The contents and spatial distributions of various chemical elements in soil in the Veles region,
Republic of Macedonia, are presented. For this purpose, soil samples from two layers (0–5 cm and 20–30 cm) from
53 locations with a network of 5 × 5 km were collected. The samples were analyzed by the application of atomic
emission spectrometry with inductively coupled plasma (AES-ICP) and the content of 19 elements (Al, B, Ba, Ca,
Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, P, Pb, Sr, V and Zn) in all soil samples was determined. From the analyzed
soil samples, 3 chemical associations were determined, from which two factors are characterized as lithogenic associations:
F1 (Cr, Cu, Fe, Li, Mg, Mn, Ni and V) and F3 (Al and Ca), and one as anthropogenic association (F2 including
Pb and Zn). From the obtained results and from the maps of spatial distribution of all analyzed elements it can be
concluded that the major source of pollution of soil with Pb and Zn in the Veles region is the former lead and zinc
smelter plant located in the near vicinity of the city of Veles.