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Macedonia
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FactsBackground: Macedonia gained its independence peacefully from Yugoslavia in 1991. Greece's objection to the new state's use of what it considered a Hellenic name and symbols delayed international recognition, which occurred under the provisional designation of "the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia." In 1995, Greece lifted a 20-month trade embargo and the two countries agreed to normalize relations. The United States began referring to Macedonia by its constitutional name, Republic of Macedonia, in 2004 and negotiations continue between Greece and Macedonia to resolve the name issue. Some ethnic Albanians, angered by perceived political and economic inequities, launched an insurgency in 2001 that eventually won the support of the majority of Macedonia's Albanian population and led to the internationally-brokered Ohrid Framework Agreement, which ended the fighting by establishing a set of new laws enhancing the rights of minorities. Fully implementing the Framework Agreement and stimulating economic growth and development continue to be challenges for Macedonia, although progress has been made on both fronts over the past several years. note: data are in 2010 US dollars; Macedonia has a large informal sector GDP (official exchange rate): $9.17 billion (2010 est.); GDP - real growth rate: 1.3% (2010 est.); -0.5% (2009 est.); 4.5% (2008 est.); GDP - per capita (PPP): $9,400 (2010 est.); $9,300 (2009 est.); $9,400 (2008 est.); note: data are in 2010 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 8.7%; industry: 22.1%; services: 69.2% (2010 est.); Population below poverty line: 28.7% (2008); Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.4%; highest 10%: 29.6% (2003); Labor force: 949,300 (2010 est.); Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 19.9%; industry: 22.1%; services: 58% (September 2010); Unemployment rate: 31.7% (3rd quarter, 2010 est.); 32.2% (2009); Budget: revenues: $2.772 billion; expenditures: $3.011 billion (2010 est.); Industries: food processing, beverages, textiles, chemicals, iron, steel, cement, energy, pharmaceuticals; Industrial production growth rate: 4% (November 2010 est.); Electricity - production: 6.819 billion kWh (2010 est.); Electricity - consumption: 8.189 billion kWh (2010 est.); Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2010 est.); Electricity - imports: 1.37 billion kWh (2010 est.); Statistics: CIA World Factbook. PressNova Makedonija(Pro-government daily), Skopje Utrinski Vesnik(Private, daily), Skopje Vecer(Pro-government), Skopje Vest(Pro-government tabloid), Skopje Macedonia in the NewsDisplaying 1 to 4 of 31 items. Macedonia Turns 20The Republic of Macedonia recently celebrated its 20th anniversary and, challenges notwithstanding, has so far succeeded as a multicultural democracy. Religious Battles in the BalkansIn reaction to violent disruptions within the Islamic Religious Community in Macedonia, its leader has asked the government and international community for protections against extremists. Brake on E.U. Enlargement Dims Hope for the BalkansCountries of the Western Balkans have expected to be next on the list of E.U. enlargement for quite some time, but the global economic crisis has made those expectations a distant prospect. Treasure Hunting |
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