Municipality of Novo Selo
Macedonia's only municipality bordering two EU countries (Bulgaria and Greece), with North Macedonia's highest waterfall and cross-border agricultural trade.
Novo Selo exists where North Macedonia meets both Bulgaria and Greece—the only municipality in the country bordering two EU member states. Located at the southeastern end of Macedonia, this municipality of 6,972 residents occupies territory between Ograzden Mountain to the north, the Strumica River plain in the center, and Belasica Mountain to the south. The Smolare Waterfall (39.5 meters)—North Macedonia's highest—marks the natural distinctiveness of the terrain.
The formation era positioned Novo Selo within the fertile Strumica valley that supports southeastern Macedonia's agricultural economy. The combination of climate, soil, and water availability creates conditions for year-round vegetable cultivation unmatched elsewhere in the country. Ancient settlement reflects these favorable conditions, with human habitation documented across millennia.
Today Novo Selo operates through agriculture, tobacco production, food processing, textiles, wood processing, and construction. The 242 active business entities include Kolid Foods (food), Džovi Company (construction), Jastreb (wood processing), and Alumin-BD (metal processing). The EU border proximity positions the municipality for cross-border trade as accession advances; the Strumica regional economy already leads national agricultural exports. The Southeastern Region's 230 annual sunny days and favorable climate make it North Macedonia's premier early vegetable producer.
By 2026, Novo Selo's dual EU border could transform from geographic curiosity to economic advantage. Agricultural exports to Bulgaria and Greece face minimal distance costs; labor mobility could address seasonal worker shortages. The Belasica and Ograzden mountains offer tourism potential complementing the established Strumica valley agriculture.