Facts about Slovenia

• Surface area: 20,273 km2
• Extent of borders: with Austria, 330 km; with Italy, 232 km; with Hungary, 102 km; with Croatia, 670 km; total, 1334 km
• Climate: continental in central Slovenia, Alpine in the north-west, sub-Mediterranean along the coast and its hinterland
• Political system: Parliamentary democracy
• Capital city: Ljubljana (population 330,000)
• Gross domestic product per capita in 2000: 9,105 USD
• Growth in gross domestic product in 2000: 4.6%
• Unit of currency: Slovene tolar (SIT) = 2,25 €
• Population: 1,965,986 (1991 census)
  Population density: 97 inhabitants per km2
• Official language: Slovene; in nationally mixed areas also Italian and Hungarian
• Nationalities: (1991 census): Slovene 1,727,018; Italian 3,064; Hungarian 8,503; other: 227,401
• Highest mountain: Triglav, 2864 m
• Length of coastline: 46.6 km
• Average height above sea level: 556.8 m
• Largest protected natural area: Triglav National Park (83,807 ha.)
• Largest karst cave: Postojna Cave, 19.5 km
• Largest lake: Cerknica (periodic) 26 km2
• Longest river: Sava, 221 km
• Highest waterfall: Cedca, 130 m

The Republic of Slovenia was founded as an independent state in 1991. It is successfully building its international status and reputation as a democratic and successful central European state. It is a member of a number of international economic and political organisations and is striving for full membership of the European Union and NATO. Its foreign policy is based on the basic values of the security and well being of the state and its people. Slovenia is striving to maintain its territorial integrity, national identity and, at the same time, openness to the rest of the world. With regard to the international relations, it is committed to peaceful conflict resolution, to strengthening international co-operation and trust, and to respecting human rights.

With a rich industrial history, a traditional openness to the world, a well-ordered economic policy and with many proofs of economic development, Slovenia is among the most successful countries in transition from the former system to a market economy. It has a stable growth of gross domestic product and is ranked among the states with the lowest degree of risk. The already completed privatisation and many other measures are increasing the competitiveness of its economy and the profits of companies whose business activities are directed towards the European Union.

You can recognise Slovenia through images of the Alps and the Adriatic, the famous Karst and the Pannonian Plain; you can recognise it by the varied landscapes of its regions, which are all accessible to the visitor in a single day; you can recognise it by the Lipizzaner horses, the Proteus - the largest cave animal. There are many woods and forests in Slovenia - covering 54 % of the country and numerous preserved and protected plant and animal species. Slovenia's nature preservation programme will gradually ensure that nearly a third of the territory of Slovenia will be protected. Slovenia is preserving the special features of its land by combining the natural heritage with new incentives. Because of its diversity, accessibility and the preservation of its traditions, Slovenia is an attractive destination for almost 1 million tourists a year who come to enjoy the unspoilt nature, its wonderful spas, seaside resorts, and mountains, its countryside and Slovenia's towns with their rich antique and medieval heritage.

GOVERNMENT PUBLIC RELATIONS AND MEDIA OFFICE © 2002