-A country located in the central Balkan peninsula in Southeast Europe.

Area: 25,713km2 People: 2 million

-Republic of Macedonia is bordered by Kosovo to the northwest, Serbiato the north, Bulgariato the east, Greeceto the south, and Albaniato the west.

Government: Type: Parliamentary democracy

Official language: Macedonian (belongs to the Eastern branch of the South Slaviclanguage group)

Currency: Macedonian Denar (MKD)Independence: 8 September 1991 (from Yugoslavia).

-The country's capital is Skopje.

Climate:Three overlapping climatic area types - Mediterranean; moderately continental; and mountainous, with hot, dry summers and cold, snowy winters.Terrain: Large and high mountain massifs giving way to extensive, flat valleys and plains.

Three national parksPelisterMavrovoGaliica

Three large lakesThe biggest island in the Great Prespa Lake, on Macedonia's side, is called Golem Grad("Large Town"), and Snake Island (Zmiski Ostrov). Lake Ohrid Lake Prespa

-Macedonia has a rich cultural heritage in art, architecture, poetry, and music. -It has many ancient, protected religious sites.

-Poetry, cinema, and music festivals are held annually such as: -the OhridSummer festival of classical music and drama -the Struga Poetry Evenings -International Camera Festival in BitolaMacedonian cuisine -Representative of that of the Balkans with Mediterranean and Middle Eastern (Turkish) influences.

-An appetizer and side dish which accompanies almost every meal - opska salad-Local alcoholic beverage - Rakija-Dishes - Tave Grave, Zelnik, Polneti piperki

The Macedonian TroutThe Balkan lynxMacedonian pineEndemic species

Herakleia LynkestisTheRobevi HouseTheMonastery of Saint NaumMatka Canyon