# Vardar

> river in North Macedonia and Greece

**Wikidata**: [Q189596](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q189596)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vardar)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/vardar

## Summary
Vardar is a major river and natural watercourse located in North Macedonia and Greece, also known by the alias Axios. It is the longest river in North Macedonia, flowing through the capital city of Skopje, and serves as a geographical link between the Balkan interior and the Aegean Sea, ultimately reaching the Delta Municipality in Greece.

## Key Facts
- **Classification**: River (larger natural watercourse).
- **Aliases**: Axios.
- **Locations**: North Macedonia, Greece, Delta Municipality.
- **Coordinates**: 40.5075, 22.7175 and 41.76405, 20.836961111111112.
- **Status in North Macedonia**: Longest river in the country; lowest point of the country (50 meters above sea level).
- **Major Cities**: Flows through Skopje, the capital of North Macedonia.
- **Sitelink Count**: 63.
- **North Macedonia Independence**: September 8, 1991.
- **Greece Independence**: March 25, 1821.
- **Greece EU Membership**: Since 1981.
- **North Macedonia NATO Membership**: Since 2020.

## FAQs
### What countries does the Vardar River flow through?
The Vardar River flows through two countries: North Macedonia, where it originates and is the longest river, and Greece, where it is also known as the Axios River and passes through the Delta Municipality.

### Is the Vardar River known by any other names?
Yes, the river is known by the alias "Axios," particularly in Greece.

### What is the geographical significance of the Vardar in North Macedonia?
The Vardar is geographically critical as it is the longest river in North Macedonia and defines the country's lowest point at 50 meters above sea level.

### Where does the Vardar River enter Greece?
The river enters Greece in the region of the Delta Municipality, a local administrative division in the country.

### What is the population context of the regions the Vardar flows through?
The river flows through North Macedonia, which has a population of approximately 1.8 million, and Greece, which has a population of approximately 10.5 million.

## Why It Matters
The Vardar River is a vital geographical feature that defines the topography of North Macedonia, serving as its longest river and lowest point. It acts as a crucial hydrological and transportation corridor connecting the capital of Skopje to the Aegean Sea via Greece. The river facilitates the connection between two distinct European nations—North Macedonia and Greece—linking the Balkan interior to the Mediterranean. Its presence in the Delta Municipality highlights its importance to Greek local geography and agriculture. Furthermore, the river symbolizes the interconnectedness of the region, flowing through countries that have historically navigated complex diplomatic relations, such as the Prespa Agreement.

## Notable For
- Being the longest river in North Macedonia.
- Defining the lowest point of North Macedonia (50 meters).
- Flowing through Skopje, the capital and largest city of North Macedonia.
- Bearing the alias "Axios" in Greece.
- Serving as a natural watercourse connecting the landlocked country of North Macedonia to the Aegean Sea in Greece.
- Traversing the Delta Municipality in Greece.

## Body

### Geography and Physical Characteristics
Vardar is classified as a river, which is a larger natural watercourse. It is geographically located in southeastern Europe, spanning across North Macedonia and Greece. The river is identified by two distinct sets of coordinates: 40.5075, 22.7175 and 41.76405, 20.836961111111112. In addition to its primary name, the river is recognized by the alias "Axios." The entity has a significant digital footprint with a sitelink count of 63.

### Location in North Macedonia
In North Macedonia, the Vardar River holds the distinction of being the country's longest river. It flows through the nation's capital, Skopje, which serves as the political and cultural center of the country. Geographically, the river marks the lowest point in North Macedonia, situated at an elevation of 50 meters above sea level.

North Macedonia, officially the Republic of North Macedonia since 2019, is a sovereign state and landlocked country in southeastern Europe. It declared independence on September 8, 1991, from the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. The country operates as a parliamentary republic with a population of approximately 1,831,713 as of 2021. It covers an area of 25,713 square kilometers and shares borders with Albania, Serbia, Bulgaria, Greece, and Kosovo. The official language is Macedonian, though Albanian is also recognized, and the currency is the Macedonian denar. North Macedonia joined NATO in 2020 and is a member of the United Nations. The country's highest point is Mount Korab (2,764 meters), contrasting with the Vardar River as the lowest point.

### Location in Greece
The Vardar (Axios) River flows into Greece, specifically passing through the Delta Municipality. Greece, officially the Hellenic Republic, is a sovereign state in Southeast Europe situated on the southern tip of the Balkan Peninsula. It is a Mediterranean country with a rich cultural heritage and a strategic position.

Greece has an area of 131,957 square kilometers and a population of approximately 10,482,487 as of the 2021 census. The capital is Athens, which has been the seat of government since 1834. Greece is a parliamentary republic and a member of the European Union (since 1981), NATO (since 1952), and the United Nations (since 1945). The country uses the Euro (€) as its currency, adopted in 2002. Greece shares land borders with Albania, Bulgaria, North Macedonia, and Turkey. The highest point in Greece is Mount Olympus (2,919 meters), and the lowest is the Calypso Deep (5,269 meters below sea level).

### Regional Context and Demographics
The Vardar River connects two nations with distinct demographic and economic profiles. North Macedonia has a Human Development Index (HDI) of 0.770 (2021) and a nominal GDP of $13.8 billion (2021). The country has a life expectancy of 77 years (2022) and an unemployment rate of 14.5% (2022).

Greece, on the other hand, has a higher nominal GDP of approximately $219 billion USD (2022) and a life expectancy of 81.1 years (2015). The country's unemployment rate was 18.5% in 2019. Greece is known for its high human development index (0.887 in 2021) and its role as the birthplace of democracy and Western philosophy. The river's path through the Delta Municipality places it within a region of Greece that is part of the broader administrative and cultural landscape of the Hellenic Republic.

### Administrative Divisions and Municipalities
Within Greece, the river is associated with the Delta Municipality. This municipality is one of the many administrative divisions in Greece, which operates under a centralized government structure in Athens. North Macedonia is divided into 80 municipalities, including the City of Skopje, through which the Vardar flows. This administrative structure highlights the river's role in local governance and regional planning in both countries.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. GeoNames