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Geography and Environment of Macedonia
Terrain, climate, natural resources, hazards, and environmental conditions of Macedonia.
Overview
The Republic of Macedonia is a landlocked mountainous country. It is situated in southern Europe on the Balkan Peninsula. Occupying a central geographical position in the Balkans, it is a transportation and communications crossroad linking Europe, Asia, and Africa. Macedonia is a land of sunshine, lakes, valleys and mountains. A country of great history and tradition, it covers an area of 25,713 square kilometers and lies 245 meters above sea level. The Republic of Macedonia has 1,100 water sources. These sources run into three different basins: the Aegean, the Adriatic and the Black Seas. The Aegean basin is the largest. The Vardar River, which runs through Skopje, flows into this basin. Macedonia’s lakes are an important country resource for food and developing of tourism. The largest three lakes are: Ohrid, the largest in the Balkans, situated in the southwestern corner of Macedonia and shared with Albania; Prespa, in the same area; and Dojran in southeastern Macedonia. Twenty-five other small glacial lakes are scattered throughout the country.
Detailed geography
Physical Features
- Climate
- Mostly a country of hills and mountains, Macedonia has a continental Mediterranean climate characterized by long, dry, rather hot summers and short, cold winters. The average air temperature in the summer is 25°C (77°F) and 0.5°C (33°F) in winter. However, short periods of extreme temperatures of 110–115°F in summer and low 20s in the winter are common. The average annual precipitation is 445.5 mm. The humidity in Macedonia averages 66%. Occasionally, there are dust storms in the Vardar River valley. Macedonia is on a fault line and the country averages four earthquakes a year (most go unnoticed) with a median reading of 6 on the Medvedev-Sponheuer-Karnik International Seismological Scale.
Borders and Area
- Border Countries
- Albania 151 km, Bulgaria 148 km, Greece 246 km, Serbia and Montenegro 221 km
Natural Resources and Hazards
- Natural Resources
- North Macedonia is endowed with a diverse array of natural resources that have historically played a significant role in shaping the country's economy and industrial development. The nation sits atop substantial mineral deposits, making mining one of its most important resource-based sectors. Among the most significant mineral resources are lead, zinc, manganese, iron ore, chromite, copper, tungsten, nickel, low-grade iron ore, and gold. The Zletovo and Sasa mines have been particularly notable for lead and zinc extraction, while chromite deposits are found primarily in the western regions of the country near Skopje and Tetovo. Macedonia also holds reserves of asbestos, gypsum, feldspar, and marble, which support domestic construction and manufacturing industries. Coal is another notable resource, with lignite (brown coal) deposits representing the country's most important energy mineral. The Bitola coalfield in the southwestern part of the country is one of the largest lignite reserves in the region and fuels the REK Bitola thermal power plant complex, which has historically generated a significant share of the country's electricity. Timber and forest resources are also part of North Macedonia's natural wealth. Approximately 39 percent of the country's total land area is covered by forests, providing raw materials for the wood-processing and furniture industries. Deciduous species such as oak and beech dominate alongside coniferous forests at higher elevations. Water resources, while not vast, are economically important. The country's rivers, including the Vardar, Crna, and Treska, are utilized for hydroelectric power generation. Several artificial reservoirs, such as Lake Tikveš and Lake Matka, support both energy production and agricultural irrigation. Arable land accounts for a meaningful portion of the country's terrain, particularly in the Vardar River valley, where vineyards, tobacco fields, and vegetable cultivation thrive in the warm Mediterranean-influenced climate. Tobacco has long been one of Macedonia's most valuable agricultural exports, reflecting the fertility of its soil and favorable growing conditions.
Environment and Land Use
- International Agreements
- party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements