North Macedonia

North Macedonia, officially the Republic of North Macedonia, is a country in Southeast Europe, located on the Balkan Peninsula. It is bordered by Kosovo to the northwest, Serbia to the north, Bulgaria to the east, Greece to the south, and Albania to the west. Covering an area of approximately 25,713 square kilometers, North Macedonia has a population of about 2.1 million people as of 2023. The capital and largest city is Skopje. The official language is Macedonian, with Albanian also recognized as an official language in certain areas. North Macedonia operates as a parliamentary republic. The economy is classified as an upper-middle-income economy, with key sectors including services, industry, and agriculture. North Macedonia is known for its rich cultural heritage, diverse landscapes, and as a crossroads of various civilizations throughout history. The country is a member of international organizations such as the United Nations, NATO, and has been a candidate for European Union membership since 2005.