Tourist offer for Macedonia

Territory: 25.333 km2
Land: 24,856 sq km2
Water: 477 sq km2

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Republic of Macedonia, with the capital Skopje, is situated in the central Balkan Peninsula and occupies a significant geographical location owing to the favorable conditions of its valleys through which stretch major communication lines, and also to the relatively short distances from the Aegean and Adriatic Sea. Through Macedonia, along the Vardar valley stretches the shortest north-south route between Central Europe and the Mediterranean Sea, i.e the Middle East.

By air: International airports in Skopje and Ohrid connect Macedonia with several major European cities. Close regional airports in Belgrade, Sofia and Thessaloniki can also be used, as they are all within a few hours’ drive from Macedonia.

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Border formalities:
For entrance in Macedonia, a passport or some other valid identification document is necessary so that a border pass permit can be issued (valid three months). If the visa is necessary, in most cases it can also be issued at the border. However, if you’re not sure if you need a visa, it is a good idea to check at the Macedonian Embassy or Consulate in your country prior to your trip.

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National flag

The flag of the Republic of Macedonia depicts a stylised yellow sun on a red field, with eight broadening rays extending from the centre to the edge of the field.

Coat of arms

The coat of arms of Macedonia is composed of two curved garlands of sheaves of wheat, tobacco leaves and opium poppy fruits, tied by a ribbon decorated with the embroidery of traditional Macedonian folk motives. In the centre of the ovoid frame are depicted a mountain, a lake and a sunrise. These devices are said to represent “the richness of the country and it’s struggle and freedom”.

Vergina flag

Vergina flag (official flag from 1991 to 1995) is a stylized yellow sun centered on a red field with eight main and eight secondary rays emanating from the sun, tapering to a point. The Vergina sun is still used unofficially as a national symbol by the Macedonians and the Macedonian diaspora.

• Berovo
• Bitola
• Bogdanci
• Debar
• Delčevo
• Demir Kapija
• Demir Hisar
• Gostivar
• Gevgelija
• Kavadarci
• Kičevo
• Kočani
• Kratovo
• Kruševo
• Kriva Palanka
• Kumanovo
• Makedonski Brod
• Makedonska Kamenica
• Negotino
• Ohrid
• Prilep
• Probištip
• Pehčevo
• Radoviš
• Resen
• Skopje – Capital
• Štip
• Struga
• Strumica
• Sveti Nikole
• Tetovo
• Valandovo
• Veles
• Vinica

The three tectonic lakes, Ohrid, Prespa and Dojran, owing to their natural characteristics and their great importance for science, have been protected by law.

There are four national parks protected by law in Macedonia covering an area of 130,000 hectares.

The Pelister national park is the oldest, obtaining this status in 1948. The five-needle (Pelister) pine, the only such variety in the world, covers and area of about 1,600 hectares.

The Mavrovo national park, covering an area of 11,750 hectares, was declares as such in 1949. In 1952 it was enlarged to 73,100 hectares. Some 27,000 hectares are forested. It is presumed that it includes more than 1,000 types of higher plant forms, about a 100 of which are extremely rare of endemic to the Balkans.

The slopes of Mount Galichica, situated between Lake Ohrid and Lake Prespa and covering an area of 22,750 hectares, were declared a national park in 1958. Nineteen different forest communities have been discovered here. This indicated that the vegetation in this park is very rich, including several extremely rare types of flora.

The Jasen forest reserve was proclaimed a national park in 1958. It covers an area of 24,000 hectares and streches across the mountain massifs of Suva Gora, Suva Planina and Karadzhica. This park comes into the category of special natural reserves protecting many species of flora and fauna and other natural rarities.