SKOPJE - North Macedonia voters will return to the polls Wednesday, with right-wing nationalists riding high in the run up to key presidential and parliamentary elections that could direct the country's future path to EU membership.
Here are five facts about the small Balkan nation that emerged from Yugoslavia's breakup in 1991:
- Name change -
Since independence, the country has tussled over the name Macedonia with Greece, which has a northern province bearing the same name.
In 2018, the neighbours sealed a historic deal to end their row by adding "North" to Macedonia's name in exchange for Athens promising to stop blocking its bid to join NATO and the European Union.
In 2020 the country was welcomed into NATO, but its path towards the EU was blocked by eastern neighbour Bulgaria due to a dispute over linguistic and historical issues.
While EU membership talks opened in 2022, the essential negotiations are on hold until the country includes the small Bulgarian minority in the constitution.
- Cultural and religious mix -
North Macedonia is home to 1.8 million people, mostly Orthodox Christian Macedonians and a mostly Muslim ethnic Albanian minority that makes up more than a quarter of the population.
It is known for a mixture of ethnic nationalities, cultures and religions. Apart from Macedonians and ethnic Albanians, it is also home to Roma, Vlachs, Turks and Bosnians.
After avoiding an inter-ethnic war during Yugoslavia's bloody collapse in the 1990s, North Macedonia faced a crisis when ethnic Albanian rebels launched an insurgency in 2001.
The fighting was halted by an internationally brokered deal in August the same year, which provided greater rights for Albanians and other minorities.
- Sun, wine and mountains -
With 280 sunny days annually, North Macedonia is one of Europe's sunniest spots, but still struggles to cash in on the potential to substantially increase renewable energy.
The mix of the Mediterranean and continental climate enables grape cultivation, especially in the south, which boasts endless vineyards.
In recent years, the country saw a boom in new wineries. Currently, there are more than 250, of which 167 are small family businesses. That has pushed North Macedonia to become one of the region's main wine exporters.
Mountains cover nearly 80 percent of the territory. The rest is either plains or three major natural lakes. Of 40 mountains, 12 are higher than 2,000 metres (6,560 feet) above sea level.
- Mass emigration -
In one of Europe's poorest nations, where 13 percent of the population is unemployed, the average monthly salary stands at 640 euros ($680).
The weak economy has fuelled a large exodus abroad especially of its young people.
From 2002 to 2021, the population decreased by more than 200,000, official figures show.
In 2022, North Macedonia had 11 percent fewer inhabitants than a decade ago -- the biggest population fall in Europe, according to the EU's statistics agency Eurostat.
- 'Capital of kitsch' -
The capital Skopje has earned a reputation for kitsch since the previous government erected grandiose neo-classical statues and facades around the city, lending it a theme-park-like atmosphere.
The building spree was part of the former nationalist government's battle with Greece over who can claim the heritage of historical figures such as Alexander the Great.
The architectural revamp was part of a Skopje 2014 project that was left unfinished when the government changed in 2017.
The half-complete structures in and around the city centre add a touch of the bizarre to the bewildering project.
- by Darko Duridanski
The information contained in the article posted represents the views and opinions of the author and does not necessarily represent the views or opinions of eNCA.com.