Ancient Macedonia and ancient Greece shared a common history and cultural heritage.

Over 40 different ethnic groups lived in Macedonia once. They included Pelagonian speakers, Orestae, Brentii, Dardani, Enchelii, etc… and even several Greek tribes. Eventually, all these people blended into one larger group sharing common customs, language, & traditions called Makedones or “highlanders”. 

The official language in ancient Macedonia was Old Greek, which was similar to Classical Greek spoken in ancient Greece.

There were slight dialectal differences, but both groups could generally understand each other.

Politics & Warfare: Ancient Greeks often formed leagues (e.g., Amphictyonic League) to coordinate policies and defend themselves against outside threats.

Ancient Macedonia played an important role in these alliances, particularly after King Philip II became leader and began expanding his kingdom through military conquests.

Eventually, he conquered most of Greece, becoming leader of the League of Corinth and initiating projects such as the construction of the Temple of Apollo at Delphi, promoting panhellenic unity.

His son Alexander the Great continued this policy by spreading Greek culture throughout his vast empire.

Philosophy & Education: Ancient Greek philosophers traveled to teach in the royal court of Macedonia, influencing not only the education of Alexander the Great but also shaping intellectual discourse within the region.

Population movements: Over time, populations intermixed, with Greeks settling in Macedonia and vice versa.

The official language of Greece is Greek, which is also widely spoken in Northern Macedonia (formerly known as “Macedonia”). Other minority languages spoken in Northern Macedonia include Albanian, Romani, Turkish, and Serbian.

Prior to 2018, the country located in southeastern Europe was referred to as “Macedonia.” This name led to a long-standing dispute with neighboring Greece, which has a region called Macedonia as well.

To resolve this issue and improve relations between the two countries, “North Macedonia” became the new official name for the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia in February 2019.

Despite some objections from conservative groups within the country, the change has brought greater stability and increased cooperation with Greece, NATO, and the European Union.

Therefore, the main differences between Macedonia and North Macedonia involve their names rather than geographical locations or ethnicities; however, the changes could lead to significant shifts in national identities and policies over time.

The “Macedonia naming dispute” refers to a conflict between Greece and the country then known as Macedonia regarding the latter’s constitutional name since gaining independence after the breakup of Yugoslavia in 1991.

Many Greeks felt that the new state’s adoption of a name containing the word “Macedonia” implied a territorial claim on the northern Greek province bearing the same name, and even more controversially, on ancient Greek heritage tied to Alexander the Great and his kingdom of Macedonia.

After a United Nations mediation effort spanning decades, the government of Zoran Zaev in Skopje reached an agreement with Alexis Tsipras’ administration in Athens to rename the nation as “North Macedonia.” While opposition to the deal remains strong among parts of both populations, the renamed country officially joined NATO in 2019 under its new designation, ending one of the most contentious diplomatic disputes in recent history.

Yes and no.

Geographically speaking, Macedonia includes the north of modern Greece, but administratively the country bearing that name gained independence as a separate entity following the collapse of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia during the 1990s Balkans Wars.

For this reason, Greeks often use terms like “Aegean Macedonia” or “Greek Macedonia” to distinguish the region from “Skopje Macedonia”, the seat of government and capital city.

There have been a number of tensions around claims of cultural legacy associated with Philip II, father of Alexander the Great, by officials in the government of FYROM/South Illyria/North Macedonia ever since the end of the Cold War.

These issues were ultimately resolved through mediation resulting in the Prespa Agreement, whereby the renaming of the ex-Yugoslav republic referenced above came into force last year.

The ethnic structure of the Greek Macedonia region is complex and diverse, with a variety of different ethnic and linguistic groups represented. Besides a Greek majority other significant groups include the Turkish minority, the Roma (or Gypsy) population, and the Slavic-speaking communities. The Turkish minority in Greek Macedonia is primarily concentrated in the region of Thrace, which borders Turkey. Perhaps the most contentious ethnic group in Greek Macedonia is the Slavic-speaking community, which is primarily concentrated in the region of Western Macedonia. The exact size of this community is difficult to determine, as many members do not identify as “Slav Macedonians” and instead consider themselves to be Greek.

Although much of what tourists often wish to visit in Greece may depend on personal preferences and seasonal conditions affecting destinations, some widely recognized places well worth exploring in the area near Thessaloníki include but aren’t limited to the following UNESCO World Heritage sites, archaeological ruins, museums, historical landmarks, scenic countrysides, or coastlines: Vergina Royal Tombs & Museum (archaeology): featuring tombs of ancient kings and frescoes; opened in 1977

Arch of Galerius & Rotunda (Roman structures): impressive sights amidst urban settings

Palace of Philippos (ancient architecture): restored remnants from the early Christian period

Byzantine Castle (medieval site) with Eptapyrgio Fortress for a panoramic viewpoint

Aristotle Square & Stoa Modovou in Ano Poli Old Quarter

Monastery of St. Nicholas Orphanos + Osios David (Byzantine remains near Veroia)

Lake Kerkini Nature Reserve : birdwatching paradise popular among eco-tourists

Pella (ancient excavations representing diverse cultures & architectural styles)

Mount Athos (‘Holy Mountain’) Autocephalous Orthodox community & spiritual center on the peninsula/UNESCO site

Meteora : breath-taking rock formations hosting historic monasteries dating back to medieval times.

The cuisine of Macedonia, Greece is diverse and influenced by the region’s long history and cultural heritage.

The northern regions of Greece offer unique and delicious local cuisine that reflects their geographical location close to Albania and Bulgaria.

Here are some regional specialties you might want to try: Sarma – Rice and/or ground meat filling rolled up in pickled cabbage leaves or vine leaves, typically cooked in a pot with dill, onion, garlic, white wine, olive oil, or meat stock until fully tenderized and fragrant.

Grekos Tyropitas – Triangular-shaped pastries filled with soft white cheese similar to ricotta, dotted with fresh or preserved fruit such as raspberry jam, apricot, quince paste, or raisins, then folded into triangles with phyllo dough, brushed with butter and glazed with egg wash. These treats are perfect for breakfast or tea-time snacks.

Trigona Panorama – Pastry stuffed with honey, sesame seeds, and walnut halves, then baked golden brown. Popular during Easter and Christmas holidays.

Pasha Boureki – Savory casserole layering sautéed ground meat, eggplants, onions, peppers, garlic, tomato sauce, spices such as nutmeg, cinnamon, allspice, peppercorns, thyme, and rosemary with fine bulgur wheat. Covered with a layer of tomato purée before baking in the oven till hot and bubbling.

Karidopita – Carrot cake made with grated carrots blended together with eggs, flour, sugar, oil, milk, baking powder, baking soda, and ground walnuts or pecans often toasted in melted butter for added richness.