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)