Geography
The Republic of Slovenia lies at the heart of Europe where the Alps and the Mediterranean meet the Pannonian plains and the mysterious Karst.
Area: 45,227 square kilometers, of which 50% is forest (47,549 according to the Tartu peace treaty of 1920)
Slovenia is an alpine country (Julian Alps), whose highest point is the Triglav summit at 2864 m in height.
Its border consists of 546 km along Croatia, 324 km bordering Austria, 235 km with Italy and 102 km with Hungary. It has a short coastline with Koper as its main port and Portoroz its best-known beach area.
Forest cover 50% of the country's area.
Status
Republic
Government
democracy; multiparty system including a president and prime minister
Important dates
- Declaration of independence: June 25, 1991 (suspended July 7)
- Independence celebration: October 8, 1991
- December 11, 1978: Proclamation of the republic
- April 2004: Join the European Union
Capital: Ljubljana
Currency: tolar (will change for Euro)
Languages spoken
The official language is Slovene, one of the South Slavonic languages. You find also Serbo-Croatian
Principal industries
: A growing industrial sector, particularly in aluminum, steel, pharmaceuticals, furniture; the Renault factory is contributing to this growth
Agriculture
corn, wheat, potatoes, lumber, fishing
Climate
- Humid temperate
- Precipitation: 700 mm/year
- Average temperatures: -5°C in January; 17°C in July
Things to see…
Bled Lake and the Postojna grottos
Baroque houses, the castle and national museum in Ljubljana
Folklore and Celebrations
- Mardi gras in Ptuj, where Kurenti masks are worn
- the Koper folk festival in late April
- the Zeleni Jurij festival in Crnomeli in June
- the peasant weddings in Bohinj in July and August
What to buy
- wrought-iron goods from Kropa
- bee hives (empty!) with decorated doors
- mali kruher (gingerbread)
