Slovakia country profile

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.

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 Banic( 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.

Official name: Slovak Republic

Area (km²): 48 845

Population: 5.40 million (2008); 5.41 million (forecast for 2009)

Capital: Bratislava

National holiday: 29 August

Currency: Euro (€)

Date of joining: 01 May 2004

Head of state: Ivan Gasparovic, since 2004, reelected in April 2009

Head of government: Robert Fico Since June 2006 he has presided over a coalition government between the Social Democratic Party (SMER), nationalists from the Movement for a Democratic Slovakia (HZDS) and the National Slovak Party (SNS)

GDP (millions €): 64 884 (2008); 67970 (forecast for 2009)

GDP per capita in PPS: € 18 000 (estimate for 2008); € 17 100 (forecast for 2009)

Real growth rate of GDP: 6.4% (estimate for 2008); -2.6% (forecast for 2009)

Unemployment rate: 11.7% (June 2009)

National debt as % of GDP: 27.6% (2008)

Inflation: -0,1% (October 2009)

Public deficit/surplus as % of GDP: -2.2% (2008)

Source: Eurostat

Links:

Head of State: www.prezident.sk

Government: www.vlada.gov.sk

Foreign Minister: www.foreign.gov.sk

Parliament: www.nrsr.sk

Source: European Commission, Spanish EU Presidency