UPSC Prelims 2006 Q98: Current Affairs – International Conflicts & Security
Claims to the historical Macedonian territory have been a bone of contention between
which of the following countries?
- (a) Portugal and Spain
- (b) Bulgaria and Greece
- (c) Romania and Bulgaria
- (d) Portugal and Greece
Answer: (b) Bulgaria and Greece
Explanation
Dispute over the historical Macedonian territory
| Option | Verdict |
|---|---|
| Portugal and Spain | No, Iberian neighbours with no Macedonian claim |
| Bulgaria and Greece | Yes — both claim parts of historical Macedonia |
| Romania and Bulgaria | No, not the contending pair |
| Portugal and Greece | No |
The region of Macedonia is shared among Greece, Bulgaria and the Republic of Macedonia, and claims to it have long been contested between Bulgaria and Greece.
Answer: (b) Bulgaria and Greece.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Portugal and Spain have no claim to Macedonia.
- (b) CORRECT. Bulgaria and Greece have contested the historical Macedonian territory.
- (c) Incorrect. Romania is not a claimant to historical Macedonia.
- (d) Incorrect. Portugal has no claim to Macedonia.
Key point
Bulgaria and Greece have long contested claims to the historical Macedonian territory.
Remember
Macedonian claims: Bulgaria and Greece.
Common mistakes
- Choosing countries far from the Balkans.
- Forgetting that the region is divided among three countries.
- Confusing Macedonia with Moldova or Romania's regions.
Exam tip
Macedonia dispute: Greece and Bulgaria (and the Republic of Macedonia).
Sources
- Encyclopaedia Britannica — Macedonia (region)
- Encyclopaedia Britannica — Balkan Wars