Slovenia

Slovenia

Country statistics

area:	20,251sq km (7817sq mi) 1,948,250
capital (population):	Ljubljana (257,338)
government:	Multi-party republic
ethnic groups:	Slovene 88%, Croat 3%, Serb 2%, Bosnian 1%
languages:	Slovene (official)
religions:	Roman Catholic 71%
currency:	Tolar = 100 stotin

Mountainous republic in se Europe; the capital is Ljubljana. Slovenia was one of the six republics that made up the former Yugoslavia (now Serbia and Montenegro). Much of the land is mountainous, rising to 2863m (9393ft) at Mount Triglav in the Julian Alps in the nw. Central and e Slovenia contain hills and plains drained by the Drava and Sava rivers, while western Slovenia contains the Karst region, an area of limestone landscapes. Here, surface water flows downwards through swallow holes into deep caves, including the Postojna Caves near Ljubljana, which are the largest in Europe. Climate The short coast has a mild Mediterranean climate, but inland the climate is more continental. The mountains are snowcapped in winter, and e Slovenia has cold winters and hot summers. Rain occurs in every month in Ljubljana and late summer is the rainiest season. Vegetation Farmland covers c.35% of the land and forests about 50%. Mountain pines grow on higher slopes, with beech, oak, and hornbeam at lower levels. The Karst region is largely devoid of vegetation because of the lack of surface water. History The ancestors of the Slovenes, the w branch of a group of the South Slavs, settled in the area c.1400 years ago. From the 13th century until 1918, the Austrian Habsburgs ruled Slovenia. In 1918, Slovenia became part of the Kingdom of the Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes, which was renamed Yugoslavia in 1929. During World War 2, Slovenia was invaded and partitioned between Italy, Germany, and Hungary. After the war, Slovenia again became part of Yugoslavia. From the late 1960s, some Slovenes demanded independence, but the central government opposed the break-up of the country. When communism collapsed throughout e Europe in 1990, the first multi-party elections were held and Milan Kucan became president (1990–2002). Slovenia's declaration of independence led to fighting between Slovenes and the Yugoslav federal army. Slovenia did not, however, become a battlefield like other parts of the former Yugoslavia. The European Community (EC) recognized Slovenia's independence in 1992. Elections in 1993 and 1996 resulted in coalition governments, led by the Liberal Democrats. In 1996, Slovenia applied to join the European Union (EU). In late 2002, Janez Drnovsek won presidential elections, succeeding Milan Kucan. Economy Despite problems of economic transition and war in other parts of former Yugoslavia, Slovenia is an upper-middle-income developing country (2000 GDP per capita, US$12,000). Manufacturing is the leading activity. Major industries include chemicals, machinery, transport equipment, metal goods, and textiles. Agriculture employs 8% of the workforce; fruits, maize, potatoes, and wheat are major crops, and many farmers raise cattle, pigs, and sheep.

Political map

Physical map

Websites

http://www.sigov.si; http://www.matkurja.com/eng/country-info