Northern Macedonia has a predominantly mountainous landscape. The highest parts are located in the Šar Mountains in the northwest, with the highest point in the Korab Mountains, on the border with Albania (Maja e Korabit, 2754 meters above sea level), and further in Jablanica, which continues to the south. In the central parts of the country lies the Jakupica massif with the highest point 2540 meters above sea level, and at the border with Bulgaria, the Osogovsk mountains (Ruen, 2251 meters above sea level).
Northern Macedonia is intersected by a lowland in the valley of the river Vardar, in the northwest-southeast direction. There are also lower lands along several of Vardar’s bees, including Crna and Bregalnica. There are large basin areas around Lake Ohrid and Prespas in the southwest. The country is earthquake exposed, especially in the north.
Climate in Northern Macedonia
Northern Macedonia has a mainly continental climate, but with more Mediterranean character along the Vardar valley.
The average temperature in Skopje (240 meters above sea level) is 1 ° C in January and 24 ° C in July and August. In most places, the annual rainfall is between 500 and 1000 millimeters.
Plant life in northern Macedonia
In low lying areas, the natural vegetation consists of Carpinus orientalis bait species, maple and oak species, manna- ash, turpentine and horse chestnut. In higher areas, pine and beech forests grow. Macedonian pine. Above the tree line there are usually heavily grazed subalpine meadows and marsh areas.
Wildlife in Northern Macedonia
The mammalian fauna in Northern Macedonia includes 86 species, including deer, deer, wild boar, fox, badger and otter. Bears, wolves and turtles still occur in remote areas.
310 bird species are registered, 210 of these nest. Lake Ohrids and Lake Prespas have significant populations of wetland birds. Among the migratory and summer guests, white and curly pelicans, stork, sheep stork and many herring species are prominent. In the mountains, goose and donkey vultures, king eagles, dwarf eagles, masonry creepers, ringgill, alpine sparrow and alpine quay live.
The reptile and amphibian fauna are strikingly rich, with 35 and 17 species respectively.
In addition, at least 17 different freshwater fish occur.