Macedonia (region)
This article is about the geographical area Macedonia or Macedonia. For other meanings see Macedonia.
Macedonia or Macedonia (Greek Μακεδονία Makedonía; Macedonian and Serbian Македонија Makedonija; Bulgarian Македония Makedonija; Turkish Makedonya; Albanian Maqedoni/-a) is a geographical and historical area in the southern Balkan Peninsula.
Today, the territory includes the region of Macedonia in northern Greece, the Republic of northern Macedonia, and the Blagoevgrad oblast in southwestern Bulgaria. Other smaller parts belong to South Kosovo, South Serbia and Southeast Albania.
The size of the area known as Macedonia changed several times throughout history, since the ancient kingdom of Macedonia took shape and expanded. When the region was part of the Ottoman Empire, the name Macedonia temporarily fell into disuse. It was not until the mid-19th century that it was revived. It now served to designate a geographical region and was inscribed on maps. The understanding of the extent of Macedonia at that time was roughly the same as today. The Balkan Wars of 1912/13 ended the rule of the Ottoman Empire and led to the division of the territory among various states.
Population
In the Republic of Northern Macedonia, Slavic Macedonians make up the majority of the population. There are also minorities, Albanians, Serbs and Turks.
The Greek "geographical region" (geografikó diamérisma/γεωγραφικό διαμέρισμα) of Macedonia is administratively divided into three administrative regions, the eastern one including Western Thrace. Unlike other regions, this one has a strong identity, based partly on historical differences and partly on the Thessaloniki-Athens competition. Thus, politicians from this region are said to have typically "Macedonian" characteristics.
The region is overwhelmingly Greek Macedonian, with a large proportion of Pontos Greeks taking the place of the formerly non-Greek population in the 1920s. However, a small Slavomacedonian (or Slavophone) minority exists there, especially in the prefectures of Kilkis and Florina. Their share of the total population is not certain, as the Greek state does not collect figures on the linguistic or ethnic origin of the inhabitants in censuses. There are also Aromanian, Meglenoromanian and Armenian populations, but these are largely assimilated and their languages are now considered endangered.
Bulgaria had immediately recognized the Republic of Macedonia as a state, but for years refused to recognize a Macedonian minority in its own country and Macedonian as its own language. In 1999, the Bulgarian and Macedonian governments settled their long-standing linguistic dispute, which severely strained bilateral relations. Bulgaria officially recognized the independence of the Macedonian language and minority for the first time, while Macedonia renounced any influence on the Slavic-Macedonian minority in the Bulgarian part of the region.
See also
- List of South Slavic names of Greek places
- Thrace
- Thracian
Questions and Answers
Q: What is Macedonia?
A: Macedonia is a region in southeastern Europe located in the Balkans.
Q: Who was the most well-known leader of ancient Macedon?
A: The most well-known leader of ancient Macedon was Alexander The Great.
Q: When did Macedonia become part of the Roman province?
A: Macedonia became part of the Roman province during Roman times.
Q: How many countries does modern day Macedonia consist of?
A: Modern day Macedonia consists of three countries - Greece, North Macedonia, and Bulgaria.
Q: What is Greek Macedonia also known as?
A: Greek Macedonia is also known as Aegean Macedonia.
Q: What is Vardar Macedonia also known as?
A: Vardar Macedonia is also known as North Macedonia.
Q: What region does Bulgaria have within modern day Macedonian borders?
A: Bulgaria has Pirin Macedonian (Blagoevgrad province) within modern day Macedonian borders.
