Macedonia gained independence in 1991. It has a parliamentary democracy.
The country covers a total area of 25,713 sq. km. Trains, buses, taxis, and cars are the means of transportation in the country. There are about 17 airports in the country of which two are international airports.
Christianity is the major religion in the country with the Eastern Orthodox Christianity taking about 65% of the population while other Christian denominations account for 0.4%. Muslims account for 33.3% of the population. The other 1.4% are unaffiliated to any religion.
Although many languages are being spoken in Macedonia, Macedonian and Albanian are the two official languages of the country. The Macedonia cuisine is a blend of Greek, Turkish, Italian, and German dishes. It is famous for its Šopska salad, an appetizer and side dish which accompanies almost every meal.
Winter in Macedonia is generally cold. The average temperature in January is around freezing (0 °C or 32 °F). Albania has a Mediterranean climate, with hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters in the lowlands. In the highlands, snow can fall from November until March.
Art, architecture, poetry, and music makes up Macedonia’s rich cultural heritage. The country holds annual music, poetry and cinema festivals. There are some popular festivals like the Ohrid Summer festival of classical music and drama, the Struga Poetry Evenings, International Camera Festival, Open Youth Theatre and Skopje Jazz Festival etc.
There are several fun places and tourist attractions in the country some of which are:
- Skopje: Macedonia’s capital city and cultural hub. Here, you will get to see how the country has mixed the modern European way of life with its ancient lifestyle.
- Canyon Matka: There are boats for rent in Canyon Matka to use and move around to see the caves. Canyon Matka is a home to over 70 species of butterfly. It is a great place for site seeing.
- Mavrovo National Park: This is Macedonia’s biggest park. It is a home to the highest peaks and also the best site for skiing. The Mavrovo Ski Resort has hotels in and around the town of Mavrovo for those looking to book a ski vacation.
- Ohrid Town: The town of Ohrid is the largest town along Lake Ohrid and a recognized UNESCO World Heritage Site for its cultural significance. A boat ride on Lake Ohrid is something you can’t miss.
The country records over 28,000 visits in a year. in Macedonia, there are about 300 recognized hotels most of which are in the country’s capital, so there are nice and comfortable places to stay when you visit.