About Slovakia

Slovakia is situated in the very centre of Europe. Its neighbouring countries are Poland, Ukraine, Hungary, Austria, and the Czech Republic.

Slovakia's population is 5.5 million. Bratislava is the capital and major city. Other cities are Kosice, Banska Bystrica, Nitra, Zilina, Presov, Trnava, Trencin, Martin, Poprad, and Zvolen.

Most popular destinations for tourists in Slovakia are Bratislava, Vysoke Tatry (the High Tatra Mountains), Nizke Tatry (The Low Tatra Mountains), and Slovensky raj (The Slovak Paradise).

The Slovak Republic is a parliamentary democracy. It is a member state of the European Union, NATO, WTO, OECD, and other organisations.

Slovakia is an ethnically mixed country. About 10% of the population are ethnic Hungarians. Komarno, Dunajska Streda and Kosice are towns with largest Hungarian population. Up to 8% of the population are Romany people who live mainly in the East of the country. Other larger ethnic minorities are Ruthenians, Ukrainians, Czechs, Poles, and Germans.

Slovakia has a typical mild continental European climate. The South of the country is mainly flat, whereas the Central and Northern parts of it are mainly mountenious, with Vysoke Tatry and Nizke Tatry being two main mountain ranges.

Historically Slovakia used to be predominantly an agricultural country. Nowadays it is one of world's greates producers of cars (per capita).

The official currency is Slovak Koruna (Sk, a crown). One Koruna is 100 Haliers. Slovakia plans to adopt Euro, the common currency of the European Union between 2006-2009.