The fertile soil, mild temperate climate and abundance of water and forest have offered favourable conditions for food and settlement of people since the ancient times. According to the historic evidence, it is believed that ever since the 5th century B.C. this region was inhabited by the Tracian (Peon) Tribes, and from their name, the region itself was called Paeonia. During these centuries, at the south of Peonia, the ancient Macedonian country was founded and started the expansion to the north. This country flourished during the reign of Philip and Alexander the Great.