Nature In North Macedonia

The Macedonian landscapes and position at the crossroads of the Balkans combine with traditional land practices to create the right ingredients for abundant and diverse wildlife. Across much of Europe increasing prosperity has seen the disappearance of traditional farming, but almost one third of Macedonia is still covered with grazed steppe areas. And whilst the numbers of sheep are declining rapidly, the hillsides are often grazed to their summits.

Waterslang eet vis (Meer van Ohrid, Macedonië) — Water Snake eating Fish (Lake Ohrid, Macedonia)

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The flora of Republic of Macedonia is represented by around 210 families, 920 genera, and around 3,700 plant species. The most abundant group are the flowering plants with around 3,200 species, followed by mosses (350 species) and ferns (42). The fauna of Macedonian forests is abundant and includes bears, wild boars, wolves, foxes, squirrels, chamois and deer. The lynx is found, although very rarely, in the mountains of western Macedonia, while deer can be found in the region of Demir Kapija. Forest birds include the blackcap, the grouse, the black grouse, the imperial eagle and the forest owl.