9 Interesting facts about Macedonia (F.y.r.o.m)

What do you really know about the Republic of Macedonia? It’s a relatively small country located in the Balkan peninsula, bordering Kosovo, Greece, Albania, Bulgaria, and Serbia.

Here are 9 interesting facts about the Republic of Macedonia (not to be confused with the ancient Greek province – Macedonia) that you probably didn’t know!

1. Home to the world’s deepest underwater cave

Cave Vrelo is a stunning underwater cave with a depth of 77 meters, which makes it the world’s deepest underwater cave and an interesting place to visit in Macedonia!

3. The first country in the world to have full access to wireless broadband

In 2006, it became the first country in the world to have full access to a wireless broadband connection, after being a part of a high-tech project.

4. The Official name in United Nations is F.Y.R.O.M, but…

While the official name of the Republic of Macedonia in the United Nations is the Former Yugoslavian Republic of Macedonia, more than 135 countries have recognized it as the Republic of Macedonia. However, a recent agreement has been made between Greece and Republic of Macedonia that the country’s name shall be Northern Macedonia.

U.N still uses F.Y.R.O.M because of an old dispute between Greece and Macedonia.

5. Ohrid lake is one of the oldest lakes

Not only the oldest but also one of the deepest with a max depth of 288 meters. The age of Ohrid Lake is estimated to be around 4 million years old.

In 1979 it was declared as a Unesco World Heritage Site, and the lake area is home to more than 200 endemic species.

6. The Cyrillic alphabet was invented here

The Cyrillic alphabet, which is used by several countries and official here, is based on the alphabet developed in the 9^th century by two Macedonian (Region) brothers – St Cyril (thus – Cyrillic) and St Methodius. It was taught by their disciples at a monastery in Ohrid, from whence it spread across the eastern Slavic world.

Their disciples taught it at a Monastery in Ohrid, and from there it spread across the eastern Slavic world.

7. One-quarter of the population lives in the capital

More than 500 000 people live in the Macedonian capital Skopje. That’s about one-quarter of the total population of about 2.1 million.

8. Of all the Yugoslav territories, Macedonia was the only one that gained independence peacefully

Macedonians gained their independence in 1991.

9. Millenium Cross

One of the world’s biggest cross monuments, standing tall on top of a hill in Skopje with a stunning 66 meters in height.

Bonus Fact

Wine from Macedonia is delicious and something I highly recommend every visitor to try!

Do you know some other interesting facts about the Republic of Macedonia? Feel free to share in the comment section below!