Mariovo

 region, invisible

Mariovo (Macedonian Cyrillic: Мариово) is a region in the southern part of Macedonia (area of 1390 square km, elevation 1050 m), situated between the mountains Selechka (highest peak - Visoka 1471 m) on the west, Nidže (highest peak - Kajmakčalan 2520 m) and Kožuf (highest peak - Zelenbeg 2171 m) on the south, Kozjak (highest peak - Baltova Chuka 1822 m) on the east and Dren (mountain) (highest peak - Studenica 1663 m) on the north. The river Crna flows across the whole area of Mariovo, creating the largest canyon in Macedonia which is around 100 km long.
The region is divided into three sub-regions, Bitolsko Mariovo (with its center Staravina), Prilepsko Mariovo (with its center Vitoliste) and Tikvesko Mariovo (consisted of the western parts of the former municipality Konopishte with the villages of Rožden, Majdan, Ržanovo and Klinovo). Nowadays, administratively it is divided among three municipalities: Prilep, Novaci and Kavadarci.
The river Crna also divides the region into two sub-regions, Small Mariovo (Malo Mariovo) on the left side of the river, and Old (Large) Mariovo (Staro Mariovo) on the right side of the river.
The specific position and natural condition of this geomorphological entity have contributed towards creation of a distinct local climate which differs from the other parts of the country. The mountains Dren and Selečka shield Mariovo from the continental northern winds. On the south-east the basin of the river Crna enables Mediterranean influences from Aegean Sea, while in the area of Skočivir Ravine the moderate continental clime makes its way from the Pelagonian plains. The influence of three climate zones can be felt in this area.
Many people lived there, but due to migration, there are fewer than 1,000 inhabitants left living in the 28 settlements: Vitolište, Bešište, Veprčani, Vrpsko, Dunje, Živovo, Kalen, Kokre, Kruševica, Manastir, Polčište, Peštani, Čanište, Brnik, Budimirci, Gradešnica, Gruništa, Zovič, Iveni, Makovo, Orle, Rapeš, Staravina, Ržanovo, Rožden, Galište, Klinovo and Majden.