Former Yogoslavian Republic of Macedonia

    The Republic of Macedonia is situated in the southern part of the Balkan Peninsula and covers an area of 25,713 square kilometers.

    More than half of the Republic's inhabitants (58.1%) live in urban areas, most of them in the capital, Skopje (approx 450,000), followed by Bitola (85,000), Kumanovo (70,000), Prilep (70,000), Tetovo (51,000), Veles (47,000), Ohrid (43,000). There are 1,753 populated settlements.

    Of the total number of Macedonia's inhabitants, 1,355,816 (66.66%) are Orthodox Christians, 611,326 (30.06%) belong to the Moslem faith, 10,067 (0.49%) are Roman Catholics, while there are 56,756 (2.79%) inhabitants having other religions. The production of environmentally healthy food is an important developing potential in Macedonia. In 1992, 299,522 tons of wheat, 130,260 tons of maize and 42,698 tons of rice were produced as well as 29,867 tons of tobacco, 60,330 tons of sugar beet and 37,756 tons of sunflowers. Macedonian small-holdings is produce about 14,000 of beans, 140,000 tons of tomatoes, 115,000 tons of peppers and 3,000 tons of cucumbers, as well as about 90,000 tons of apples and 265,000 tons of grapes annually.

    Macedonia's cultural heritage is exceptionally rich, as is testified to by the large number of old churches and monasteries and their icons and frescoes. The oldest and the most renowned are the churches of St. Sophia and the Holy Virgin of Perivleptos in Ohrid, the church of the Holy Saviour in Skopje, the church of St. George in Kurbinovo, and also the monasteries of St. Pantelejmon at Nerezi near Skopje, of St. John of Bigor and that of St. George in Staro Nagonichane. Oriental cultural and historical heritage on the territory of Macedonia is also significant. Its best-known examples are the Kurshumli An caravansarai, the Daut Pasha Baths, the Mustapha Pasha Mosque in Skopje and the Painted (colored) Mosque in Tetovo.

Climate
    Almost the entire territory of Macedonia lies between latitudes 40 and 42 degrees and is a transitional region between the Mediterranean and continental climates. Along the valleys of the Vardar and Strumica rivers, the climate is temperate Mediterranean. The interior has a moderate continental climate with warm and dry summers and cold and wet winters. The openness of the Aegean Sea river basin and the high mountains reaching 2,700 meters bring about an influence of the Mediterranean and continental climates, as a result of which there is insufficient rainfall (about 500-700 mm annually), badly distributed throughout the year. The temperature range also has wide oscillations. Maximum summer temperatures in the majority of the agricultural areas reach up to 40 C, and the lowest winter temperatures drop to about -30 C, while the average annual temperatures are above +10 C almost everywhere, which is a characteristic of semi-arid areas. The warmest region is Demir Kapija, where temperature in July and August exceeds 40 C.

Relief
    Large and high mountain massifs giving way to extensive, flat valleys and plains characterize the relief of Macedonia. Low passes or deep ravines, such as those of Derven, Taor, Veles, Demir Kapija and Ciganska Klisura on the River Vardar, and Kresna and Rupel on the River Strumica, interconnect the valleys. Macedonia is a predominantly mountainous country. The country's high mountains are suitable for winter sports and hunting. About 35% of the former Yugoslavia's ski slopes could be found in Macedonia. Famous are the slopes of Mounts Shar, Mavrovo and Pelister, as well as the Gorge of Radika with its green and wild waters. Mount Galichica, standing high between Lakes Ohrid and Prespa as a guardian of the two lakes is another new winter resort. There are 14 mountain peaks higher than 2,000 metres in Macedonia. The highest is Golem Korab, at 2,753 metres.