Macedonia
is an ancient biblical country, geographically situated in the
central part of the Balkan Peninsula.
Following the Balkan Wars (1912-1913) it was unjustly
politically divided, but after a lengthy and a persistent
struggle one of the parts definitely obtained the status of a
state ? the Republic of Macedonia.
The
Republic
of Macedonia
covers an area of 25,713 km2. It borders several countries.
Namely, to the north it borders
Serbia, to the east it borders
Bulgaria, and to the south it borders Greece, whereas to the west it borders Albania. There
are several border crossings with all its neighboring countries.
The territory of the
Republic
of Macedonia
is distinguished by particularly characteristic and touristic
natural factors which are reflected in terms of the
heterogeneous mosaic of the relief, which like on a chess board,
is expressed through diverse geomorphologic forms consisting of
mountains, valleys, fields, ravines and gorges.
Due to the relief features, diverse
climatic conditions are present on the territory of the
Republic
of Macedonia,
ranging from a typical Mediterranean one, to a typically
mountainous climate. There are numerous hydrographic features
(such as springs, rivers, lakes and artificial accumulations)
with exceptionally different touristic potentials.
The characteristic relief, climate
and hydrography have contributed to the existence and evolution
of various flora and fauna. Deciduous and evergreen trees,
abundant and varied herbaceous vegetation, as well as exotic
cultivated plants are present on the territory of Macedonia. The relief, the waters and the
flora have contributed to the evolution of various animal
species, big and small game, birds and fish.
The occurrence of a range of events
in the course of history on the territory of the
Republic
of Macedonia
brought about the existence of interesting and particularly
significant buildings. This primarilyrefers to the existence of
cultural-historical and ethnographic monuments and creations, as
well as settlements, touristic sites, communication buildings,
etc.
The transportation infrastructure is
predominantly oriented along the valleys of the major rivers. In
the direction of north-south, the most important communications
are along the valley of the River Vardar, where via a motorway
and a railway line the cities of Belgrade, Nish, Skopje,
Thessalonica, and Athens are connected, in addition to the
branch connecting Skopje, Kichevo, Ohrid and Albania, the branch
connecting Kumanovo, Shtip, Strumica and Greece, i.e. Bulgaria.
ln the direction of east-west some of the more characteristic
roads are those connecting Sofia, Kriva Palanka, Skopje, Tetovo
and Debar, as well as the road connecting Blagoevgrad, Delchevo,
Shtip, Veles, Prilep, Bitola, Ohrid and Albania with a branch
from Bitola leading to Greece, as well as certain other
communications.
The tourist communication is further
accomplished via the airports located in
Skopje
and in Ohrid, as well as via the nearby airports in the
neighboring countries.
NATURAL BEAUTIES IN
THE REPUBLIC
OF MACEDONIA
other photos
Panorama of Korab mountain, the highest mountain in the
country
RELIEF
The
Republic
of Macedonia
is distinguished by characteristic geomorphologic forms from
almost all types of relief. For touristic purposes, among the
most attractive are the massifs, volcanic relief creations,
ravines, caves and the more distinct river banks and lake
shores.
MOUNTAINS
What is peculiar about the
Republic
of Macedonia
is that on such a tiny area (covering 25,713 km2) there are
numerous massifs, at elevations ranging from 50 meters up to
2,764 meters above sea level (the peak Korab). Approximately 50%
of the territory represents a typical mountainous area.
ln terms of a professional
classification, 26 massifs are registered with circa 80
mountains and mountain arms. Five of the afore-mentioned massifs
have distinct high mountainous relief, i.e. they have an
elevation exceeding 2,500 meters above sea level. ln this group
of massifs are the following: Korab, Deshat and Krchin with the
peak Korab (2,764 meters), Shar Mountain with the peak Turchin
(2,748 meters), Mokra Mountain with the peak Solunska Glava
(2,540 meters), Baba with the peak Pelister (2,601 meters) as
well as Nidzhe with the peak Kaimakchalan (2,520 meters). Nine
of the afore-mentioned massifs are classified as high mountains
with an elevation exceeding 2,000 meters. ln this group are the
following: Belasica with the peak Radomir (2,029 meters), Bistra
with the peak Medenica (2,163 meters), Galichica with the peak
Magaro (2,254 meters), Suva Gora with the peak Dobra Voda (2,063
meters), the massif llinska, Plakenska and Bigla with the peak
Stalev Kamen (1,998 meters), Jablanica with the peak Crn Kamen
(2,257 meters), Kozhuf with the peak Zelen Breg (2,165 meters),
the Osogovo Mountains with the peak Ruen (2,252 meters) and
Stogovo with the peak Golem Rid (2,268 meters). Ten of the
abovementioned massifs have medium-high relief and their height
exceeds 1,500 meters. ln this group of massifs are the
following: Babuna with the peak Klepa (1,745 meters), Busheva
Mountain with the peak Mushica (1,788 meters), Viaina with the
peak Kadiica (1,932 meters), Dren Mountain with the peak Livada
(1,664 meters), Konechka, Gradeshka and Plaush with the peak
\/olchiak (1,159 meters), Koziak, Shiroka and German with the
peak Chupino Brdo (1,703 meters), the Maleshevo Mountains with
the peak Dzhami Tepe (1,803 meters), Ograzhden with the peak
Ograzhden (1,746 meters), Plachkovica with the peak Lisec (1,754
meters), as well as Skopska Crna Gora with the peak Ramno (1,653
meters). Two of the massifs have low mountainous relief with a
height of approximately 1,000 meters. ln this group the
following mountains are classified; Golak with the peak Chavka
(1,536 meters) and Zheden with the peak Golem Zheden (1,259
meters). Among the abovementioned massifs especially suitable,
with arranged touristic facilities for winter sports are Shar Mountain,
Bistra, Pelister, Busheva Mountain, the Osogovo Mountains
and Galichica.
RAVINES
Besides the large number of massifs,
there are several river valleys and distinct ravines on the
territory of the Republic Macedonia. The ravines along which the
major transportation communications lead are of particular
touristic significance. Such are the ravines of Taor, Veles and
Demir Kapija on the River Vardar, Shishevo with the Canyon Matka
on the River Treska, Skochivir on the River Crna, lstibanja on
the River Bregalnica, and especially attractive are the ravines
of the rivers Radika and Crn Drim.
CAVES AND ABYSSES
The Republic of Macedonia,
on its area with diverse geological structure and types of
relief, possesses several caves and abysses. Among the more
distinct ones are the cave Ubavica near the Village of
Gjonovica, the length of which is 580 meters, Slatinska Cave
with a length of 800 meters, the caves in the Canyon Matka,
Alilica with a length of 644 meters, Dona Duka on the mountain
Zheden with a length ot 650 meters, Bela Voda near Demir Kapija
and Peshna in the vicinity of Makedonski Brod. The deepest abyss
on the Balkan Peninsula is located in the Republic of Macedonia and has a depth of 450 meters.
THE CLIMATE IN THE
REPUBLIC
OF MACEDONIA
The diverse relief structure on the
territory of the Republic of Macedonia
with the presence of extreme differences inaltitudes, in
combination with componential river valleys and differences in
terms of the size of the valleys and the lakes bring about the
occurrence of specific climatic conditions, ranging from
moderate Mediterranean to
typical continental mountainous climate. In the
Republic
of Macedonia there are
regions characterized by modified Mediterranean climate,
pronounced translation of Mediterranean and continental climate, as well as
continental and mountainous climate.
The
Valley
of Gevgelija
and Valandovo and Dojran are characterized by modified
Mediterranean climate with hot and sunny summers with about
2,400 hours of sunshine, an annual temperature of 14?C and an
average annual quantity of precipitations of 650mm. A pronounced
translation of the Mediterranean and continental climate is
evident along the valley of the River Vardar and its
tributaries, in particular in the Valleys of Tikvesh, Veles,
Skopje, Ovchepolie, Shtip and Kochani, as well as along the the
River Struma in the Valley of Strumica and Radovish, and along
the River Crni Drim in the Valley of Debar. In these regions the
average annual air temperature is about 12,5?C, whereas the
average annual quantity of precipitations is circa 500mm.
Continental climate is present in the
Valleys of Ohrid, Struga and Prespa with influences from the
lake basins. Furthermore, this climate is expressly pronounced
in the Valley of Kichevo, in Poreche, Pelagonija, Polog, in the Valley of Berovo and Delchevo and in Slavishte,
which are characterized by cool summers and long cold winters,
higher temperature oscillations with average annual temperatures
of about 11?C and average annual quantities of precipitations
exceeding 700mm. The mountainous climate in the
Republic of Macedonia is typical of the mountainous areas, i.e.
the regions which are at an elevation exceeding 1,000 meters
above sea level, including the high mountains of
Shar Mountain, the massif Korab, Jablanica, Baba with the
peak Pelister,
Mokra
Mountain with the peak
Solunska Glava, etc. The average annual air temperatures in the Republic of Macedonia range from 14?C in Nov Dojran
and Gevgelija down to 6,7?C in Lazaropole.
The average annual quantities of
precipitations range from 440mm in Veles to 1,068 mm in
Lazaropole, whereas along the valley of the River Radika they
reach up to 1,400mm. The modified Mediterranean and modified
continental climate in the valleys of the natural tectonic lake
basins of Ohrid, Prespa and
Dojran Lake provide pleasant tourist conditions
for both winter and summer stationary tourism.
The presence of typical mountainous
climate in most parts of the Republic of Macedonia
provides conditions for development of winter ski and
recreational tourism, which is particularly developed on Popova
Shapka on Shar
Mountain, in Mavrovo on Bistra, in
Krushevo on Busheva
Mountain, on Galichica, on the
Osogovo
Mountains with the
locality Ponikva as well as on Kozhuf.
WATERS
The
Republic
of Macedonia
possesses hydrographic objects for touristic purposes, such
as sources, springs, rivers, lakes and spas.
SOURCES, SPRINGS AND SPAS
Among the important sources and springs in the Republic of
Macedonia are the following: the source in the vicinity of the
Monastery of St. Naum on Ohrid Lake, Vrutok - the source of the
Vardar, the source of the Treska, Vevchani Springs, Biljanini
Springs, Belichki Springs in Poreche, the spring Shum in the
area of Struga, the sources of the River Crna, Studenchica,
Babuna, the source Rashche and others. The thermo-mineral
springs and spas, such as Kumanovo Spa, Katlanovo Spa, Kezhovica
Spa near Shtip, Kochani Spa, Negorci Spa, Bansko Spa, as well as
the spas Kosovrasti and Banjishta near Debar ara of particular
touristic significance.
RIVERS
There are a large number of rivers in the Republic
of Macedonia
which present interesting tourist destinations. Among the more
significant ones are the rivers Vardar,
Treska, Radika, Babuna, Crna, Boshava, Lepenec, Pchinja,
Bregalnica, Kriva Reka, Strumica and Crn Drim. The rivers with
their compositional valleys, which consist of picturesque
ravines and valleys with open fields, create especially
favorable touristic, scenic and ambient values. A typical
example is the valley of the River Radika, a river with clean
waters, river trout, presence of chutes, and a ravine with a
height of the mountain sides exceeding 2,000 meters. ln addition
to these, the ravine of the River Crn Drim with the
accumulations Shpilje and Globochica is also attractive. Similar
features distinguish the other rivers such as the Vardar, Treska, Crna Reka and Bregalnica as well.
LAKES
There are natural (tectonic and glacial) and artificial
lakes on the territory of Macedonia.
The tectonic lakes Ohrid, Prespa and Dojran are suitable for
touristic purposes. They cover an area of 655 km? of the territory of Macedonia.
The length of beaches they cover exceeds 40 kilometers. They
have clean waters and are suitable for bathing. Several tourist
settlements have developed beside them, such as Ohrid, Struga,
Oteshevo, Dojran, etc. They are particularly adequate for summer
stationary tourism, for sports-recreational, congress, and other
types of tourism. There are glacial lakes on the high mountains.
Namely, there are 27 lakes on
Shar
Mountain, 2 on Pelister
(known as Pelisterski Ochi), 4 on Jablanica, etc. Among the
famous artificial lakes are the following: Matka in the
immediate vicinity of Skopje,
Mavrovo Lake,
Debar Lake,
Strezhevo, Tikvesh
Lake, Gratche, etc.
THE FLORA IN THE
REPUBLIC
OF MACEDONIA
The geographic position, the specific
relief, climatic, hydrographic and pedographic characteristics
of the territory of the Republic of Macedonia
have brought about the evolution and existence of diverse
vegetative species. Cultivated vegetation is predominant in the
flatlands and in the fields, whereas herbaceous vegetation
prevails on the hills and in the foothills of the mountains. In
addition to this, the mountains are characterized by diverse
arborous, Iigneous vegetation which spreads up to 2,000 meters
above sea level. This area is followed by high mountainous
herbaceous areas and rocky terrains. The ligneous arborous
vegetative communities are particularly suitable for touristic
requirements. ln the
Republic
of Macedonia
they are represented by deciduous and evergreen vegetation. Oak
and hornbeam trees prevail in the mountainous and suntrap areas
on all the mountains in the Republic of Macedonia. Beech trees prevail in the
higher regions and on the shady sides, whereas pine trees and
silver fir are present on certain mountains. Most of the
mountains are abundant in endemic, rare or relict vegetative
species. As far as the Iigneous vegetation is concerned, the
pine known as molika is characteristic of Pelister, the juniper
is characteristic of Shar Mountain; the white pine is
characteristic of Kozhuf and the Maleshevo Mountains, the dwarf
mountain pine is characteristic of Mokra Mountain, the oak
macedonicum is characteristic of Galichica Mountain, whereas the
holm oak is characteristic of the Valley of Gevgelija and
Valandovo. Typical beech complexes are present on Nidzhe with
the peak Kajmakchalan, on Baba with the peak Pelister, on
Ilinska, Plakenska, Busheva, on Bistra, on Mokra Mountain,
on the Osogovo
Mountains, on the
Maleshevo Mountains, etc. The access to most of the
forest complexes in the
Republic
of Macedonia
is relatively easy, since road communications and tourist
facilities have been established on most mountains.
THE FLORA IN THE
REPUBLIC
OF MACEDONIA
The geographic position, the specific
relief, climatic, hydrographic and pedographic characteristics
of the territory of the Republic of Macedonia
have brought about the evolution and existence of diverse
vegetative species. Cultivated vegetation is predominant in the
flatlands and in the fields, whereas herbaceous vegetation
prevails on the hills and in the foothills of the mountains. In
addition to this, the mountains are characterized by diverse
arborous, Iigneous vegetation which spreads up to 2,000 meters
above sea level. This area is followed by high mountainous
herbaceous areas and rocky terrains. The ligneous arborous
vegetative communities are particularly suitable for touristic
requirements. ln the
Republic
of Macedonia
they are represented by deciduous and evergreen vegetation. Oak
and hornbeam trees prevail in the mountainous and suntrap areas
on all the mountains in the Republic of Macedonia. Beech trees prevail in the
higher regions and on the shady sides, whereas pine trees and
silver fir are present on certain mountains. Most of the
mountains are abundant in endemic, rare or relict vegetative
species. As far as the Iigneous vegetation is concerned, the
pine known as molika is characteristic of Pelister, the juniper
is characteristic of Shar Mountain; the white pine is
characteristic of Kozhuf and the Maleshevo Mountains, the dwarf
mountain pine is characteristic of Mokra Mountain, the oak
macedonicum is characteristic of Galichica Mountain, whereas the
holm oak is characteristic of the Valley of Gevgelija and
Valandovo. Typical beech complexes are present on Nidzhe with
the peak Kajmakchalan, on Baba with the peak Pelister, on
Ilinska, Plakenska, Busheva, on Bistra, on Mokra Mountain,
on the Osogovo
Mountains, on the
Maleshevo Mountains, etc. The access to most of the
forest complexes in the
Republic
of Macedonia
is relatively easy, since road communications and tourist
facilities have been established on most mountains.
THE FAUNA IN THE
REPUBLIC
OF MACEDONIA
The geographic features of the Republic of Macedonia
bring about the presence and evolution of diverse wildlife,
represented by game, birds and fish. The most widely spread
kinds of game are hares, does, boars and wild goats. As far as
wild animals are concerned, the most widely spread ones are
bears, wolves, foxes and lynxes. ln addition to the
aforementioned, there are approximately 150 species of birds and
a number of species of fish, of which some are endemic. The
abovementioned species provide adequate conditions for hunting
tourism and fishing. In terms of hunting tourism, there are
circa 120 arranged hunting grounds in the Republic of Macedonia.
Particularly significant hunting grounds are Dojran for boars,
Bogoslovec for rock partridges, Katlanovo for pheasants,
Mazdracha on Shar Mountain
for boars, does and wild goats and Brezovec on Bistra for boars.
NATURAL RARITIES IN THE
REPUBLIC
OF MACEDONIA
Certain exceptional natural rarities
stand out as touristic potentials from the overall diversity of
the physical-geographical area in the Republic of Macedonia. This primarily refers to the
three national parks, ten special sanctuaries, two areas with
outstanding beauty, fifty-five monuments of nature and three
memorial monuments of nature. Most significant, both in terms of
size and natural diversity are the national parks Pelister
(proclaimed in the year 1948), Mavrovo (proclaimed in the year
1949) and Galichica (proclaimed in the year 1958). Within the
context of natural rarities the natural sanctuaries Ezerani and
Meshnik are included, as well as a number of monuments of
culture, such as Ohrid Lake, Prespa Lake and Dojran Lake,
Markovi Kuli, Arboretum Trubarevo, Ostrovo near the Village of
Trubarevo, Karaslari, the earth pyramids near Konopishte, Kale
Banjichko in the vicinity of Veles, the geologic profile Zvegor,
Smolarski Waterfall, the basalt plates in the proximity of
Kumanovo, Vevchani Springs, Katlanovo Spa, Skopje Fortress, the
Ravine of Demir Kapija, etc.
THE CULTURAL-HISTORICAL HERITAGE OF
THE MACEDONIANS
The turbulent historical events on the territory of the
Republic
of Macedonia
in the pre-historic, ancient and Roman period, as well as in the
medieval period and the new century have left indelible traces
both in terms of the spiritual and the material culture of the
Macedonians. This primarily refers to numberless cultural-
historical monuments, ethnographic values, urban settlements,
museums, galleries, memorial collections, gastronomic events and
other events of touristic importance. The cultural-historical
monuments in the Republic of Macedonia are represented by more
than 4,500 excavation sites, of which more significant are the
following; Skupi near Skopje, Skopje Fortress, Trebenishte, St.
Erasmus, Ohrid Fortress, the early Christian basilica in Oktisi
near Struga, the island Golem Grad on Prespa Lake, Heraclea
Lyncestic, Markovi Kuli near Prilep, Stobi near Veles, lsar near
Shtip, Strumica Fortress, Bargala near Shtip, Vinica Fortress,
Morodvis, Gevgeliski Rid, etc. It is also worth mentioning the
large number of towers and bridges (such as the Stone Bridge in
Skopje, the medieval towers and bridges in Kratovo), the
numerous monasteries of which exceptionally beautiful are the
monasteries of St. John Bigorski in the valley of the River
Radika, St. Naum on the shore of Ohrid Lake, Treskavac near
Prilep, St. Gabriel of Lesnovo, St. Joachim of Osogovo, the
monasteries in Skopje as well as the monasteries Vodocha and
Veljusa in the area of Strumica. The cultural-historical
monuments are supplemented by circa 2,000 churches and
monasteries. The ethnographic tourist values in the Republic of Macedonia
are abundant in significant material, spiritual and cultural
values. The direct tourist presentation of the ethnographic
abundance of the Republic of Macedonia
is performed by a number of cultural events, such as Galichnik
Wedding, Ohrid Summer, May Opera Evenings, Struga Poetry
Evenings, folk festivals, commercial fairs, carnivals, etc.
POPULATION
According to the census conducted in
the year 2002, the total number of inhabitants in the
Republic
of Macedonia
is 2,071,210. More than 50% of the inhabitants live in urban
areas, predominantly in the capital city
Skopje, followed by Bitola, Kumanovo, Prilep,
Tetovo, Veles, Ohrid and Shtip. There are 1,753 recorded
settlements. As far as the ethnical composition is concerned,
the majority of the population in the Republic of Macedonia is Macedonians. Nevertheless,
there are some minorities, such as Albanians, Turks, Romanies,
Serbs, Vlachs and some other ethnical groups.
other photos
The Coat of Arms The flag of the Republic of Macedonia
GOVERNMENTAL SYSTEM
The Republic of Macedonia
is a sovereign, independent, democratic and social state. The
opening sentence of the Constitution of the
Republic
of Macedonia
adopted on November 17th 1991 specifically defines the character
of the state, from which the governmental system derives.
Namely, the state is a parliamentary republic headed by a
President. The President represents the Republic of Macedonia
both at home and abroad. He is the Commander-in-Chief of
the Armed Forces of the Republic of Macedonia and a President of
the Security Council.
ECONOMY
The
Republic
of Macedonia
is a developing country. its economy is in the process of
transition. The objectives of its development are market economy
and the process of privatization. The country is abundant in
mineral resources, such as iron, coal, zinc, lead, copper, gold
and chrome, for the processing of which several plants have been
set up. In addition to this, there are medium-size and large
factories in the textile and leather industry. Both the climate
and the soil are especially favorable for development of
agriculture. Wheat, maize, rice, grapes, apples, tobacco and
cotton are cultivated, and pork, beef and poultry are produced.
MONETARY UNIT
The Republic
of Macedonia obtained its currency in the year 1992, soon
after the separation from
Yugoslavia, when coupons were
introduced as transitional money. ln the year 1993 the denar was
introduced.
RELIGION
The major part of the population,
i.e. 65% of the population in Macedonia
belongs to the Orthodox Christian religion. ln terms of
representation, the population of Muslim religion holds the
second place, i.e. approximately 33%. The other 2% are
Catholics, Protestants, Atheists and members of other religions.
LANGUAGE
The official language in the Republic of Macedonia
is the Macedonian language and the languages of the
nationalities which in the municipalities where they live are
over 20% (albanian language, turkish language etc,). The
Cyrillic alphabet is used (31 letters) in the Macedonian
language, which belongs to the group of South Slavic languages.
