Slovakia
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Slovakia (in Slovak: Slovensko), officially also called the Slovak Republic (in Slovak: Slovenská republika), is a landlocked republic in Central Europe, bounded on the northwest by the Czech Republic, on the north by Poland, on the east by Ukraine, on the south by Hungary, and on the southwest by Austria.
The recent practise (especially in economic texts) of using the name Slovak Republic (instead of Slovakia), when the terms Hungary, Slovenia etc. are used in the same text, is absolutely wrong (neither desired by the Slovaks, nor justified lingustically or historically). There is absolutely no reason for using the long form. This wrong usage arose in analogy to the use of the term Czech Republic, but that is (partly) another problem (see Czech Republic, Czech lands).
Slovenská Republika(In Detail)
National motto: None
Official language / Slovak
Capital / Bratislava
President / Rudolf Schuster
Prime minister / Mikulas Dzurinda
Area
- Total
- % water / Ranked 126th
49,036 km²
Negligible
Population
- Total (2000)
- Density / Ranked 103rd
5,414,937
111/km²
Independence
- Date / Division of Czechoslovakia
January 1, 1993
Currency / Slovak koruna
Time zone / UTC +1
National anthem / Nad Tatrou sa blýska
Internet TLD / .SK
Calling Code / 421
Table of contents [showhide]
1 History
2 Politics
3 Regions
4 Geography
5 Economy
6 Demographics
7 Culture
8 Miscellaneous topics
9 External Links
History
Main article: History of Slovakia
The original Slavic population settled the general territory of Slovakia in the 5th century. Slovakia was part of the center of Samo's empire in the 7th century. The highest point of the 9th century proto-Slovak state known as Great Moravia came with the arrival of Cyril and Methodius and the expansion under King Svatopluk. Eventually, Slovakia became a part of the Kingdom of Hungary in the 11th-14th centuries and as such was later part of Austria-Hungary prior to 1918. In that year Slovakia joined with the regions of Bohemia and neighbouring Moravia to form Czechoslovakia. Following the break-up of that country after the Munich Agreement of 1938, Slovakia became a separate republic that would be tightly controlled by Nazi Germany.
Post World War II Czechoslovakia was reinstated and came under the influence of the Soviet Union and its Warsaw Pact from 1945 onward. The end of communist Czechoslovakia in 1989 during the peaceful Velvet Revolution also meant the end for Czechoslovakia as a whole and a creation of two successor states; Slovakia and the Czech Republic went their separate ways after January 1, 1993. Slovakia is expected to become a member of the European Union in May 2004.
See also: Bratislava - History, and History of Bratislava
Politics
Main article: Politics of Slovakia
Slovakia joined the NATO on March 29, 2004. There will be Presidential election in Slovakia on April 3, 2004. Slovakia will join the EU on May 1, 2004.
The Slovak head of state is the president, elected by direct popular vote for a five-year term. Most executive power lies with the head of government, the prime minister, who is usually the leader of the major party or a majority coalition in parliament and appointed by the president. The remainder of the cabinet is appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister.
Slovakia's highest legislative body is the 150-seat unicameral National Council of the Slovak Republic (Národná Rada Slovenskej Republiky). Delegates are elected for 4-year terms on the basis of proportional representation. Slovakia highest judicial body is the Constitutional Court (Ústavný súd), which rules on constitutional issues. The 13 members of this court are appointed by the president from a slate of candidates nominated by parliament.
See also: List of rulers of Slovakia
Regions
Main article: Regions of Slovakia
As for administrative division, Slovakia is subdivided into 8 "kraje" (singular - kraj, usually translated as regions, but actually meaning rather county), each of which is named after their principal city. As for territorial division and the definition of self-governing entities, since 2002, Slovakia is divided into 8 "vyššie územné celky" abbr. VÚC (Higher Territorial Units) and 8 "samosprávne kraje" (Self-governing (or: autonomous) Regions), both of which are presently identical with the 8 "kraje":
· Banska Bystrica region (Banskobystrický kraj) (see also Banska Bystrica)
· Bratislava region (Bratislavský kraj) (see also Bratislava)
· Kosice region (Košický kraj) (see lalso Kosice)
· Nitra region (Nitriansky kraj) (see also Nitra)
· Presov region (Prešovský kraj) (see also Presov)
· Trencin region (Trenčiansky kraj) (see also Trencin)
· Trnava region (Trnavský kraj) (see also Trnava)
· Zilina region (Žilinský kraj) (see also Zilina)
(the word "kraj" can be replaced by "VÚC" or "samosprávny kraj" in each case)
The "kraje" are - and have always been - subdivided into many "okresy" (singular - okres, usually translated as districts)
See also: List of traditional regions of Slovakia
Map
Geography
Main article: Geography of Slovakia
The Slovak landscape is noted primarily for its mountainous nature, with the Carpathian Mountains extending across most of the northern half of the country. Amongst them are the high peaks of the Tatra mountains, which are a popular skiing destination and home to many scenic lakes and valleys as well as the highest point in Slovakia, the Gerlachovský at 2,655 m. Lowlands are found in the southwestern (along the Danube) and southeastern parts of Slovakia. Major Slovak rivers, besides the Danube, are the Váh and the Hron.
The Slovak climate is temperate, with relatively cool summers and cold, cloudy and humid winters.
Economy
Main article: Economy of Slovakia
In a survey of the German Chamber of Commerce held in March 2004, as much as 50% of German enterpreneurs chose Slovakia as the best place for investment.
Slovakia has mastered much of the difficult transition from a centrally planned economy to a modern market economy. The Dzurinda government made progress in 2001 in macroeconomic stabilisation and structural reform. Major privatisations are nearly complete, the banking sector is almost completely in foreign hands, and foreign investment has picked up. Slovakia's economy exceeded expectations in the early 2000's, despite recession in key export markets.
Revival of domestic demand in 2002, partly due to a rise in real wages, offset slowing export growth to help drive the economy to its strongest expansion since 1998. Solid domestic demand boosted economic growth to 4.4% in 2002. Strong export growth, in turn, boosted economic growth to 4,2 % in 2003. Unemployment, rising to 19.8% at the end of 2001, decreased considerably in 2003.
Demographics
Main article: Demographics of Slovakia
The majority of the inhabitants of the Slovak Republic are ethnically Slovak (86%). Hungarians are the largest ethnic minority (10%) and are concentrated in the southern and eastern regions of Slovakia.
Other ethnic groups include Roma, Czechs, Ruthenians, Ukrainians, Germans, and Poles.
The Slovak constitution guarantees freedom of religion. The majority of Slovak citizens (69%) practice Roman Catholicism; the second-largest group are Protestants (9%). About 2,300 Jews remain of the estimated pre-WWII population of 120,000. The official state language is Slovak, a member of the Slavic languages, but Hungarian is also widely spoken in the south and enjoys a co-official status in some regions.
Culture
Main article: Culture of Slovakia
· Music of Slovakia
· Slovak literature
Miscellaneous topics
· National holidays in Slovakia
· Remembrance days in Slovakia
· List of rulers of Slovakia
· List of Slovaks
· List of traditional regions of Slovakia
· List of towns in Slovakia
· List of national parks of Slovakia
· History of Ice Hockey in Slovakia
· Communications in Slovakia
· Transportation in Slovakia
· Military of Slovakia
· Foreign relations of Slovakia
· Education in Slovakia
External Links
· The Slovak Republic Government Office - Official governmental site
· President - Official presidential site (in Slovak)
· Národná Rada - Official parliamentary site
· Slovensko.com - 3rd party guide to Slovakia with daily news
· [1] - What is the difference between Slovakia and Slovenia
Detailed InformationSlovak Diaspora | Quick Facts | F.A.Q. | Personal Account
Slovak flag as country silhouette / Man in Slovak folk costume
Slovakia, landlocked republic in Central Europe, bounded on the northwest by the Czech Republic, on the north by Poland, on the east by Ukraine, on the south by Hungary, and on the southwest by Austria. Bratislava is its capital and largest city.
Slovakia was considered part of Greater Hungary until 1918, when it united with the Czech lands of Bohemia and Moravia, in addition to a small part of Silesia, to form Czechoslovakia. In 1939, shortly before the start of World War II, Slovakia declared its independence under pressure from German dictator Adolf Hitler, but in 1945 it was reunited with the rest of Czechoslovakia. From 1948 until 1989 Czechoslovakia was ruled by a Soviet-style Communist regime. In 1993 the country broke apart, and Slovakia and the Czech Republic became independent.
(For more information go to Slovak History)
Land and Resources
Slovakia’s total area is about 48,845 sq km (about 18,859 sq mi). The country’s maximum length from east to west is about 416 km (about 258 mi), and its maximum width from north to south is about 208 km (about 129 mi). The Danube River, located in the southwest, forms part of Slovakia’s border with Hungary.
Natural Regions
Slovakia is known for its numerous and impressive mountain ranges. Many of the country’s mountains give way to rolling hills and river valleys, where agriculture, winemaking, and livestock raising are practiced. Slovakia’s mountainous terrain has also influenced settlement patterns within the country.
The Carpathian Mountains, a major mountain system of central Europe, extend across much of northern and northwestern Slovakia and encompass the Little Carpathians, the White Carpathians, and the Tatry, which is the highest Carpathian range. The High Tatry mountains contain the country’s highest peak, Gerlachovský Štít, which rises to an elevation of 2655 m (8711 ft). The High Tatry also contain one of Slovakia’s largest national parks and are a popular place for skiing and hiking. Other important mountains include the Low Tatry, in central Slovakia, and the Lesser and Greater Fatra ranges, in central and western Slovakia. The Slovak Ore Mountains, in eastern Slovakia, are named for their mineral deposits.
Southwestern Slovakia is dominated by the Danubian Lowlands, a fertile region that extends to the Danube River on the Hungarian border. Much of the country’s agriculture is produced in this area; Bratislava is its main industrial center.
Slovakia also contains a number of interesting and unusual caves. Among them are the Demänovská caves, a series of caves linked by underground lakes and waterfalls, located in central Slovakia; and the Domica cave, known for its vaulted roof and colored stalactites, located near the Hungarian border in eastern Slovakia.
Rivers and Lakes
The Danube is Slovakia’s main navigable river. Other important rivers include the Váh, Hron, Ipel’ (Eipel), Nitra, Ondava, Laborec, and Hornád. Many small glacial lakes are located in the High Tatry Mountains.
Plants and Animal Life
Forty percent of Slovakia is forested. Species of fir and spruce are common in most mountain areas. At lower elevations, oaks, birches, and lindens predominate. Slovakia’s forests are home to foxes, rabbits, squirrels, weasels, and muskrats; wild boar and wolves are occasionally seen in remote mountain areas. Wildlife stocks have been diminishing in Slovakia, due to pollution, urbanization, and deforestation.
Natural Resources
Slovakia contains significant forest resources. The country’s main mineral resources are copper, lead, zinc, manganese, and iron. Lignite, a type of coal, is found near the cities of Modrý Kameñ and Handlová.
Climate
Slovakia has a continental climate, with four distinct seasons. Winters are typically cold and dry, while summers tend to be hot and humid. The average daily temperature range in Bratislava is -3° to 2° C (27° to 36° F) in January and 16° to 26° C (61° to 79° F) in July; temperatures tend to be cooler in the mountains. Bratislava receives an average of about 650 mm (about 26 in) of precipitation annually. In areas of high altitude, snow is often present for as many as 130 days each year.
Environmental Issues
Citizen concerns about the environment—particularly air and water pollution—has increased in the 1990s. However, efforts to shut down pollution-producing industrial plants have been hampered by economic considerations, including concern about the high rate of unemployment.
Population and Settlement
The Slovaks are descendants of a Slavic people who settled near the Danube between 400 and 500 AD. Slovaks comprise about 86 percent of the country’s inhabitants; Hungarians, who constitute the largest minority group, comprise close to 11 percent; and Roma (Gypsies) represent less than 2 percent. Small numbers of Czechs, Moravians, Silesians, Ruthenians, Ukrainians, Poles, and Germans also live in Slovakia.
The country is divided informally into the three regions of Western Slovakia, Central Slovakia, and Eastern Slovakia, corresponding to administrative divisions that were abolished in 1989. Most of Slovakia’s 600,000 Hungarians live in the southern parts of Western and Central Slovakia, which served as the cultural center of Hungary for several centuries after Hungary proper was invaded by the Ottomans in the 16th century. The Ruthenian and Ukrainian minorities are concentrated in the northern regions of Eastern Slovakia. At the time of the 1991 census, Slovakia’s total population was 5,274,335; the 1996 estimated population was about 5,374,362. The population density in 1996 was about 110 persons per sq km (about 285 per sq mi). Nearly 57 percent of the population lived in urban areas.
Principal Cities
Bratislava, Slovakia’s capital and largest city, had an estimated population of 441,453 in 1994. Other important cities include Košice (234,840), an industrial city; Nitra (89,788), a food-processing center; Prešov (87,788), known for electrical-engineering; Banská Bystrica (85,007), in a mining and manufacturing area; and Zilina (83,883), a business center.
Language
Slovak, a language of the West Slavic subgroup of Slavic languages, is the official language of Slovakia; Slovak is closely related to the Czech language. Hungarian is also widely spoken. In July 1994 a law was passed allowing the use of Hungarian as the official language in areas of Slovakia where at least 20 percent of residents speak Hungarian. Other languages spoken in Slovakia include Ukrainian, Romany, and Czech. Most members of minority ethnic groups speak Slovak in addition to their own native languages.