======================================================

Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of

Introduction

Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of

Background: International recognition of The Former Yugoslav Republic
of Macedonia's (F.Y.R.O.M.) independence from Yugoslavia in 1991
was delayed by Greece's objection to the new state's use of what it
considered a Hellenic name and symbols. Greece finally lifted its
trade blockade in 1995, and the two countries agreed to normalize
relations, despite continued disagreement over F.Y.R.O.M.'s use of
"Macedonia." F.Y.R.O.M.'s large Albanian minority, an ethnic Albanian
armed insurgency in F.Y.R.O.M. in 2001, and the status of neighboring
Kosovo continue to be sources of ethnic tension.

Geography Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of

Location: Southeastern Europe, north of Greece

Geographic coordinates: 41 50 N, 22 00 E

Map references: Europe

Area: total: 25,333 sq km water: 477 sq km land: 24,856 sq km

Area - comparative: slightly larger than Vermont

Land boundaries: total: 766 km border countries: Albania 151 km,
Bulgaria 148 km, Greece 246 km, Yugoslavia 221 km

Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)

Maritime claims: none (landlocked)

Climate: warm, dry summers and autumns and relatively cold winters with
heavy snowfall

Terrain: mountainous territory covered with deep basins and valleys;
three large lakes, each divided by a frontier line; country bisected by
the Vardar River

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Vardar River 50 m highest point:
Golem Korab (Maja e Korabit) 2,753 m

Natural resources: chromium, lead, zinc, manganese, tungsten, nickel,
low-grade iron ore, asbestos, sulfur, timber, arable land

Land use: arable land: 24% permanent crops: 2% other: 74% (1998 est.)

Irrigated land: 550 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards: high seismic risks

Environment - current issues: air pollution from metallurgical plants

Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution,
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law
of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified:
none of the selected agreements

Geography - note: landlocked; major transportation corridor from Western
and Central Europe to Aegean Sea and Southern Europe to Western Europe

People Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of

Population: 2,054,800 note: a Framework Agreement ratified by