Polog

Polog is a statistical and geographic region in northwestern North Macedonia. It is centered on the city of Tetovo and includes several municipalities, among them Gostivar, Brvenica and Bogovinje. The region lies in the western part of the country, encompassing parts of the Polog Valley and adjoining mountain areas, including sections of the Shar and Bistra ranges. It borders Kosovo to the west and lies along important crossroads linking Skopje with the western Balkans.

Demographically, Polog is one of the more ethnically diverse regions of North Macedonia, with a majority of ethnic Albanians and smaller communities of Macedonians, Turks, Roma and others. Albanian language and culture are prominent in daily life, education and media.

Economy and infrastructure: The economy combines agriculture, small-scale industry and trade. Agriculture focuses on tobacco, cereals, vegetables and fruit; there are also processing facilities and a growing service sector in Tetovo and Gostivar. The region benefits from proximity to Kosovo and features road and cross-border links, including border crossings to Kosovo.

History and governance: As one of North Macedonia's eight statistical regions, Polog serves mainly for planning and statistical purposes. The area has been a focal point of Albanian political and cultural life in the country, and it gained international attention during the 2001 insurgency in western Macedonia.