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North Macedonia

The Republic of North Macedonia (Macedonian: Северна Македонија, Severna Makedonija) is a landlocked country in the heart of the Balkans. One can expect a wonderful mix of architectural and ethnic heritage. The country represents the Balkans in the truest sense, consisting of a fascinating mix of Macedonian, Albanian, Turkish, and Mediterranean influences.

Cities
While the Macedonian capital Skopje is home to over half a million residents, the rest of the country's cities are significantly smaller, ranging from just a few thousand to under 100,000 residents.
 * (Скопје) — the nation's capital, home to many historic landmarks and architectural monuments, and a great number of cultural places of interest
 * (Битола) — North Macedonia's most "European" town, with an ancient city, Ottoman monuments, a lovely shopping promenade, great nightlife, and more
 * (Кратово) — a picturesque town situated in an extinct volcano crater
 * (Крушево) — a museum-city nestled high up in the mountains of southwestern North Macedonia; it is one of the most historically significant destinations in the country as it was the site of a revolt against the Ottoman Empire; also home to great skiing
 * (Охрид) — a lakeside resort and UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is considered the jewel in North Macedonia's crown
 * (Прилеп) — tobacco fields, medieval fortifications and monasteries, and strange rocks
 * (Штип) — an economic and cultural hub of eastern Macedonia with a long history
 * (Струмица) — a city with one of the highest concentrations of historical sites in eastern Macedonia
 * (Велес) — in the center of the country, a dense city on hills on both sides of the Vardar River

Other destinations

 * — consists of the mountainous land between Lake Ohrid and Lake Prespa.
 * — a unique, though depopulated, region of southern Macedonia
 * — the largest of North Macedonia's national parks. It is home to the country's highest peak Golem Korab, the World Heritage Site Dlaboka Reka Beech Forest, as well as several picturesque villages and monasteries.
 * — separates Bitola from Prespa. It covers the Baba Mountain area and features two glacial lakes known as "Mountain Eyes" that feed multiple rivers.
 * (Преспа) — contains most of the Great Prespa Lake, shared by neighbouring countries. Galičica to the west and Pelister to the east complement the scenery provided by the lake.
 * (Старо Нагоричане) — a prehistoric observatory, medieval churches, massive rocks, and important memorials
 * (Стоби) — an ancient city that is now one of the largest archaeological sites in the country.
 * (Вевчани, Vevchani) — historic mountain village known for its natural springs, its 1,400-year-old annual carnival and its attempts at autonomy

Understand
The country officially changed its name from the Republic of Macedonia (Macedonian: Македонија, Makedonija) to the Republic of North Macedonia in February 2019 in order to settle a dispute over its name with Greece. However, hardly any Macedonian refers to their country as "North Macedonia"; instead, they continue to use "Macedonia" and find "North" to be offensive. It has also been known as "the former Yugolav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM)" prior to the official name change.

North Macedonia is a country with several ethnic minorities. Albanians form majorities in areas in the northwest.

The majority of the population is ethnic Macedonian and Orthodox Christian but there is also a significant Albanian Muslim minority.

Climate
North Macedonia has warm, dry summers and autumns, and relatively cold winters with heavy snowfall.

Terrain
About 85% of North Macedonia is considered mountain area, making it one of the most mountainous countries in the world. There are three large lakes, each divided by a frontier line, and the country bisected by the Vardar River. The Dinaric Alps stretch down to here.

North Macedonia is blessed with outstanding natural beauty. Do not miss a trip to one of the large lakes, Pelister Mountains, Shar Planina in the west, and the fascinating rolling hills and mountains of the east with its rice fields.

History

North Macedonia is dotted with beautiful Orthodox churches, monasteries, and Ottoman mosques. The territory of North Macedonia has a proud history. Being under the Ottomans for 500 years caused legendary Macedonian revolutionaries such as Goce Delcev, Nikola Karev, and Pitu Guli to lead uprisings to free Macedonia.

North Macedonia has been part of many countries, but until its incorporation into Yugoslavia by Tito in 1945, it was never acknowledged as an administrative "state". The Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia prospered under Tito's rule, especially when the capital Skopje was rebuilt after a severe earthquake in 1963 and the Yugoslav government invested heavily in the subsequent infrastructure rebuilding. This may explain why many Macedonians are somewhat nostalgic for Tito's Yugoslavia.

International recognition of Macedonia's independence from Yugoslavia in 1991 was delayed by Greece's objection to the new state's use of what Greece considered "Hellenic name and symbols." Greece finally lifted its trade blockade in 1995, and the two countries agreed to normalize relations, despite continued disagreement over the use of "Macedonia" in the name. Greece is now the largest investor in North Macedonia. Due to the naming dispute, the country was often referred to as "the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia" - or "FYROM" - while many Macedonians disliked this moniker, it led to such oddities as the UN delegation of the country being seated under "t" (for "the") as a compromise. In June 2018, the leaders of Macedonia and Greece signed an accord to resolve the dispute by having Macedonia change its name to "the Republic of North Macedonia". The name change took effect on 12 February 2019.

North Macedonia's large Albanian minority (about 25%), an ethnic Albanian armed insurgency in Macedonia in 2001, and the status of neighbouring Kosovo continue to be sources of ethnic tension. There were also tensions during the parliamentary elections of June 2008, although they happened between supporters of the two biggest rival Albanian political parties.

Visitor information

 * Exploring Macedonia.

Entry requirements
Citizens of the European Union and of the countries signatories to the Schengen Agreement can enter with just a valid officially issued ID card or a passport.

Visas are not required by nationals from the following countries:

Albania, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Holy See, Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kosovo, Latvia, Lithuania, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Macau, Malaysia, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Saint Kitts and Nevis, San Marino, Seychelles, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Serbia, Switzerland, Sweden, Spain, Taiwan, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, and Venezuela.

The period of stay is regulated under the issued visa, but is no longer than 90 days. The visa free stay is 90 days, with the exception of Turkey, Japan and Montenegro where the visa free stay is 60 days.

Any foreign national possessing a valid multiple entry short stay Schengen type C visa (valid for the entire territory of the Schengen zone) may enter and stay in North Macedonia up to 15 days without having to possess a Macedonian visa. Visit this page for more details. Border guards may not be aware of this information, and they might tell you that you require a visa to enter North Macedonia. Stay calm and politely ask them to recheck their information. They will fill a form with your passport and car registration information which can take up to 1 hour!

By plane
North Macedonia has two international airports, the main airport in the capital Skopje. Wizz Air operates here to several destinations. Another airport is in Ohrid.

Another option to travel into North Macedonia is to fly to Thessaloniki, Sofia , Pristina or Tirana  and get a taxi or bus from there. There are 5 buses from Sofia Central Bus Station to Skopje, leaving at 09:00, 12:00, 16:00, 17:00 and 23:59. The two bus companies which operate these services are MATPU and Kaleia, both of which are outside the main bus terminal. Single ticket is approximately €16 (~1000 denari). There are also services from Skopje to Sofia at similar prices and times for a return flight home.

Additionally, if you contact the Sofia Tourist Information Service, they can normally put you in contact with private transfer companies who will pick you up at the airport and take you to Skopje. Prices range from as little at €60 to €160. Negotiating with taxis can be trickier but may be able to get a cheaper price.

If you fly to Thessaloniki, you can go by public bus (24/7) for €0.50 to the train station and catch a train from there (€14 one way).

By train
There is a train between Skopje and Kosovo (Pristina), but it is not guaranteed. Check at the train station to confirm. Also, more details can be found under Skopje.

A new train line is under construction from Skopje and Sofia and should be operational in 2027.

Railway services between North Macedonia and Serbia (Belgrade) is out of service.

Also until 2013, there was train service from Greece, and there are initiatives to get them back running from Gevgelija and Bitola (most likely will not occur in the very near future due to the country's political state. Don't wait around for this.)

A cheap way of travelling to or from North Macedonia might be the Balkan Flexipass.

By car
Be sure your Green Card (International Insurance Card) has an uncancelled "MK" box. The guards almost always want to see it, unlike those in Serbia and Greece. Try to get a good map of North Macedonia and/or try to be able to read Cyrillic letters. Although most street signs are printed in Cyrillic and Latin letters it can be helpful to have a little knowledge of the Cyrillic alphabet, especially in small towns.

The border guards often make a big deal about having the original documents for the car (no copies). The enforcement rate about this is 50-50 and if you have a rental car this can be a problem as you usually have a copy. Tourists have been told in the past to drive back several hundred kilometres over this detail by certain power-hungry guards.

By bus
There are bus connections from Serbia, Kosovo, Bulgaria, Slovenia, Croatia and Turkey to Skopje. In addition some buses, those operated by Drity tours at least, run from Tirana to Pristina via Skopje (don't expect them to wake you up or stop anywhere near Skopje bus station though).

For bus companies and connections see below or Skopje.

In Skopje, there are two bus terminals. Most buses come to the new terminal, but some connections (for example to Pristina) are serviced by the old one, which is in the city centre. If you need to change the terminals, you need to walk to the stone bridge over Vardar and cross the bridge (about 2.5 km), or take a taxi.

At both terminals, you will be constantly nagged by taxi drivers, who will try to convince you to use their services. Unless you have too much money to throw away, you shouldn't take their advice. The taxi is likely to be heavily overpriced, especially for foreigners, while the buses are cheap, clean and safe.

By car
In this mountainous developing country, the roads are often narrow and not very well maintained, with warning signs for the quite frequent sharp turns rarely provided, and the safety barriers between your tires and high cliffs often rusty, or sometimes completely absent. In the north, there is a short network of motorways with separated directions and a posted speed limit of 120 km/h, linking Skopje with Tetovo and Gostivar in the west, and with the Alexander the Great Airport and Kumanovo in the east, but the surface quality is hardly better than the rest of the roads. The toll collection on the motorways depends on a system of toll stations (PEAGE) every 20 km or so (typically after leaving and on approaching major towns, which means you will pay twice for the route, say, between Skopje and Tetovo, two neighbouring cities), where all through traffic comes to a complete halt (as opposed to only those leaving and entering the motorway) and pay according to the type of the vehicle (for motorcycles and cars, which is often 20 or 30 denari).

Always make sure your tires are good enough. Especially in spring and autumn, weather in the mountains (Ohrid, Bitola) can differ significantly from the weather in the area you're coming from.

All directional signs in the country show the town names in Macedonian Cyrillic and their Roman transliterations, sometimes accompanied by a second local language, which is often Albanian.

Renting a car is cheap. Check Google Maps including their ratings, or ask at your accommodation.

By train
National trains are slow, but they are nonetheless a nice alternative to hot, crowded buses in the summer. The main train line runs from Skopje to Bitola and Skopje to Gevgelia. No trains run to Ohrid.

Check Skopje for all connections.

By bus
Perhaps the most common way of travelling in the country, the buses are frequent and quite reliable, if sometimes a bit slow and old (though not exactly dilapidated). The tickets are typically printed in Macedonian, with English translations or even Roman transliterations rarely provided. Here is a quick guide to reading your Macedonian ticket: The destination will be printed on the top (best to refer to the Wikivoyage article of the town in question for the Macedonian name of it), Дата (Data) translates, non-surprisingly, date, and Час (Čas) is the time of the departure. Перон (Peron) indicates the number of the platform your bus will be departing from, which is usually well-signed in the stations, and Седиште (Sedište) is your seat number, although on less travelled routes, this will typically be assigned to the seats 3 and 4, which means you are allowed to sit whatever place you like. It's possible to hail buses directly on the streets, in which case you will pay to the driver on board, but if there are no free seats available, this means you are making the whole journey standing—which is unlikely to be the best travel experience. The bus companies often prefer to inscribe their names in the Roman alphabet in the livery, but the tickets will indicate them in the Cyrillic. Common national companies include Rule Turs (Руле Турс), Galeb (Галеб), and Classic Company (Класик Компани). The destination signs in front of the buses are provided in Macedonian, and in the other common local language of the destination if there is one, this in most cases being Albanian.

Here is some link to the timetable of those bus companies :

See also the article on bus travel in the former Yugoslavia for deeper details.

By taxi
Taxis are perhaps the most common mode of transport in North Macedonia among tourists. Most will usually charge a flat rate of 30 denari (in Skopje 50 denari) with the extra kilometres added on. Be careful when negotiating the price of the fare beforehand. Within city limits, prices over 100 denari are considered expensive even though the amount only converts to a few American dollars. Macedonian cities are small, and would only take approximately 10–15 minutes to travel from one side of the city to the other by car. In Skopje, the capital and largest city, this should work out to an amount of about 100-150 denari.

A general exception to this rule is during peak tourist seasons particularly in the town of Ohrid. The summer months are the most profitable for many small businesses in Ohrid (and for some businesses, the only profitable months) including taxi drivers. For this reason many drivers will charge up to three times the flat rate for the same distance. Most taxis will insist on driving for no less than 100 denari which can be heard as "sto denari" or a "stotka" (slang term for a 100 denari bill). Generally this is excessive but you can either negotiate the price down to 80 or even 70 denari to be reasonable, or else simple bargain hunting is all that is required. During the peak seasons it is possible to find drivers willing to go as low as 40. Never feel pressured to take a taxi that seems overpriced.

By thumb
As in many former communist countries, hitchhiking is not unheard of. So, it should in general also be possible here.

Though, watch out for any Scams.

By boat
There are plenty of boats for charter around Lake Ohrid and will show you the whole lake for a cheap price.

By bicycle
Despite often challenging (but also scenic) terrain, North Macedonia is, generally, a pleasant destination for bicycle travel. An idea of North Macedonia's geography can be given by the local toponymy: in most countries, mountains and hills are named, while areas of flat land often lack specific names; in North Macedonia, flat land is precious, and every area of it has an individual name, such as Bitolsko Pole ("the Field of Bitola"), and Prilepsko Pole ("the Field of Prilep"). Many bookstores are decorated with a country's 3-dimensional map, which is quite impressive.

There are many paved country roads that are in good condition, but see little traffic. Main roads between major cities may be busy, with narrow lanes and no shoulders; however, in many cases the busy new road (avtopat) is parallelled by the old road which now sees very little traffic, but is still maintained to some extent. This is the case, for example, for roads between Skopje and Veles, between Prilep and Bitola, or between Bitola and Resen. Some of these older roads are paved with stone, rather than with asphalt. As more expressways are built (e.g. the one from Kičevo to Ohrid is under construction as of 2017, one may hope that more of today's busy main roads will be relegated to the status of older low-traffic roads.

North Macedonia's air quality is pretty good, and even busy roads have much less dust and exhaust than roads in e.g. China. Unlike China, in North Macedonia one very rarely sees pedestrians or moped riders wearing face masks.

Lots of people ride bicycles in cities (for transportation and recreation), and one can see recreational bicyclists in the countryside as well. Strangely, you can see stores selling new bicycles (along with other products) much more often than stores selling spare parts. Still, major cities, such as Skopje and Bitola, have specialized shops for bicycle parts and repairs; in smaller towns, one may look for a vendor of spare parts, or a bike repair man, in a local bazaar. Gas stations may or may not have air pumps.

In the past, it was possible to take a bicycle on a train. As of 2017, train stations display an order (dated 2016) which prohibits taking bulky items, "including bicycles" on trains. However, in practice bicycles are often still allowed on older trains, even if they may be fully prohibited on new ones.

A national 1:300,000 map, as well as maps of some national parks and some regional and city maps, are published by Trimaks, and sold in Trimaks stores and by other book vendors in major cities.

A word of caution: very occasionally, a road shown on a map may not exist, or may not allow bicycles. For example, looking at a map, one may be tempted to take a scenic route from Skopje to Ohrid, along the Kozjak Reservoir (Ezero Kozjak) and the valley of the Treska River, via Makedonski Brod and Kičevo. Some maps show such a road running along the east coast of the reservoir; unfortunately, although it exists (as of 2017, it's a single-lane road, and cars are allowed to travel on it in different directions during different hours), bicycles are not allowed to proceed beyond the gates of the Jasin Nature Reserve. Other maps show such a road running along the reservoir's west side; alas, in reality (as of 2017) it does not exist at all, and to fill the missing piece (a section from the Kozjak Dam to Zdunje) would require remarkable feats of engineering.

Talk
Macedonian is the official and national language of the country, and is spoken by almost everyone. Albanian, as of 2019, is a co-official language at the national level. Turkish, Serbo-Croatian and others are spoken by ethnic minorities. Whilst many young people can speak English, many of the older generations do not. Most people related to tourism can speak at least basic English, particularly in Skopje, Ohrid, and Bitola. Speakers of Bulgarian, Serbo-Croatian and Slovene should have no problem getting by. Some older people may speak Russian, as it was a compulsory second language in schools during the communist era.

Šuto Orizari, better known as Shutka, which is part of the city of Skopje, is the only place in the world where Romani (Gypsy) is a co-official language.

See

This lovely, compact country has a surprising myriad of attractions to offer. It's a fascinating mix of the ancient Balkan, the laid-back Mediterranean and the hip and happening vibe of modern Europe.

It all starts in lively Skopje, the country's main city and the centre of its economy. It offers great shopping and party opportunities, but also grand historic monuments. The 5th century Tvrdina Kale Fortress is one of the main landsmarks, together with the beautiful Sveti Spas Church, the charming old Ottoman bazaar Čaršija and the Kameni Most. This 600 year old Stone Bridge will take you right onto the city's main square, where a gigantic statue of Alexander the Great awaits. If you're up for a hike, make your way up to the enormous Millennium Cross on top of Vodno mountain, or take the rope railway to get the same views with less effort. If summer makes the city hard to bear, follow the locals to the cool shores of Lake Matka just out of town, where you can explore the gorge and caves through hikes and kayak tours.

Smaller but a visitor's favourite is the city of Ohrid, famous for its countless Byzantine churches. Beautifully situated on Lake Ohrid, this place is listed by UNESCO as both a cultural and a natural monument. It's home to one of the most prominent collections of Byzantine icons in the world, second only to that of the famous Tretiakov Gallery in Moscow, as well as to the oldest Slavic monastery in the country and the picture-perfect Church of St. John at Kaneo right on the edge of the lake. The city's little sister on the lake, Struga, offers similar charm but is less overrun with visitors.

Still, many will argue that North Macedonia's best experiences can not be found in its cities, but rather in the stunningly beautiful mountain landscapes, remote monasteries and friendly rural villages. In any case, a tour of the countryside is a must-do for any visitor. Pelister National Park is the oldest of the country's three national parks and a popular destination for its typical Eastern European flora and fauna. The larger Mavrovo National Park offers great landscapes year round and is popular for winter sports in winter. It also holds the impressive Sveti Jovan Bigorski Monastery and a relic of its namesake patron. There are dozens of other monasteries to see, of which the Monastery of Bogorodica and the Zrze Monastery are good picks. For true nature lovers, the little known Public Enterprise for Managing and Protection of the Multipurpose Area Jasen is an excellent and off the beaten track reserve with great wildlife spotting opportunities, and yet right next to the capital.

There are plenty of other attractions to choose from, if you have enough time to spare. Consider a visit to the Stone town of Kuklica, which is only a short ride from the charming little town of Kratovo. Or, head over to the ancient Towers of Marko near Prilep.

Money
The official currency of North Macedonia is the denar (plural denari), denoted by the abbreviation "ден" (den) (international code: MKD). Many Macedonians quote prices in euro (€). The new denar replaced the old denar in 1993 at a rate of 100:1.

Coins of North Macedonia are issued in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10 and 50 denari. Banknotes of North Macedonia are issued in denominations of 10, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1,000 and 2,000 denari.

Most cities have ATMs where you can withdraw money. Fees depend on your issuing bank, but Halkbank for example charges no additional fees ontop of that as of 2022—Erste Bank charges 280 denar and УНИ Банка an undisclosed amount, Стопанска Банка seems to be free though.

There are also plenty of banks and exchange booths where you can easily exchange money. While banks often offer slightly better rates, you need to register with your passport which may take up to 10 minutes. Changing money in the exchange offices, on the other hand, is fairly straight forward, painless and quick. Do not change money on the street. Shops may accept euro but it is illegal for them to do so.

Shopping
North Macedonia is full of markets and bazaars well worth a visit. The bazaars of Skopje, Tetovo, Ohrid and Bitola are the largest selling anything from dried peppers to fake designer sunglasses. While much of the merchandise may not be worth buying, there is normally a good selection of shoes, fruit, and vegetables of good quality, depending on the season. Merchants are generally pleasant and welcoming, especially to westerners, who remain something of a rarity outside of Skopje and Ohrid.

Ohrid is famous for its pearls and there are dozens of jewellers in the old town that will offer good products at decent prices. The Macedonian Orthodox paintings in old Ohrid are also worth a look.

Tipping is not seen as essential, but it is always welcomed.

Eat
If you are on a tight budget, try one of the Skara (grill) places. There are quite a few up-market restaurants serving better quality food on the waterfront, but these cater to tourists, so don't be surprised by a rather sizeable bill at the end of your meal.

Service at the restaurants and cafés nationwide tend to be slow-ish, either because these businesses are chronically understaffed, or because of the general laid-back culture. Consider yourself lucky if your food is served within half an hour after you get seated.

General
Typical Macedonian food resembles the food of the southern Balkans, meaning loads of grilled meat (known as skara). Side dishes usually have to be ordered separately. North Macedonia is also famous for its shopska salata, a mixed salad of cucumbers, tomatoes and grated sirenje. Sirenje is a white cheese similar to feta cheese. Usually Macedonians will translate the English cheese to sirenje. Another local speciality is ajvar, a red paste made from roasted peppers and tomatoes, which is either used as an appetizer or side dish. Another typical local dish is tarator which is comparable to the Greek tzatziki. It is made of yoghurt, cucumbers, and garlic and it is served as a cold soup. The most popular street food is either burek (бурек) which is a flaky phyllo-like pastry filled with melted cheese and/or ham, or pressed, panini style sandwiches, called toast (тост).

Stobi Flips are a ubiquitous snack food found in supermarkets and corner stores, with the shape and texture of a cheese doodle, but a salty peanut flavour.

Traditional food
Tavče gravče (тавче гравче) is the national dish and unique to North Macedonia. It basically consists of beans, paprika and is traditionally served with cut sausage mixed in.

Fish
North Macedonia, being landlocked, does not offer a great variety of fresh fish. A notable exception is Ohrid, where fresh fish from the local lake can be enjoyed. If you have no objections to eating endangered species, the Ohrid trout is a local delicacy.

Dietary restrictions
If you've got reservations about consuming pork, look for the Albanian or Turkish-run restaurants, which are denoted by the Latin alphabet in their signage (as opposed to the Cyrillic more commonly used by ethnic Macedonians).

Drink
Rakija is a strong grape brandy that has the best claim to being the republic's national beverage. Homemade one can be bought for about 100 dinar per ½ L (sold in water bottles) in local markets from some fruit vendors, which sometimes sell quite high quality and percentage. Keep looking for yellowish one, which was fermented in wood barrels for a while.

Macedonians boast the largest winery in the Balkan area—the Tikveš (Tikvesh) winery in Kavadarci. Red wines are usually better than white ones. Try T'ga za Jug, a Macedonian affordable red wine made from a local grape variety called Vranec. Local white wines include Traminec and Temjanika.

The local beer market is dominated by Skopsko (Скопско, "of Skopje", following the Slavic convention of naming beers after their origin), a drinkable, if not entirely distinctive, lager. There are also many breweries which brew surprisingly good-tasting beer.

Sale of any alcoholic beverages from the stores end by 21:00 all over the country, but in the restaurants and cafés, it's business as usual.

Unlike much of the rest of the Balkans, sparkling water or water with gas is instead mineral water, or kisela voda.

The most common coffee drink in cafés is the macchiato (макијато, espresso topped by a foamy cream), which can be ordered as a single shot, small, mali macchiato, or double shot, large, golem macchiato. Cold cappuccinos with flavoured creams coming in large glasses are also popular in summer.

Tea is pretty much limited to the black and green varieties, and served in bags. Those longing for strong brewed black tea should head for the tea-houses run by the local Turks in the old town of Skopje or Ohrid.

Sleep
Being the national tourist attraction, Ohrid is more expensive than any other destination in North Macedonia. Hotel prices, primarily those of high-end hotels, are very expensive throughout the country and charge double rates to foreigners. It is therefore advisable to stay in private accommodation. If someone does not ask you at the bus station, you can always consult one of the many travel agencies in and around the centre. If you do opt for private accommodation make sure you see the room first and then decide. Payment is normally made in advance and should cost no more than €10-15 per night per person in peak season and half that during the rest of the year. Finding suitable accommodation in July and August is not easy, so try and book through a travel agent in advance.

When visiting Lake Ohrid, staying in nearby Struga as opposed to the more popular Ohrid is a wise alternative for the price and tourist-trap conscious.

Learn
You can study in many of the state and private universities listed below in English, Macedonian and Albanian.

 * University for Information Science and Technology "St. Paul The Apostle" - a state university in Ohrid. The university's language of instruction is English. International students are required to pay a tuition fee of €4000 per year.
 * Ss. Cyril and Methodius University - the biggest state university in North Macedonia, founded in 1949 in the capital Skopje. Today it represents a family of 23 faculties, 10 institutes and other institutions.
 * Goce Delčev University - the second biggest state university. It's in Štip with many branches in other cities in Eastern North Macedonia. It was founded in 2006.
 * St. Clement of Ohrid University - is one of the fifth state universities. It is in Bitola with branches in other cities in Western North Macedonia. It was founded in 1979, but the name St. Clement of Ohrid was not given until late 1994. The number of enrolled students exceeds 15,000.
 * State University of Tetovo - is a state university in Tetovo. The university was established in 1994, however, it was not recognized as a state university by the government of Macedonia until January 2004. The languages of instruction are Macedonian and Albanian.
 * South East European University - is a not for profit private university in Tetovo. It was founded in 2001 and is a member of the European University Association. The languages of instruction are English, Macedonian and Albanian.
 * FON University - a modern private university.
 * European University Republic of Macedonia - a modern private university

Stay safe
North Macedonia is a safe country. Driving is not ill-advised, but it's recommended for foreigners to try and use taxis and public transport wherever possible. As in all countries, keep an eye out for pickpockets and all valuables safe. Hotels and most private accommodation will offer a safe to store valuables and cash in.

Most people are very friendly and hospitable.

Stay healthy
Water is safe to drink and there are public drinking water fountains in most public places. It is advisable to wash all fruit and vegetables.

Use caution when eating red meat at restaurants. Although Macedonian cuisine typically revolves around grills ("skara") there are some restaurants that do not use proper or clean methods of cooking, which if practised in many Western countries would be seen as a violation of certain health regulations. Bad restaurants can be spotted easily; they will probably not look very appealing and will not have many customers. However, the vast majority of restaurants in North Macedonia serve good quality food.

Respect

It is advisable to simply refer to the country as "Macedonia". The "north" part of the name, added in 2019 to resolve a naming dispute with Greece, has not made it into everyday use among Macedonians and may never do so. Many, in fact, consider it offensive. Macedonia is directly transliterated from the Cyrillic as Makedonija, and is pronounced roughly how it would appear to an English speaker: "mahk-eh-DOHN-ee-yah".

Touchy topics are Macedonian-Bulgarian, Macedonian-Albanian, and Macedonian-Greek relations. Most Macedonians can hold strong political opinions regarding their neighbours and won't shy away from expressing their views in most cases. Politics often finds its way into conversation over a cup of coffee. To keep from upsetting your hosts or new-found friends, avoid topics such as the 2001 war against the NLA, Macedonia's partition during the Balkan wars and North Macedonia's pending membership into the European Union. Don't worry about talking about the Communist period or about Josip Tito.

There is a significant Albanian minority here, but some ethnic Macedonians are supportive of Serbia's position on the Kosovo issue. Ask as many questions as you'd like (within reason), but don't make any statements. Roughly one in four people you see on the street are likely to be Albanian, with far higher percentages in the west, and tensions are at times high between the Macedonian and Albanian communities.

Domestic phones
Domestic telephone service is available in all inhabited towns, via VoIP only. In fact, North Macedonia was the first country in Europe to go fully VoIP, back in 2014. There is an affordable fixed phone service (wireless and easy to install) from the mobile operator ONE, available prepaid (without a monthly fee, 12 months availability without recharge, recharging for only 500 denari/€8) and postpaid.

Mobile
Mobile phones are widely spread and the coverage is excellent—though LTE can be sparse. There are four mobile networks (T-mobile, A1 , LycaMobile and MTel , all using the GSM/3G standard. You may need to show your ID card or passport when buying a SIM card. For tourists data packages with sufficient GB (e.g. 100GB) are available dirt cheap. Many mobile providers in the Balkans provide free roaming across Balkan countries. So, in case you are planning to cross the border, ask on how to use the local SIM card in other Balkan countries. For instance, a One.al SIM card from Albania works flawlessly in North Macedonia and Kosovo with a regular Albanian package.

Internet
Internet access is widely available throughout the country. Almost all hotels provide internet access, either free or paid. Local coffee shops usually offer free Wi-Fi access, as many other public places do. Feel free to ask for the password, if the network is locked. ONE offers both internet for home and mobile internet. Internet cafés are available in most cities and in some villages.

title: North Macedonia


text:
Republic of the Congo

The Republic of the Congo is a country in Central Africa. It is commonly referred to as Congo-Brazzaville to distinguish itself from its giant neighbour, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Congo-Kinshasa).

One of the most sparsely populated countries in Africa, the Republic of the Congo is rich in diversity and landscapes, with more than 60 languages spoken. The Kongo, the largest ethnic group, make up 48% of the population. Other prominent ethnic groups include the Sangha, the Teke, and the Mbochi. There is also a small European community, comprising 3% of the population.

The Republic of the Congo is a predominantly Christian country, with Roman Catholicism being the largest denomination in the country. It is a former colony of France. Independent African churches thrive in the country; Kimbanguism, a syncretic movement, has several followers here.

Endowed with pristine wilderness areas and charismatic fauna, there is plenty to do and see in the Republic of the Congo, even though it's not on most travellers' lists.

Regions
Wikivoyage divides Republic of the Congo into six regions.

Cities

 * — the capital is home to one third of the country's people, and has been designated a "City of Music" by UNESCO
 * — a port city
 * — a busy logging town that attracts few foreigners
 * — the regional hub city of the Chaillu Massif mountainous region
 * — a good base for visiting the Léfini Faunal Reserve
 * — considered one of the best places to visit in the north of Republic of Congo
 * — a transit hub in the remotest far north of the country, in a territory with many nearby Pygmy villages.

Other destinations

 * — the most bio-diverse park in the country and includes the only marine-protected area in Congo
 * — the largest chimpanzee sanctuary on the African continent
 * — a reserve covering lowland rainforest and savanna
 * — big game such as elephant, leopard and buffalo still roam here
 * — a government-owned island that is about one hour from Brazzaville
 * — a special reserve for endangered western lowland gorillas, bounded by three rivers
 * — the country's best known reserve, bordering Lesio-Louna to the north
 * — the country's most famous national park
 * — the largest and most remote of Congo's national parks and reserves, in the far north bordering the Central African Republic's Dzanga Sangha National Reserve

History
Following independence as the Congo Republic on August 15, 1960, Fulbert Youlou ruled as the country's first president until labour elements and rival political parties instigated a three-day uprising that ousted him. The Congolese military took charge of the country briefly and installed a civilian provisional government headed by Alphonse Massamba-Débat.

Under the 1963 constitution, Massamba-Débat was elected President for a five-year term but it was ended abruptly with an August 1968 coup d'état. Captain Marien Ngouabi, who had participated in the coup, assumed the presidency on 31 December 1968. One year later, President Ngouabi proclaimed Congo to be Africa's first "people's republic" and announced the decision of the National Revolutionary Movement to change its name to the Congolese Labour Party (PCT). On 16 March 1977, President Ngouabi was assassinated. An 11-member Military Committee of the Party (CMP) was named to head an interim government with Col. (later Gen.) Joachim Yhombi-Opango to serve as President of the Republic.

After decades of turbulent politics bolstered by Marxist-Leninist rhetoric, and with the collapse of the Soviet Union, Congo completed a transition to multi-party democracy with elections in August 1992. Denis Sassou Nguesso conceded defeat and Congo's new president, Prof. Pascal Lissouba, was inaugurated on 31 August 1992.

However, Congo's democratic progress was derailed in 1997. As presidential elections scheduled for July 1997 approached, tensions between the Lissouba and Sassou camps mounted. On 5 June, President Lissouba's government forces surrounded Sassou's compound in Brazzaville and Sassou ordered members of his private militia, known as "Cobras", to resist. Thus began a 4-month conflict that destroyed or damaged much of Brazzaville and caused tens of thousands of civilian deaths. In early October, Angolan troops invaded Congo on the side of Sassou and, in mid-October, the Lissouba government fell. Soon thereafter, Sassou declared himself President. The Congo Civil War continued for another year and a half until a peace deal was struck between the various factions in December 1999.

In sham elections in 2002, Sassou won with almost 90% of the vote cast. His two main rivals Lissouba and Bernard Kolelas were prevented from competing and the only remaining credible rival, Andre Milongo, advised his supporters to boycott the elections and then withdrew from the race. A new constitution, agreed upon by referendum in January 2002, granted the president new powers and also extended his term to seven years as well as introducing a new bicameral assembly. International observers took issue with the organization of the presidential election as well as the constitutional referendum, both of which were reminiscent in their organization of Congo's era of the one-party state.

Elections in July 2009 were boycotted by opposition parties. Inevitably, Sassou was re-elected, but with a questionably high turnout. Demonstrations in Brazzaville were firmly put down by riot police.

The Republic of the Congo's sparse population is concentrated in the southwestern portion of the country, leaving the vast areas of tropical jungle in the north virtually uninhabited. Thus, the Republic of Congo is one of the most urbanized countries in Africa, with 85% of its total population living in a few urban areas, namely in Brazzaville, Pointe-Noire, or one of the small cities or villages lining the 332-mile (534 km) railway which connects the two cities. In rural areas, industrial and commercial activity has declined rapidly, leaving rural economies dependent on the government for support and subsistence. Before the 1997 war, about 15,000 Europeans and other non-Africans lived in Congo, most of whom were French. Only about 9,500 remain.

Economy
The country has large reserves of petroleum, the mainstay of the country's economy, and accounts for 80% of the country's exports. Although the country is one of the leading oil producers in Africa, this hasn't exactly translated into prosperity. Political instability, corruption, inadequate infrastructure, heavy dependence on oil, a neglected educational system, and the effects of the 1997 civil war mean that the country is among one of the least developed countries in the world. Most Congolese people live in poverty and unemployment is rampant.

Despite these factors, the government has been keen on diversifying the economy and actively encourages foreign investment.

Tourist information

 * Republic of the Congo Tourism website

Visa requirements
The Republic of the Congo is not a country you can just waltz into. There are few visa-free arrangements in place, and thus, almost everyone requires a visa to visit the country.

Citizens of the following countries can obtain a visa on arrival: Benin, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Rwanda, Senegal, Togo, and the United Arab Emirates.

For everyone else, you must possess a valid passport and you must submit the following: two completed visa application forms, two passport photographs, airline tickets, a travel itinerary, an invitation letter from a Congolese individual or organisation (a hotel reservation will normally suffice), and proof you've been vaccinated against yellow fever.

Visa fees tend to be very expensive (The Congolese embassy in the United States charges $200 for visa applications), so plan accordingly. Congolese embassies recommend that you submit all relevant documentation (usually a month before your trip) in advance. Visas typically take 7-10 days to process.

If you hold an "official letter of invitation" you can, in theory, enter the country without a visa, but it may be difficult to obtain because there's little information available on how to obtain it.

By plane

By car
It's safe to drive in the Republic of the Congo. A good sealed road goes north from Brazzaville, but only as far north as President Sassou's hometown of Oyo. Beyond Oyo, the roads get very bumpy and are totally impassable in the rain. It is also very hard to get a rental car that you can drive yourself.

By boat
Passenger and VIP ferries operate daily between Brazzaville and Kinshasa roughly every 2 hours between 8AM and 3PM. Prices for the ferries are: US$15 for the passenger and US$30 for the VIP ferry. The VIP ferry is recommended as these are brand new boats and are not as cramped. A valid visa for both countries is required in either direction. The bureaucracy at either end require some time. Entry and exit procedures in Brazzaville are "easy" and straight forward and people are very helpful in assisting to get through without troubles. In contrast, these procedures are a bit difficult in Kinshasa and depend much on whether you are an individual traveller or assisted by an organisation or an official government representative. There are also speed boats to hire, either in a group or alone (price!), however, it is not advisable to book them as they really speed across the river along the rapids.

Barges follow the Congo, then the Oubangui, rivers right up to Bangui.

By shared taxi or minibus
Ridiculously cheap shared taxis and minibuses run on an ad hoc basis between towns and villages, crammed with Congolese villagers taking all sorts of livestock for sale in Brazzaville.

By taxi
Taxis in the Republic of the Congo do not have a meter, which means you have to negotiate for a reasonable fare before going anywhere. Don't expect this to be an easy process if you do not possess solid French language and negotiation skills.

In the capital city, Brazzaville, taxis are white and green in colour. If you want to go to the city centre from the airport, it will cost you 3000 CFA. In the main city, however, the official taxi fare stands at 700 CFA.

By train
The Congo-Ocean Railway (COR, or CFCO) re-opened between Pointe-Noire and Brazzaville in Apr 2023 after a 7-year closure. It is scheduled to take 16 hours to complete the 502 kilometres (312 mi) journey. It is the only land route between Congo's two major cities.

Talk

 * See also: French phrasebook

The official language of the country is French. The main indigenous languages are Kituba and Lingala.

See

 * Odzala National Park
 * Gorillas in Lesio Louna Gorilla Reserve.
 * Colonial and post-colonial architecture in Brazzaville.
 * Sangha Trinational - a forest in the Sangha and Likouala region that is an UNESCO World Heritage Site (shared with Cameroon and the Central African Republic).

Do
Fish for the Goliath Tiger Fish on the Congo River — the largest fish ever caught was 56 kg.

Money
The currency of the country is the Central African CFA franc, denoted FCFA (ISO currency code: XAF). It's also used by five other Central African countries. It is interchangeable at par with the West African CFA franc (XOF), which is used by six countries. Both currencies are fixed at a rate of 1 euro = 655.957 CFA francs.

The U.S. dollar is not widely accepted.

ATMs
All Ecobank ATMs in the Republic of the Congo take Mastercard and Visa card for cash withdrawal.

Shopping
There is an artisan mart and boutiques in the market near the BDEAC (Banque Developpement pour les Etats de l'Afrique Centrale). Really beautiful jewelry, masks, paintings, and other artwork.

All business is conducted in cash. Small change is very scarce and hard to come by. Do not accept torn or taped banknotes.

Eat
There is good and healthy Chinese food at Osaka Restaurant, in Pointe Noire. The average price for a meal is US$12-18. All meals are served in nice clean dishes, the restaurant is indoors and has AC, with a back-up generator, just in case. Some of the workers speak English and French.

There are several great restaurants in Brazzaville. Any taxi driver can take you to one of these nicer places (FCFA 5000-15 000). Most places are closed on Sundays. Expect beers to be overpriced here (FCFA 1000-2000).

Drink
Palm wine is a local favorite in the village. Beer is the favorite in town next to Fanta, Coke etc. There is also a local red wine (SOVINCO) imported from Gabon and the "brique", a liter of imported, mostly Spanish wine from the box.

There is a big price range on beer (FCFA 500-5,000) depending on what neighborhood and type of bar or restaurant you're in.

Produced in Congo under Heineken supervision: N'Gok (meaning "Crocodile", blond, Congolese), Primus (blond, Belgium, Central Africa), Mütsig (blond, French Alsace Region), Guinness (dark, Ireland), and Turbo King (dark, Central Africa)

Imported: Heineken and Bavaria

If the above is too much there is also water of various local and imported brands sold in 1.5 litre plastic bottles.

Work
With incredibly mild tax laws and a huge foreign population, the Republic of the Congo has ideal working conditions, but weak political conditions and excessive bureaucracy mean that many are often reluctant to take up work opportunities in the country. In addition, unemployment is quite high (40-50%), due in large part to a poorly developed education system.

Personal connections matter greatly in the Republic of the Congo, and the importance of having local contacts cannot be overstated. This being said, it's obvious to say that nepotism is quite common here.

Many NGOs are situated in Brazzaville. If you have a background in politics or international relations, working in Brazzaville won't be such a bad idea. In addition, the country is a great place to further develop your French language skills.

The government maintains a list of sectors that are in need of investment or development. If you have any skills to offer, or if your company has anything to offer to the country, the government may be more than willing to help you out. As with any country, do your homework before getting into something.

Stay safe
The Republic of the Congo is generally a safe country. Crime rates tend to be low, and people can travel independently without any major worries or concerns. This said, crime such as robbery and assault remains a concern. As in any developing country, don't draw too much attention to yourself and do what the locals do. As the saying goes, "when in Rome, do what the Romans do".

Authorities
There are numerous police checkpoints throughout the country and it's difficult to know if you're coming across a police checkpoint since many of them are poorly marked. In the event you come across a police checkpoint, the police may ask you for your ID and they may conduct a thorough search of your vehicle. This is purely for security reasons, nothing more, nothing less.

Corruption in the Congolese police is widespread. Since members of the police earn low salaries, it's possible they may coerce you into giving them bribes or they may abuse their powers.

As with all authority figures, always remain calm, firm, and polite. If a policeman asks you to do something, just do it. Do not lose your temper if you end up meeting an ill-behaved official and do not challenge their authority.

Political unrest
The Republic of the Congo is one of the most corrupt and least efficiently governed countries in the world. Corruption, cronyism, and nepotism are widespread.

The Congolese have a strained relationship with their government and demonstrations against the government can turn violent. Although no major protests have occurred since 2015, keep an eye out.

Civil conflict
As aforementioned, many Congolese people are frustrated with their government, and this has often lead to open warfare. The most recent war was the "Pool War", in which more than 13,000 people were displaced in the Pool region. Although ceasefire agreements remain in place, frustrations with the government mean that conflict can erupt at any time.

Stay healthy
Population estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected. In any case use your common sense: do not have unprotected sex.

The likelihood of getting malaria is very high if effective preventative medication is not taken. The malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum can be very serious. Medical attention should be sought if any symptoms are shown.

Tap water is not drinkable, if it's even running at all.

Medical care is substandard throughout the country. Hospitals lack modern equipment, necessary medical supplies and medications, and well-trained physicians, nurses and support staff.
 * Netcare Clinic: B.P. 2422, Brazzaville, Tel: 547 0911 (Main Line) or 679 6711. This facility is a franchise from South Africa. It is clean, has facilities for 3 private rooms, an ambulance, a one bed emergency room, basic radiography, pharmacy and a laboratory with microscopy, haematology, and basic chemists. There are two main doctors, Dr. Ali, a Lebanese doctor who considered as the best medic in Netcare, and Dr. Stephan, a French doctor who is also a good doctor.
 * Pharmacie Mavre Tel: 81 18 39. Located in Centreville, next to the Cabinet Dentaire building

Brazzaville has many pharmacies, but Pharmacie Mavré is recommended. Please remember to always check the expiration dates on boxes before purchasing any products.

Respect
White travelers should take care while travelling in the Republic. Racial tension and discrimination is not uncommon here, so be safe and keep to yourself.

Connect
You can talk to your loved ones using any of the three mobile operators MTN, CelTel (now Zain), or Warid.

The local call rate are relatively cheap and cost you around FCFA 20-20 per minute.

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: Republic of the Congo


text:
Research Triangle

Sprawling in the heart of North Carolina's Piedmont, the Research Triangle is a metro area of about two million people. Largely suburban in nature, the Triangle is unique for a metro area in that, rather than having one primary city at its center, the region's focus is split between three cities: Raleigh, the state capital; Durham, a former industrial center; and Chapel Hill, a prominent college town.

The region derives its name from the major research universities in each of the Triangle's three cities as well as the vast office park that sits between these cities and is home to many research and high tech firms. These industries have spurred the rapid economic growth of the region. Visitors will find scenic college campuses, many of the state's cultural institutions, and a diverse population drawn by the Triangle's academic institutions and relatively high standard of living.

Cities
The main three cities that make up the Triangle are:
 * — A lovely college town based around the University of North Carolina, with college basketball, live music venues, and a beautiful campus with colonial-style brick buildings.
 * — Once the center of tobacco country, now home to the Gothic-style architecture of Duke University, a vibrant arts scene, and a revitalizing downtown district.
 * — The state capital, home to many of the state's cultural institutions, including three state museums, the state's performing arts center, and North Carolina State University.

In addition, there are a few towns that have become suburbs of the metro area:
 * — An expanding suburb near the Research Triangle Park.
 * — A sprawling, fast-growing suburb west of Raleigh.
 * — A town south of Raleigh, now a growing suburb.
 * — A historic settlement west of Durham that's home to arts and music festivals.
 * — Historic town with a sanctuary for tigers and other big cats.
 * — Historic town that served as the original home of Wake Forest University and is the current home of the Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Several other small towns are further afield but still part of the broader region surrounding the Triangle:

Understand

The Research Triangle, also known to the locals as the Triangle, is a region consisting of 3 anchor cities, Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill, and everything in between. The name, "Triangle" was originally coined to refer to the three universities, North Carolina State University, Duke University, and the University of North Carolina, all fierce rivals. One of the largest research parks in the world, Research Triangle Park is located in the area, and has attracted both large companies and high numbers of immigrants from other parts of the United States, as well as all over the world. Leading employers such as IBM, Cisco Systems, SAS Institute, GlaxoSmithKline, and Biogen have ensured the exceptional performance of the strong economy. Both the universities and the research park are factors in the fact that the region is one of the most diverse in North Carolina.

Climate
This part of North Carolina can be hot and muggy during the summers (but air conditioning is widespread). Winters are relatively mild, and spring and autumn are popular for their pleasant weather.

By plane
Raleigh-Durham International Airport is the main airport for the region, located at the center of the metro area near the Research Triangle Park, just off I-40. A former hub of American Airlines and Midway Airlines, the airport today is one of the larger national airports without official hub status - some 9 million passengers embark and deplane annually, making it one of the nation's fastest-growing airports. American's strong continued presence here gives RDU daily direct service from London Heathrow, and Delta runs direct flights from Paris. Traditional and low-cost carriers offer flights from most East Coast cities, and Western cities including Las Vegas, Phoenix, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Denver. Air Canada offers several flights per day from Toronto.

RDU has two terminals; Southwest is the sole airline in the older Terminal 1, while the more modern and architecturally impressive Terminal 2 services the legacy carriers Alaska, American Airlines, Delta, and United, as well as the low-cost airlines Jetblue, Frontier, and Allegiant. There is a large rental car facility on-site. Public transit bus service is offered by Triangle Transit route #100, which runs between Raleigh and a transit center near the Research Triangle Park. Free WiFi is provided by Boingo—it's unlimited, but you have to look at an ad every 45 minutes.

In the winter, even a small amount of snow can cripple RDU, so plan for the risk of being delayed a day or two. That goes double if you're flying Southwest, as they're responsible for de-icing their own ramps.

By car

 * Interstate 40 cuts east-west through the Triangle, passing through Raleigh and the Research Triangle Park and along the outskirts of Durham and Chapel Hill, continuing west to Greensboro, Winston-Salem, and Asheville, and east to Wilmington.
 * Interstates 85 and 95 run north-south through the area, providing easy access to the region from up and down the Eastern Seaboard. I-85 passes through Durham, continuing north to Petersburg, Virginia (where it terminates at I-95) and west, merging with I-40 to Greensboro before splitting off to Charlotte. I-95 doesn't serve the Triangle directly, but rather skirts the eastern edge of it, where you can take I-40, US-64, US-70, or US-264 into the Triangle.
 * US-1, the East Coast corridor route, cuts through Raleigh on its way from New York to the Florida Keys.

By train
Amtrak serves the Triangle with three routes: the Piedmont runs twice-daily to Charlotte, a trip of just over three hours, serving Raleigh, Cary, and Durham. The Carolinian runs once a day between Charlotte and the Eastern Seaboard, serving the same stops as the Piedmont, while the once-daily Silver Star stops in Cary and Raleigh on its way between New York City and Florida.

By bus
There are two intercity bus carriers serving the Triangle: Greyhound serves depots in Raleigh and Durham, while Megabus has a stop in Durham on its Charlotte-Washington, D.C. route. The regional bus system PART (Piedmont Authority for Regional Transit) has one line to Chapel Hill from the Piedmont Triad.

Get around
Given the very spread-out and suburban nature of the Triangle, driving is easily the most convenient way to get around. Interstate 40 is the main east-west corridor that links up the main cities of the Triangle, passing through Raleigh, the Research Triangle Park, and past RDU airport and Chapel Hill. The Durham Freeway (NC 147) links the Research Triangle Park and I-40 to Durham, while US-15/501 connects Durham to Chapel Hill. The Triangle Expressway, North Carolina's first modern toll road, follows NC 147 from I-40 to I-540, then NC 540 to Apex and Holly Springs. There are also two loop freeways circling Raleigh and serving many of the suburbs: I-440 circles the central portion of Raleigh proper, while I-540 traverses much of the suburban fringe north of Raleigh before heading south to the Research Triangle Park. South of the RTP, I-540 becomes a state-run toll freeway for the stretch around Cary south to Apex.

Each of the main cities operates a local bus service. Regional service is provided by Go Triangle, which operates all-day service daily (no service during certain holidays) between Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, and several other towns in the area, operating out of a hub (the Regional Transit Center, RTC) near the Research Triangle Park. RTC has restrooms, water fountains, and a window selling bus passes, but basically no other amenities. Fortunately, the bus schedules are coordinated so that you can make transfers quickly without having to wait around at the transit center. Fares cost $2.25 per trip (one transfer is free), with $4.50 for a day pass.

See
The universities! They're what the region is known for: Chapel Hill has UNC, Durham has Duke, and Raleigh has NC State (as well as several other lesser-known schools). All three have attractive campuses that include historic buildings. Naturally, they also include various other sights within their ecosystems, from varied museums to extensive botanical gardens and arboretums at all three universities (Duke Gardens in Durham are the best).

The area also has its share of historic districts and the like. Especially worth noting are several antebellum and Civil War sites in Durham, Hillsborough 's walkable downtown, and Raleigh's State Capitol building.

The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, which hosts an IMAX theatre, and has live presentations by visiting experts (from universities in the area) on certain days, is a very engaging (for audiences ranging from ages 5 to adults), modern, and top-tier institution that is well-worth visiting. The North Carolina Museum of History is located right next to it has many exhibits covering the history of North Carolina. Both museums are in downtown Raleigh.

Do
With the many universities in the area, it should come as no surprise that college sports are a big deal here. The Duke Blue Devils, the North Carolina Tar Heels, and (to a lesser extent) the NC State Wolfpack all have fiercely loyal fan bases, with immensely popular football and basketball programs. The Carolina-Duke rivalry is particularly fierce, with two of the most well-regarded basketball programs in the country. Non-college sports teams in the area include the popular Durham Bulls minor league baseball team and Raleigh's Carolina Hurricanes NHL hockey team.

There are many excellent performing arts spaces in the Triangle, hosting a lively theater scene. The lion's share of these are located in Durham, which is home to the prominent Durham Performing Arts Center, the historic Carolina Theatre, and a number of small, independent local theaters. Downtown Raleigh is home to the state-run Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts, which plays host to the state ballet, opera, and symphony.

And if you're looking to get away from the towns for some outdoor activities, the Triangle and its surrounding rural areas have state parks and nature. Particularly worth a visit are Eno River State Park near Durham, Umstead State Park in Raleigh, Raven Rock State Park near Fuquay-Varina, and Jordan Lake to the southwest of the metro area.

The American Tobacco Trail is a 22.6-mile (36.4-km) trail that runs from Durham in the north, to Apex in the south, cutting across wild forests for the more than that run south of the I-40, and more urban landscape to the north. The trail supports running, biking, and even horse back riding, and is widely used by residents of the area.

Eat
Boasting an impressive list of award-winning and nominated chefs and restaurants, Raleigh has become a hotbed for exciting and modern dining experiences. Durham and Chapel Hill have more than their share of quality restaurants as well. For visitors who want to sample local cuisine, restaurants serving authentic North Carolina cooking can be found in all three of the Triangle's main cities.

Drink
Out of the three cities, Chapel Hill is considered to have the best bars, due to the abundance of students in the area. Durham and Raleigh also have a fair share of drinking establishments, mainly centered around the universities.

Go next

 * Charlotte Metro — centered around Charlotte, the biggest city in North Carolina, a bustling, rapidly growing economic powerhouse (not unlike the Triangle)
 * Piedmont Triad — an urban area nearby that's also centered around three main cities
 * Wilmington – the beach!
 * Kitty Hawk — where the Wright brothers broke us free from the bonds of gravity. It has a museum that honors and explains their achievements.
 * Asheboro — home of the North Carolina zoo.

title: Research Triangle


text:
Resen

Resen (Macedonian: Ресен) is a city in southwestern North Macedonia. It has just under 9,000 residents within city limits and is the seat of Resen Municipality which includes the town as well as 43 surrounding villages with a total population of nearly 17,000. It sits north of the Great Prespa Lake, roughly equidistant between Ohrid to the west and Bitola to the east.

Understand
Resen is the only town near the Prespa Lakes, which span North Macedonia, Albania, and Greece. It has an ethnically diverse population consisting in which Macedonians form three-quarters of the town, Turks form 16%, and Albanians form 4%. The Macedonians are Orthodox Christians, while the Turks and Albanians are Muslims.

The Municipality of Resen consists of the town as well as over 40 villages. The southern portion of the municipality is considered the Prespa region. The municipality is known as agricultural hub of the country, particularly for its apples. Resen produces half of the apples in the country.

The Resen area is located in the Prespa valley, bounded by Pelister to the east, Galičica to the west, and the mountains of Bigla and Plakenska to the north.

By car
The highway E-65 runs through Resen, connecting it to Ohrid in the west and Bitola in the east. The condition of the road varies, so exercise caution in case of deep potholes. The highway also consists of a lot of uphill driving, so try finding a car that doesn't give out easily.

Resen can also be reached from Albania. There is a border crossing at the village of Stenje in the southwestern part of the municipality. Road R1307 runs from the border up to the town of Resen.

By taxi
From Ohrid, a taxi to Resen will cost up to 1,000 denars. From Bitola, it should be a bit less. From further cities, the cost will be higher.

By plane
There is no airport in Resen, but the Ohrid Airport is only 44.5 km (27.7 mi) west of Resen. This airport, in summertime, normally sees two or three flights a day and, in winter, sees two or three flight a week.

Get around
Resen is not a very large city, with most places of interest near each other, so walking is the best way to get from place to place. Taxis are also available around town.

Eat
Here is a list of some popular restaurants in Resen:
 * Kaj Stevo
 * Star Sokak
 * Makedonski Biser
 * Viktorija
 * Jambo

Drink
Here is a list of some popular cafes and bars in Resen:
 * PORTA
 * Boa
 * Bolero
 * Metak
 * Amor
 * Evolution

Sleep

 * Kitka, Phone: +389 47 Fax: +389 47. This four star hotel is located in the center of the city.

Go next

 * Prespa (North Macedonia), just south of the town. Resen is the entrance to Prespa for most visitors. This is an area of spectacular nature and important cultural landmarks, surrounding North Macedonia's share of Lake Prespa. It contains the island Golem Grad, a bird sanctuary, an ethnological museum, and several medieval churches and monasteries.
 * Pelister National Park, the land surrounding Baba Mountain. It sits west of Resen and contains pristine mountainous terrain, rivers, and glacial lakes.
 * Galičica National Park, the land between lakes Ohrid and Prespa, east of Resen.

title: Resen


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Resende

Resende is a city in the state of Rio de Janeiro.

title: Resende


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Reserva de la Biósfera Calakmul

The Reserva de la Biósfera de Calakmul is in the state of Campeche in the Yucatán Peninsula. With more than 720,000 hectares under protection, it is Mexico's largest intact tropical forest. The Biosphere Reserve completely encompasses the large Calakmul archaeological site--a major city-state of the Maya civilization.

Indigenous peoples who live in and around the reserve are involved in agriculture, raising cattle, forestry, and the harvest of chicle, the naturally produced substance used to make chewing gum (the Chiclet brand takes its name from its base ingredient). Principal crops include corn, beans, squash, and chile peppers. Farmers also raise bees for honey, and the honey from this region is especially prized.

The biosphere reserve and the archaeological site together constitute a.

The Tropical Jungle
Calakmul is the second-largest tropical forest in the Americas (after the Amazon).

Most of the biodiversity of Earth is in the tropics, and the purpose of the biosphere reserve is to conserve an entire ecosystem of jungle and tropical forest. Calakmul has a huge variety of native species: around 250 species of trees, 500 species of butterflies, more than 30 species of amphibians, more than 100 species of reptiles, more than 280 species of birds, and more than 100 species of mammals. Approximately half of these species are endangered or threatened to a degree that they require environmental protection.

The reserve is threatened by loss of habitat, loss of biodiversity, and population growth in the region around the reserve. Other problems include illegal trafficking in tropical woods and forest resources, fires associated with agricultural activities, and introduction of invasive species. One of the biological consequences of Route 186 has been a tendency to interrupt genetic flow within the reserve, isolating populations north and south of the highway.

A millenium has passed since Calakmul was at its peak, but naturalists still see signs of past human impact on the forest's native vegetation. The forest bears signs of long-term application of traditional Maya practices of species selection and regeneration, similar to those in use by Maya communities of the modern era.

When you visit Calakmul, even if you just stay within the archaeological site, you'll hear the constant jungle chatter of birds, monkeys, and other forest creatures. You'll almost certainly see two or three kinds of monkeys, since they're generally curious about humans and like to check you out from their treetop perches. Most of them are howler monkeys, but there are lots of spider monkeys as well. If you're lucky, you'll spot the brilliantly colored long tail of a quetzal in the treetops, but you're more likely to spot a few toucan. You might hear the roar of a big jungle cat in the distance, though you're unlikely to see one. Jaguars, pumas, ocelots and some species of wildcats like in Calakmul.

The Archaeological Site
The ancient Maya city-state of Calakmul thrived for more than 12 centuries since its establishment around 500 BC. Sometime around 1000 AD, the city suffered a dramatic downfall resulting in the complete depopulation of the city and its surroundings.

Calakmul is a significant example of the way Maya civilization colonized territory and expanded their realms. Calakmul grew from a small output to a large, complex city-state that interacted commercially and politically with other population centers in the region. Calakmul was a seat of power where the Kaan, one of the most powerful Maya dynasties, had its base during the late Classic period.

Calakmul is a good-size site with several major structures to explore, but much of what the original city would have encompassed has yet to be explored, cleared, and opened to the public. Outside the bounds of the archaeological site (but still within the much larger biosphere reserve) lie dozens more unexplored structures and settlements, including huge architectural complexes and sculpted monuments. Archaeologists have yet to mount extensive mapping expeditions in Calakmul and knowledge about the site and its role in Maya history is likely to evolve in coming decades. Expeditions have taken place in recent decades, but the site is large and there is much yet to be explored.

Similar to other Maya sites in the Yucatan, the archaeological site (and sites elsewhere in the reserve) show large engineering works needed to support a sophisticated urban population. Water management facilities have been found along with defensive systems and a highway network (sacbeob) similar to those at Coba and other sites. UNESCO's citation notes that these are all "constituent parts of the extremely rich and exceptionally well preserved ancient cultural landscape."

Archaeological excavations at Calaxmul found tombs of kings and royal family members together with a treasure trove of personal items belonging to the Maya nobility: everything from body armor and gold jewelry to jade masks. Inscriptions carved in structures and stelae tell stories of noble bloodlines and add details to the body of factual knowledge known about the Maya region and its long history.

Some of the site's monuments reflect an architectural style known as Peten style, but most of the site exemplifies the Rio Bec style common in this part of the Yucatan peninsula (though examples of it can be found at sites quite far from Campeche). The Rio Bec style evolved during the Late Classic period (600-900 AD) and is characterized by towers and stone mosaic facades, such as doorways carved to resemble the gaping jaws of a jaguar or anaconda.

Calakmul's remote and inhospitable location helped keep it from being plundered in the centuries following the Spanish conquest. Elaborate sculptures have been found together with frescoes and murals reminiscent of the great artwork found at Bonampak or some of the Aztec sites around Mexico City. At least 117 stelae (carved stone tablets) have been found at the site.

History
Calakmul was a very old city that was established well before what archaeologists call the "Pre-Classic period". I guess that makes Calakmul pre-pre-classic. 1000 years ago, the Maya were fighting wars between the various city-states. Calakmul was one of the heavy hitters, and went up against other huge Maya powerhouses, like Tikal and El Mirador. They also founded several smaller vassal states, installing kings that would pay tribute to Calakmul.

The fighting and power building went on for centuries, until something happened after 1000 A.D. to cause either the abandonment or annihilation of the city. The site remained lost until 1931 when an American botanist studying the biology of the area found a temple with many stelae. He told an archaeologist at the Carnegie Institution named Sylvanus Morley. Morley visited the site for the first time in 1932 and made subsequent trips until 1938. Over those 6 years, he documented 103 stelae. The site was ignored until 1982 when a project by the Universidad Autónoma de Campeche began to examine the site. Since 1994, the archaeological site and its scientific explorations have been managed by the Mexican governments INAH (Instito Nacional de Arquelogia y Historia).

The Biosphere Reserve was created by presidential decree in 1989 by President Carlos Salinas.

Landscape
If you climb to the top of the pyramid at Structure II, the jungle appears like a flat, green canvas as far as the eye can see, but when you're down at ground level walking around the site, you'll find quite a few hills. The soil is known as karst soil, which means it has a lot of limestone sand in it. Dense foliage is everywhere with vines covering many of the hidden archaeological structures.

Flora and fauna
The biosphere reserve includes hundreds of plant and animal species, including several endemic to the area and several endangered or threatened species.

Species in danger of extinction include the Yucatan black howler monkey, the spider monkey, ocelot, tigrillo, jaguar, tapir, pato real, zopilote rey, and two species of eagle. Threatened species include a half dozen mammals, such as jaguarundi and anteaters, two dozen birds such as the Toucan, the green Parrot, the Yucatan Parrot, and various species of raptor; various reptiles, like salamanders, boa constrictors, and various other species of snakes; and various plant species.

Climate
The reserve has a humid, moist climate with rains in summer. Temperatures average 24–28°C (75–83°F). Annual precipitation is 1000–1500 mm (40–60 inches).

Get in
Nearby towns include Zoh Laguna and Xpujil. The southern Yucatan is traversed by a well-maintained, paved highway, Mexico's Federal Route 186, but most roads in the reserve are seasonal tracks, passable only in the dry season and with a proper vehicle.

Calakmul is remote with little supporting tourist infrastructure. The best way to visit Calakmul is to rent a car and drive there. Highways in the area are good with light traffic. If you have a car, Calakmul is a very easy place to visit. If you don't, it's moderately difficult as you need to travel to Xpujil and then arrange something there.

From Xpujil, the easiest way to get to Calakmul is to hire a taxi for the day. Drivers will charge about M$1500 (US$75), but it's a long drive to the park entrance, a longer drive from the entrance to the archaeological site, and then the driver will need to wait at least 3 hours while you explore the site before making the long drive back to Xpujil. It might seem like a lot of money for a taxi, but the driver is earning it.

If you don't have a car, it is possible to get to the main entrance of the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve by bus, but from there it is a 60 km drive on park roads to get to the archaeological site. (You can usually get transportation by hitchhiking from the park entrance into the reserve). Catch the bus in Xpujil (first one leaving at 05:30 am) and tell the driver you want to get out at the Calakmul National Park.

Fees and permits
Separate entry fees are charged for the biosphere reserve and for the archaeological site. You pay at the main entrance to the biosphere. You can also hire a local tour guide here.

Price is M$180 for the natural park and M$90 for the archeological site (Nov. 2023)

Get around
There is one road into the biosphere reserve from the main entrance. It is 60km from the entrance to the archaeological site, all of it through undeveloped jungle on a secondary road. Buses go past the main park entrance, but there are no buses inside the park. You may be able to catch a taxi at the park entrance or at the small parking lot in the archaeological site. Otherwise, anywhere you go, you walk.

See
One of the most impressive Maya sites in Yucatan, Calakmul includes the second highest pyramid after El Mirador (Guatemala). Very nice ruins in the jungle. Monkeys, deer, and other animals can be seen. An under-rated site to be discovered.

Bring tons of repellent: mosquitoes are very aggressive there.

Buy
This isn't a commercialized site. Anything you want to buy you'll have to get outside the park.

Eat
This isn't a commercialized site. Anything you want to buy you'll have to get outside the park. Bring food with you.

Drink
This isn't a commercialized site. Anything you want to buy you'll have to get outside the park. Bring water with you.

Sleep
Lodging is not available within the biosphere reserve. You can get a room for the night in Xpujil or Chicanna. There are also some local campgrounds where you can sleep in a tent.

Stay safe
This region is sparsely populated and is extremely safe. Crime is unlikely to be a concern. Driving is low-risk (but watch out for topes (speed bumps) and myriad potholes on the back road from the park entrance to the archaeological site.

Bring mosquito repellant and use it liberally. Mosquitos in this region can carry malaria and other tropical diseases, such as dengue.

Go next
There are several busses passing by the entrance of the park going toward Chetumal

or Escarcega ( one is passing around 3pm - waive at the bus) and then connections can be made to Campeche Villahermosa and Palenque

title: Reserva de la Biósfera Calakmul


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Reserva de la Biosfera Sierra del Rosario

The Reserva de la Biosfera Sierra del Rosario is a nature reserve in Pinar del Río province of Cuba.

Understand
This is not a national park but is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. It consists of 25,000 ha of the Sierra del Rosario mountains. The principal sites in the reserve are Soroa and Las Terrazas.

Soroa is "off the beaten path" with fewer tourists than Viñales. If you come from Havana you'll welcome getting a full night's sleep in the quiet campo (countryside). Las Terrazas is more promoted as a tourist destination.

Get in
See the Las Terrazas article for information how to get there.

There is no easy-to-use public transport to Soroa which is 87 km west of Havana, although buses and taxis going towards Viñales can drop you off at the highway junction and sometimes even stop there for a break.

See

 * Orquideario Soroa – The Orquideario Soroa is the world's second-biggest orchid garden, with 700 species. You can also hike up the road behind the Orquideario to a ruined mansion and a view of the valley.

 * Cascadas El Salto – The Cascadas El Salto is a beautiful 35-m waterfall. You can swim in the pool below the falls.

 * Mirador de Venus – This mountaintop viewpoint is a two-hour hike at an easy pace. You can rent horses if you prefer not to hike. The start is at the El Salto parking lot.

 * Cafetal Independencia – The ruins of the Cafetal Independencia coffee plantation are a six-hour hike from Soroa.

Eat
There's an excellent restaurant and a snack bar at the Cascadas El Salto. If you're served by the waitress named "Pupy," pronounced "poopy," be sure to explain to your Cuban friends at the table, or at least the ones under twelve, what this means in English.

Lodging
Soroa has a tourist hotel and many casa particulares along the road. The casa of Mietlel Cruz and Maite Delgado is lovely, quiet, and the food's good: telephone 5 227 0069; address Carretera Soroa Kilometer 7, Candalaria, Pinar del Río province.

"Los Pinos" ("The Pines"), at kilometer 5 on the Carretera Soroa, is a lovely casa with a beautiful garden. In March 2008 it was not licensed. So, only Cubans could stay there.


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Resistencia

Resistencia is a city in Chaco, Argentina.

It is known as City of Sculptures, with more than 600 sculptures across the city. Bienal Internacional de Esculturas is the main attraction, in a week you can see how artists from all over the world make sculptures.

It is the biggest city in Chaco Province, a great point to arrive its touristical attractions like Parque Nacional Chaco, Isla del Cerrito and Bermejo River.

Understand
It is very difficult to understand people here, they speak too quickly.

By plane
There are regular flights to Resistencia airport from Buenos Aires Aeroparque airport. Flying into Corrientes airport is also an option. There are buses from Corrientes airport to Resistencia.

By train
There is a small network of regional services, linking Resistencia with its suburbs and nearby towns. There is one slightly longer route from Los Amores in the province of Santa Fe. All in all, the network is not particularly useful for a tourist.

By car
Main roads are paved:
 * RN11: it takes you to the South to Santa Fe, Rosario and Buenos Aires. To the Norte it goes to Formosa City and Asunción (Paraguay). In 2015 it is being changed into a motorroad through Resistencia, so traffic could be very slow. If you go to Buenos Aires it could be a better option go to Corrientes and then take RN12, it is safer and quicker.
 * RN16: it takes you to Corrientes City to the East, and to the North-West goes to Presidencia Roque Sáenz Peña and Salta. It is a motorroad between Barranqueras and Puerto Tirol, very quick and safe. In 2015 motorroad it is being constructed up to Makallé (40 km) with little influence on traffic.

There are other minor unpaved roads that take you to touristic places Villa Paranacito and Isla del Cerrito.

By bus
A coach from Salta takes about 12 hours and costs about 80 pesos, however it is difficult to get one at sensible hours, ie you have to either leave stupidly early or arrive stupidly early, and the best choice is 6pm - 6am.

Being a central hub for the Chaco Province, the bus terminal in Resistencia has many connections per day with Buenos Aires (12 hours), Rosario (10 hours), Puerto Iguazú (12 hours), Salta (13 hours) and Asunción in Paraguay (6 hours). Lesser served routes (ie. once per day) include Córdoba, Posadas and Rosario. There are numerous local buses to the neighbouring town of Corrientes and the National Park Chaco. The bus terminal is located outside the town center: Taxi rides between downtown and the bus terminal cost around 120 Argentinean Pesos.

By boat
Resistencia is besides Barranqueras which is over Paraná River, although this river is used for fishing and for its beaches.

Negro River has some leisure boats.

Eat

 * "Tres Caracoles" this is a really nice place for dinner, it has a delightful menu where you can find dishes from rabbit to "sweet batata" (local plate). By the way the waitress are as amazing as the food.

title: Resistencia


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Resolute

Resolute (ᖃᐅᓱᐃᑦᑐᖅ Qausuittuqis, meaning "Seagull Nesting Place") is a small town in Nunavut. At almost 75°N, it is well to the north of most inhabited parts of Canada and of any part of Alaska.

Understand
Resolute Bay is at the south coast of Cornwallis Island in Canada's far north. It's named after HMS Resolute, one of the ships searching for Franklin's lost expedition of 1845, that became stuck on ice, was rescued by American whalers, returned to Queen Victoria, and ultimately became the wood source for the famous "Resolute Desk" inside the White House's Oval Office. Cornwallis Island was one of the last known places circled by Franklin, before his expedition sailed southward and disappeared forever. Beechey Island, the Franklin Expedition's first wintering location, and the burial place for their first casualties, is about 100 km east.

This Inuit hamlet was established in 1953 in order to secure Canadian claims over its Arctic areas during the Cold War. The government made various promises to induce some Inuit to come, and has been accused of breaking most of them. The area is too cold and barren for even Inuit to survive without regular shipments of supplies from further south. In 2008 the Canadian government formally apologized for the relocation policy and the harm it did.

The weather in Resolute can be summed up in two words: freezing cold. Average temperature is −13.3°C (8.1°F); only briefly during the summer do temperatures climb above freezing. Like most other places in the Arctic, the climate is very dry. Most snowfall occurs during the summer.

Airport
The only practical means of travelling here is to use

Airlines

 * Flights Tu Th F from Iqaluit (4-6 hours), starting at $1935 roundtrip, via Arctic Bay. Flights W F from the even more remote community of Grise Fiord. Also offers charter flights.
 * Kenn Borek Air offers charter flights

Get around
Walking or snowmobiling. There are no taxis. Hotels offer shuttles to the airport.

Do
Two polar races have their starting points in Resolute, the Polar Race and the Polar Challenge. From here teams race the 350 nautical miles (648 km, 403 mi) to the North Pole.

Resolute outfitters offer Arctic adventures like a five-day igloo camping journey over the frozen ice to the community of Grise Fiord, and snowmobiling expeditions onto the frozen sea ice of the Northwest Passage. Dog team trips and polar ice cap tours are also available. Resolute Bay is an excellent location for marine wildlife watching. Pods of beluga and narwhal can be seen from Resolute's beach as they head to their summer feeding grounds. Ellesmere National Park Reserve and Polar Bear Pass National Wildlife Area are both easily accessed from Resolute Bay.

Buy, eat and drink
There are no restaurants, so you'll be eating at your lodgings, or from the Co-op store.

Sleep
Several lodges are also available for rent.

Connect
Cell service provider Telus has 4G LTE internet coverage in Resolute and its immediate surroundings.

Go next

 * Qausuittuq National Park -- one of Canada's newest and most remote national parks.

title: Resolute