North Macedonia is a country located in Southeast Europe on the Balkan Peninsula. It is officially known as the Republic of North Macedonia. The country is landlocked and shares borders with Kosovo to the north, Serbia to the northeast, Bulgaria to the east, Greece to the south, and Albania to the northwest. Its capital and largest city is Skopje. North Macedonia has a rich cultural heritage and a diverse population, with ethnic Macedonians, Albanians, Turks, and other groups contributing to its multicultural society. The nation declared independence from Yugoslavia in 1991 and was initially recognized as the “Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia” (FYROM) until it officially adopted the name “North Macedonia” in 2019 following an agreement with Greece to resolve a long-standing naming dispute. The country’s official language is Macedonian, and its currency is the Macedonian denar. North Macedonia is a candidate for membership in the European Union and is a member of NATO.
A nightclub fire in Kocani, North Macedonia, led to tragedy during a night meant for celebration, with 59 fatalities and over 100 injured. The blaze was sparked by onstage fireworks,…