The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia is a landlocked country
located in SE Europe in the Balkans, bordered by Serbia to the
north, Greece to the south, Albania to the west and Bulgaria
to the east. Macedonia was a former Yugoslav Republic . It is
a mountainous country with areas of fertile farming land, rivers,
lakes, medieval architecture from the Byzantine and Ottoman eras,
monasteries and vineyards all mixed in with modern hotels and
sophisticated shopping areas. The major river is the Vardar.
Travel Insurance for Macedonia:
Area: Europe *
Know Before You Go:
FCO Country Advice for Macedonia
In approx. 150 BC ancient Macedonia was conquered by Rome and
became a province of Rome until the Roman Empire was divided.
Macedonia was then ruled at different times by the Byzantine
Empire , Turkey and the Balkans and Bulgaria . Following the
2nd Balkan War of 1913 Bulgaria lost a lot of Macedonia and the
territory was divided between Serbia , Bulgaria and Greece .
In 1918 Macedonia , as part of Serbia , was joined with Slovenia
, Croatia and Montenegro to form what was eventually named Yugoslavia
. Macedonia was eventually to become a separate nation again
after WWII. In 1991 Macedonia declared independence from Yugoslavia
and became a member of the United Nations in 1993. Because of
a dispute with Greece over the country name of Macedonia , the
formal name is the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM).
The population is comprised of mainly Macedonians with some
Albanians, Turks, Roma, Serbs and others. Languages spoken include
Macedonian, Albanian, Turkish, Roma and Serbian. The dominant
religion is Macedonian Orthodox.
The capital, administrative centre, and largest city is Skopje
. It has been largely rebuilt as a result of an earthquake in
the 1960s but parts of the old town area still remain, including
a medieval fortress, mosques and bazaar. One of the most photographed
sights is the wonderful bridge which spans the River Vardar.
Bitola is a large city located just a few miles from the border
with Greece . Nearby are the ancient ruins of the city of Heraclea
. Bitola was an important place during the Ottoman rule and is
the second largest town in Macedonia .
The mountain resort of Mavrovo, as well as others, have various
outdoor activities, such as skiing, mountain biking and hiking.
The Macedonian people are gregarious and enjoy their celebrations,
especially the carnivals of Strumica and Vevchani.
The city of Ohrid, located in the SW of the country and situated
alongside lake Ohrid, is a UNESCO site set in a beautiful area
of lakes and mountains and a medieval town with 10 th C remains
of a fortress and many old churches, including 11 th C frescoes.
It is a popular tourist destination with its beautiful beaches,
historical attractions, cultural activities and good accommodations.
Another town on Lake Ohrid is Struga, which is popular for its
beaches, campsites and other attractions
For nature lovers the mountainous areas have great natural
beauty and spectacular landscapes with a variety of species of
flora and fauna. Some areas, such as Galicica and Mavrovo have
been named as national parks.
.Lake Dojran and Lake Prespa are also popular locations for
visitors, and the waters are believed to have medicinal effects.
Camping is available in the area, as well as hotels. There are
more than fifty thermal spring spas in the country which have
facilities for various methods of treatment and activities. |
