Zdravo! Welcome to the land where the sun shines bright—North Macedonia, a landlocked country in the heart of the Balkan Peninsula. There are around 2 million people living here, and the capital is Skopje, a city known for its eclectic mix of Ottoman history, Byzantine heritage, and a massive modern collection of neoclassical statues and bridges. The official language is Macedonian, which uses the Cyrillic alphabet.

North Macedonia covers about 25,713 square kilometers (9,928 square miles). That’s roughly the same size as the state of Vermont in the U.S., or slightly smaller than Belgium. It is a land dominated by mountains, deep valleys, and ancient tectonic lakes.

The most popular sports are Football, Handball, and Basketball, with handball being particularly successful on the European stage. Their national animal is the Lion, which has appeared in the country’s heraldry for centuries, though the Šarplaninac (a massive, ancient mountain sheepdog) is a beloved national treasure.

The flag consists of a red field with a stylized yellow sun in the center featuring eight broadening rays extending to the edges, where the red and yellow colors represent the historical heritage of the nation and the sun symbolizes the “new sun of liberty” mentioned in the national anthem.

The food is a delicious blend of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern influences. You must try Tavče Gravče, the national dish, which is savory beans baked in a traditional clay pot. Another favorite is Ajvar, a rich spread made from roasted red peppers and eggplant that locals prepare in massive quantities every autumn. For a snack, grab a Pastrmajlija, an oval-shaped fried dough pie topped with salted meat cubes. Because of the sunny climate, the country also produces world-class Vranec wine.

North Macedonia is home to Lake Ohrid, one of the oldest and deepest lakes in Europe, and a UNESCO World Heritage site. The town of Ohrid itself was once known as the “Jerusalem of the Balkans” because it supposedly had 365 churches—one for every day of the year. You can visit the Old Bazaar in Skopje, the second-largest Ottoman-era bazaar in the Balkans after Istanbul. For nature lovers, Matka Canyon offers stunning emerald waters and deep caves just outside the capital. Interestingly, North Macedonia is the birthplace of Mother Teresa, and her memorial house stands in the center of Skopje.

From the high peaks of Mount Korab to the ancient ruins of Heraclea Lyncestis, North Macedonia is a land of timeless history and warm hospitality. Blagodaram! That means “Thank you!”