Macedonia - Republic of Macedonia - often referred to as Macedonia, is an independent state on the Balkan Peninsula in South-Eastern Europe. This landlocked country borders Serbia to the North, Albania to the West, Greece to the South, and Bulgaria to the East. The capital is Skopje, with more than 600,000 inhabitants. It has a number of smaller cities, notably Bitola, Prilep, Tetovo, Kumanovo, Ohrid, Veles, Stip, and Strumica. It has more than 50 natural and artificial lakes and sixteen mountains higher than 2,000 above sea level. The country is a member of the UN and the Council of Europe. Since December 2005 it is also a candidate for joining the European Union and has applied for NATO membership.
