national park in North Macedonia
Pelister National Park is a national park in the Municipality of Bitola, North Macedonia. The park is located in the Baba Mountain massif and covers an area of 171.5 square kilometres (66.2 sq mi). Established in 1948 as Yugoslavia's first national park and North Macedonia's oldest protected area, Pelister was expanded in 2007 from its original size to 14,300 hectares to enhance protection across a larger portion of the massif. The park spans elevations from 891 to 2,601 metres above sea level and features distinctive geological formations, including Pleistocene-era granite "stone rivers" or moraines, glacial cirques, and two glacial lakes situated at around 2,200 metres. Known for its rich biodiversity with more than 1,050 plant species, Pelister has extensive forests of the endemic Macedonian pine (Pinus peuce), alongside diverse ecosystems supporting protected wildlife including the grey wolf, European otter, and bearded vulture.
