Geography of the Republic of Macedonia

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Kosovo (UN) S E R B I A BULGARIA G R E E C E A L B A N I A SKOPJE Bitola Veles Štip Strumica Tetovo Kumanovo Prilep Gostivar Kičevo Golem Korab (2,753 m) Ohrid

Largest cities in the Republic of Macedonia

With a land area of 25,333 km², the Republic of Macedonia is a country in Southeastern Europe with geographic coordinates 41°50′N 22°00′E. The Republic has some 748 km of boundaries, shared with Serbia (221 km) to the north, Bulgaria (148 km) to the east, Greece (228 km) to the south and Albania (151 km) to the west. The country represents a major transportation corridor from Western and Central Europe to Aegean Sea and Southern Europe to Western Europe.

The country is part of the wider region of Macedonia, from which carries its own name. It is a landlocked country, but has three natural lakes: Ohrid Lake, Prespa Lake and Dojran Lake. Therefore, it has a water area of 477 km². The land area is 24,856 km².

Contents 1 Map references 2 Climate 3 Terrain 4 Elevation extremes 5 Natural resources 5.1 Nature preservation 5.2 Minerals and ores 5.3 Land use 6 Natural hazards 7 Ecology 7.1 Environment - international agreements 8 Notes 9 See also

[edit] Map references

• Europe

[edit] Climate

The Republic of Macedonia has warm, dry summers and autumns compared to the cold winters with heavy snowfall.

[edit] Terrain

The country is situated on a mountainous territory covered with deep basins and valleys; three large lakes, each divided by a frontier line. The Republic of Macedonia is bisected by the Vardar River.

[edit] Elevation extremes

The lowest point is Vardar River (50 m) near Gevgelija, and the highest point is Golem Korab (2,753 m).

[edit] Natural resources

[edit] Nature preservation

Macedonia has three national parks and few national nature reserves.

• National parks:
  • Pelister
  • Galichica
  • Mavrovo

• Special nature reservations:
  • Ezerani
  • Jasen

[edit] Minerals and ores

Macedonia is rich in chromium, lead, zinc, manganese, tungsten, nickel, low-grade iron ore, asbestos, sulfur, timber.

[edit] Land use

• 24% of the country's territory is arable land.
• 2% of permanent crops
• 25% of permanent pastures
• 39% of forests and woodland
• 10% - other. (1993 est.).

According to 1993 estimates, there are 830 km² of irrigated land.

[edit] Natural hazards

There are high seismic risks.

[edit] Ecology

Air pollution from metallurgical plants is the main problem for the environment.

[edit] Environment - international agreements

Macedonia had taken party to air pollution, biodiversity, climate change, hazardous wastes, law of the sea, ozone layer protection, wetlands^[1]

[edit] Notes

1. ^ Signed, but not ratified

[edit] See also

• Republic of Macedonia