North Macedonia, Europe

North Macedonia is a landlocked country in the Balkan Peninsula, in the Southeast Europe, north of Greece. The capital is Skopje.

The former Yugoslav republic of Macedonia attained independence in 1991. In in February 2019, the name of the country was changed to North Macedonia.

Geography
Administrative divisions: 70 municipalities (opstini, singular - opstina).

Total area: 25,333 km².

Terrain: mountainous territory covered with deep basins and valleys; three large lakes, each divided by a frontier line; country bisected by the Vardar River. Highest point: Golem Korab (Maja e Korabit) 2,753 m.

Climate: warm, dry summers and autumns and relatively cold winters with heavy snowfall.

People
Population: 2.1 million (2018).

Religions: Macedonian Orthodox 64.8%, Muslim 33.3%, other Christian 0.4%, other and unspecified 1.5% (2002 est.).

Ethnic groups: Macedonian 64.2%, Albanian 25.2%, Turkish 3.9%, Romani 2.7%, Serb 1.8%, other 2.2% (2002 est.).

Language: Macedonian (official) 66.5%, Albanian 25.1%, Turkish 3.5%, Romani 1.9%, Serbian 1.2%, other 1.8% (2002 est.).

Main source: CIA - The World Factbook.

The Church St. Jovan Bogoslov at Kaneo, built with Byzantine and Armenian elements, probably in the 13th century (photo www.president.gov.mk).

Heraclea Archeological Site, Bitola. Founded by King Philip of Macedonia (photo www.president.gov.mk).

Lake Mavrovo, North Macedonia (photo www.president.gov.mk).