Geography
The Republic of North Macedonia (the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and North Macedonia from 2019) - is a small country in South Eastern Europe on the Balkan Peninsula and is bordered by Greece, Albania, Kosovo, Serbia and Bulgaria.

Skopje is the capital city. Bitola is Macedonia's second largest city.

The terrain is mountainous with valleys and plains. The longest river is the Vardar.

Macedonia's climate is Continental in the north and Mediterranean in the south.

Environment
The shores of Lake Ohrid are part of the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Ohrid Region. Lake Ohrid, shared with Albania, is the largest of Macedonia's natural lakes. Lake Prespa, also shared with Albania and Greece, is Macedonia's second largest lake.

Wildlife such as the bear, boar and deer can be found in the Galicica National Park. Other National Parks are Mavrovo and Pelister. The Jasen Forest Reserve, the habitat of many species of animals and birds, is thirty kilometres south west of Skopje.

Architecture
Numerous churches, monasteries and mosques can be seen in Macedonia. The town of Ohrid, a World Heritage site, has many religious buildings. The Church of St. Sophia is one of Ohrid's most well known buildings. During the rule of the Ottoman Empire, St Sophia, like many churches, was converted to a mosque.

In Ohrid's town centre the houses of Robevi and Urania are very good examples of nineteenth century Macedonian architecture.

There is much to see in the old town of Skopje including the Church of the Holy Saviour and the Mustafa Pasha Mosque. However most of the administrative capital of Skopje has been built since the 1963 earthquake.

Population
Macedonia's population was estimated at 2,066,720 in 2009. Around two-thirds of the people are Macedonian and about a quarter are Albanian.

Languages
Macedonian is the official language.

Religion
Almost sixty-five percent of the people belong to the Macedonian Orthodox Church and around thirty-three percent are Muslim.

Food
The cuisine of Macedonia is influenced by its Balkan neighbours. Traditional food includes bread, soups, stews, lamb kebabs, stuffed vegetables, moussaka and minced meat dishes such as kjebapchinja and meat balls.

Meat (pork, chicken, lamb, beef) and fish are served with rice, pasta and vegetables: aubergines, beans, cucumber, mushrooms, peppers, potatoes and tomatoes. Dairy products include yoghurt and feta, a white salty cheese.

Desserts eaten in Macedonia are fruit salads, puddings, cakes and pastries.

Turkish coffee is popular. Wine, beer and soft drinks are produced locally.

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