Protected areas
Around 14% of our territory is classified as a protected natural area. This represents 86 sites, including four national parks, three Unesco sites and three Ramsar sites.
National parks. All four are located in the western part of the country. The largest is Mavrovo National Park, which stretches over 780 km2 along the Albanian border and below Mount Korab, the highest point in both countries at 2,764 m altitude. Crossed by the road between Skopje, Tetovo and Ohrid, it was created in 1949. It features lakes, narrow valleys and gorges and is home to a rich fauna, including half the country's bears and the rare Balkan lynx. The most recent is the Šar Mountains National Park, created in 2021. It covers an area of 621 km2 along the Kosovo River, in an arc near Tetovo and Gostivar. Still relatively unorganized for tourism, it offers superb scenery, with 27 glacial lakes and a dozen peaks over 2,500 m high. The Mavrovo and Šar Mountains National Parks are part of a cross-border protected area of over 2,400 km2, which also includes the Šar Mountains National Park (533 km2) in Kosovo and the Korab-Koritnik Nature Park (555 km2) in Albania. Further south and beautifully positioned between Lake Ohrid and Lake Prespa, along the Albanian border, Galičica National Park extends over 227 km2 in a mountainous massif. Created in 1948, it is renowned for its rich diversity of flowers and butterflies. Finally, between the great Lake Prespa, the town of Bitola and the Greek border lies the Pelister National Park, covering 171 km2 in the massif of the same name. Established in 1958, it includes two mountain lakes and large Macedonian pine forests.
Ramsar sites. The country has three wetlands of international importance listed under the Ramsar Convention, with high concentrations of birds and fish: Lake Ohrid (250 km2) since 2021, the large Lake Prespa (190 km2) since 1995 and Lake Dojran (27 km2) since 2007.
Unesco sites. In 2014, under the aegis of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco), North Macedonia and Albania created the Ohrid-Prespa Transboundary Biosphere Reserve. The reserve covers 4,462 km2 on either side of the border. Since 2019, the two countries have also shared the Ohrid region: an area of 947 km2 that has been classified as a Unesco "natural and cultural heritage" site, including both the lake and the town of Ohrid, itself a World Heritage site since 1979. Since 2021, the Dlaboka Valley has been included on the Unesco World Heritage list of "primary beech forests of the Carpathians and other regions of Europe". It covers 193 ha (less than 2 km2) and is part of the Mavrovo National Park.
Other protected areas. The country includes five nature reserves, one special nature reserve and two "protected landscapes". Near Skopje, the Jasen Special Nature Reserve covers an area of 240 km2. It includes the Matka Canyon. The Ezerani Nature Park covers almost 21 km2 within the Ramsar site of the Great Prespa Lake. Near the wine-growing town of Kavadarci, the Tikveš nature reserve covers more than 106 km2 around the artificial lake of the same name. There are also two small wetlands: the Lokvi nature reserve (50 ha), in Golemo Konjari, near Prilep, and the Ploče Litotelmi nature reserve (23 ha), in Stracin, near Kratovo. Each is home to an endemic species of freshwater shrimp. Finally, since 2021, two "protected landscapes" have been created in Eastern Macedonia. These are theOsogovo Mountains protected area (488 km2), near Kriva Palanka, and theMaleševo protected area (115 km2), between Delčevo and Berovo.
Forests
They cover around 40% of the territory, or 1.1 million hectares (11,000 km2). By way of comparison, forests cover 44% of the territory in Kosovo, 31% in France, Serbia and Bulgaria, 28% in Albania and 25% in Greece. As a result of demographic decline, rural exodus and the abandonment of agricultural land, the area of forests in North Macedonia has increased by an average of 4,200 ha per year since independence in 1991.
Beech trees. Around 30% of the forests are made up entirely or partly of European beech(Fagus sylvatica). Well adapted to the local climate and terrain, it grows at altitudes of up to 2,500 m. It grows alongside Crimean beech(Fagus taurica) at altitudes of up to 1,300 m, as well as various other tree species.
Conifers. The country's symbol tree is the Macedonian pine(Pinus peuce). Locally known as molika in Slavic or pisha maqedonase ("Macedonian pine") in Albanian, it resembles the American white pine. The Macedonian pine grows at altitudes of up to 2,300 m and is distinguished by its trunk, which can reach 40 m in height and 1.5 m in diameter. It is found mainly in the mountains of North Macedonia (notably in the Pelister National Park) and neighboring countries. Other conifers include white fir(Abies alba), black pine(Pinus nigra), Scots pine(Pinus sylvestris), Bosnian pine(Pinus heldreichii) and spruce(Picea abies).
Oaks. The locals are very proud of their Macedonian oak(Quercus trojana). Also known as the Trojan oak, this tree averages 18 m in height and grows on plains and mountains up to 1,600 m in altitude in the Balkans, Turkey and southern Italy. The most common members of the oak family are the Hungarian oak(Quercus frainetto), the hairy oak(Quercus cerris) and the pubescent oak(Quercus pubescens), while the sessile oak(Quercus petraea), the cork oak(Quercus suber) and the Daléchamp oak(Quercus dalechampii) are rarer.
Other trees. Balkan maple(Acer heldreichii), field maple(Acer campestre), hornbeam(Carpinus betulus) and hop hornbeam(Ostrya carpinifolia) can be found in forests or along roadsides, flowering ash(Fraxinus ornus), aspen(Populus tremula), silver lime(Tilia tomentosa), cherry(Prunus avium), wild pear(Pyrus pyraster) or black mulberry(Morus nigra). Other trees include plane, fig, walnut, hazelnut, chestnut, cherry and various types of alder, juniper, eucalyptus, birch and acacia. Shrubs include scrub oak(Quercus coccifera), oriental hornbeam(Carpinus orientalis), monogynous hawthorn(Crataegus monogyna), privet(Ligustrum vulgare), wild dogwood(Cornus mas) and cherry plum(Prunus cerasifera). As for the olive tree, despite the Mediterranean climate of the south of the country, it remains rare: only 5,500 ha of olive groves exist. As a result, most of the olive oil consumed here is imported from Greece.
Flowers and other plants
Including trees, North Macedonia has around 4,300 types of plant, including 3,200 flowering plants. In addition, there are some 2,000 fungi, 2,100 algae and 450 lichens.
Endemic flowers. There are around a hundred of them. In the central region of the country, known as the "steppe of Macedonia", between Veles, Štip and Negotino, there are eight endemic flowers, including the Marianne tulip(Tulipa mariannae), which produces superb polychrome flowers in shades of pink, orange and yellow. In an even smaller area, between Štip and the village of Ovče Pole, perennial sage(Salvia jurisicii) can only be found at an altitude of around 280m. From June to September, it produces white and purple flowers. In Galičica National Park or on Mount Jakupica (south of Skopje), you can see the small pink petals of Pedicularis ferdinandi , which grows at an altitude of 2,200 m. Mount Jakupica is also one of the few places in the country where you can find Macedonian saffron(Colchicum macedonicum), which produces purple flowers. The Matka canyon, near Skopje, is home to a variety of wild thyme, Thymus oehmianus. The Šar crocus(Crocus scardicus), with its orange petals, grows at altitudes of between 1,700 and 2,200 m, in the Šar and Mavrovo national parks.
Seaweed. Of the 2,100 freshwater algae recorded, around 10% are found only here. This is particularly true of Lake Ohrid, on the border with Albania. This is home to 758 different algae, 158 of which are endemic.
Mammals
The country is home to at least 85 species of mammals: wild boar, hares, rodents, deer... In addition to the carnivores (see below), there are several endemic species and subspecies. In theory, hunting is highly regulated. But the supposed richness of the game attracts foreign tourists looking for a low-cost safari.
Balkan chamois. This chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra balcanica) is a subspecies of the common chamois found in the French Alps. Found throughout the Dinaric Alps and as far south as Greece, at altitudes of 400 m and above, it is the size of a large goat, with thin black horns bent backwards and a coat (brown and short in summer, greyish and thick in winter) with a dark line running down its back. In Northern Macedonia, the Balkan chamois is one of the species that can be hunted. Some 3,500 individuals are distributed between the Mavrovo and Šar Mountains national parks.
Cervids. In addition to the Balkan chamois, North Macedonia is also home to the red deer(Cervus elaphus), fallow deer(Dama dama) and roe deer(Capreolus capreolus), all of which are legally hunted.
Endemic species. The Balkan mole(Talpa stankovici) is found only in western North Macedonia, mainly in the Galičica National Park, and more rarely in Albania, Montenegro and Greece. The Felten's vole(Microtus felteni) is a small rodent found mainly in the forests of Northern Macedonia, Serbia, Greece and Albania. The Martino vole(Dinaromys bogdanovi), known as the "snow vole", lives at higher altitudes, from Bosnia-Herzegovina to Northern Macedonia. Endemic subspecies include two highly endangered mammals: the Balkan lynx (see below) and the European souslik(Spermophilus citellus). The latter is a squirrel found in certain areas of Central Europe and the Balkans. But the group living between Northern Macedonia and Greece is completely isolated and is therefore sometimes considered a subspecies. In particular, it faces competition from the all-too-cute grey squirrel(Sciurus carolinensis), a fearsome invasive species from North America.
Invasive species. These include rodents such as the wild rabbit(Oryctolagus cuniculus), muskrat(Ondatra zibethicus) and grey mouse(Mus musculus). In all, some ten species that have arrived more or less recently are now encroaching on the habitat of local mammals. Other species include the raccoon dog(Nyctereutes procyonoides), a canid from Asia that is very rare here, and the coypu(Myocastor coypus), a semi-aquatic rodent from South America. The latter were introduced to the Balkans for their fur: the Greek town of Kastoria, near the Prespa lakes, specialized in fur production from the 14th century onwards.
Bats. As cave exploration is still a non-existent form of tourism here (except in the Matka canyon, near Skopje), you won't have much opportunity to discover the dozen or so chiropterans (bats) that inhabit the country. These include six species that are almost extinct in France and Western Europe: Bechstein's bat(Myotis bechsteinii), Capaccini's bat(Myotis capaccinii), barbastelle(Barbastella barbastellus), great noctule (Nyctalus lasiopterus), Schreibers' bat(Miniopterus schreibersii) and Mehely's bat (Rhinolophusmehelyi).
Carnivorous mammals
Of the 14 species of carnivorous mammals found in Northern Macedonia, the most emblematic is the Balkan lynx. Although protected by the authorities, it is also the country's most critically endangered animal.
Balkan lynx. Northern Macedonia has become the last refuge of one of Europe's most endangered mammals: the Balkan lynx(Lynx lynx balcanicus). The largest cat on the Old Continent is a subspecies of the boreal lynx, found from Siberia to France. Called Balkanski ris in Slavic and rrëqebulli ballkanik in Albanian, it traditionally occupied a vast territory stretching from Serbia to Greece. But it has almost disappeared: 280 individuals in 1974, 90 in 2000 and between 35 and 40 today. They now live mainly in the forests of Mavrovo National Park, where they hunt roe deer, chamois and hare. But you're very unlikely to see the one nicknamed the "ghost of the forests". In fact, most of the naturalists who look after the Balkan lynx have never come across it directly. It does, however, appear on 5-denar coins and on a series of stamps.
Bear. Almost extinct in Western Europe, the brown bear(Ursus arctos) is still very present in the Balkans, with populations of 4,000 to 5,000 in Romania, around 1,000 in Bulgaria and almost 500 in Greece. In Northern Macedonia, they are estimated to number between 150 and 180, and live mainly in the four national parks, half of them in Mavrovo. Weighing from 130 to 700 kg, they can be dangerous, but they live far from humans and no incidents have been reported for decades. In fact, man is their main predator: bear hunting has been officially banned in the country since 1996, but special permits have occasionally been granted to wealthy tourists in recent years. Brown bears have also long been an attraction in some restaurants. Fortunately, in 2022, the last four specimens living in captivity in Skopje were rescued by the Austrian association Four Paws(fourpawsusa.org) and transferred to sanctuaries in Bulgaria and Switzerland.
Wolf. The gray wolf(Canis lupus) is still hunted in Northern Macedonia. Considered a nuisance by the authorities, they award a €50 bounty for each animal killed. Despite the protests of environmental organizations, which emphasize the key role played by this predator in regulating ecosystems, no change is on the agenda, so some tourist agencies specializing in hunting still offer to come and shoot a wolf in Northern Macedonia. This is all the more scandalous given that the number of wolves in the country has fallen sharply in recent years: from around a thousand in 2008 to less than 400 today. They now live mainly in the four national parks, where hunting is theoretically prohibited.
Other carnivorous mammals. Red fox(Vulpes vulpes), golden jackal(Canis aureus), raccoon dog(Nyctereutes procyonoides), wild cat(Felis silvestris), otter(Lutra lutra), weasel(Martes foina), badger(Meles meles), ermine(Mustela erminea), weasel(Mustela nivalis), polecat(Mustela putorius) and marbled polecat(Vormela peregusna).
Birds
Well situated on major migration corridors, Northern Macedonia is home to some 320 bird species, some of them very rare and threatened. But little is known about their migratory and breeding cycles. The main bird populations are found in the four national parks and around the large lakes in the southern part of the country (Ohrid, Prespa, Dojran and Tikveš).
Stork. This is one of the country's largest birds (average wingspan: 2.15 m) and one of the easiest to observe. For example, almost all the electricity poles in the village of Krivogaštani, between Prilep and Kruševo, have huge nests weighing up to 500 kg at the top, which storks return to on their return from Africa. In Eastern Macedonia, near Štip, these wading birds have taken up residence on the roofs of houses in Češinovo-Obleševo. The municipality is also part of the European network of "stork villages"(storkvillages.net). In the country, the white stork(Ciconia ciconia) is the most common, with between 600 and 800 individuals, compared with less than 50 for the black stork(Ciconia nigra), which is smaller and nests mainly in natural environments (trees, cliffs...).
Egyptian vulture. This large bird of prey(Neophron percnopterus) is one of the most sought-after species by birdwatchers around the Kavadarci and Demir Kapija caves in the Tikveš wine-growing region. But only 28-32 individuals are counted by ornithologists in Northern Macedonia. A summer migrant from the Sahara to the Balkans (and the Pyrenees), it feeds mainly on animal carcasses. Particularly threatened, it is the subject of a conservation program in 14 countries in the Balkans, Africa and the Middle East(lifeneophron.eu). Other birds of prey include the majestic golden eagle(Aquila chrysaetos, 60-100 individuals) and imperial eagle(Aquila heliaca, 30-40 individuals), the short-toed eagle (Circaetus gallicus, 120-150 individuals), short-toed sparrowhawk(Accipiter brevipes, 40-100 individuals), ferocious hawk(Buteo rufinus, 80-100 individuals), eagle-owl(Bubo bubo, 100-300 individuals) and kestrel(Falco naumanni, 1,500-2,500 individuals).
Dalmatian pelican. With fewer than 18,000 individuals worldwide today, the largest of the pelicans(Pelecanus crispus) is one of the most endangered bird species. In Europe, it migrates to the southern Balkans and the shores of the Black Sea. Recognizable by its longer head feathers (earning it the name "curly"), long orange beak (36-45 cm) and immense wingspan (3 m on average), it makes its home in Northern Macedonia, mainly on Lake Prespa, where between 300 and 1,000 individuals are counted, depending on the year. This is the only area where the curly pelican nests in Europe. It nests here alongside the smaller White Pelican(Pelecanus onocrotalus) (2.80 m wingspan), which is more widespread worldwide, but rarer in North Macedonia (200-550 individuals).
Blue peacock. This is undoubtedly the country's most emblematic bird. The blue peacock(Pavo cristatus), here known as the "Indian peacock"(Indiski Paun), features on the magnificent mosaic of the baptistery at the Stobi archaeological site, reproduced on the 10-denar banknotes. It can also be found - for real and semi-domesticated - in various tourist locations, such as the great St. Naum monastery on Lake Ohrid, the Queen Maria wine estate in Demir Kapija or, more surprisingly, at the Bogorodica-Evzoni border post near Bitola. While the female's plumage is plain, the male's is superbly extravagant, with its blue neck and crest and, above all, its long green tail, over a meter long, which unfurls in the shape of a "wheel" with dozens of ocelli, spots reminiscent of eyes. The peacock is so highly prized in North Macedonia because it was the symbol of the Resurrection for the early Christians. According to Greek mythology, the goddess Hera transformed Argos, a giant with a hundred eyes, into a peacock, the better to keep an eye on Zeus, her fickle husband. And peacock in the feathers!
Pygmy cormorant. Mainly found in the Middle East, this fishing bird(Microcarbo pygmeus) is quite rare here: between 60 and 120 individuals, mainly on Lake Dojran, on the border with Greece. But it remains associated with the memory of an ancestral tradition, the piliktanik. For centuries, the pygmy cormorant was used by the fishermen of Lake Dojran to direct fish into reed traps.
Rose-breasted Shrike. Recently extinct in France, the Rose-breasted Shrike(Lanius minor) still numbers between 2,500 and 5,000 individuals in Northern Macedonia. However, this small bird (33 cm wingspan) is also threatened here by pollution. The male shrike can be distinguished by its plumage: gray on the back, black on the edges of the wings and around the eyes, white on the throat and slightly pink on the chest and belly. The country is home to four other passerine species: Red-backed Shrike(Lanius collurio), Grey Shrike(Lanius excubitor), Masked Shrike(Lanius nubicus) and Red-headed Shrike(Lanius senator).
Arachnids
No comprehensive study has been carried out on arachnids (spiders and scorpions) in the country. But only two species are dangerous to humans.
Scorpions. At least four types of scorpion are found here, including the Mesobuthus gibbosus , considered the most dangerous in Europe. Measuring between 6 and 9 cm, it has a light brown body and ochre or yellow limbs. Its bite is highly toxic. It has caused a few cases of hospitalization in recent years, but no complications or deaths. The other three known scorpions belong to the genus Euscorpius, distinguished by their dark color and low-toxicity venom: Euscorpius hadzii, Euscorpius italicus and Euscorpius janstai. The latter is an endemic species identified in 2020 that lives only in the Mavrovo and Šar Mountains national parks. In any case, to avoid unpleasant surprises, a word of advice: if you sleep in a house in the countryside or mountains, place your shoes upside down (soles facing upwards) so that scorpions - which love cavities - don't crawl in at night.
Spiders. There are around 500 species, of which at least five are endemic. Only one species is dangerous to humans: the Mediterranean black widow spider(Latrodectus tredecimguttatus), found in many parts of southern Europe, including Corsica. Recognized by its large abdomen covered with red spots, it should not be confused with the toxic steatode(Steatoda paykulliana), which is similar in appearance but not very toxic despite its name. No data are available on accidents caused by the Mediterranean black widow in Northern Macedonia. But in neighboring Albania, it has been responsible for several deaths since the 2000s. However, its bite is fatal in only 1.7% of cases.
Reptiles and amphibians
The country is home to 32 types of reptiles and 14 amphibians, mainly endemic to the Balkans. Even if you're not a nature lover, you're bound to see lizards and turtles on the roadsides, especially in the southern part of the country. On the other hand, we don't expect you to encounter the horned viper.
Snakes. Sixteen different types exist in North Macedonia. Three species are considered dangerous to humans. The most venomous is the horned viper(Vipera ammodytes). However, it has not caused any recent deaths in the country. Identifiable by its horn, it measures from 45 to 95 cm in length. It can be found throughout the country at altitudes of up to 1,800 m. Its venom is highly toxic and requires rapid medical attention. The other two dangerous species are the Ram's viper(Vipera berus) and the Orsini's viper(Vipera ursinii), also found in France. Their bite rarely causes serious complications. Other snakes include the Balkan garter snake(Hierophis gemonensis), the common garter snake(Elaphe quatuorlineata), the Montpellier garter snake(Malpolon monspessulanus), the smooth snake(Coronella austriaca) and the Caspian garter snake(Dolichophis caspius). The latter is the longest snake in Europe, measuring between 1.40 and 2 m in length.
Turtles. There are five species. Hermann's tortoise(Testudo hermanni) and the occasional Greek tortoise(Testudo graeca), which is classified as "vulnerable", are frequently encountered on roadsides, archaeological sites and in gardens. Living for over forty years in the wild, both are very similar. But they can be differentiated, for example, by their supracaudal scales on the tail: those of the Greek turtle are in one piece, while those of Hermann's turtle are in two. The other three turtles are aquatic: the rather large Cistude(Emys orbicularis), the long-necked Balkan emyd(Mauremys rivulata) and the Florida tortoise(Trachemys scripta), with stripes and red spots on the temples. The latter is an invasive species whose proliferation is of great concern for the survival of other aquatic turtles throughout the Balkans.
Lizards. There are twelve lizards in the country. In the southern part, the Balkan green lizard(Lacerta trilineata) is particularly striking, with its glistening green skin, small body (around 16 cm) and long tail (around 30 cm).
Amphibians. There are nine species of frogs and toads and five of newts and salamanders, including the Greek frog(Rana graeca), the Balkan pelobate(Pelobates balcanicus), the Balkan frog(Pelophylax kurtmuelleri), the Greek spotted newt(Lissotriton graecus) and the Macedonian great crested newt(Triturus macedonicus). The latter was first identified in 1922 in the Prespa lakes and is also found in neighboring countries. As for the legs of some frogs, they are served in restaurants in northern Greece and southern Albania.
Fish
There are 87 fish species in North Macedonia, including 27 endemic species and 19 invasive species. Lake Ohrid is home to 8 endemic fish, including the famous Ohrid trout. There are also seven endemic species in the Prespa lakes and another in Lake Dojran. Local fish (trout, carp, catfish...) are a delicacy in the restaurants, which also offer many Aegean products imported from Greece.
Ohrid trout. This endemic species with its small orange spots is the most emblematic of the country's fish. It is found not only in Lake Ohrid, but also in the lake's tributary rivers. Called ohridska pastrmka in Slavic and koran in Albanian, it is served in many restaurants in Northern Macedonia and Albania. On your plate, it measures around 30 cm, but in the wild, some specimens exceed 75 cm and weigh 6.5 kg. The species is divided into four branches, with small variations for each: Salmo letnica (the most common), Salmo lumi (which spawns in rivers), Salmo aphelios (which spawns at the lake's sources, to the south-east) and Salmo balcanicus (in the north-western part of the lake, but probably extinct).
Prespa trout. This other endemic species(Salmo peristericus) lives in the large Lake Prespa, which feeds Lake Ohrid. It resembles the Ohrid trout, but is in danger of extinction.
Macedonian barbel. Barbus macedonicus is one of the Vardar's endemic fish, along with the Balkan apron(Zingel balcanicus).
Shkodra bleak. TheAlburnus scoranza lives in the largest lake in the Balkans (Lake Shkodra or Skadar), on the border between Albania and Montenegro. It is also found in the lake of Ohrid, where it makes the town's goldsmiths famous: it is the scales of this bleak that are used (along with mother-of-pearl shells) to make the famous Ohrid pearls, which are mounted on necklaces, bracelets and earrings.
Insects, crustaceans and other animals
There are some 10,000 species of insect in the country, including over 2,600 types of butterfly. There are almost 500 crustaceans, including more than 130 endemic species.
Butterflies. The greatest variety of butterflies can be seen in Galičica National Park. Among the most beautiful endemic species is the arbutus nymphal, also known as the two-tailed pasha(Charaxes jasius): this large butterfly of the order Lepidoptera is distinguished by its orange-edged black wings, which end in two "queux" on each of the hind wings. Still among the Lepidoptera, there are also two butterflies with "eyes" drawn on the wings: the Ocellé chevronné(Pseudochazara geyeri) and the Ocellé macédonien(Pseudochazara cingovskii). Fans will also appreciate oriental species such as the green Steppe Sulphur White(Euchloe penia) and the blue-edged Argolou Blue(Tarucus balkanicus).
Ohrid stranglers. Lake Ohrid is home to two rather bizarre endemic species. The first is the Ohrid sponge(Ochridaspongia rotunda), which lives in cold (6-8°C), calm waters. Still poorly understood, this freshwater sponge could become a "goldmine of antimicrobial substances" according to the pharmaceutical industry. As for the Ohrid snail(Gocea ohridana), which also lives in the lake waters, it belongs to a class of its own in the order of gastropods and has an astonishing tube-shaped shell that ends in a spiral. Due to pollution, it is becoming increasingly rare.
