In the "World Almanac 2002" - The Macedonian Flag in Second Place

(Dnevnik, 29.12.2001) - The Macedonian flag is in second place in the selection of the editors of "World Almanac" for 2002. The ten of the best flags of nations according to the editors of the almanac are: first place the flag of Bhutan, then Macedonia, the third place is the flag of Kiribati, followed by Sri Lanka, Brazil, Canada, Japan, Switzerland, the Seyshell Islands and the flag of France in tenth place.

The Macedonian flag

According to the information of the American national centre for statistics in education from 1999 that is published in the almanac, Macedonia is in the 30th or the 25th place among 38 countries in the international achievements of eight-graders in mathematics and science. Singapore is in first place in math and in science - Taiwan.
"The World Almanac" is the biggest bestseller and a book of information in the world. Its first issue was published in 1868 on 120 pages. In 1876 the Almanac was suspended and in 1886 Joseph Pulitzer, the publisher of "New York World" renewed it and its goal was to make a "collection of universal meaning". Since then, the Almanac is being published with no obstacles and the annual issue of this bestseller has 1008 pages with two catalogues of colour photographs.

MACEDONIA AS BIBLICAL COUNTRY

Macedonia is a biblical country. It is the first country on European soil where the apostle Paul along with the apostles Silas, Timothy and Luke in the period between 51 and 54 sowed the seed of Christianity, and Lydia from the town of Tijatir, who at that time was staying in Philippi, is the first Macedonian and European Christian woman.

And among the other cities which guard the light of Christ and the Word of God since the times of earliest Christianity is Ohrid. The Macedonian Orthodox Church is proud of its roots which go back to the 10th century, when the Ohrid Bishopric elevates to the rank of Archbishopric. Saint Clement’s church, this temple of love, goodness and peace prevails till this day. In its turbulent millennial history it has marked high achievements, ascents, serious crises, denials, abolishments, but also new revivals, resurrections.

FACTS ABOUT MACEDONIA

Macedonia (the Republic of) occupies about half of Macedonia (the geographic region). The rest of the region is split between Greece and Bulgaria. In a way a bit like the Republic of Ireland and Ireland.

Macedonia (the Republic of) is a landlocked country in the heart of the Balkan Peninsula, the size of Vermont, population 2 million.

The East-West and the North-South roads traversing South-Eastern Europe cross in Macedonia. (The ancient Roman road Via Ignatia goes East-West and the valley of the river Vardar goes North-South, connecting the port of Salonika to Central Europe).

Population: ethnic Macedonians constitute 67%. The minorities include ethnic Albanians (23%), Turks (4%), Roma - Gypsies (2%), Vlachs (2%), Serbs (2%), etc.
(Statistical data by The World Factbook, prepared by the CIA.)

The ethnic Macedonians are related to Ancient Macedonians. The Macedonian language is related to Polish, Russian, Bulgarian and Serbian, with Ancient Macedonian words.

The terrain is mainly mountainous, with some peaks very, very rarely being visited by anyone other than chamois, wolves and eagles.

The only Roma - Gypsy parliamentarian in the world sits in the Macedonian Parliament. His, however, is not the only Roma party in the country. In addition to having two Roma parties, the community boasts two (competing) Roma TV stations.

(The Republic of) Macedonia was part of Yugoslavia from the formation of Yugoslavia in 1918 till Yugoslavia fell apart in 1991.

Macedonia is the only part of former Yugoslavia which won independence without bloodshed. It was not involved in the wars of former Yugoslavia of the 90s (Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo).

One quarter of the population lives in the capital, Skopje.

Skopje has suffered quite a few devastating earthquakes throughout history, the biggest ones in 518 and in 1963, leveling most of the city. In addition, the Austro-Hungarian General Piccolomini ordered the city burnt down in the 18th Century.

In the early 1990s, the Macedonian economy suffered from the effects of a Greek economic blockade and UN sanctions against Yugoslavia.

Since the chief crops in addition to grains, cotton, grapes and tomatoes are tobacco and opium (for the pharmaceutical industry), it's not surprising that the national coat of arms brandishes both a tobacco leaf and an opium poppy.

In 1991 Macedonians voted for independence from Yugoslavia. Greece, fearing possible Macedonian claims on the Greek region of Macedonia, sought a change in the new nation's name and was able to slow, but not prevent, international recognition of Macedonia; Greece later instituted a trade embargo. In 1995 Macedonia granted concessions to Greece in return for an end to the embargo.

Yes, Alexander the Great was the first world-size conqueror who extended his empire across Greece and Persia to India and Egypt. He contributed significantly to the spread of Hellenistic civilization.

Very little is known about Alexander's language, ancient Macedonian. It is, however, known that Alexander's Greek language tutor was Aristotle.

He founded Alexandria and died at the age of 33 without a direct heir, one of the greatest generals of all time.

After his death, the empire fell apart. It became the first Roman province in 146 B.C.

Czar Samoil fought the Byzantines for control of Macedonia in the 10th Century. After the initial success, he lost a fateful battle at Belasica (in the southeast of today's Republic of Macedonia). He got away, but 14,000 of his soldiers didn't. The Byzantines had all 14,000 blinded. All, but every one hundredth prisoner, who were spared an eye each so that they could lead the blinded army back to Samoil, who - according to legend - died upon seeing the horrifying sight.

The army of the Republic of Macedonia has 9,000 soldiers, 5,000 less than the soldiers captured in 1014 by the Byzantines. The army also has two airplanes.

Mother Theresa was born in Skopje, the capital of Macedonia, in 1910.

The Cyrillic alphabet, official in Macedonia, is based on the alphabet developed by two Macedonian brothers, St Cyril (thus - Cyrillic) and St Methodius, in the 9th century. It was taught by their disciples at a monastery in Ohrid, from whence it spread across the eastern Slavic world.

More than one legend links the origin of the name Macedonia to Noah's grandchildren.

The father of the modern Turkish nation Mustafa Kemal Ataturk was born in Salonika and went to the Military Academy in Bitola, the second largest city in the Republic of Macedonia.

Hundreds of thousands Macedonians have left the country over the last 150 years. There are large communities in Toronto, Ohio, Australia, etc.

When to go

July and August are Macedonia's busiest months, but also the best months to catch festivals: the Balkan Festival of Folk Dances and Songs is held in Ohrid in early July, while the Ohrid Summer Festival takes place later that same month. Unless you're planning on heading to the mountains where temperatures can reach as low as -30°C (-22°F), the weather will be bearable year-round. In the higher mountains the snow can stay until the end of May, which makes it great for skiing.