Slovakia country profile

28 August 2006
by eub2 -- last modified 05 January 2008

Slovakia became an independent state in January 1993 after Czechoslovakia split into its two constituent parts. The Slovak Republic became a member state of the European Union and NATO in May 2004.

Slovenská republika

Slovakia became an independent state in January 1993 after Czechoslovakia split into its two constituent parts.

Slovakia is in the heart of central Europe, linked to its neighbours by the River Danube. The most famous natural resort is the High Tatra mountains - popular for its spectacular views and skiing facilities. The lowlands of the Danube plain provide a fertile farming region producing wheat, barley, potatoes, sugar beet, fruit, tobacco and grapes.

The President, elected by direct popular vote for a five-year term, has limited powers. The country has a single-chamber parliament whose 150 members are elected for four-year terms.

Ethnically, the population is 86% Slovak; Hungarians are the largest minority.

Perched on many hilltops are fortifications that bear witness to Slovakia’s long history of invasions. Bratislava, the coronation place for the kings of Hungary in the past, has a rich heritage of medieval and baroque architecture.

Traditional meals are potato dumplings with sheep’s milk cheese and cabbage soup with sausage.

Among the best-known Slovaks are Štefan Banič who invented the parachute in 1913, the founder of pop-art Andy Warhol, born as Andrej Varchola of parents originating in Eastern Slovakia and the Slovenská Filharmónia orchestra founded in 1949.

Area: 49 030 km²
Population: 5.4 million
Capital city: Bratislava
Currency: 1 Slovak crown = 100 haliers, 1 euro = 35.51 Slovak crowns (SKK) (Dec. 2006)
National day: 29 August, 1 September
EU-membership: 1 May 2004

Head of State: President Ivan Gašparovič
Head of Government: Prime Minister Robert Fico
Foreign Minister: Ján Kubiš

GDP: € 37.4 billion (2005)
GDP per capita in PPS: € 6 924 (2005)
Economic growth in real terms: + 6% (2005)

Links:
Head of State: http://www.prezident.sk
Government: http://www.vlada.gov.sk
Foreign Minister: http://www.foreign.gov.sk
Parliament: http://www.nrsr.sk

Map of Slovakia


Source: European Commission, Slovenia EU Presidency