Macedonia names both a region of northern Greece and a separate country to its north, now officially North Macedonia. The two countries settled a long-running dispute over the name with the Prespa Agreement, signed in 2018, under which the country became the Republic of North Macedonia and Greece dropped its objection to its membership of international bodies.
Two things with one name
The word covers a historical region larger than either modern entity, and it is split between them:
- Macedonia (Greece) — a region of northern Greece, whose largest city is Thessaloniki. It is not a country; it is one part of the Greek state.
- North Macedonia — a separate, landlocked sovereign country immediately to the north, whose capital is Skopje.
Where the ancient name sits
The kingdom of ancient Macedon, ruled by Philip II and Alexander the Great, was centred on territory that lies mainly within modern Greece. The historical region as geographers describe it is wider than that, extending across today's borders — which is the root of a name being claimed in more than one place.
The naming agreement
After the country gained independence in 1991 under the name Macedonia, Greece objected on the grounds that the name implied a claim on its own region and heritage. For years the country was referred to internationally by a provisional formula. The dispute was resolved by the Prespa Agreement, signed in 2018 and in force from 2019: the country adopted the constitutional name Republic of North Macedonia, and Greece withdrew its objection to its accession to international organisations.
Using the terms accurately
- The country → North Macedonia, and its people are Macedonians in the civic sense.
- The Greek region → Macedonia, whose inhabitants are Greek.
- The ancient kingdom → Macedon or ancient Macedonia, a historical term for a historical state.
Because the same word carries a national identity on both sides, specifying which you mean — country, Greek region, or ancient kingdom — is the practical way to be clear.
Frequently asked questions
Is Macedonia part of Greece?
Macedonia is the name of a region in northern Greece, and also of a separate country to the north, officially North Macedonia since 2019. Both exist; they are different things.
Why is it called North Macedonia?
Under the Prespa Agreement signed in 2018, the country adopted the constitutional name Republic of North Macedonia, and Greece withdrew its objection to its membership of international organisations.
Where was ancient Macedon?
The ancient kingdom of Philip II and Alexander the Great was centred on territory lying mainly within modern Greece, while the wider historical region crosses today's borders.