North Macedonia is a country located in Southeast Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula. It is bordered by Kosovo to the north, Serbia to the northeast, Bulgaria to the east, Greece to the south, and Albania to the west. The capital city is Skopje, which is known for its historical architecture and vibrant culture. The country has a diverse population, primarily consisting of Macedonians and Albanians. North Macedonia declared independence from Yugoslavia in 1991 and has since worked towards integration with European institutions. It became a member of NATO in 2020 and is a candidate for European Union membership.