Belasica Mountain

Belasica, also transliterated as Belasitsa or Belasitza, is a mountain range in the region of Macedonia in Southeastern Europe, shared by northwestern Greece (about 45%), southeastern Republic of Macedonia (35%) and southwestern Bulgaria (20%). The area is particularly famous for the Battle of Kleidion of 1014, which proved crucial for the fall of the First Bulgarian Empire. The mountain range is about 60 km (37.28 mi) long and 7 to 9 km (4.35 to 5.59 mi) wide and is situated just northeast of Dojran Lake. The highest point is Radomir (Kalabak) at 2,029 m, with elevation otherwise ranging between 300 and 1900 m above sea level. The borders of all three countries meet at Tumba Peak. The climate in the area shows strong Mediterranean influence. The area of Belasica became a euroregion in 2003. Two football teams are named after the mountain range, PFC Belasitsa from the nearby Bulgarian town of Petrich and FC Belasica from Strumica in the Republic of Macedonia.

Smolare Falls is the tallest waterfall in the Republic of Macedonia, falling from a height of 39.5 metres (129.5 feet). It is located above the village of Smolare in the Municipality of Novo Selo in the southeastern region of the country. The waterfall is part of the Lomnica River and is located deep in Mount Belasica at an elevation of 630 metres. Crashing down the smooth, black rock face, and surrounded by 100-year-old beech trees, this waterfall is visited by tourists throughout the year, largely by train.