal safety, be cautious and always be aware of your surroundings, especially at night. Keep valuables secured and out of sight. Safeguard your important documents, such as your passport. Avoid walking alone at night. There have been reports of groups of children swarming and pickpocketing and snatching bags in crowded areas.
Secondary and rural roads may not be well lit or well maintained. Drivers may ignore rules of the road.
Do not use or carry drugs. Penalties include heavy fines and lengthy prison sentences. It’s illegal to photograph military or police personnel, sites and equipment. Same-sex relationships are legal but not widely accepted. Firing weapons to celebrate is common in North Macedonia. It sometimes coincides with fireworks displays. There have been a number of bomb threats emailed to locations in North Macedonia since late 2022, notably to locations in Skopje.
Extreme Violence
There is a threat of terrorism in Europe. Terrorists have carried out attacks in several European cities. Terrorist attacks could occur at any time.
Political Unrest
There have been protests, some involving violence, in central Skopje and other towns in Macedonia. Minimize safety risk by avoiding public and political gatherings and demonstrations since even peaceful protests can quickly and unexpectedly escalate and become violent.
Areas To Avoid
If you are travelling near the border with Kosovo, you should only travel on main roads and during daylight hours.
