Macedonia, Former Yugoslav Republic of

I

Introduction

Macedonia, Former Yugoslav Republic of or FYROM (in Macedonian, Makedonija), landlocked republic in south-eastern Europe, in the Balkan Peninsula. A former constituent republic of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (SFRY), it is bordered on the north by Serbia, on the east by Bulgaria, on the south by Greece, and on the west by Albania. After declaring its independence from the SFRY, following a referendum in September 1991, the republic became involved in a dispute with Greece over its official name. In April 1993, following international arbitration, the UN admitted the republic under the compromise name of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, pending a settlement with Greece on the issue.

The FYROM has a total area of 25,713 sq km (9,928 sq mi). Skopje is its capital and largest city.

II

Land and Resources

The terrain of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia is punctuated alternately by deep valleys and rugged mountains and hills. More than one third of the republic’s territory—primarily along the western side—is forested with trees such as beech, pine, and oak. Mount Korab, the highest point in the FYROM on the western border with Albania, rises 2,751 m (9,026 ft).

A

Rivers and Lakes

The Vardar River, which originates in the north-western part of the republic and bisects it, is the longest river. It flows into Greece in the south-east, where it is called the River Axiós, and drains into the Aegean Sea. The republic’s four largest lakes—Ohrid, Prespa, Dojran, and Mavrovo—occupy a total area of 679.2 sq km (407.5 sq mi).

B

Climate

The FYROM has a mixed Mediterranean-continental climate. The republic’s mountainous regions are characterized by hot and dry summers and autumns, while winters are cold with heavy snowfalls. The valleys and basins record milder temperatures throughout the year. Skopje receives much rain.