Northern Macedonia is a landlocked country on the Balkan Peninsula in southeastern Europe, bordering Serbia, Kosovo, Albania, Greece and Bulgaria. The territory of present-day Northern Macedonia was part of the Roman Empire in ancient times and later of the Byzantine Empire. In the Middle Ages, it belonged to the Bulgarian and Serbian empires before coming under Ottoman rule. After World War I, it became part of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia and declared independence in 1991. Northern Macedonia is known for its rich cultural and historical heritage, including ancient Pella, the city of Macedonian King Alexander the Great, and the Old Town of Ohrid, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The country is also known for its traditional cuisine, including dishes such as Tavče Gravče (bean stew), Ajvar (paprika relish) and Rakija (fruit brandy).
