Slovenia country profile

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

Previously one of Yugoslavia's six constituent republics, present-day Slovenia became independent in 1991 as Yugoslavia fell apart. The Republic of Slovenia became a member state of the European Union on 1 May 2004.

Republika Slovenija

Previously one of Yugoslavia’s six constituent republics, present-day Slovenia became independent in 1991 as Yugoslavia fell apart. It is bordered by Italy, Austria, Hungary and Croatia.

Four major European geographic regions meet in Slovenia: the Alps, the Dinaric area, the Pannonian plain and the Mediterranean. The country is mountainous, and Slovenes are keen skiers and hikers. The national flag depicts the three-peakedTriglav, Slovenia’s highest mountain at 2 864 metres.

The country was once part of the Austro-Hungarian empire. The capital, Ljubljana, was founded in Roman times. Its university, with more than 50 000 students, contributes to the city’s busy cultural life. The main industries are car parts, chemicals, electronics, electrical appliances, metal goods, textiles and furniture.

Tourist attractions include the famous caves at Postojna with their decor of stalactites and stalagmites. Graffiti in the caves shows that the first tourists came here in 1213.

Slovenian cuisine is strongly influenced by that of its neighbours. From Austria comes Strudel and Wiener schnitzel. Italy has contributed with risotto and ravioli and Hungary with goulash. The potica is a special Slovenian cake.

Among the most famous Slovenes are the physicist Jožef Stefan, the linguist Franc Miklošič and the architect Jože Plečnik.

Area: 20 273 km²
Population: 2.01 million
Capital city: Ljubljana
Currency: 1 euro = 100 cent
National day: 25 June
EU-membership: 1 May 2004

Head of State: President Danilo Türk
Head of Government: Prime Minister Janez Janša
Foreign Minister: Dimitrij Rupel

GDP: €30 448 million (2006)
GDP per capita in PPS: €15 167 (2006)
Economic growth in real terms: + 5.2 % (2006)

Links:
Head of State: http://www.up-rs.si
Head of Government: http://www.kpv.gov.si/
Government: http://www.vlada.si
Foreign Minister: http://www.mzz.gov.si/
Parliament: http://www.dz-rs.si

Map of Slovenia


Source: European Commission, Slovenia EU Presidency, World Factbook