Kumanovo

Kumanovo (Macedonian: Куманово [kuˈmanɔvɔ] ^ⓘ; Albanian: Kumanovë, Albanian definite form: Kumanova; also known by other alternative names) is the second-largest city in North Macedonia after the capital Skopje and the seat of Kumanovo Municipality, the largest municipality in the country. Kumanovo lies 340 metres (1,115 feet) above sea level and is surrounded by the Karadag part of Skopska Crna Gora mountain on its western side, Gradištanska mountain on its southern side, and Mangovica and German mountain on the eastern side. The Skopje Airport also serves Kumanovo.

It has many historical sites. One of its most important is the 4,000-year-old megalithic astronomical observatory of Kokino, located 30 km (19 mi) northeast of Kumanovo and discovered in 2001. It is ranked fourth on the list of old observatories by NASA.

In 1912, during the First Balkan War, Serbian forces won a decisive victory over the Ottomans north of the town. The two-day Battle of Kumanovo ended Ottoman authority in Vardar Macedonia which contributed to the region's integration into Serbia, and consequently into Yugoslavia. The entire region of Macedonia was split in three between Serbia, Greece and Bulgaria after the Treaty of Bucharest in 1913.

During World War II the communist resistance in Vardar Macedonia began in Kumanovo on 11 October 1941.

The rapid economic, administrative and cultural expansion of Kumanovo began in 1945. The town's metal-processing, tobacco, agriculture, footwear and textile industries made it an economic, trading and cultural center during the time of SFR Yugoslavia.

It was the site of the 1999 Kumanovo Agreement between FR Yugoslavia and NATO about bringing in a NATO peacekeeping contingent in Kosovo.

It is internationally known for a jazz festival hosting bands from all over the world.