THE REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA Facts The Republic of Macednia is situated in the southern part of the Balkan Peninsula and it is continental country. The relief of Macedonia is characterized by large and high mountain massifs giving way to extensive, flat valleys and plains. There are 14 mountain peaks higher than 2,000 metres. In Macedonia there are 1100 larger sources of water. There are three large tectonic lakes, fifteen artificial lakes and also twenty-five glacial lakes. With its unique flora and fauna characteristic of the tertiary period (2-4 million years ago), lake Ohrid is one of Europe’s great biological reserves. Most of the lake’s plant and animal species are endemic and unique to Ohrid. Mediteranean flora goes together with the plant species of the Euro Siberian regions, while mountains are natural habitats of bear, deer, boar, wolf, and many other animal species. Almost the entire territory is a transitional region between the Mediterranean and continental climate. Macedonia is a land of sharp winters, warm summers and a lot of sunny days. Atractive lakes, mountains, spas, cultural and historical sites are some of the distinctive features of this country. The main tourist resorts are located around the natural lakes of Ohrid, Prespa and Dojran.The three national parks, Mavrovo, Pelister and Galicica, offer visitors inviting conditions for recreation and leisure activities. Evidence of Macedonia’s long and rich historical cultural heritage can be found in the many valuable archeological sites located throughout the country. Distinctive and historic architecture in towns and villages spectacularly frame the natural mountainous beauty of Macedonia, while delicious cuisine and wine abounds in well-known national specialities.
Getting to Macedonia By air: International airports in Skopje and Ohrid connect directly Macedonia with several major European cities: (Belgrade, Berlin, Budapest, Dusseldorf, Hamburg, Istanbul, Ljubljana, Milan, Prague, Rome, Vienna, Zagreb and Zurich) and thru them to all world . Close regional airports in Belgrade, Sofia and Thessaloniki can also be used, as they are all within a few hours’ drive from Macedonia. By train: An international train, operating twice daily, connects Ljubljana, Slovenia and Thessaloniki, Greece by way of Macedonia. By car: The international highway E-75 runs north-south from Serbia to Greece, bisecting Macedonia. This is the most common route for overland tourists to take for entering Macedonia. There are also good roads connecting the country with Bulgaria to the east and Albania to the west. By bus: A number of bus lines connect Macedonia with all neighboring countries and other European cities. Buses are frequent, and offer relatively inexpensive fares and professional service. Area: 25.7 sq km Population : 2 million Capital: Skopje 500.000 inhabitants
Currency: Denar (1 MKD = 100 Deni) Local time: GMT + 1 Language: Macedonian