10 Things You Might Not Know About North Macedonia

North Macedonia is a small land-locked country in southeast Europe. It has an enriching past and intriguing present. It is among the less-travelled destinations which has so much to be discovered and explored.

1. Use of name "Macedonia" was a much disputed topic between Greece and Macedonia since Macedonia's separation from Yugoslavia in 1991. The issue resolved in February 1991 after Macedonia accepted to add "North" to its name.

2. Europe's biggest cross is located on Mount Vodno in Skopje— capital city of North Macedonia. It is 66 meters tall and has 33 levels, that symbolize Jesus's age at the time of crucification.

3. Mother Teresa was born in Skopje in 1910.

4. Ohrid Lake in North Macedonia is Europe's oldest and deepest lake. It was declared a world heritage by UNESCO in 1979.

5. North Macedonia has more than 164 caves. One of them, Cave Vrelo was listed in the top 77 natural wonders of the world.

6. Another cave, Cave Peshna has the biggest mouth among the caves in Balkan region, and closely resembles the Helm's Deep Cave from 'Lord of the Rings'.

7. North Macedonia is a mountainous country, with 87% of it covered with mountains. Mount Big Korab with the height of 2,764 meters is the highest peak of the country.

8. It is believed that parts of Jesus's crucified cross are at the foundations of three monasteries here: St. Bogorodica Precista in Kicevo, St Georgji Pobedonosec and St. Jovan Bigorski in Debar.

9. North Macedonia is located above the Eurasian tectonic plates, and this causes frequent shakes and even earthquakes.

10. Via Egnatia—the ancient road built by the Romans in 2nd century B.C. crossed through North Macedonia.