The Demographic Characteristics of the Vardar Province and Issues of Self-Identification

Abstract

The paper analyzes the demographic structure of the south of the kingdom of Yugoslavia which was characterized by political instability, feudal heritage in economy and culture of living as well as a condition of permanent ethnic and religious antagonisms which arose from subjective mistakes made by the Yugoslav state as well as objective problems it had inherited (Albanian irredentism, activities of the IMRO backed by Bulgaria, Albania and Italy, passive resistance and fear within the population etc.). Aside from being an attempt at a demographic reconstruction of the area, the paper deals with issues of national, religious and political self-determination of the population inhabiting the Vardar region. The paper is based on unpublished archive material, statistical overviews and relevant literature.