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Macedonia became an independent country in 1991, following the break-up of Yugoslavia.
Or rather, "The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia" became an independent country.
This catchy name was at the insistence of Greece (now known by some as FOPOG - the Former Ottoman Protectorate of Greece).
Greece was (and is) concerned about moves toward a "greater Macedonia" encompassing the original region of Macedonia as it was in the 7th-4th century BC, the time of Alexander the Great - a region which includes part of northern Greece.
| We visited the capital - Skopje. |
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| Kamen Most - the Stone Bridge over the river Vardar.
The bridge links the old Muslim part of the town on the north side with the newer, Christian, town centre on the south side. |
After independence, there was ethnic fighting between the Christian majority and the Albanian muslims.
The cross now seems to have become a national symbol for the ethnic Macedonians.
This huge cross, on top of Mt Vodno, overlooking Skopje, was built a few years ago - along with others around the country.
We also noticed that all the taxis we took - from the south side of the Stone Bridge, had little crucifixes dangling from their rear-view mirrors. |
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| Bars and restaurants in downtown Skopje. |
The Mustafa Pasha mosque - dating from 1493 - the largest mosque in Skopje.
Next to the mosque is the site of the Kale fortress... |
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| The arch here was once the main gateway to the Kale fortress.
The fortress was built in the 10th century - but it's mostly ruins now. |
..but the site, on a hill overlooking the river, had been used as a fortress before that.
Ongoing excavations have produced artefacts from 200BC when the Romans invaded.
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| South of Skopje - Pantelejmon monastery (known for its nice restaurant).
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