“IF I GO TO BITOLA”

 

      The location of Bitola is situated in the western part of the abundant wheat Pelagonia Plain, spreading on the both banks of the fast mountain river Dragor. The city grew and developed on the Baba Mountain slopes, where the picturesque mountain peak Pelister rises (2601m). On the east through Pelagonia it is open to the spurs of Selechka Mountain, Nige and the peak Kajmakchalan (2521m). Nearby the city, since antique times the ancient Heraclea Lyncestis has been located. All these facts speak in favor of its outstanding geographical position.

      The main roads that connected Europe with the Middle east and then with Asia and Africa passed here. By the city itself the famous Roman road Via Ignatius passed, which then connected with the Balkan strategic road down the Moravia and Vardar valley. This enabled Bitola to be the center and crossroads of the material and spiritual culture between the West and the Orient. Actually, since the time of the formation of an urban settlement here, all conditions were formed for its later remarkable commercial, political and military significance in this part of the Balkan Peninsula.

      The city lies on the following coordinates from 21º18’20” to 21º21’11” east from the Greenwich meridian (EGM) and from 14º00’00” to 41º03’20” north from the Equator (north line of latitude).

      Today Bitola is a modern city with about 80.000 inhabitants. It covers about 24km², with diameter of about 7km. The average sea level is from 600-700 meters. After Skopje, it is biggest commercial, administrative, educational and cultural center, as well as the second University City in Macedonia.