Valandovo

Valandovo is a town and municipality in the Southeastern region of North Macedonia, near the border with Greece. It serves as the administrative center of Valandovo Municipality and lies in a fertile eastern valley, where a warm inland climate supports agriculture.

The local economy is primarily agricultural. The area is known for vineyards and fruit orchards, with apricots, peaches, apples, and vegetables being common crops. Wine production is a notable activity, and agro-industries process local produce. Tourism exists at a modest level, supported by the region’s natural scenery and its archaeological significance.

Valandovo has important archaeological associations. The name of the Valandovo culture, a late Neolithic culture dated to roughly 6000–5200 BCE, comes from finds near the town. Excavations have uncovered pottery, figurines, and settlement remains that shed light on early farming communities in the Balkans. The area has been inhabited through Roman and medieval periods and developed into a modern town within the Ottoman and later national administrative histories.

Demographically, the municipality is inhabited by a mix of ethnic groups, with a majority identifying as ethnic Macedonians and minorities including Turkish, Romani, and others. Cultural life includes local institutions, festivals, and traditions that reflect regional folklore, music, and crafts.

Valandovo is connected by regional roads to Skopje, Gevgelija, and neighboring municipalities, with proximity to border crossings toward Greece. Public services in the town include schools, healthcare facilities, and cultural centers that serve residents and surrounding villages.