The Republic of Macedonia is situated in the central part of the Balkan Peninsula (Southeastern Europe) covering an area of 25.713 square kilometers. Its relief is characterized by large and high mountain massifs giving way to extensive, flat valleys and plains.

Almost the entire territory of Macedonia lies between latitudes 40 and 42 and is a transitional region between the Mediterranean and Continental climates. The climate is classified as being transitory from Continental climate to a Mediterranean climate.
The country is bordered by Serbia to the North, Bulgaria to the East, Greece to the South and Albania to the West. It is a major transit way for shipment of goods from Greece, through the Balkans, towards Eastern, Western and Central Europe and through Bulgaria to the East. The capital is Skopje. Other major cities are Bitola, Kumanovo, Ohrid, Tetovo, Veles, Gostivar, Stip and Strumica.

Climate:
The territory of the Republic of Macedonia distinguishes between the following homogenous climate regions: the sub-Mediterranean region (from 50 meters to 500 meters above sea level), the moderate continental sub-Mediterranean region (up to 600 meters); the warm continental region (from 600 to 900 meters above the sea level); the cold continental region (from 900m. to 1100 m); the sub-forest continental mountain region (1100 - 1300 meters); the forested continental mountain region (from 1300 meters to 1650 meters above seal level), the sub-Alpine mountain region (from 1650 meters to 2250 meters) and the Alpine mountain region (above 2250 metes above sea level).

Natural resources:
The natural conditions in the Republic of Macedonia (geological content, relief, climate, hydrography, soil, flora, fauna) make it one of the rare countries in Europe with wealth of natural values. In the past five decades of organized protection of natural rarities in the Republic of Macedonia, 74 objects of nature have been included in the protected areas network, with a total area of 187,895 ha, or 7,30% of the national territory. In the Republic of Macedonia the following have a status of protected wealth: 3 national parks, with an area of 108,338 ha, or 4,2%; 4 strict natural reserves, with an area of 12.855 ha, or 0,50%; 3 landscapes with special natural characteristics, with an area of 2.338 ha, or 0,09%; 14 distinct plant and animal species outside the natural reserves, with an area of 2709 ha, or 0,10%;; 33 nature parts protected in the category of monuments of nature, with an area of 61.655 ha, or 2,4%.

Population:
2.022.547 (2002 Census data )

Ethnic groups:
The dominant residents are Macedonians (64.18%), than Albanians (25.17%), Turks (3.85%), Roma (2.66%), Vlachs (0.48), Serbs (1.78%), Bosniacs (0.84%) and others (1.04%)

National flag:
a yellow sun with eight broadening rays extending to the edges of the red field

Language:
Official language is the Macedonian. In the municipalities with over 20% of the other ethnic group other than the Macedonians, the language of that ethnic group is also an official language parallel with the Macedonian.

National Currency:
Macedonian Denar (MKD)
Approximate rate: 1 Euro = 61,1 denars; 1 USD = 45,3 denars

Time:
GMT+1