North Macedonia is a landlocked country in the Balkan Peninsula in southeastern Europe, known for its mountainous terrain, lakes, and historical sites dating back to ancient times. It shares borders with Kosovo, Serbia, Bulgaria, Greece, and Albania. The country covers a land area of approximately 25,713 square kilometers (9,928 square miles) and has a population of around 2.1 million people as of 2024. The capital and largest city is Skopje, a cultural and political hub with a mix of Ottoman, Byzantine, and modern influences.