ABOUT SLOVENIA
 Area: 20,273 km2
Population: 2,008,516 (30.6.2006)
Capital city: Ljubljana
Language: Slovene; also Italian and Hungarian in nationally mixed areas
Currency: euro (since 1 January 2007)
Important dates:
-Independence - 25 June 1991
-Member of EU - 1 May 2004
-Introduction of the euro - 1 January 2007
State
Under the Constitution, Slovenia is a democratic republic and a social state governed by law.
See the structure and dynamics of Slovene political system.
The Republic of Slovenia lies at the heart of Europe, where the Alps face the Pannonian plains and the Mediterranean meets the mysterious Karst. To the north is Austria; Hungary is to the east; Croatia to the south and Italy to the west.
For a start you can take a look at a short movie on Slovenia
(different formats available).
The Country and its People
Slovenia has a population of 2 million, of which 83.1% (2002 census) are Slovenes. In Slovenia there are also two national minority communities of Italians and Hungarians. They are considered indigenous minorities, and their rights are protected under the Constitution.
Other ethnic groups include Croats, Serbs, Bosnians (Muslims), Yugoslavs, Macedonians, Montenegrins and Albanians. The status and special rights of Gypsy communities living in Slovenia are determined by statute.
There are indigenous Slovenian minorities in Italy, Austria and in Hungary. Between 250,000 and 400,000 Slovenes (depending on whether second and subsequent generations are counted) live outside the country, in other continents and in EU countries.
 Slovenia is approximately 50% urban and 50% rural.
Population density is 98.7 inhabitants per km2, which is much lower than in the majority of other European states. People have mainly settled the river valleys and transport routes, where long ago Slovenian towns began to emerge, whilst the mountainous and forested areas remain unpopulated.
The country's official language is Slovene, which makes use of the Latin alphabet.
The Slovenian language has played a special role throughout Slovenian history. It is still considered one of the foundations of national identity. In spite of various influences, it has preserved its special linguistic features - the most notable being the archaic dual form. This is the grammatical number used for two people or things in all inflected parts of speech.
Even a limited proficiency in Slovene will make your trip both easier and more rewarding.
The majority of Slovenes (almost 60%) are Roman Catholics, although there are around 38 other religious communities, spiritual groups, societies and associations registered in Slovenia.
Slovenia is also known for its great wines and delicious traditional food.
Slovenian food is a feast for the gourmet. Many restaurants offer a wide range of traditional national dishes, as well as international dishes like pizza, pasta and oriental dishes. The coast affords excellent seafood, including shellfish and the Adriatic bluefish.
 One recent eating trend in Slovenia is the "slow food movement". A typical "slow food" meal takes place in a restaurant or at a private home among a group of family members or close friends. There are usually eight or more courses, the emphasis being on local produce, old-style recipes and a relaxed pace, with a different wine to accompany each course.
Slovenia lies on the southern slopes of the Alps and touches the Mediterranean, so it enjoys the best of both worlds, as well as climatic uncertainties from both North and South. However, the tradition of wine production is very long, going back at least to the time of the Roman Empire.
Nowadays, 38 vine varieties are grown in 14 wine districts. This, together with the natural conditions mentioned above, provides a very rich diversity of taste, smell and colour in the different wines.
With the amount of fresh fruit and vegetables, wild mushrooms, dairy products and fresh pasta available here, vegetarians are sure to enjoy their time in Slovenia, too.
Geography
 Geographical division of Slovenia:
Alps: 42.1% of territory
Dinaric Alps: 28.1% of territory
Pannonian Plain: 21.2% of territory
Mediterranean: 8.6% of territory
Highest peak:
Mt. Triglav: 2,864 metres
Largest protected natural area:
Triglav National Park, 83,807 ha
Largest karst cave:
Postojna Cave: 19.5 km
Largest lake:
Cerknica Lake (intermittent): 26 km2
Longest river: Sava - 221 km
Slovenia is situated in Central Europe and covers an area of 20,273 km2 (that's half the size of Switzerland). It has borders with Italy (280 km), Austria (318 km), Croatia (670 km) and Hungary (102 km).
History
Some Important Milestones:
| 250,000 BC |
The first evidence of human habitation on the territory of the present-day Slovenia |
120,000 to
33,000 BC |
Remains from the early Stone Age - the Palaeolithic |
| 3,900 BC |
Pile dwellings on the Ljubljana Marshes |
| 4th and 3rd century BC |
The arrival of Celts; the Noricum kingdom |
| circa 10 BC |
The Roman Empire |
| 5th and 6th century |
AD Invasions by the Huns and Germanic tribes |
| 6th century |
AD The Slavic ancestors of present-day Slovenia first settle in the area. |
| 7th century |
The Slavic Duchy of Carantania, the first Slovenian state |
| 745 |
Carantania becomes part of the Frankish empire; the Slavs convert to Christianity and gradually lose their independence |
| around 1000 |
The Freising manuscripts, the first known writings in the Slovene and Slavic dialect in Latin script |
| 14th century to 1918 |
All the Slovenian regions pass into the possession of the Habsburgs, later the Austro-Hungarian monarchy; in 1456, the Celje counts become extinct - this was the last Slovenian feudal dynasty |
| 1550 and 1584 |
The Reformation brings literacy, the first printed book in 1550 and in 1584 the first Slovene translation of the Bible |
| 1918 |
Formation of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes |
| 1945 |
Federal Peoples' Republic of Yugoslavia (officially declared on 29 November 1945) |
| April 1990 |
First democratic elections |
| 23 December 1990 |
88.5% of voters in a referendum vote in favour of an independent Slovenia |
| 25 June 1991 |
Slovenia officially declares its independence |
| 15 January 1992 |
The EU officially recognises Slovenia's independence |
| 22 May 1992 |
Slovenia becomes a member of the UNO |
| 1 February 1999 |
Association Agreement with the EU comes into effect |
| 29 March 2004 |
Slovenia becomes a member of NATO |
| May 2004 |
Slovenia becomes a member of the EU |
| 1 January 2007 |
Slovenia introduced euro |
| 1 January - 30 June 2008 |
Slovenian Presidency of the EU 2008 |
Slovenia and the World
 Slovenia is strengthening its international position and reputation as a democratic, stable and successful European state, but also strives for the preservation of its national identity.
Economy, Economic Sectors
Slovenia is directed towards development and a market economy.
Social Security and Health Care
Social security is an important value of our everyday lives; for the majority of citizens it is provided through pension and disability insurance, health insurance, protection of unemployed persons, child protection and social protection.
Tourism
In Slovenia, you can experience amazing contrasts in the same day: a morning swim in the Adriatic, followed two hours later by skiing below Alpine peaks, then an adventurous discovery of Karst subterranean phenomena and an invigorating bath in a thermal spring; an encounter with history in a lively mediaeval city and, not far away, a more solitary stroll through primeval forests or undulating, winegrowing hills.
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