local short form: Makedonija

abbreviation: FYROM

Government type: emerging democracy

Capital: Skopje

Administrative divisions: 123 municipalities (opstini, singular -
opstina); Aracinovo, Bac, Belcista, Berovo, Bistrica, Bitola,
Blatec, Bogdanci, Bogomila, Bogovinje, Bosilovo, Brvenica, Cair
(Skopje), Capari, Caska, Cegrane, Centar (Skopje), Centar Zupa,
Cesinovo, Cucer-Sandevo, Debar, Delcevo, Delogozdi, Demir Hisar,
Demir Kapija, Dobrusevo, Dolna Banjica, Dolneni, Dorce Petrov
(Skopje), Drugovo, Dzepciste, Gazi Baba (Skopje), Gevgelija,
Gostivar, Gradsko, Ilinden, Izvor, Jegunovce, Kamenjane, Karbinci,
Karpos (Skopje), Kavadarci, Kicevo, Kisela Voda (Skopje), Klecevce,
Kocani, Konce, Kondovo, Konopiste, Kosel, Kratovo, Kriva Palanka,
Krivogastani, Krusevo, Kuklis, Kukurecani, Kumanovo, Labunista,
Lipkovo, Lozovo, Lukovo, Makedonska Kamenica, Makedonski Brod,
Mavrovi Anovi, Meseista, Miravci, Mogila, Murtino, Negotino,
Negotino-Poloska, Novaci, Novo Selo, Oblesevo, Ohrid, Orasac,
Orizari, Oslomej, Pehcevo, Petrovec, Plasnia, Podares, Prilep,
Probistip, Radovis, Rankovce, Resen, Rosoman, Rostusa, Samokov,
Saraj, Sipkovica, Sopiste, Sopotnika, Srbinovo, Star Dojran,
Staravina, Staro Nagoricane, Stip, Struga, Strumica, Studenicani,
Suto Orizari (Skopje), Sveti Nikole, Tearce, Tetovo, Topolcani,
Valandovo, Vasilevo, Velesta, Veles, Vevcani, Vinica, Vitoliste,
Vranestica, Vrapciste, Vratnica, Vrutok, Zajas, Zelenikovo, Zileno,
Zitose, Zletovo, Zrnovci

note: the seven municipalities followed by Skopje in parentheses collectively constitute "greater Skopje"

Independence: 17 September 1991 (from Yugoslavia)

National holiday: Uprising Day, 2 August (1903)

Constitution: adopted 17 November 1991, effective 20 November 1991

note: Democratic Party for Albanians (DPA), which is now a member party of the government, is calling for a rewrite of the constitution to declare ethnic Albanians a constituent national group and allow for greater regional autonomy