Slovenia country profile
28 August 2006by eub2 -- last modified 14 May 2012
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.
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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.
Official name: Republic of Slovenia
Area (km2): 20 273
Population: 2 million (July 2012 est.)
Capital: Ljubljana
National holiday: 25 June
Currency: Euro (€)
Date of joining: 01 May 2004
Head of state: Danilo Türk, since December 2007
Head of government: Prime Minister Janez Jansa (since 28 January 2012)
GDP (millions €): 35 416 (2010)
GDP per capita in PPS: € 17 286 (2010)
Real growth rate of GDP: 1.1% (2011)
Unemployment rate: 10.8% (2011 est.)
National debt as % of GDP: 45.5% (2011 est.)
Inflation: 1.9% (2011 est.)
Public deficit/surplus as % of GDP: -5.1% (2011)
Source: Eurostat
Links:
Head of State:
Head of Government: Government: Foreign Minister: Parliament:Map of Slovenia
Source: European Commission, Spanish EU Presidency, World Factbook