Macedonia, being officially Republic of Macedonia is located in the central peninsula of Southeast Europe. Previously, it was part of Yugoslavia and gained independence in 1991. This country is bordered by Kosovo in the northwest, Albania to the west, Greece in the south, and Serbia in the north. The capital is Skopje which is also its largest city. Its vast area is 9779 square miles with the population of more than two million in 2010. Some of the celebrations here are the colorful festivals including Manaki Brothers Film Festival, Ohrid Summer Festival, The Balkan Folklore Festival, Cultural Events Gocevi denovi and Macedonian Rhapsody.
Mavrovo National Park
Mavrovo National Park is where the highest mountain peaks in Macedonia is found. It includes Deshad, Bistra and Sara, and situated at the west central part of the country. Alongside these mountains are the skiing courts in the Balkans. Its forests houses over 100 rare species of trees, whereas the hilltops are rich in herbs and wild teas.
Mount Korab
Mount Korab is known to be the highest mountain in Macedonia and Albania with its peak at 9068 feet forming a boundary between the two countries. This mountain is beside Sar Mountains, which makes it the most beautiful mountain as part of the Mavrovo National Park. Korab Waterfall, known to be the highest waterfall in the country is also found here where the waterfall reaches more than 130 meters during spring time. Most of the time, it is covered with snow which makes it conducive for winter sports.
National Park of Pelister
National Park of Pelister is the oldest national park in Macedonia which was proclaimed in 1948. It can be found on Baba Mountain in the south west part of the country. It covers 12,500 hectares of mountain slopes with an elevation of 700-2600 meters. Baba Mountains extends from north to the south which acts as a division among Bitolj Field, Resen Field and Presla Lake. Its Flora and Fauna are very diverse with several local plants and wild animals, but the most important is the Molika pine because it can live up to three hundred years. Six kilometers from Lake Prespa is the village of Brajchino which has maintained the tradition of Macedonians. In this village, you will see green forests, sparkling springs, delicious strawberries and apples being grown. Brajchino is a perfect spot for a combination of outdoor activities and leisure along the lake. Some activities may include trekking, hiking, walking around and picture taking.
Lake Ohrid
Lake Ohrid is one of Europe’s oldest and the seventh deepest lake. This lake lies in between the Struga and Ohrid valleys located in the center of Albania and Macedonia. Its depth is at 288 meters covering an area of 138 square miles with the length of 30.4 kilometers and 14.8 meters wide. Due to elevation, Prespa Lake spills its water down to Ohrid. Its fish population consists of 17 native species which includes crabs, sponges and fresh water shells. It is also dominated with different kinds of water plants, algae and underwater plants. Some recreational activities to enjoy are exploring castles, visiting museums and churches as well as climbing mountains.
Prespa Lake
Prespa Lake is the second biggest lake in Macedonia with an area of 273 square kilometers next to Lake Ohrid. It is 28.6 kilometers long and 16.9 kilometers wide, and its depth is 18.75 meters. Prespa region is known to be the cleanest part of Macedonia since its nature is believed to remain virgin from human intervention. This lake is divided among the three countries namely Macedonia, Greece and Albania. Prespa Lake is part of the Galicica National Park where rare species of plants and animals have been preserved and strictly protected. You can enjoy picnics, trekking, mountain climbing, sightseeing and picture taking in this wonder of nature.