Expert: Masha Petrova - 12/4/2001

Question
Is there a difference between the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Macedonia?  Is it the same place, with a longer name?  Sorry if this is a dumb question.

Answer
Thank you!  Finally a Macedonia question.  :)

There is an ancient entity of Macedonia - of which the FYROM is only a part.  That includes parts of modern Bulgaria (Pirin Macedonia), Yugoslavia (Vardar Macedonia), and Greece (Aegean Macedonia) as well.

Some Greeks from the northern area of "Macedonia" call themselves Macedonian so there can be some confusion.  But when someone generally says Macedonian they are from Vardar Macedonia or the Former Yugoslav Rep. of Macedonia.  The official name of the republic is FYROM simple because the Greek government blocked entrance into the UN with the name Macedonia since it is also a historical geographic region.

I hope that clarifies rather than confuses.

thanks,
Masha