North Macedonia is a landlocked country located in the Balkan Peninsula of southeastern Europe. It is bordered by Kosovo to the north, Bulgaria to the east, Greece to the south, and Albania to the west. North Macedonia has a diverse landscape that ranges from high mountains to pristine lakes and rivers. The country's climate varies, with warm summers and cold winters in the interior and mild winters and hot summers in the south. North Macedonia has a rich cultural heritage influenced by its location at the crossroads of various empires and civilizations throughout history. The country has a mix of ethnic groups, with Macedonians being the largest group, followed by Albanians, Turks, and Roma. North Macedonia has a developing economy that is based on industry, agriculture, and tourism. North Macedonia gained independence from Yugoslavia in 1991 and became a UN member in 1993. The country has a parliamentary democracy with a mixed presidential-parliamentary system of government. The president is the head of state, while the Prime Minister is the head of government. North Macedonia has made significant progress in its democracy and economy since the early 2000s, but it still faces challenges, such as political instability, corruption, and high unemployment rates. The country has a strong relationship with the European Union and NATO and is currently in the process of joining the EU. North Macedonia's rich cultural heritage, natural beauty, and friendly people make it a fascinating destination for tourists.

Bradt's North Macedonia remains the only standalone English-language guidebook to this increasingly popular destination available outside the country. Originally written by Thammy Evans, a political analyst who lived in Macedonia for five years, this new edition has been thoroughly updated and restructured to make it even easier to use by Philip Briggs, arguably the world's most experienced guidebook writer. Coverage of national parks has been increased and hiking information has been fully integrated to make it more accessible to casual users. Introductions to many points of interest have been expanded to give more of an overview of what the attractions are and there are several new and redrawn maps. Of all the new countries formed following the break-up of Yugoslavia in 1991, Macedonia was the only one to attain independence without bloodshed. This is a small land that offers huge variety to travellers, from the oldest lake in Europe to soaring forest-swathed mountain ranges and from the millennia-old Neolithic rock observatory at Kokoni and Roman mosaics at Heraclea, to dozens of historic and actively-used mediaeval monasteries and mosques. Macedonia's urban centrepiece and main port of entry is the capital Skopje, now home to a wealth of Ottoman buildings, a lively culinary scene, and several world-class museums, while the main tourist hub is the pretty lakeshore town of Ohrid, a UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to its wealth of medieval churches and other architectural gems. A trio of national parks provide refuge to brown bears, grey wolves, the rare Balkan lynx and a wide variety of birds. And wherever you go, welcoming family-run tavernas and lively pavement cafés serve authentic traditional cooking and locally produced wine that ranks as probably the most affordable anywhere in the European Balkans. Wherever you go and whatever your interest, this is a country that offers countless rewards to independent-minded travellers and those who want to get away from the crowds. And with Bradt's Macedonia, you'll find everything you need for a successful trip.

Located in the middle of the Balkans, North Macedonia reflects the turbulent history of the region. The country emerged from former Yugoslavia in the 1990s without violence but struggled to achieve international recognition due to a dispute with neighboring Greece over its name and symbols. The name issue was resolved only in 2018 with the signature of the Prespa Agreement reviving prospects for membership in NATO and the European Union (EU). Yet North Macedonia’s story goes centuries back, to the Middle Ages, the period of Ottoman Rule which lasted until 1912, and the various reincarnations of Yugoslavia. The historical dictionary traces the country’s past and present with a wealth of articles on issues, events, institutions, personalities shaping political, economic and cultural life. It looks at the majority Macedonian as well as other ethnic communities such as the Albanians, Turks and the Roma. There are also entries on North Macedonia’s relations with neighbors, in history and today, as well as with global powers. This second edition of Historical Dictionary of North Macedonia contains a chronology, an introduction, and an extensive bibliography. The dictionary section has over 500 cross-referenced entries on important personalities, politics, economy, foreign relations, religion, and culture. This book is an excellent resource for students, researchers, and anyone wanting to know more about North Macedonia.

The country now known as North Macedonia has been through many changes in names and governments throughout its long history, but what hasn't changed is the rich cultural heritage of its people. Readers discover this cultural heritage through meticulously researched and up-to-date text, fact-filled sidebars, and detailed maps of the region's geography, economy, and culture. Vibrant photographs of North Macedonia depict the country's landscape and its people. Readers are even given an opportunity to take their learning into the kitchen with recipes that encourage them to try famous North Macedonian foods.

The World Today Series: Western Europe is an annually updated presentation of each sovereign country in Western Europe, past and present. It is organized by individual chapters for each country expertly covering the region’s geography, people, history, political system, constitution, parliament, parties, political leaders and elections. The combination of factual accuracy and up-to-date detail along with its informed projections make this an outstanding resource for researchers, practitioners in international development, media professionals, government officials, potential investors and students. Now in its 40th edition, the content is thorough yet perfect for a one-semester introductory course or general library reference. Available in both print and e-book formats and priced low to fit student budgets.

Western Europe 2020–2022 provides students with vital information on all countries on the African continent through a thorough and expert overview of political and economic histories, current events, and emerging trends.

This book provides a broad, interdisciplinary analysis of events impacting on North Macedonia since its independence, particularly during the last decade. In the past thirty years, the country has gone through deep political, social and economic transition, along with a name change from ‘Macedonia’ to the ‘Republic of North Macedonia’ following the Prespa Agreement signed with Greece. The contributors consider Macedonia’s challenges, its multi-ethnic make-up and its ambition to enter the European mainstream through the auspices of the European Union and NATO. The volume includes chapters on international politics and North Macedonia’s place in the region’s security architecture as well as the difficulties of the privatisation of socially owned enterprises, political corruption, state capture and backsliding. The book also covers the controversial ‘Skopje 2014’ project in addition to the impact of migration along the ‘Balkan Route’ and the current wranglings with Bulgaria over identity politics.

Digital First Edition of Life of Mahatma Gandhi through Philately - Gandhi Stamp Catalogue This Digital First Edition of Gandhi Stamp Catalogue was created with intensive effort over many years and is meant to serve both as a world-wide stamp catalogue and as a memoir to learn more about the life of Mahatma Gandhi, the Visionary from Porbandar so we can apply his teachings in our daily lives. The brief summary of contents are as follows: -> Beautifully illustrated with images of all 1168 stamps on Mahatma Gandhi from all over the world -> Covers all 146 issuers belonging to 139 territories representing present day 133 countries -> It gives both country-wise and year-wise summary of Gandhi stamp listings -> Classification of genuine and illegal stamps -> Contains images of stamps, souvenir sheets, FDCs, postcards etc. -> Meant for use as a comprehensive collector’s guide for Gandhi stamps -> Links to websites of postal authorities / agents, where you can buy genuine stamps at face value -> All key events in the Life of Mahatma Gandhi summarized along with a brief memoir on Visionary from Porbandar How to use Catabooks Gandhi Stamp Catalogue? The Catalogue lists stamps by country of issue with a brief country profile along with a brief history of stamps and a note on postal authority. The next level of structure is by date (month or year if date is not available) of issue. The following information is made available for each stamp: 1. CGC Number - This Catabooks Gandhi stamp Catalogue (CGC) has a unique CGC number to easily identify legal stamps issued on Mahatma Gandhi using 2 letters country code as per ISO 3166-2, 3 digits stand-alone year-wise serial number for Gandhi stamps and the four digits for the year after ‘G,' a character to denote Mahatma Gandhi. 2. Image of the stamp / miniature sheet and first day cover, folder, etc. to the extent possible 3. Basic information about the stamp 4. Denomination in local currency 5. Quantity of stamps issued, if available 6. Date of Issue (wherever date is not available, the month or year is given) 7. Nature of Issue like definitive (regular issuance for postal use) or commemorative (special issuance mostly for collectors), or if meant only for air post, if available 8. Shape of Issue with dimensions, if available 9. Serrations: Perforations made to the sheet, which are printed to have a specific number of stamps, to ease their splitting also referred to as perforated (meaning stamp with cutting rows and columns of small holes). It is called imperforate where this is no separation, especially the earlier stamps. 10. WNS No.

The peer review of the Action 13 Minimum Standard is proceeding in stages with three annual reviews in 2017, 2018 and 2019. The phased review process follows the phased implementation of CbC Reporting. Each annual peer review process will therefore focus on different aspects of the three key areas under review: the domestic legal and administrative framework, the exchange of information framework, and the confidentiality and appropriate use of CbC reports. This second annual peer review report reflects the outcome of the second review which considered all aspects of implementation. It contains the review of 116 jurisdictions which provided legislation or information pertaining to the implementation of CbC Reporting.

A challenge to long-held assumptions about the costs and benefits of America’s allies. Since the Revolutionary War, the United States has entered into dozens of alliances with international powers to protect its assets and advance its security interests. America’s Entangling Alliances offers a corrective to long-held assumptions about US foreign policy and is relevant to current public and academic debates about the costs and benefits of America’s allies. Author Jason W. Davidson examines these alliances to shed light on their nature and what they reveal about the evolution of American power. He challenges the belief that the nation resists international alliances, showing that this has been true in practice only when using a narrow definition of alliance. While there have been more alliances since World War II than before it, US presidents and Congress have viewed it in the country’s best interest to enter into a variety of security arrangements over virtually the entire course of the country’s history. By documenting thirty-four alliances—categorized as defense pacts, military coalitions, or security partnerships—Davidson finds that the US demand for allies is best explained by looking at variance in its relative power and the threats it has faced.