Slovenia

Year of EU entry: 2004

Political system: Republic

Capital city: Ljubljana

Total area: 20 000 km²

Population: 2 million

Currency: euro
Official language: Slovenian

Slovenia

is a country in south central Europe, bordered on the north by Austria, on the northeast by Hungary, on the southeast and south by Croatia, and on the west by Italy and the Adriatic Sea. Formerly a constituent republic of Yugoslavia, Slovenia proclaimed its independence in June 1991. It joined the United Nations (UN) in May 1992 and became a full member of the European Union (EU) in 2004.

Slovenia

has an area of 20,253 sq km (7,820 sq mi). Ljubljana is the capital and largest city.

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-peaked Triglav, Slovenia’s highest mountain at 2 864 meters.

Being an emerging democracy, Slovenia has adopted many elements of democratic government. In December 1991 the Slovenian government adopted a constitution that guarantees a number of civil rights, including universal suffrage for all Slovenes age 18 and older may vote. Slovenia’s parliament consists of a 90-member State Assembly, which makes the country’s laws, and a 40-member State Council, which can only propose laws or request reconsideration of a vote in the assembly. Assembly members serve four-year terms, and council members serve five-year terms.

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.