Skopje The capital, Macedonia

During the Yugoslav period, Skopje developed as the basic industrial center of the Socialist Republic of Macedonia. Currently, the city has textile, chemical ("OHIS") and pharmaceutical ("Alkaloid") enterprises, to***co and coffee products. The city also has a Sanos bus company.

After re-joining Yugoslavia, Skopje developed quite rapidly, becoming an industrial and cultural center. On June 26, 1963, at 5:17 local time, Skopje was destroyed by an earthquake (6.1 on the Richter scale), killing 1,070 residents. After the earthquake, the city was rebuilt according to the plan of Japanese architect Kenzo Tange.

During World War II, Skopje was occupied for the second time by Bulgaria, which maintained allied relations with Germany. April 22, 1941 The Fifth Bulgarian Army occupied Skopje and held the city until the capitulation of Bulgaria on September 9, 1944. On November 13, 1944, soldiers of the 42nd and 50th People's Divisions of the Macedonian troops and the 16th Macedonian Brigade seized power over Skopje.

Skopje was first mentioned by Claudius Diolomeus under the ancient name of Skupi. The city was formed in the III century. BC e., and 164 BC. BC came under the rule of Rome and became the center of the province of Moesia. 84 or 85 AD Emperor Domitian founded here the colony of Flavius ​​the Stingy, which later became a large city with Roman self-government.

Skopje is open in a strategic area of ​​the Balkan Peninsula, near the main roads from Western Europe through Belgrade to Greece, Thessaloniki. The city is open in the narrow valley of the Vardar River, which surrounds the Skopska Crna Gora mountain range from the north and Vodno from the south. From west to east Skopje stretches for 25 km, from north to south - for 10 km. Height above sea level 240 m.