Here are some facts about Macedonia.
- Macedonia is a small country in the Balkan region of southeast Europe. It is one of the countries that once comprised Yugoslavia, and borders Greece, Albania, Serbia and Bulgaria.
- It covers an area of about 25,700 km, which is mostly mountainous countryside.
- Lake Ohrid, one of the oldest lakes in the world, is a popular tourist attraction.
- Macedonia has argued with neighbouring Greece over its name, which was once the name of an ancient Greek kingdom. Because of this, it is officially called the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.
- Macedonia was ruled by the Ottoman Empire from the 13th to the 18th centuries.
- After the Balkan Wars of 1912 to 1913, the land was divided up among Greece, Bulgaria and Serbia.
- After World War I, the country became part of Yugoslavia. After World War II, it changed its name to the Socialist Republic of Macedonia, declaring independence in 1991.
- Skopje is the capital and largest city in Macedonia, with a population of about 500,000. It is known for its many monuments and buildings dating from the Ottoman rule, such as the Mustapha Pasha Mosque.
- Skopje’s old bazaar, or marketplace, is the largest in the Balkan area outside Istanbul. It is known for its 30 mosques, 15th century clock tower and stone bridge.
- The stone town at Kuklica consists of over 100 naturally formed stone pillars. The pillars are thought to be 10 million years old, and some are up to 10 metres high.
- Macedonia has no coastline, but has about 50 lakes. One of the most visited is Lake Mavrovo, which is man made and has a half-submerged church in the middle of it.
- The country is a major wine growing region and Macedonian wines are highly respected. The national dish is a stew made with beans and peppers and served in an earthenware dish.
