The Vardar is the longest river in the Republic of Macedonia, flowing 388 km from its source near Gostivar to its outlet in the Aegean Sea near Thessaloniki, Greece. It drains an area of around 25,000 square kilometers and has several tributaries including the Boshava, Lepenac, Treska, Pčinja, and Bregalnica rivers. The river valley comprises fertile lands and is an important transportation route, though pollution from industry and agriculture have become issues in recent decades.

2. The Vardar or Axios ( Macedonian: Вардар ; Greek
: Αξιός Axiós or Βαρδάρης Vardárīs ) is the longest and major river
in the Republic of Macedonia and also a major river of Greece. It
is 388 km (241 mi) long, and drains an area of around
25,000 km 2 (9,653 sq mi). The maximum depth of river is 4 m
(13 ft).
Map of northwestern Macedonia showing the Vardar
The river rises at Vrutok, a few kilometers north of Gostivar in the
Republic of Macedonia. It passes through Gostivar, Skopje and
into Veles, crosses the Greek border near Gevgelija, Polykastro
andAxioupoli ("town on the Axiós"), before emptying into the
Aegean Sea in Central Macedonia west ofThessaloniki in northern
Greece.
The Vardar basin includes two-thirds of the territory of the
Republic of Macedonia. The area is sometimes called "Vardar
Macedonia" after the river, to distinguish it from "Aegean
Macedonia" (in Greece) and "Pirin Macedonia" (in Bulgaria).
The valley comprises fertile lands in Polog, and The saloniki
prefectures and Gevgelija and other parts. The river is surrounded
by mountains elsewhere. The superhighways Greek National Road
1 in Greece and M1 and E75 run within the valley along the river's
entire length to near Skopje.
The river is depicted on the coat of arms of Skopje, which in turn
is incorporated in the city's flag.

4. The Boshava is Macedonian river, right tributary
The Boshava is Macedonian river, right tributary
of the Vardar. Springs at the foot of MountKozuf at aa
of the Vardar. Springs at the foot of MountKozuf at
height of 1.070 m, and flows into the
height of 1.070 m, and flows into the
Vardar before Demir gorge at aa
Vardar before Demir gorge at
heightof 95 m. Long is 51,5 km, has a total drop of
heightof 95 m. Long is 51,5 km, has a total drop of
979 m and an average 19.0% decline.Basin covers an
decline.Basin
979 m and an average 19.0% decline.Basin covers an
decline.Basin
area of 467,7 km
area of 467,7 km
². Its major tributaries are Doshnica and BoulskaRiver. An
². Its major tributaries are Doshnica and BoulskaRiver. An
important part of the basin is overflowing nature
important part of the basin is overflowing nature
The Lepenac is aariver in southern Kosovo[a] and northern
The Lepenac is river in southern Kosovo[a] and northern
Macedonia, aa75 km (47 mi) long left tributary to the Vardar river.
Macedonia, 75 km (47 mi) long left tributary to the Vardar river.
Treska is aariver in the western part of Republic of
Treska is river in the western part of Republic of
Macedonia, aaright tributary to Vardar. ItItis 132 km (82 mi)
Macedonia, right tributary to Vardar. is 132 km (82 mi)
long, and its basin is 2350 km².
long, and its basin is 2350 km².

5. The Pčinja is aa128 km long river in Serbia and
The Pčinja is 128 km long river in Serbia and
Macedonia, aaleft tributary of the Vardar river.
Macedonia, left tributary of the Vardar river.
Bregalnica is the second largest river in the Republic of Macedonia. ItItstarts as
Bregalnica is the second largest river in the Republic of Macedonia. starts as
aaspring near the mountain city of Berovo and ititpasses near the cities of
spring near the mountain city of Berovo and passes near the cities of
Makedonska Kamenica, Kočani, Vinica and Štip, before joining the river Vardar
Makedonska Kamenica, Kočani, Vinica and Štip, before joining the river Vardar
on its way to the Aegean Sea. Recent issues have concentrated around the
on its way to the Aegean Sea. Recent issues have concentrated around the
pollution of the river, as many of the factories located in the cities through which
pollution of the river, as many of the factories located in the cities through which
ititpasses used ititas aadumping ground for waste waters, which is further
passes used as dumping ground for waste waters, which is further
aggravated with the pesticide-treated waters of the extensive rice fields near the
aggravated with the pesticide-treated waters of the extensive rice fields near the
city of Kočani.
city of Kočani.

6. The origin of the river name is quite obscure and aafew
The origin of the river name is quite obscure and few
theories are in existence:
theories are in existence:
**The hydronym Vardar probably derives from the old
The hydronym Vardar probably derives from the old
Germanic word "Vordol", which could have been introduced
Germanic word "Vordol", which could have been introduced
to the region by Gothic settlers in the 5th century AD.
to the region by Gothic settlers in the 5th century AD.
**Another etymology derives Vardar from the Thracian
Another etymology derives Vardar from the Thracian
language, from PIE *sword(o)-wori-, "black water".
language, from PIE *sword(o)-wori-, "black water".
**A more plausible version for the origin of the river name is
A more plausible version for the origin of the river name is
linked to the Bulgars led by Kuber who settled in the region
linked to the Bulgars led by Kuber who settled in the region
during the 7th century AD. The first part of the name Var-
during the 7th century AD. The first part of the name Var-
may be linked to the Vedic god Varuna who from the lord of
may be linked to the Vedic god Varuna who from the lord of
the underworld became the supreme god of the water, rain,
the underworld became the supreme god of the water, rain,
rivers and oceans. The name Kuber also quite closely
rivers and oceans. The name Kuber also quite closely
resembles Kubera, another Vedic god. The Bulgars were aa
resembles Kubera, another Vedic god. The Bulgars were
tribe of obscure ethnicity but certainly originated in Central
tribe of obscure ethnicity but certainly originated in Central
Asia, where some main rivers bear similar names - -Syr
Asia, where some main rivers bear similar names Syr
Darya, Amu Darya and some minor ones as Chebdar in
Darya, Amu Darya and some minor ones as Chebdar in
Russia,Shakhdara and Kudara in Tajikistan. The word
Russia,Shakhdara and Kudara in Tajikistan. The word
darya is of Persian origin and means river, sea or ocean.
darya is of Persian origin and means river, sea or ocean.
The meaning of the second part of name -dar is therefore
The meaning of the second part of name -dar is therefore
very clear and logical.
very clear and logical.