The bearings of the East region cover the basin of Bregalnica River, i.e. 14% from the territory of the Republic of Macedonia with area of 3537 square meters.

    The region is comprised of 11 municipalities (Berovo, Vinica, Delchevo, Zrnovci, Karbinci, Kochani, Makedonska Kamenica, Pehchevo, Probishtip, Cheshinovo-Obleshevo and Shtip), urbanization vise divided in total of 217 populated areas in the whole region, 209 of which are rural settlements.

    This region borders with Bulgaria on the east side, and the communication with the neighboring country is established through the border crossing called Delchevo in the municipality of Delchevo. There is possibility to open the border also through Klepalo, Ajduchka cheshma and Crna skala.

    Population and demographic characteristics

    The region has almost four times less population growth in comparison with growth in the country.

    The total number of population in the region is 181,858 inhabitants. Density of population is 51 resident/km2. However, due to permanent process of depopulation and large number of displaced villages, village sizes reach population of 100 inhabitants and they have very high index of aging. As a result, 66% of the population inhabits urban areas.

    Natural resources

    Temperate climate in the region enables development of agriculture, especially production of rice. Rice fields in the East region cover around 95% from the total rice production in Republic of Macedonia. Arable lands and gardens as part of cultivable lands participate with 84%. Agriculture land spreads on 165,639 ha. i.e. 14% from total agriculture land in the country, and 88,075 ha i.e. 53.1 % are pastures.

    One of the most important natural resources in the region is mineral and thermal water springs in Vinica (Istibanja) and Shtip (Kezovica).

    Besides the springs, other important water resource is Bregalnica River. It has two dams with accumulations: “Kalimanci” and “Kochani lake”. East region does not have other bigger water resources, so in the future water supply and irrigation have to considered and additional accumulations should be constructed on Bregalnica River, as well as other rivers (for example Zletovica).

    Total forest area in the region is 135,378 ha i.e. 13% from total forest in the Republic of Macedonia, covering 38% from total territory in the region.

    East region also has the raw materials and other resources available. As most economically important we can mention Lead and Zink ore from Zletovo mine, Dobrevo and Makedonska Kamenica as well. Annual production of ore from these mines is 1,000,000 tones.

    From nonmetallic ore, most presence is marked by asbestos, kaolin clays, opal breccias and coal lignite deposit “Brik” in Berovo with annual production 100,000 tones.

    Main agricultural branch in the East planning region is rise growing. Except rise, large amount of arable land is covered with barley, wheat and maize, which is solid base for livestock breeding. Due to excellent natural pre-conditions for development of agriculture, it can be concluded that this branch has high potential to enhance economic development of this region. Other developed branches include early-garden products, fruits and grapes.

    The tobacco is dominant industrial plant. The East planning region is also the biggest potato producer in our country.

    Great development and export potential is located in livestock breeding, especially sheep and goat breeding. There is great potential for diary and meat industry development, since 40% from pork production and processing in Republic of Macedonia comes from the region.

    Education

    University “Goce Delchev”-Shtip, was established by the Parliament of the Republic of Macedonia on 27 of March 2007. University constitutes from 13 faculties:

    1. Faculty of Law – Kochani
    2. Faculty of Economy- Shtip
    3. Faculty of Agriculture – Shtip
    4. Faculty of Informatics – Shtip
    5. Faculty of Pedagogy – Shtip
    6. Faculty of natural and technical sciences – Shtip
    7. Faculty of Music Art – Shtip
    8. Faculty of Medical Sciences – Shtip
    9. Faculty of Electrical Engineering – Shtip
    10. Faculty of Philology – Shtip
    11. Faculty of Tourism and Business Logistics – Shtip
    12. Faculty of Mechanical Engineering – Shtip

    Traffic infrastructure

    The road network in the region is moderately developed. The composition of the local road network is average and there is a lack of investment and financial resources.

    Road network in Eastern Planning Region

    The main roads that connect the region with other regions in the country are the state road A3 (Veles – Shtip – Kochani – Delchevo – Border with Bulgaria) and the state road A4 (Sveti Nikole – Shtip – Strumica). The construction of a highway is underway on a part of the state road A3 Sveti Nikole – Shtip, which will connect this region with a modern road connection with Skopje. At the same time, reconstruction and upgrading of the Veles – Kadrifakovo section of the A4 state road is being carried out. 1.8.2. Railway network in Eastern Planning Region

    A part of the railway line Veles – Kočani is located in the Eastern planning region. The total length of this railway line is 70 km. The railway network is made up of a single-track line on which trains run in both directions. The track width of the entire network is 1,435 mm. The railway network of R. Macedonia is connected to the railway networks of R. Serbia, R. Greece and R. Kosovo.

    Air traffic

    In the Eastern region there is one sports airport near Shtip and one commercial aviation airport “Lakavica”. The sports airport is 4 km north-west from the town of Shtip. It is intended for aviation sports activities. Runway: 14/32 with dimensions 1000x100m. The runway is grass and is not equipped with light signaling for use in night conditions. Aircraft with a maximum weight of up to 5700 kg can operate at this airport. Commercial and cargo flights are carried out through the two national airports: “Alexander the Great” Airport – Skopje and St. Apostle Paul-Ohrid.

    Energy infrastructure

    Two hydro-electric power plants are located in the Eastern planning region – Kalimanci and Zrnovci. With the construction of the Zletovica hydro system, conditions have been created for the production of electricity through the planned small HPPs of the Zletovica system, the Bregalnica river and its tributaries: Orizarska, Zrnovska and Kochanska reka. In addition, several locations for the construction of small hydropower plants have been identified.

    Renewable energy sources also play a significant role in the provision of electricity and heat energy in the Eastern Planning Region. In addition to hydropower, this includes solar energy, geothermal energy, biomass and wind energy. Due to the natural prerequisites, the region has the opportunity to use solar energy, wind and biomass. Geothermal energy can be extremely important for developing agriculture in the Eastern Planning Region. In the Kochan region, there is an opportunity to use geothermal energy for heating in the winter period and for heating the early garden agricultural crops under greenhouses.

    Business community

    The importance of small and medium enterprises in the production processes and creating new employment is great. Covering increasing part of the market small and medium enterprises tend to overtake the primate from the biggest producers, especially in nonfinancial sector, where they dominate with 72 % in the East region.

    Industry, concerning employment participates with 67 %.

    Natural and cultural heritage

    Well known archeological sites in the East planning region are: Kale of Vinica and Bargala.

    Natural heritage is especially rich and opens the possibility to develop rural tourism.

    As an argument for the existence of natural heritage and possibilities it offers, there are few natural protected areas: Goten, Linak, Malesh, river of Zrnovci, river of Ulomija, also some natural monuments: Zvegor, Cave Konjska Dupka, Morodvis, Machevo, Crna topola and big number of villages.