Macedonia * Makedonija

Dear friend I am goimg to say somethnik about my beautifl country REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA.

The Republic of Macedonia occupies the western half of the ancient Kingdom of Macedonia.The part of the southern Balkan Peninsula traditionally known as Macedonia is bounded to the south by th Aegean Sea and the Aliakmon River; to the west by Lakes Prespa and Ohrid, the
watershed west of the Crni Drim River, and the Shar Mountains; and to the north by the mountains of the Skopska Crna Gora and the watershed between the Morava and Vardar basins. The Pirin Mountains mark its eastern edge. Since 1913 this geographic and historical region has been divided between Greece, Serbia and Bulgaria, and only some 40 percent of its area is occupied by the independent state, MACEDONIA.

Mecedonian flag

The Coat of Arms of the Republic of Macedonia

Skopje is the capital and the largest city of the Republic of Macedonia. It lies on the upper course of the Vardar river and is located on a major north - south Balkan route between Belgrade and Athens. The city of Skopje has been for the first time mentioned by Claudius Ptolomeius, under its ancient name of Skupi. In the 2nd century B.C. Skupi was founded by the Romans.

In this period, the city experienced real bloom on several fields, it became a large religious center with its own bishop. In the year of 518 the city was destroyed by a disastrous earthquake. Wonderful architectonic buildings, numerous public baths and the ancient amphitheater built in a roman style, large basilica with mosaic floors have completely disappeared from the earth’s face. Since then Scupi is not mentioned any more. The Skopje valley got a new city center called "Justinijana Prima". By the end of the VI th century, in front of the ramparts of the city the Slavic people have showed up, which managed to occupy and to slovenize it for a period of only one century. This area was settled by the Slavic tribe Berziti and gives the city the new name Skopje.

Today Skopje has around 650.000 citizens. It is the administrative and political center of the Republic of Macedonia. Industries in the city include iron and steel works, electrical machinery, chemicals, textiles, carpets, and foodstuffs. Skopje is a trading center for the cotton, tobacco, grains, and livestock produced in the surrounding region as well. Besides the Belgrade-Athens highway and railway routes, region as well. Besides the Belgrade-Athens highway and railway routes, the city also has the largest airport in the Republic of Macedonia. You can reach Skopje by train, car or air. The first train that arrived in Skopje was from Solun in the distant year of 1873. Also the first railway line in Macedonia was that from Solun-Gevgelija-Veles-Skopje.

History of Macedonia :

Alexander the Macedonian

Tsar Samuil

King Marko

More about my beautiful country Republic of Macedonia on the source of this tekst

http://www.mymacedonia.net/

Regards

Srdzan