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Wikipedia

Slovakia

Slovakia (/slˈvækiə, -ˈvɑːk-/ (listen);[8][9] Slovak: Slovensko [ˈslɔʋenskɔ] (listen)), officially the Slovak Republic (Slovak: Slovenská republika [ˈslɔʋenskaː ˈrepublika] (listen)), is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is bordered by Poland to the north, Ukraine to the east, Hungary to the south, Austria to the southwest, and the Czech Republic to the northwest. Slovakia's mostly mountainous territory spans about 49,000 square kilometres (19,000 sq mi), with a population of over 5.4 million. The capital and largest city is Bratislava, while the second largest city is Košice.

Slovak Republic
Slovenská republika (Slovak)
Anthem: Nad Tatrou sa blýska (Slovak)
(English: "Lightning over the Tatras")
National seal
Location of Slovakia (dark green)

– in Europe (green & dark grey)
– in the European Union (green)  –  [Legend]

Capital
and largest city
Bratislava
48°09′N 17°07′E / 48.150°N 17.117°E / 48.150; 17.117
Official languagesSlovak
Ethnic groups
(2021)[1]
Religion
(2021)[2]
  • 23.8% No religion
  • 0.9% Others
  • 6.5% Unspecified
Demonym(s)Slovak
GovernmentUnitary parliamentary republic
• President
Zuzana Čaputová
Eduard Heger (acting)
Boris Kollár
LegislatureNational Council
Establishment history
28 October 1918
30 September 1938
• Autonomous Land of Slovakia (within Second Czechoslovak Republic)
23 November 1938
24 October 1945
1948
11 July 1960
• Slovak Socialist Republic (within Czechoslovak Socialist Republic, change of unitary Czechoslovak state into a federation)
1 January 1969
• Slovak Republic (change of name within established Czech and Slovak Federative Republic)
1 March 1990
1 January 1993
Area
• Total
49,035 km2 (18,933 sq mi) (127th)
• Water (%)
0.72 (2015)[3]
Population
• 2022 census
5,460,185[4] (117th)
• Density
111/km2 (287.5/sq mi) (88th)
GDP (PPP)2022 estimate
• Total
$211.119 billion[5] (70th)
• Per capita
$38,320[5] (44th)
GDP (nominal)2022 estimate
• Total
$118.434 billion[5] (62th)
• Per capita
$21,665[5] (47th)
Gini (2019) 22.8[6]
low
HDI (2021) 0.848[7]
very high · 45th
CurrencyEuro () (EUR)
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
• Summer (DST)
UTC+2 (CEST)
Date formatd. m. yyyy
Driving sideright
Calling code+421
ISO 3166 codeSK
Internet TLD.sk and .eu

The Slavs arrived in the territory of present-day Slovakia in the fifth and sixth centuries. In the seventh century, they played a significant role in the creation of Samo's Empire. In the ninth century, they established the Principality of Nitra, which was later conquered by the Principality of Moravia to establish Great Moravia. In the 10th century, after the dissolution of Great Moravia, the territory was integrated into the Principality of Hungary, which then became the Kingdom of Hungary in 1000.[10] In 1241 and 1242, after the Mongol invasion of Europe, much of the territory was destroyed. The area was recovered largely thanks to Béla IV of Hungary, who also settled Germans, leading them to become an important ethnic group in the area, especially in what are today parts of central and eastern Slovakia.[11]

After World War I and the dissolution of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the state of Czechoslovakia was established. It was the only country in central and eastern Europe to remain a democracy during the interwar period. Nevertheless, local fascist parties gradually came to power in the Slovak lands, and the first Slovak Republic existed during World War II as a partially-recognised client state of Nazi Germany. At the end of World War II, Czechoslovakia was re-established as an independent country. After a coup in 1948, Czechoslovakia came under communist administration, and became a part of the Soviet-led Eastern Bloc. Attempts to liberalise communism in Czechoslovakia culminated in the Prague Spring, which was crushed by the Warsaw Pact invasion of Czechoslovakia in August 1968. In 1989, the Velvet Revolution peacefully ended the Communist rule in Czechoslovakia. Slovakia became an independent state on 1 January 1993 after the peaceful dissolution of Czechoslovakia, sometimes known as the Velvet Divorce.

Slovakia is a developed country with an advanced high-income economy, ranking very high in the Human Development Index. It also performs favourably in measurements of civil liberties, press freedom, internet freedom, democratic governance, and peacefulness. The country maintains a combination of a market economy with a comprehensive social security system, providing citizens with universal health care, free education, and one of the longest paid parental leaves in the OECD.[12] Slovakia is a member of the European Union, the Eurozone, the Schengen Area, the United Nations, NATO, CERN, the OECD, the WTO, the Council of Europe, the Visegrád Group, and the OSCE. Slovakia is also home to eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The world's largest per-capita car producer, Slovakia manufactured a total of 1.1 million cars in 2019, representing 43% of its total industrial output.[13]

Etymology

Slovakia's name in theory means the "Land of the Slavs" (Slovensko in Slovak stemming from the older form Sloven/Slovienin). As such, it is a cognate of the words Slovenia and Slavonia. In medieval Latin, German, and even some Slavic sources, the same name has often been used for Slovaks, Slovenes, Slavonians, and Slavs in general. According to one of the theories, a new form of national name formed for the ancestors of the Slovaks between the 13th and 14th century, possibly due to foreign influence; the Czech word Slovák (in medieval sources from 1291 onward).[14] This form slowly replaced the name for the male members of the community, but the female name (Slovenka), reference to the lands inhabited (Slovensko) and the name of the language (slovenčina) all remained the same, with their base in the older form (compare to Slovenian counterparts). Most foreign translations tend to stem from this newer form (Slovakia in English, Slowakei in German, Slovaquie in French, etc.).

In medieval Latin sources, terms Slavus, Slavonia, or Slavorum (and more variants, from as early as 1029)[14] have been used. In German sources, names for the Slovak lands were Windenland or Windische Lande (early 15th century),[15] with the forms "Slovakia" and "Schlowakei" starting to appear in the 16th century.[16] The present Slovak form Slovensko is first attested in the year 1675.[17]

History

 
A Venus from Moravany nad Váhom, which dates back to 22,800 BC

The oldest surviving human artefacts from Slovakia are found near Nové Mesto nad Váhom and are dated at 270,000 BCE, in the Early Paleolithic era. These ancient tools, made by the Clactonian technique, bear witness to the ancient habitation of Slovakia.[18]

Other stone tools from the Middle Paleolithic era (200,000–80,000 BCE) come from the Prévôt (Prepoštská) cave in Bojnice and from other nearby sites.[19] The most important discovery from that era is a Neanderthal cranium (c. 200,000 BCE), discovered near Gánovce, a village in northern Slovakia.

Archaeologists have found prehistoric human skeletons in the region, as well as numerous objects and vestiges of the Gravettian culture, principally in the river valleys of Nitra, Hron, Ipeľ, Váh and as far as the city of Žilina, and near the foot of the Vihorlat, Inovec, and Tribeč mountains, as well as in the Myjava Mountains. The most well-known finds include the oldest female statue made of mammoth bone (22,800 BCE), the famous Venus of Moravany. The statue was found in the 1940s in Moravany nad Váhom near Piešťany. Numerous necklaces made of shells from Cypraca thermophile gastropods of the Tertiary period have come from the sites of Zákovská, Podkovice, Hubina, and Radošina. These findings provide the most ancient evidence of commercial exchanges carried out between the Mediterranean and Central Europe.

Bronze Age

During the Bronze Age, the geographical territory of modern-day Slovakia went through three stages of development, stretching from 2000 to 800 BCE. Major cultural, economic, and political development can be attributed to the significant growth in production of copper, especially in central Slovakia (for example in Špania Dolina) and northwest Slovakia. Copper became a stable source of prosperity for the local population.

After the disappearance of the Čakany and Velatice cultures, the Lusatian people expanded building of strong and complex fortifications, with the large permanent buildings and administrative centres. Excavations of Lusatian hill forts document the substantial development of trade and agriculture at that period. The richness and diversity of tombs increased considerably. The inhabitants of the area manufactured arms, shields, jewellery, dishes, and statues.

Iron Age

 
Left: a Celtic Biatec coin
Right: five Slovak crowns

Hallstatt Period

The arrival of tribes from Thrace disrupted the people of the Kalenderberg culture, who lived in the hamlets located on the plain (Sereď) and in the hill forts like Molpír, near Smolenice, in the Little Carpathians. During Hallstatt times, monumental burial mounds were erected in western Slovakia, with princely equipment consisting of richly decorated vessels, ornaments and decorations. The burial rites consisted entirely of cremation. Common people were buried in flat urnfield cemeteries.

A special role was given to weaving and the production of textiles. The local power of the "Princes" of the Hallstatt period disappeared in Slovakia during the century before the middle of first millennium BC, after strife between the Scytho-Thracian people and locals, resulting in abandonment of the old hill-forts. Relatively depopulated areas soon caught the interest of emerging Celtic tribes, who advanced from the south towards the north, following the Slovak rivers, peacefully integrating into the remnants of the local population.

La Tène Period

From around 500 BCE, the territory of modern-day Slovakia was settled by Celts, who built powerful oppida on the sites of modern-day Bratislava and Devín. Biatecs, silver coins with inscriptions in the Latin alphabet, represent the first known use of writing in Slovakia. At the northern regions, remnants of the local population of Lusatian origin, together with Celtic and later Dacian influence, gave rise to the unique Púchov culture, with advanced crafts and iron-working, many hill-forts and fortified settlements of central type with the coinage of the "Velkobysterecky" type (no inscriptions, with a horse on one side and a head on the other). This culture is often connected with the Celtic tribe mentioned in Roman sources as Cotini.

Roman Period

 
A Roman inscription at the castle hill of Trenčín (178–179 AD)

From 2 AD, the expanding Roman Empire established and maintained a series of outposts around and just south of the Danube, the largest of which were known as Carnuntum (whose remains are on the main road halfway between Vienna and Bratislava) and Brigetio (present-day Szőny at the Slovak-Hungarian border). Such Roman border settlements were built on the present area of Rusovce, currently a suburb of Bratislava. The military fort was surrounded by a civilian vicus and several farms of the villa rustica type. The name of this settlement was Gerulata. The military fort had an auxiliary cavalry unit, approximately 300 horses strong, modelled after the Cananefates. The remains of Roman buildings have also survived in Stupava, Devín Castle, Bratislava Castle Hill, and the Bratislava-Dúbravka suburb.

Near the northernmost line of the Roman hinterlands, the Limes Romanus, there existed the winter camp of Laugaricio (modern-day Trenčín) where the Auxiliary of Legion II fought and prevailed in a decisive battle over the Germanic Quadi tribe in 179 CE during the Marcomannic Wars. The Kingdom of Vannius, a kingdom founded by the Germanic Suebi tribes of Quadi and Marcomanni, as well as several small Germanic and Celtic tribes, including the Osi and Cotini, existed in western and central Slovakia from 8–6 BCE to 179 CE.

Great invasions from the fourth to seventh centuries

In the second and third centuries AD, the Huns began to leave the Central Asian steppes. They crossed the Danube in 377 AD and occupied Pannonia, which they used for 75 years as their base for launching looting-raids into Western Europe. However, Attila's death in 453 brought about the disappearance of the Hunnic empire. In 568, a Turko-Mongol tribal confederacy, the Avars, conducted its invasion into the Middle Danube region. The Avars occupied the lowlands of the Pannonian Plain and established an empire dominating the Carpathian Basin.

In 623, the Slavic population living in the western parts of Pannonia seceded from their empire after a revolution led by Samo, a Frankish merchant.[20] After 626, the Avar power started a gradual decline[21] but its reign lasted to 804.

Slavic states

The Slavic tribes settled in the territory of present-day Slovakia in the fifth century. Western Slovakia was the centre of Samo's empire in the seventh century. A Slavic state known as the Principality of Nitra arose in the eighth century and its ruler Pribina had the first known Christian church of the territory of present-day Slovakia consecrated by 828. Together with neighbouring Moravia, the principality formed the core of the Great Moravian Empire from 833. The high point of this Slavonic empire came with the arrival of Saints Cyril and Methodius in 863, during the reign of Duke Rastislav, and the territorial expansion under King Svätopluk I.

Great Moravia (830–before 907)

 
A statue of Saint Cyril and Saint Methodius in Žilina. In 863, they introduced Christianity to what is now Slovakia.

Great Moravia arose around 830 when Mojmír I unified the Slavic tribes settled north of the Danube and extended the Moravian supremacy over them.[22] When Mojmír I endeavoured to secede from the supremacy of the king of East Francia in 846, King Louis the German deposed him and assisted Mojmír's nephew Rastislav (846–870) in acquiring the throne.[23] The new monarch pursued an independent policy: after stopping a Frankish attack in 855, he also sought to weaken the influence of Frankish priests preaching in his realm. Duke Rastislav asked the Byzantine Emperor Michael III to send teachers who would interpret Christianity in the Slavic vernacular.

On Rastislav's request, two brothers, Byzantine officials and missionaries Saints Cyril and Methodius came in 863. Cyril developed the first Slavic alphabet and translated the Gospel into the Old Church Slavonic language. Rastislav was also preoccupied with the security and administration of his state. Numerous fortified castles built throughout the country are dated to his reign and some of them (e.g., Dowina, sometimes identified with Devín Castle)[24][25] are also mentioned in connection with Rastislav by Frankish chronicles.[26][27]

 
Scire vos volumus, a letter written in 879 by Pope John VIII to Svatopluk I

During Rastislav's reign, the Principality of Nitra was given to his nephew Svätopluk as an appanage.[25] The rebellious prince allied himself with the Franks and overthrew his uncle in 870. Similarly to his predecessor, Svätopluk I (871–894) assumed the title of the king (rex). During his reign, the Great Moravian Empire reached its greatest territorial extent, when not only present-day Moravia and Slovakia but also present-day northern and central Hungary, Lower Austria, Bohemia, Silesia, Lusatia, southern Poland and northern Serbia belonged to the empire, but the exact borders of his domains are still disputed by modern authors.[28] Svatopluk also withstood attacks of the Magyar tribes and the Bulgarian Empire, although sometimes it was he who hired the Magyars when waging war against East Francia.[29]

In 880, Pope John VIII set up an independent ecclesiastical province in Great Moravia with Archbishop Methodius as its head. He also named the German cleric Wiching the Bishop of Nitra.

 
Certain and disputed borders of Great Moravia under Svatopluk I (according to modern historians)

After the death of Prince Svatopluk in 894, his sons Mojmír II (894–906?) and Svatopluk II succeeded him as the Prince of Great Moravia and the Prince of Nitra respectively.[25] However, they started to quarrel for domination of the whole empire. Weakened by an internal conflict as well as by constant warfare with Eastern Francia, Great Moravia lost most of its peripheral territories.

In the meantime, the semi-nomadic Magyar tribes, possibly having suffered defeat from the similarly nomadic Pechenegs, left their territories east of the Carpathian Mountains,[30] invaded the Carpathian Basin and started to occupy the territory gradually around 896.[31] Their armies' advance may have been promoted by continuous wars among the countries of the region whose rulers still hired them occasionally to intervene in their struggles.[32]

It is not known what happened with both Mojmír II and Svatopluk II because they are not mentioned in written sources after 906. In three battles (4–5 July and 9 August 907) near Bratislava, the Magyars routed Bavarian armies. Some historians put this year as the date of the break-up of the Great Moravian Empire, due to the Hungarian conquest; other historians take the date a little bit earlier (to 902).

Great Moravia left behind a lasting legacy in Central and Eastern Europe. The Glagolitic script and its successor Cyrillic were disseminated to other Slavic countries, charting a new path in their sociocultural development.

Kingdom of Hungary (1000–1918)

Following the disintegration of the Great Moravian Empire at the turn of the tenth century, the Hungarians annexed the territory comprising modern Slovakia. After their defeat on the river Lech, the Hungarians abandoned their nomadic ways and settled in the centre of the Carpathian valley, slowly adopting Christianity and began to build a new state — the Hungarian kingdom.[33] Slovaks seemed to play an important role during the development of the realm. as evident by large number of loanwords into Hungarian language, concerning primarily economical, agricultural or metallurgy fields.[34]

In the years 1001–1002 and 1018–1029, Slovakia was part of the Kingdom of Poland, having been conquered by Boleslaus I the Brave.[35] After the territory of Slovakia was returned to Hungary, a semi-autonomous polity continued to exist (or was created in 1048 by king Andrew I) called Duchy of Nitra. Comprising roughly the territory of Principality of Nitra and Bihar principality, they formed what was called a tercia pars regni, third of a kingdom.[36] It used to be ruled by would-be successors to the throne from the house of Arpád. Interestingly, in the Hungarian-Polish chronicle from 13th century, the ruler of said duchy, duke Emeric (son of Stephen I of Hungary), is called "Henricus dux Sclavonie", in essence - duke of Slovakia.[37]

This polity existed up until 1108/1110, after which it was not restored. After this, until the year 1918, when the Austro-Hungarian empire collapsed, the territory of Slovakia was an integral part of the Hungarian state.[38][39][40] The ethnic composition of Slovakia became more diverse with the arrival of the Carpathian Germans in the 13th century and the Jews in the 14th century.

A significant decline in the population resulted from the invasion of the Mongols in 1241 and the subsequent famine. However, in medieval times the area of Slovakia was characterised by German and Jewish immigration, burgeoning towns, construction of numerous stone castles, and the cultivation of the arts.[41] The arrival of German element sometimes proved a problem for the autochthonous Slovaks (and even Hungarians in the broader Hungary), since they often quickly gained most power in medieval towns, only to later refuse to share it. Breaking of old customs by Germans often resulted in national quarrels. One of which had to be sorted out by the king Louis I. with the proclamation Privilegium pro Slavis (Privilege for Slovaks) in the year 1381. According to this privilege, Slovaks and Germans were to occupy each half of the seats in the city council of Žilina and the mayor should be elected each year, alternating between those nationalities. This would not be last such case.[42]

 
One of the commanders of a Slovak volunteers' army captain Ján Francisci-Rimavský during the fight for independence from the Kingdom of Hungary

In 1465, King Matthias Corvinus founded the Hungarian Kingdom's third university, in Pressburg (Bratislava), but it was closed in 1490 after his death.[43] Hussites also settled in the region after the Hussite Wars.[44]

Owing to the Ottoman Empire's expansion into Hungarian territory, Bratislava was designated the new capital of Hungary in 1536, ahead of the fall of the old Hungarian capital of Buda in 1541. It became part of the Austrian Habsburg monarchy, marking the beginning of a new era. The territory comprising modern Slovakia, then known as Upper Hungary, became the place of settlement for nearly two-thirds of the Magyar nobility fleeing the Turks and became far more linguistically and culturally Hungarian than it was before.[44] Partly thanks to old Hussite families and Slovaks studying under Martin Luther, the region then experienced a growth in Protestantism.[44] For a short period in the 17th century, most Slovaks were Lutherans.[44] They defied the Catholic Habsburgs and sought protection from neighbouring Transylvania, a rival continuation of the Magyar state that practised religious tolerance and normally had Ottoman backing. Upper Hungary, modern Slovakia, became the site of frequent wars between Catholics in the west territory and Protestants in the east, as well as against Turks; the frontier was on a constant state of military alert and heavily fortified by castles and citadels often manned by Catholic German and Slovak troops on the Habsburg side. By 1648, Slovakia was not spared the Counter-Reformation, which brought the majority of its population from Lutheranism back to Roman Catholicism. In 1655, the printing press at the Trnava university produced the Jesuit Benedikt Szöllősi's Cantus Catholici, a Catholic hymnal in Slovak that reaffirmed links to the earlier works of Cyril and Methodius.

The Ottoman wars, the rivalry between Austria and Transylvania, and the frequent insurrections against the Habsburg monarchy inflicted a great deal of devastation, especially in the rural areas.[45] In the Austro-Turkish War (1663–1664) a Turkish army led by the Grand Vizier decimated Slovakia.[44] Even so, Thököly's kuruc rebels from the Principality of Upper Hungary fought alongside the Turks against the Austrians and Poles at the Battle of Vienna of 1683 led by John III Sobieski. As the Turks withdrew from Hungary in the late 17th century, the importance of the territory composing modern Slovakia decreased, although Pressburg retained its status as the capital of Hungary until 1848 when it was transferred back to Buda.[46]

During the revolution of 1848–49, the Slovaks supported the Austrian Emperor, hoping for independence from the Hungarian part of the Dual Monarchy, but they failed to achieve their aim. Thereafter relations between the nationalities deteriorated (see Magyarisation), culminating in the secession of Slovakia from Hungary after World War I.[47]

Czechoslovakia (1918–1939)

On 18 October 1918, Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk, Milan Rastislav Štefánik and Edvard Beneš declared in Washington, D.C. the independence for the territories of Bohemia, Moravia, Silesia, Upper Hungary and Carpathian Ruthenia from the Austro-Hungarian Empire and proclaimed a common state, Czechoslovakia. In 1919, during the chaos following the break-up of Austria-Hungary, Czechoslovakia was formed with numerous Germans, Slovaks, Hungarians and Ruthenians within the newly set borders. The borders were set by the Treaty of Saint Germain and Treaty of Trianon. In the peace following the World War, Czechoslovakia emerged as a sovereign European state. It provided what were at the time rather extensive rights to its minorities.

During the Interwar period, democratic Czechoslovakia was allied with France, and also with Romania and Yugoslavia (Little Entente); however, the Locarno Treaties of 1925 left East European security open. Both Czechs and Slovaks enjoyed a period of relative prosperity. There was progress in not only the development of the country's economy but also culture and educational opportunities. Yet the Great Depression caused a sharp economic downturn, followed by political disruption and insecurity in Europe.[48]

In the 1930s Czechoslovakia came under continuous pressure from the revisionist governments of Germany, Hungary and Poland who used the aggrieved minorities in the country as a useful vehicle. Revision of the borders was called for, as Czechs constituted only 43% of the population. Eventually, this pressure led to the Munich Agreement of September 1938, which allowed the majority ethnic Germans in the Sudetenland, borderlands of Czechoslovakia, to join with Germany. The remaining minorities stepped up their pressures for autonomy and the State became federalised, with Diets in Slovakia and Ruthenia. The remainder of Czechoslovakia was renamed Czecho-Slovakia and promised a greater degree of Slovak political autonomy. This, however, failed to materialise.[49] Parts of southern and eastern Slovakia were also reclaimed by Hungary at the First Vienna Award of November 1938.

World War II (1939–1945)

 
Adolf Hitler greeting Jozef Tiso, president of the (First) Slovak Republic, a client state of Nazi Germany during World War II, 1941.

After the Munich Agreement and its Vienna Award, Nazi Germany threatened to annex part of Slovakia and allow the remaining regions to be partitioned by Hungary or Poland unless independence was declared.[citation needed] Thus, Slovakia seceded from Czecho-Slovakia in March 1939 and allied itself, as demanded by Germany, with Hitler's coalition.[50] Secession had created the first Slovak state in history.[51] The government of the First Slovak Republic, led by Jozef Tiso and Vojtech Tuka, was strongly influenced by Germany and gradually became a puppet regime in many respects.

 
Troops of Slovak anti-Nazi resistance movement in 1944.

Meanwhile, the Czechoslovak government-in-exile sought to reverse the Munich Agreement and the subsequent German occupation of Czechoslovakia and to return the Republic to its 1937 boundaries. The government operated from London and it was ultimately considered, by those countries that recognised it, the legitimate government for Czechoslovakia throughout the Second World War.

As part of the Holocaust in Slovakia, 75,000 Jews out of 80,000 who remained on Slovak territory after Hungary had seized southern regions were deported and taken to German death camps.[52][53] Thousands of Jews, Gypsies and other politically undesirable people remained in Slovak forced labour camps in Sereď, Vyhne, and Nováky.[54] Tiso, through the granting of presidential exceptions, allowed between 1,000 and 4,000 people crucial to the war economy to avoid deportations.[55] Under Tiso's government and Hungarian occupation, the vast majority of Slovakia's pre-war Jewish population (between 75,000 and 105,000 individuals including those who perished from the occupied territory) were murdered.[56][57] The Slovak state paid Germany 500 RM per every deported Jew for "retraining and accommodation" (a similar but smaller payment of 30 RM was paid by Croatia).[58]

After it became clear that the Soviet Red Army was going to push the Nazis out of eastern and central Europe, an anti-Nazi resistance movement launched a fierce armed insurrection, known as the Slovak National Uprising, near the end of summer 1944. A bloody German occupation and a guerilla war followed. Germans and their local collaborators completely destroyed 93 villages and massacred thousands of civilians, often hundreds at a time.[59] The territory of Slovakia was liberated by Soviet and Romanian forces by the end of April 1945.

Communist party rule (1948–1989)

 
The Velvet Revolution ended 41 years of authoritarian communist rule in Czechoslovakia in 1989.

After World War II, Czechoslovakia was reconstituted and Jozef Tiso was executed in 1947 for collaboration with the Nazis. More than 80,000 Hungarians[60] and 32,000 Germans[61] were forced to leave Slovakia, in a series of population transfers initiated by the Allies at the Potsdam Conference.[62] Out of about 130,000 Carpathian Germans in Slovakia in 1938, by 1947 only some 20,000 remained.[63][failed verification] The NKVD arrested and deported over 20,000 people to Siberia[64]

As a result of the Yalta Conference, Czechoslovakia came under the influence and later under direct occupation of the Soviet Union and its Warsaw Pact, after a coup in 1948. Eight thousand two hundred and forty people went to forced labour camps in 1948–1953.[65]

In 1968, following the Prague Spring, the country was invaded by the Warsaw Pact forces (People's Republic of Bulgaria, People's Republic of Hungary, People's Republic of Poland, and Soviet Union, with the exception of Socialist Republic of Romania and People's Socialist Republic of Albania), ending a period of liberalisation under the leadership of Alexander Dubček. 137 Czechoslovak civilians were killed[66] and 500 seriously wounded during the occupation.[67]

In 1969, Czechoslovakia became a federation of the Czech Socialist Republic and the Slovak Socialist Republic in the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic. It became a puppet state of the Soviet Union, but it was never part of the Soviet Union and remained independent to a certain degree.

Borders with the West were protected by the Iron Curtain. About 600 people, men, women, and children, were killed on the Czechoslovak border with Austria and West Germany between 1948 and 1989.[68]

Slovak Republic (1989–present)

 
Slovakia became a member of the European Union in 2004 and signed the Lisbon Treaty in 2007.

The end of Communist rule in Czechoslovakia in 1989, during the peaceful Velvet Revolution, was followed once again by the country's dissolution, this time into two successor states. The word "socialist" was dropped in the names of the two republics, with the Slovak Socialist Republic renamed as Slovak Republic. On 17 July 1992, Slovakia, led by Prime Minister Vladimír Mečiar, declared itself a sovereign state, meaning that its laws took precedence over those of the federal government. Throughout the autumn of 1992, Mečiar and Czech Prime Minister Václav Klaus negotiated the details for disbanding the federation. In November, the federal parliament voted to dissolve the country officially on 31 December 1992.

The Slovak Republic and the Czech Republic went their separate ways after 1 January 1993, an event sometimes called the Velvet Divorce.[69][70] Slovakia has, nevertheless, remained a close partner with the Czech Republic. Both countries co-operate with Hungary and Poland in the Visegrád Group. Slovakia became a member of NATO on 29 March 2004 and of the European Union on 1 May 2004. On 1 January 2009, Slovakia adopted the Euro as its national currency.[71] In 2019, Zuzana Čaputová became Slovakia's first female president.[72]

Geography

 
Panorama of the High Tatras

Slovakia lies between latitudes 47° and 50° N, and longitudes 16° and 23° E. The Slovak landscape is noted primarily for its mountainous nature, with the Carpathian Mountains extending across most of the northern half of the country. Among these mountain ranges are the high peaks of the Fatra-Tatra Area (including Tatra Mountains, Greater Fatra and Lesser Fatra), Slovak Ore Mountains, Slovak Central Mountains or Beskids. The largest lowland is the fertile Danubian Lowland in the southwest, followed by the Eastern Slovak Lowland in the southeast.[73] Forests cover 41% of Slovak land surface.[74]

Tatra mountains

 
A topographical map of Slovakia

The Tatra Mountains, with 29 peaks higher than 2,500 metres (8,202 feet) AMSL, are the highest mountain range in the Carpathian Mountains. The Tatras occupy an area of 750 square kilometres (290 sq mi), of which the greater part 600 square kilometres (232 sq mi) lies in Slovakia. They are divided into several parts.

To the north, close to the Polish border, are the High Tatras which are a popular hiking and skiing destination and home to many scenic lakes and valleys as well as the highest point in Slovakia, the Gerlachovský štít at 2,655 metres (8,711 ft) and the country's highly symbolic mountain Kriváň. To the west are the Western Tatras with their highest peak of Bystrá at 2,248 metres (7,375 ft) and to the east are the Belianske Tatras, smallest by area.

Separated from the Tatras proper by the valley of the Váh river are the Low Tatras, with their highest peak of Ďumbier at 2,043 metres (6,703 ft).

The Tatra mountain range is represented as one of the three hills on the coat of arms of Slovakia.

National parks

There are 9 national parks in Slovakia, covering 6.5% of the Slovak land surface.[75]

Caves

 
Domica Cave

Slovakia has hundreds of caves and caverns under its mountains, of which 30 are open to the public.[76] Most of the caves have stalagmites rising from the ground and stalactites hanging from above. There are currently five Slovak caves under UNESCO's World Heritage Site status. They are Dobšiná Ice Cave, Domica, Gombasek Cave, Jasovská Cave and Ochtinská Aragonite Cave. Other caves open to the public include Belianska Cave, Demänovská Cave of Liberty, Demänovská Ice Cave or Bystrianska Cave.

Rivers

Most of the rivers arise in the Slovak mountains. Some only pass through Slovakia, while others make a natural border with surrounding countries (more than 620 kilometres [390 mi]). For example, the Dunajec (17 kilometres [11 mi]) to the north, the Danube (172 kilometres [107 mi]) to the south or the Morava (119 kilometres [74 mi]) to the West. The total length of the rivers on Slovak territory is 49,774 kilometres (30,928 mi).

The longest river in Slovakia is the Váh (403 kilometres [250 mi]), the shortest is the Čierna voda. Other important and large rivers are the Myjava, the Nitra (197 kilometres [122 mi]), the Orava, the Hron (298 kilometres [185 mi]), the Hornád (193 kilometres [120 mi]), the Slaná (110 kilometres [68 mi]), the Ipeľ (232 kilometres [144 mi], forming the border with Hungary), the Bodrog, the Laborec, the Latorica and the Ondava.

The biggest volume of discharge in Slovak rivers is during spring, when the snow melts from the mountains. The only exception is the Danube, whose discharge is the greatest during summer when the snow melts in the Alps. The Danube is the largest river that flows through Slovakia.[77]

Climate

The Slovak climate lies between the temperate and continental climate zones with relatively warm summers and cold, cloudy and humid winters. Temperature extremes are between −41 to 40.3 °C (−41.8 to 104.5 °F) although temperatures below −30 °C (−22 °F) are rare. The weather differs from the mountainous north to the plains in the south.

The warmest region is Bratislava and Southern Slovakia where the temperatures may reach 30 °C (86 °F) in summer, occasionally to 39 °C (102 °F) in Hurbanovo. During night, the temperatures drop to 20 °C (68 °F). The daily temperatures in winter average in the range of −5 °C (23 °F) to 10 °C (50 °F). During night it may be freezing, but usually not below −10 °C (14 °F).

In Slovakia, there are four seasons, each season (spring, summer, autumn and winter) lasts three months. The dry continental air brings in the summer heat and winter frosts. In contrast, oceanic air brings rainfalls and reduces summer temperatures. In the lowlands and valleys, there is often fog, especially in winter.

Spring starts with 21 March and is characterised by colder weather with an average daily temperature of 9 °C (48 °F) in the first weeks and about 14 °C (57 °F) in May and 17 °C (63 °F) in June. In Slovakia, the weather and climate in the spring are very unstable.

Summer starts on 22 June and is usually characterised by hot weather with daily temperatures exceeding 30 °C (86 °F). July is the warmest month with temperatures up to about 37 to 40 °C (99 to 104 °F), especially in regions of southern Slovakia - in the urban area of Komárno, Hurbanovo or Štúrovo. Showers or thunderstorms may occur because of the summer monsoon called Medardova kvapka (Medard drop - 40 days of rain). Summer in Northern Slovakia is usually mild with temperatures around 25 °C (77 °F) (less in the mountains).

Autumn in Slovakia starts on 23 September and is mostly characterised by wet weather and wind, although the first weeks can be very warm and sunny. The average temperature in September is around 14 °C (57 °F), in November to 3 °C (37 °F). Late September and early October is a dry and sunny time of year (so-called Indian summer).

Winter starts on 21 December with temperatures around −5 to −10 °C (23 to 14 °F). In December and January, it is usually snowing, these are the coldest months of the year. At lower altitudes, snow does not stay the whole winter, it changes into the thaw and frost. Winters are colder in the mountains, where the snow usually lasts until March or April and the night temperatures fall to −20 °C (−4 °F) and colder.[78]

Biodiversity

Slovakia signed the Rio Convention on Biological Diversity on 19 May 1993, and became a party to the convention on 25 August 1994.[79] It has subsequently produced a National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, which was received by the convention on 2 November 1998.[80]

The biodiversity of Slovakia comprises animals (such as annelids, arthropods, molluscs, nematodes and vertebrates), fungi (Ascomycota, Basidiomycota, Chytridiomycota, Glomeromycota and Zygomycota), micro-organisms (including Mycetozoa), and plants. The geographical position of Slovakia determines the richness of the diversity of fauna and flora. More than 11,000 plant species have been described throughout its territory, nearly 29,000 animal species and over 1,000 species of protozoa. Endemic biodiversity is also common.[81]

Slovakia is located in the biome of temperate broadleaf and mixed forests and terrestrial ecoregions of Pannonian mixed forests and Carpathian montane conifer forests.[82] As the altitude changes, the vegetation associations and animal communities are forming height levels (oak, beech, spruce, scrub pine, alpine meadows and subsoil). Forests cover 44% of the territory of Slovakia.[83] The country had a 2019 Forest Landscape Integrity Index mean score of 4.34/10, ranking it 129th globally out of 172 countries.[84] In terms of forest stands, 60% are broadleaf trees and 40% are coniferous trees. The occurrence of animal species is strongly connected to the appropriate types of plant associations and biotopes.[81]

Over 4,000 species of fungi have been recorded from Slovakia.[85][86] Of these, nearly 1,500 are lichen-forming species.[87] Some of these fungi are undoubtedly endemic, but not enough is known to say how many. Of the lichen-forming species, about 40% have been classified as threatened in some way. About 7% are apparently extinct, 9% endangered, 17% vulnerable, and 7% rare. The conservation status of non-lichen-forming fungi in Slovakia is not well documented, but there is a red list for its larger fungi.[88]

Government and politics

Slovakia is a parliamentary democratic republic with a multi-party system. The last parliamentary elections were held on 29 February 2020 and two rounds of presidential elections took place on 16 and 30 March 2019.

The Slovak head of state and the formal head of the executive is the president (currently Zuzana Čaputová, the first female president), though with very limited powers. The president is elected by direct, popular vote under the two-round system for a five-year term. Most executive power lies with the head of government, the prime minister (currently Eduard Heger),[89] who is usually the leader of the winning party and who needs to form a majority coalition in the parliament. The prime minister is 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 a four-year term on the basis of proportional representation.

Slovakia's highest judicial body is the Constitutional Court of Slovakia (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.

The Constitution of the Slovak Republic was ratified 1 September 1992, and became effective 1 January 1993. It was amended in September 1998 to allow direct election of the president and again in February 2001 due to EU admission requirements. The civil law system is based on Austro-Hungarian codes. The legal code was modified to comply with the obligations of Organization on Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and to expunge the Marxist–Leninist legal theory. Slovakia accepts the compulsory International Court of Justice jurisdiction with reservations.

Main office-holders
Office Name Party Since
President Zuzana Čaputová Independent 15 June 2019
Prime Minister Eduard Heger OĽaNO 1 April 2021
National Council Chairman Boris Kollár SR 21 March 2020

Foreign relations

 
Former Slovak Prime Minister Peter Pellegrini with former U.S. President Donald Trump in the White House, 2019

The Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs (Slovak: Ministerstvo zahraničných vecí a európskych záležitostí) is responsible for maintaining the Slovak Republic's external relations and the management of its international diplomatic missions. The ministry's director is Ivan Korčok.[90][91] The ministry oversees Slovakia's affairs with foreign entities, including bilateral relations with individual nations and its representation in international organisations.

Slovakia joined the European Union and NATO in 2004 and the Eurozone in 2009.

Slovakia is a member of the United Nations (since 1993) and participates in its specialised agencies. The country was, on 10 October 2005, elected to a two-year term on the UN Security Council from 2006 to 2007. It is also a member of the Schengen Area, the Council of Europe (CoE), the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), the World Trade Organization (WTO), the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM), the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) and part of the Visegrád Group (V4: Slovakia, Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Poland).

In 2022, Slovak citizens had visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 182 countries and territories, putting the Slovak passport at the ninth rank of travel freedom (tied with Lithuanian and Polish passports and behind 27 other countries) on the Henley Passport Index.[92]

 
Embassy of Japan in Bratislava

Slovakia maintains diplomatic relations with 134 countries, primarily through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs. As of December 2013, Slovakia maintained 90 missions abroad, including 64 embassies, seven missions to multilateral organisations, nine consulates-general, one consular office, one Slovak Economic and Cultural Office and eight Slovak Institutes.[93] There are 44 embassies and 35 honorary consulates in Bratislava.

Slovakia and the United States retain strong diplomatic ties and cooperate in the military and law enforcement areas. The U.S. Department of Defense programmes has contributed significantly to Slovak military reforms. Around one million Americans have their roots in Slovakia, and many retain strong cultural and familial ties to the Slovak Republic. President Woodrow Wilson and the United States played a major role in the establishment of the original Czechoslovak state on 28 October 1918.

Military

 
Slovak 5th Special Forces Regiment in eastern Afghanistan during the Operation Enduring Freedom
 
Slovak members of UNFICYP peacekeepers patrolling the buffer zone in Cyprus

The president is formally the commander-in-chief of the Slovak armed forces.

Slovakia joined NATO in March 2004.[94] From 2006, the army transformed into a fully professional organisation and compulsory military service was abolished. Slovak armed forces numbered 19,500 uniformed personnel and 4,208 civilians in 2022.[95]

The country has been an active participant in US- and NATO-led military actions and involved in many United Nations peacekeeping military missions: UNPROFOR in the Yugoslavia (1992-1995), UNOMUR in Uganda and Rwanda (1993-1994), UNAMIR in Rwanda (1993-1996), UNTAES in Croatia (1996-1998), UNOMIL in Liberia (1993-1997), MONUA in Angola (1997-1999), SFOR in Bosnia and Herzegovina (1999-2003), OSCE mission in Moldova (1998-2002), OSCE mission in Albania (1999), KFOR in Kosovo (1999-2002), UNGCI in Iraq (2000-2003), UNMEE in Ethiopia and Eritrea (2000-2004), UNMISET in East Timor (2001), EUFOR Concordia in Macedonia (2003), UNAMSIL in Sierra Leone (1999-2005), EU supporting action to African Union in Darfur (2006), Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan (2002-2005), Operation Iraqi Freedom in Iraq (2003-2007) and UNDOF at the borders of Israel and Syria (1998-2008).[96]

As of 2021, Slovakia has 169 military personnel deployed in Cyprus for UNFICYP United Nations led peace support operations[97][98] and 41 troops deployed in Bosnia and Herzegovina for EUFOR Althea.[99]

Slovak Ground Forces are made up of two active Mechanised infantry brigades. The Air and Air Defence Forces comprise one wing of fighters, one wing of utility helicopters, and one SAM brigade. Training and support forces comprise a National Support Element (Multifunctional Battalion, Transport Battalion, Repair Battalion), a garrison force of the capital city Bratislava, as well as a training battalion, and various logistics and communication and information bases. Miscellaneous forces under the direct command of the General Staff include the 5th Special Forces Regiment.

Human rights

Human rights in Slovakia are guaranteed by the Constitution of Slovakia from the year 1992 and by multiple international laws signed in Slovakia between 1948 and 2006.[100]

The US State Department in 2017 reported:

The government generally respected the human rights of its citizens; however, there were problems in some areas. The most significant human rights issues included incidents of interference with privacy; corruption; widespread discrimination against Roma minority; and security force violence against ethnic and racial minorities government actions and rhetoric did little to discourage. The government investigated reports of abuses by members of the security forces and other government institutions, although some observers questioned the thoroughness of these investigations. Some officials engaged in corrupt practices with impunity. Two former ministers were convicted of corruption during the year.[101]

According to the European Roma Rights Centre (ERRC), Romani people in Slovakia "endure racism in the job market, housing and education fields and are often subjected to forced evictions, vigilante intimidation, disproportionate levels of police brutality and more subtle forms of discrimination."[102]

Administrative divisions

 
Bratislava, capital and largest city of Slovakia

Slovakia is divided into 8 kraje (singular—kraj, usually translated as "region"), each of which is named after its principal city. Regions have enjoyed a certain degree of autonomy since 2002. Their self-governing bodies are referred to as Self-governing (or autonomous) Regions (sg. samosprávny kraj, pl. samosprávne kraje) or Upper-Tier Territorial Units (sg. vyšší územný celok, pl. vyššie územné celky, abbr. VÚC).

The kraje are subdivided into okresy (sg. okres, usually translated as districts). Slovakia currently has 79 districts.

The okresy are further divided into obce (sg. obec, usually translated as "municipality"). There are currently 2,890 municipalities.

In terms of economics and unemployment rate, the western regions are richer than eastern regions. Bratislava is the third-richest region of the European Union by GDP (PPP) per capita (after Hamburg and Luxembourg City); GDP at purchasing power parity is about three times higher than in other Slovak regions.[103][104]

Name in English Name in Slovak Administrative seat Population (2019)
  Bratislava Region Bratislavský kraj   Bratislava 669 592
  Trnava Region Trnavský kraj   Trnava 564 917
  Nitra Region Nitriansky kraj   Nitra 674 306
  Trenčín Region Trenčiansky kraj   Trenčín 584 569
  Žilina Region Žilinský kraj   Žilina 691 509
  Banská Bystrica Region Banskobystrický kraj   Banská Bystrica 645 276
  Prešov Region Prešovský kraj   Prešov 826 244
  Košice Region Košický kraj   Košice 801 460

Economy

 

The Slovak economy is a developed, high-income[105] economy, with the GDP per capita equalling 78% of the average of the European Union in 2018.[106] The country has difficulties addressing regional imbalances in wealth and employment.[107] GDP per capita ranges from 188% of EU average in Bratislava to 54% in Eastern Slovakia.[108] Although regional income inequality is high, 90% of citizens own their homes.

The OECD in 2017 reported:

The Slovak Republic continues exhibiting robust economic performance, with strong growth backed by a sound financial sector, low public debt and high international competitiveness drawing on large inward investment.[109]

In 2021, Slovakia was ranked by the International Monetary Fund as the 45th richest country in the world (out of 226 countries and territories), with purchasing power parity per capita GDP of $34,815. The country used to be dubbed the "Tatra Tiger". Slovakia successfully transformed from a centrally planned economy to a market-driven economy. Major privatisations are completed, the banking sector is almost completely in private hands, and foreign investment has risen.

 
Slovakia is part of the Schengen Area, the EU single market, and since 2009, the Eurozone (dark blue)

As of 2021, with population only 5 million, Slovakia is the 61st largest economy in the world (out of 216 countries and territories). The Slovak economy is one of the fastest-growing economies in Europe and 3rd-fastest in eurozone (2017). In 2007, 2008 and 2010 (with GDP growth of 10.5%, 6% and 4%, retrospectively). In 2016, more than 86% of Slovak exports went to the European Union, and more than 50% of Slovak imports came from other European Union member states.[110]

The ratio of government debt to GDP in Slovakia reached 49.4% by the end of 2018, far below the OECD average.[111]

Unemployment, peaking at 19% at the end of 1999, decreased to 4.9% in 2019, lowest recorded rate in Slovak history.[112]

Slovakia adopted the Euro currency on 1 January 2009 as the 16th member of the Eurozone. The euro in Slovakia was approved by the European commission on 7 May 2008. The Slovak koruna was revalued on 28 May 2008 to 30.126 for 1 euro,[113] which was also the exchange rate for the euro.[114]

 
High-rise buildings in Bratislava's business districts

The Slovak government encourages foreign investment since it is one of the driving forces of the economy. Slovakia is an attractive country for foreign investors mainly because of its low wages, low tax rates, well educated labour force, favourable geographic location in the heart of Central Europe, strong political stability and good international relations reinforced by the country's accession to the European Union. Some regions, mostly at the east of Slovakia have failed to attract major investment, which has aggravated regional disparities in many economic and social areas. Foreign direct investment inflow grew more than 600% from 2000 and cumulatively reached an all-time high of $17.3 billion in 2006, or around $22,000 per capita by the end of 2008.

Slovakia ranks 45th out of 190 economies in terms of ease of doing business, according to the 2020 World Bank Doing Business Report and 57th out of the 63 countries and territories in terms of competitive economy, according to the 2020 World Competitiveness Yearbook Report.

Industry


Although Slovakia's GDP comes mainly from the tertiary (services) sector, the industrial sector also plays an important role within its economy. The main industry sectors are car manufacturing and electrical engineering. Since 2007, Slovakia has been the world's largest producer of cars per capita,[115] with a total of 1,090,000 cars manufactured in the country in 2018 alone.[116] 275,000 people are employed directly and indirectly by the automotive industry.[117] There are currently four automobile assembly plants and fifth under construction: Volkswagen's in Bratislava (models: Volkswagen Up, Volkswagen Touareg, Audi Q7, Audi Q8, Porsche Cayenne, Lamborghini Urus), PSA Peugeot Citroën's in Trnava (models: Peugeot 208, Citroën C3 Picasso), Kia Motors' Žilina Plant (models: Kia Cee'd, Kia Sportage, Kia Venga) and Jaguar Land Rover's in Nitra (model: Land Rover Discovery). Volvo will build electric cars at a new plant in Slovakia, construction is scheduled to begin in 2023, with series production starting in 2026.[118] Hyundai Mobis in Žilina is the largest suppliers for the automotive industry in Slovakia.[119]

From electrical engineering companies, Foxconn has a factory at Nitra for LCD TV manufacturing, Samsung at Galanta for computer monitors and television sets manufacturing. Slovnaft based in Bratislava with 4,000 employees, is an oil refinery with a processing capacity of 5.5 - 6 million tonnes of crude oil, annually. Steel producer U. S. Steel in Košice is the largest employer in the east of Slovakia with 12,000 employees.

 
A proportional representation of Slovakia's exports, 2019

ESET is an IT security company from Bratislava with more than 1,000[120] employees worldwide at present. Their branch offices are in the United States, Ireland, United Kingdom, Argentina, the Czech Republic, Singapore and Poland.[121] In recent years, service and high-tech-oriented businesses have prospered in Bratislava. Many global companies, including IBM, Dell, Lenovo, AT&T, SAP, and Accenture, have built outsourcing and service centres here.[122] Reasons for the influx of multi-national corporations include proximity to Western Europe, skilled labour force and the high density of universities and research facilities.[123] Other large companies and employers with headquarters in Bratislava include Amazon, Slovak Telekom, Orange Slovensko, Slovenská sporiteľňa, Tatra banka, Doprastav, Hewlett-Packard Slovakia, Henkel Slovensko, Slovenský plynárenský priemysel, Microsoft Slovakia, Mondelez Slovakia, Whirlpool Slovakia and Zurich Insurance Group Slovakia.

Bratislava's geographical position in Central Europe has long made Bratislava a crossroads for international trade traffic.[124][125] Various ancient trade routes, such as the Amber Road and the Danube waterway, have crossed territory of present-day Bratislava. Today, Bratislava is a road, railway, waterway and airway hub.[126]

Energy

 
Nuclear Power Plant Mochovce

In 2012, Slovakia produced a total of 28,393 GWh of electricity while at the same time consumed 28 786 GWh. The slightly higher level of consumption than the capacity of production (- 393 GWh) meant the country was not self-sufficient in energy sourcing. Slovakia imported electricity mainly from the Czech Republic (9,961 GWh - 73.6% of total import) and exported mainly to Hungary (10,231 GWh - 78.2% of total export).

Nuclear energy accounts for 53.8% of total electricity production in Slovakia, followed by 18.1% of thermal power energy, 15.1% by hydro power energy, 2% by solar energy, 9.6% by other sources and the rest 1.4% is imported.[127]

The two nuclear power-plants in Slovakia are in Jaslovské Bohunice and Mochovce, each of them containing two operating reactors. Before the accession of Slovakia to the EU in 2004, the government agreed to turn-off the V1 block of Jaslovské Bohunice power-plant, built-in 1978. After deactivating the last of the two reactors of the V1 block in 2008, Slovakia stopped being self-dependent in energy production.[citation needed] Currently there is another block (V2) with two active reactors in Jaslovské Bohunice. It is scheduled for decommissioning in 2025. Two new reactors are under construction in Mochovce plant. The nuclear power production in Slovakia occasionally draws the attention of Austrian green-energy activists who organise protests and block the borders between the two countries.[citation needed]

Transportation

 
A train in the northern town of Vysoké Tatry

There are four main highways D1 to D4 and eight expressways R1 to R8. Many of them are still under construction.

The D1 motorway connects Bratislava to Trnava, Nitra, Trenčín, Žilina and beyond, while the D2 motorway connects it to Prague, Brno and Budapest in the north–south direction. A large part of D4 motorway (an outer bypass), which should ease the pressure on Bratislava's highway system, is scheduled to open in 2020.[128] The A6 motorway to Vienna connects Slovakia directly to the Austrian motorway system and was opened on 19 November 2007.[129]

Slovakia has three international airports. Bratislava's M. R. Štefánik Airport is the main and largest international airport. It is located nine kilometres (5+12 miles) northeast of the city centre. It serves civil and governmental, scheduled and unscheduled domestic and international flights. The current runways support the landing of all common types of aircraft currently used. The airport has enjoyed rapidly growing passenger traffic in recent years; it served 279,028 passengers in 2000 and 2,292,712 in 2018.[130] Košice International Airport is an airport serving Košice. It is the second-largest international airport in Slovakia. The Poprad–Tatry Airport is the third busiest airport, the airport is located 5 km west-northwest of ski resort town Poprad. It is an airport with one of the highest elevations in Central Europe, at 718 m, which is 150 m higher than Innsbruck Airport in Austria.

Railways of Slovak Republic provides railway transport services on national and international lines.

The Port of Bratislava is one of the two international river ports in Slovakia. The port connects Bratislava to international boat traffic, especially the interconnection from the North Sea to the Black Sea via the Rhine-Main-Danube Canal. Additionally, tourist boats operate from Bratislava's passenger port, including routes to Devín, Vienna and elsewhere. The Port of Komárno is the second largest port in Slovakia with an area of over 20 hectares and is located approximately 100 km east of Bratislava. It lies at the confluence of two rivers - the Danube and Váh.

Tourism

 
Bojnice Castle

Slovakia features natural landscapes, mountains, caves, medieval castles and towns, folk architecture, spas and ski resorts. More than 5,4 million tourists visited Slovakia in 2017. The most attractive destinations are the capital of Bratislava and the High Tatras.[131] Most visitors come from the Czech Republic (about 26%), Poland (15%) and Germany (11%).[132]

Slovakia contains many castles, most of which are in ruins. The best known castles include Bojnice Castle (often used as a filming location), Spiš Castle, (on the UNESCO list), Orava Castle, Bratislava Castle, and the ruins of Devín Castle. Čachtice Castle was once the home of the world's most prolific female serial killer, the 'Bloody Lady', Elizabeth Báthory.

 

Slovakia's position in Europe and the country's past (part of the Kingdom of Hungary, the Habsburg monarchy and Czechoslovakia) made many cities and towns similar to the cities in the Czech Republic (such as Prague), Austria (such as Salzburg) or Hungary (such as Budapest). A historical centre with at least one square has been preserved in many towns. Large historical centres can be found in Bratislava, Trenčín, Košice, Banská Štiavnica, Levoča, and Trnava. Historical centres have been going through a restoration in recent years.

Historical churches can be found in virtually every village and town in Slovakia. Most of them are built in the Baroque style, but there are also many examples of Romanesque and Gothic architecture, for example Banská Bystrica, Bardejov and Spišská Kapitula. The Basilica of St. James in Levoča with the tallest wood-carved altar in the world and the Church of the Holy Spirit in Žehra with medieval frescos are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The St. Martin's Concathedral in Bratislava served as the coronation church for the Kingdom of Hungary. The oldest sacral buildings in Slovakia stem from the Great Moravian period in the ninth century.

 
Cable cars at Jasná in the Tatra Mountains.

Very precious structures are the complete wooden churches of northern and northern-eastern Slovakia. Most were built from the 15th century onwards by Catholics, Lutherans and members of eastern-rite churches.

Tourism is one of the main sectors of the Slovakia's economy, although still underserved. It is based on domestic tourism, as most of the tourists are the Slovak nationals and residents travelling for leisure within the country. Bratislava and the High and Low Tatras are the busiest tourist stops. Other popular tourist destinations are the cities and towns of Košice, Banská Štiavnica, or Bardejov, and numerous national parks, such as Pieniny National Park Malá and Veľká Fatra National Parks, Poloniny National Park, or Slovak Paradise National Park, among others.

There are many castles located throughout the country. Among the tourists, some of the most popular are Bojnice Castle, Spiš Castle, Stará Ľubovňa Castle, Krásna Hôrka Castle, Orava Castle (where many scenes of Nosferatu were filmed), Trenčín Castle, and Bratislava Castle, and also castles in ruins, such as Beckov Castle, Devín Castle, Šariš Castle, Považie Castle, and Strečno Castle (where Dragonheart was filmed).

Caves open to the public are mainly located in Northern Slovakia. Driny is the only cave located in Western Slovakia that is open to the public. Dobšiná Ice Cave, Demänovská Ice Cave, Demänovská Cave of Liberty, Belianska Cave, or Domica Cave are among the most popular tourist stops. Ochtinská Aragonite Cave, located in Central Slovakia, is one of only three aragonite caves in the world. There are thousands of caves located in Slovakia, thirteen of which are open to the public.

Slovakia is also known for its numerous spas. Piešťany is the biggest and busiest spa town in the country, attracting many visitors from the Gulf countries, mostly the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain. Bardejov, Trenčianske Teplice, Turčianske Teplice, and Rajecké Teplice are other major spa towns. Some well-known minor spa towns and villages are Štós, Číž, Dudince, Kováčová, Nimnica, Smrdáky, Lúčky, and Vyšné Ružbachy, among others.

Typical souvenirs from Slovakia are dolls dressed in folk costumes, ceramic objects, crystal glass, carved wooden figures, črpáks (wooden pitchers), fujaras (a folk instrument on the UNESCO list) and valaškas (a decorated folk hatchet) and above all products made from corn husks and wire, notably human figures. Souvenirs can be bought in the shops run by the state organisation ÚĽUV (Ústredie ľudovej umeleckej výroby—Centre of Folk Art Production). Dielo shop chain sells works of Slovak artists and craftsmen. These shops are mostly found in towns and cities.

Prices of imported products are generally the same as in the neighbouring countries, whereas prices of local products and services, especially food, are usually lower.

Science

The Slovak Academy of Sciences has been the most important scientific and research institution in the country since 1953. Slovaks have made notable scientific and technical contributions during history. Slovakia is currently in the negotiation process of becoming a member of the European Space Agency. Observer status was granted in 2010, when Slovakia signed the General Agreement on Cooperation[133] in which information about ongoing education programmes was shared and Slovakia was invited to various negotiations of the ESA. In 2015, Slovakia signed the European Cooperating State Agreement based on which Slovakia committed to the finance entrance programme named PECS (Plan for the European Cooperating States) which serves as preparation for full membership. Slovak research and development organisations can apply for funding of projects regarding space technologies advancement. Full membership of Slovakia in the ESA is expected in 2020 after signing the ESA Convention. Slovakia will be obliged to set state budget inclusive ESA funding. Slovakia was ranked 33rd in the Global Innovation Index in 2021.[134]

Demographics

 
 
Largest cities or towns in Slovakia
Štatistický úrad Slovenskej republiky – 31 December 2020
Rank Name Region Pop. Rank Name Region Pop.
 
Bratislava
 
Košice
1 Bratislava Bratislava 475,503 11 Prievidza Trenčín 45,017  
Prešov
 
Žilina
2 Košice Košice 229,040 12 Zvolen Banská Bystrica 40,637
3 Prešov Prešov 84,824 13 Považská Bystrica Trenčín 38,641
4 Žilina Žilina 82,656 14 Nové Zámky Nitra 37,791
5 Nitra Nitra 78,489 15 Michalovce Košice 36,704
6 Banská Bystrica Banská Bystrica 76 018 16 Spišská Nová Ves Košice 35,431
7 Trnava Trnava 63,803 17 Komárno Nitra 32,967
8 Trenčín Trenčín 54,740 18 Levice Nitra 31,974
9 Martin Žilina 52,520 19 Humenné Prešov 31,359
10 Poprad Prešov 49,855 20 Bardejov Prešov 30,840
 
Population density in Slovakia. The two biggest cities are clearly visible, Bratislava in the far west and Košice in the east.

The population is over 5.4 million and consists mostly of Slovaks. The average population density is 110 inhabitants per km2.[135] According to the 2021 census, the majority of the inhabitants of Slovakia are Slovaks (83.82%). Hungarians are the largest ethnic minority (7.75%). Other ethnic groups include Roma (1.23%),[136] Czechs (0.53%), Rusyns (0.44%) and others or unspecified (6.1%).[137]

In 2018 the median age of the Slovak population was 41 years.[138]

The largest waves of Slovak emigration occurred in the 19th and early 20th centuries. In the 1990 US census, 1.8 million people self-identified as having Slovak ancestry.[139][needs update]

Languages

 
The Slovak alphabet has 46 characters, of which 3 are digraphs and 18 contain diacritics.

The official language is Slovak, a member of the Slavic language family. Hungarian is widely spoken in the southern regions, and Rusyn is used in some parts of the Northeast. Minority languages hold co-official status in the municipalities in which the size of the minority population meets the legal threshold of 15% in two consecutive censuses.[140]

Slovakia is ranked among the top EU countries regarding the knowledge of foreign languages. In 2007, 68% of the population aged from 25 to 64 years claimed to speak two or more foreign languages, finishing second highest in the European Union. The best known foreign language in Slovakia is Czech. Eurostat report also shows that 98.3% of Slovak students in the upper secondary education take on two foreign languages, ranking highly over the average 60.1% in the European Union.[141] According to a Eurobarometer survey from 2012, 26% of the population have knowledge of English at a conversational level, followed by German (22%) and Russian (17%).[142]

The deaf community uses the Slovak Sign Language. Even though spoken Czech and Slovak are similar, the Slovak Sign language is not particularly close to Czech Sign Language.[citation needed]

Religion

 
Basilica of St. James in Levoča
 
St. Elisabeth Cathedral in Košice is Slovakia's largest church

The Slovak constitution guarantees freedom of religion. In 2021, 55.8% of population identified themselves as Roman Catholics, 5.3% as Lutherans, 1.6% as Calvinists, 4% as Greek Catholics, 0.9% as Orthodox, 23.8% identified themselves as atheists or non-religious, and 6.5% did not answer the question about their belief.[143] In 2004, about one third of the church members regularly attended church services.[144] The Slovak Greek Catholic Church is an Eastern rite sui iuris Catholic Church. Before World War II, an estimated 90,000 Jews lived in Slovakia (1.6% of the population), but most were murdered during the Holocaust. After further reductions due to postwar emigration and assimilation, only about 2,300 Jews remain today (0.04% of the population).[145]

There are 18 state-registered religions in Slovakia, of which 16 are Christian, one is Jewish, and one is the Baháʼí Faith.[146] In 2016, a two-thirds majority of the Slovak parliament passed a new bill that would obstruct Islam and other religious organisations from becoming state-recognised religions by doubling the minimum followers threshold from 25,000 to 50,000; however, Slovakia's then-president Andrej Kiska vetoed the bill.[146] In 2010, there were an estimated 5,000 Muslims in Slovakia representing less than 0.1% of the country's population.[147] Slovakia is the only member state of the European Union to not have any mosques.[148]

Education

 

The Programme for International Student Assessment, coordinated by the OECD, currently ranks Slovak secondary education the 30th in the world (placing it just below the United States and just above Spain).[149] Education in Slovakia is compulsory from age 6 to 16. The education system consists of elementary school which is divided into two parts, the first grade (age 6–10) and the second grade (age 10–15) which is finished by taking nationwide testing called Monitor, in Slovak and math. Parents may apply for social assistance for a child that is studying on an elementary school or a high-school. If approved, the state provides basic study necessities for the child. Schools provide books to all their students with usual exceptions of books for studying a foreign language and books which require taking notes in them, which are mostly present in the first grade of elementary school.

After finishing elementary school, students are obliged to take one year in high school.

After finishing high school, students can go to university and are highly encouraged to do so. Slovakia has a wide range of universities. The biggest university is Comenius University, established in 1919. Although it's not the first university ever established on Slovak territory, it's the oldest university that is still running. Most universities in Slovakia are public funded, where anyone can apply. Every citizen has a right to free education in public schools.

Slovakia has several privately funded universities, however public universities consistently score better in the ranking than their private counterparts. Universities have different criteria for accepting students. Anyone can apply to any number of universities.

Culture

Folk tradition

 
Wooden folk architecture can be seen in the well-preserved village of Vlkolínec, a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Folk tradition has rooted strongly in Slovakia and is reflected in literature, music, dance and architecture. The prime example is the Slovak national anthem, "Nad Tatrou sa blýska", which is based on a melody from the "Kopala studienku" folk song.

The manifestation of Slovak folklore culture is the "Východná" Folklore Festival. It is the oldest and largest nationwide festival with international participation,[150] which takes place in Východná annually. Slovakia is usually represented by many groups but mainly by SĽUK (Slovenský ľudový umelecký kolektív—Slovak folk art collective). SĽUK is the largest Slovak folk art group, trying to preserve the folklore tradition.

An example of wooden folk architecture in Slovakia can be seen in the well-preserved village of Vlkolínec which has been the UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1993.[151] The Prešov Region preserves the world's most remarkable folk wooden churches. Most of them are protected by Slovak law as cultural heritage, but some of them are on the UNESCO list too, in Bodružal, Hervartov, Ladomirová and Ruská Bystrá.

The best known Slovak hero, found in many folk mythologies, is Juraj Jánošík (1688–1713) (the Slovak equivalent of Robin Hood). The legend says he was taking from the rich and giving to the poor. Jánošík's life was depicted in a list of literary works and many movies throughout the 20th century. One of the most popular is a film Jánošík directed by Martin Frič in 1935.[152]

Art

 
Main altar in the Basilica of St. James, crafted by Master Paul of Levoča, 1517. It is the tallest wooden altar in the world.

Visual art in Slovakia is represented through painting, drawing, printmaking, illustration, arts and crafts, sculpture, photography or conceptual art. The Slovak National Gallery founded in 1948, is the biggest network of galleries in Slovakia. Two displays in Bratislava are situated in Esterházy Palace (Esterházyho palác) and the Water Barracks (Vodné kasárne), adjacent one to another. They are located on the Danube riverfront in the Old Town.[153][154]

The Bratislava City Gallery, founded in 1961 is the second biggest Slovak gallery of its kind. It stores about 35,000 pieces of Slovak international art and offers permanent displays in Pálffy Palace and Mirbach Palace, located in the Old Town. Danubiana Art Museum, one of the youngest art museums in Europe, is situated near Čunovo waterworks (part of Gabčíkovo Waterworks). Other major galleries include: Andy Warhol Museum of Modern Art (Warhol's parents were from Miková), East Slovak Gallery, Ernest Zmeták Art Gallery, Zvolen Castle.

Literature

 
Ľudovít Štúr, the creator of standard Slovak

Christian topics include poem Proglas as a foreword to the four Gospels, partial translations of the Bible into Old Church Slavonic, Zakon sudnyj ljudem.

Medieval literature, in the period from the 11th to the 15th centuries, was written in Latin, Czech and Slovakised Czech. Lyric (prayers, songs and formulas) was still controlled by the Church, while epic was concentrated on legends. Authors from this period include Johannes de Thurocz, author of the Chronica Hungarorum and Maurus, both of them Hungarians.[155] The worldly literature also emerged and chronicles were written in this period.

Two leading persons codified Slovak. The first was Anton Bernolák, whose concept was based on the western Slovak dialect in 1787. It was the codification of the first-ever literary language of Slovaks. The second was Ľudovít Štúr, whose formation of the Slovak took principles from the central Slovak dialect in 1843.

Slovakia is also known for its polyhistors, of whom include Pavol Jozef Šafárik, Matej Bel, Ján Kollár, and its political revolutionaries and reformists, such Milan Rastislav Štefánik and Alexander Dubček.

Cuisine

 
Halušky with bryndza cheese, kapustnica soup and Zlatý Bažant dark beer—examples of Slovak cuisine

Traditional Slovak cuisine is based mainly on pork, poultry (chicken is the most widely eaten, followed by duck, goose, and turkey), flour, potatoes, cabbage, and milk products. It is relatively closely related to Hungarian, Czech, Polish and Austrian cuisine. On the east it is also influenced by Ukrainian, including Lemko and Rusyn. In comparison with other European countries, "game meat" is more accessible in Slovakia due to vast resources of forest and because hunting is relatively popular.[156] Boar, rabbit, and venison are generally available throughout the year. Lamb and goat are eaten but are not widely popular.[citation needed]

The traditional Slovak meals are bryndzové halušky, bryndzové pirohy and other meals with potato dough and bryndza. Bryndza is a salty cheese made of sheep milk, characterised by a strong taste and aroma. Bryndzové halušky especially is considered a national dish, and is very commonly found on the menu of traditional Slovak restaurants.

A typical soup is a sauerkraut soup ("kapustnica"). A blood sausage called "krvavnica", made from any parts of a butchered pig is also a specific Slovak meal.

Wine is enjoyed throughout Slovakia. Slovak wine comes predominantly from the southern areas along the Danube and its tributaries; the northern half of the country is too cold and mountainous to grow grapevines. Traditionally, white wine was more popular than red or rosé (except in some regions), and sweet wine more popular than dry, but in recent years tastes seem to be changing.[157] Beer (mainly of the pilsener style, though dark lagers are also consumed) is also popular.

Sport

Sporting activities are practised widely in Slovakia, many of them on a professional level. Ice hockey and football have traditionally been regarded as the most popular sports in Slovakia, though tennis, handball, basketball, volleyball, whitewater slalom, cycling, alpine skiing, biathlon and athletics are also popular.[citation needed]

 
The Slovak national ice hockey team celebrating a victory against Sweden at the 2010 Winter Olympics

One of the most popular team sports in Slovakia is ice hockey. Slovakia became a member of the IIHF on 2 February 1993[158] and since then has won 4 medals in Ice Hockey World Championships, consisting of 1 gold, 2 silver and 1 bronze. The most recent success was a silver medal at the 2012 IIHF World Championship in Helsinki. The Slovak national hockey team made eight appearances in the Olympic games, finishing fourth in the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver and third with bronze medal at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. The country has 8,280 registered players and is ranked seventh in the IIHF World Ranking at present. The Slovak hockey teams HC Slovan Bratislava and HC Lev Poprad participated in the Kontinental Hockey League.[159]

Slovakia hosted the 2011 IIHF World Championship, where Finland won the gold medal and 2019 IIHF World Championship, where Finland also won the gold medal. Both competitions took place in Bratislava and Košice.[citation needed]

 
Football stadium Tehelné pole in Bratislava. Football is the most popular sport in Slovakia.

Football is the most popular sport in Slovakia, with over 400,000 registered players. Since 1993, the Slovak national football team has qualified for the FIFA World Cup once, in 2010. They progressed to the last 16, where they were defeated by the Netherlands. The most notable result was the 3–2 victory over Italy. In 2016, the Slovak national football team qualified for the UEFA Euro 2016 tournament, under head coach Ján Kozák. This helped the team reach its best-ever position of 14th in the FIFA World Rankings.[citation needed]

In club competitions, only three teams have qualified for the UEFA Champions League Group Stage, namely MFK Košice in 1997–98, FC Artmedia Bratislava in 2005–06 season, and MŠK Žilina in 2010–11. FC Artmedia Bratislava has been the most successful team, finishing third at the Group Stage of the UEFA Cup, therefore qualifying for the knockout stage. They remain the only Slovak club that has won a match at the group stage.[citation needed]

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Bibliography

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  • Karen Henderson, Slovakia: The Escape from Invisibility. London: Routledge, 2002.
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  • Lil Junas, My Slovakia: An American's View. Martin, Slovakia: Vydavatelśtvo Matice slovenskej, 2001.
  • Stanislav Kirschbaum, A History of Slovakia: The Struggle for Survival. New York: St. Martin's Press, 1995.
  • Eugen Lazistan, Fedor Mikovič, Ivan Kučma, and Anna Jurečková, Slovakia: A Photographic Odyssey. Wauconda, IL: Bolchazy-Carducci Publishers, 2001.
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  • Anton Spiesz and Dusan Caplovic, Illustrated Slovak History: A Struggle for Sovereignty in Central Europe. Wauconda, IL : Bolchazy-Carducci Publishers, 2001.

External links

Government
  • Government Office of the Slovak Republic
  • President of the Slovak Republic
  • Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic
  • Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic
Tourism and living information
General Information

Coordinates: 48°40′N 19°30′E / 48.667°N 19.500°E / 48.667; 19.500

slovakia, slovak, republic, redirects, here, first, slovak, republic, slovak, republic, 1939, 1945, confused, with, slovenia, ɑː, listen, slovak, slovensko, ˈslɔʋenskɔ, listen, officially, slovak, republic, slovak, slovenská, republika, ˈslɔʋenskaː, ˈrepublika. Slovak Republic redirects here For the First Slovak Republic see Slovak Republic 1939 1945 Not to be confused with Slovenia Slovakia s l oʊ ˈ v ae k i e ˈ v ɑː k listen 8 9 Slovak Slovensko ˈslɔʋenskɔ listen officially the Slovak Republic Slovak Slovenska republika ˈslɔʋenskaː ˈrepublika listen is a landlocked country in Central Europe It is bordered by Poland to the north Ukraine to the east Hungary to the south Austria to the southwest and the Czech Republic to the northwest Slovakia s mostly mountainous territory spans about 49 000 square kilometres 19 000 sq mi with a population of over 5 4 million The capital and largest city is Bratislava while the second largest city is Kosice Slovak RepublicSlovenska republika Slovak Flag Coat of armsAnthem Nad Tatrou sa blyska Slovak English Lightning over the Tatras source source National sealLocation of Slovakia dark green in Europe green amp dark grey in the European Union green Legend Capitaland largest cityBratislava48 09 N 17 07 E 48 150 N 17 117 E 48 150 17 117Official languagesSlovakEthnic groups 2021 1 83 8 Slovaks7 7 Hungarians1 2 Romani1 9 Others5 4 UnspecifiedReligion 2021 2 68 8 Christianity 59 8 Catholicism 7 6 Protestantism 1 4 Other Christian23 8 No religion0 9 Others6 5 UnspecifiedDemonym s SlovakGovernmentUnitary parliamentary republic PresidentZuzana Caputova Prime MinisterEduard Heger acting Speaker of the National CouncilBoris KollarLegislatureNational CouncilEstablishment history Independence from Austro Hungarian Monarchy First Czechoslovak Republic 28 October 1918 Second Czechoslovak Republic30 September 1938 Autonomous Land of Slovakia within Second Czechoslovak Republic 23 November 1938 Third Czechoslovak Republic24 October 1945 Fourth Czechoslovak Republic1948 Czechoslovak Socialist Republic11 July 1960 Slovak Socialist Republic within Czechoslovak Socialist Republic change of unitary Czechoslovak state into a federation 1 January 1969 Slovak Republic change of name within established Czech and Slovak Federative Republic 1 March 1990 Dissolution ofCzechoslovakia1 January 1993Area Total49 035 km2 18 933 sq mi 127th Water 0 72 2015 3 Population 2022 census5 460 185 4 117th Density111 km2 287 5 sq mi 88th GDP PPP 2022 estimate Total 211 119 billion 5 70th Per capita 38 320 5 44th GDP nominal 2022 estimate Total 118 434 billion 5 62th Per capita 21 665 5 47th Gini 2019 22 8 6 lowHDI 2021 0 848 7 very high 45thCurrencyEuro EUR Time zoneUTC 1 CET Summer DST UTC 2 CEST Date formatd m yyyyDriving siderightCalling code 421ISO 3166 codeSKInternet TLD sk and euThe Slavs arrived in the territory of present day Slovakia in the fifth and sixth centuries In the seventh century they played a significant role in the creation of Samo s Empire In the ninth century they established the Principality of Nitra which was later conquered by the Principality of Moravia to establish Great Moravia In the 10th century after the dissolution of Great Moravia the territory was integrated into the Principality of Hungary which then became the Kingdom of Hungary in 1000 10 In 1241 and 1242 after the Mongol invasion of Europe much of the territory was destroyed The area was recovered largely thanks to Bela IV of Hungary who also settled Germans leading them to become an important ethnic group in the area especially in what are today parts of central and eastern Slovakia 11 After World War I and the dissolution of the Austro Hungarian Empire the state of Czechoslovakia was established It was the only country in central and eastern Europe to remain a democracy during the interwar period Nevertheless local fascist parties gradually came to power in the Slovak lands and the first Slovak Republic existed during World War II as a partially recognised client state of Nazi Germany At the end of World War II Czechoslovakia was re established as an independent country After a coup in 1948 Czechoslovakia came under communist administration and became a part of the Soviet led Eastern Bloc Attempts to liberalise communism in Czechoslovakia culminated in the Prague Spring which was crushed by the Warsaw Pact invasion of Czechoslovakia in August 1968 In 1989 the Velvet Revolution peacefully ended the Communist rule in Czechoslovakia Slovakia became an independent state on 1 January 1993 after the peaceful dissolution of Czechoslovakia sometimes known as the Velvet Divorce Slovakia is a developed country with an advanced high income economy ranking very high in the Human Development Index It also performs favourably in measurements of civil liberties press freedom internet freedom democratic governance and peacefulness The country maintains a combination of a market economy with a comprehensive social security system providing citizens with universal health care free education and one of the longest paid parental leaves in the OECD 12 Slovakia is a member of the European Union the Eurozone the Schengen Area the United Nations NATO CERN the OECD the WTO the Council of Europe the Visegrad Group and the OSCE Slovakia is also home to eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites The world s largest per capita car producer Slovakia manufactured a total of 1 1 million cars in 2019 representing 43 of its total industrial output 13 Contents 1 Etymology 2 History 2 1 Bronze Age 2 2 Iron Age 2 2 1 Hallstatt Period 2 2 2 La Tene Period 2 2 3 Roman Period 2 3 Great invasions from the fourth to seventh centuries 2 4 Slavic states 2 5 Great Moravia 830 before 907 2 6 Kingdom of Hungary 1000 1918 2 7 Czechoslovakia 1918 1939 2 8 World War II 1939 1945 2 9 Communist party rule 1948 1989 2 10 Slovak Republic 1989 present 3 Geography 3 1 Tatra mountains 3 2 National parks 3 3 Caves 3 4 Rivers 3 5 Climate 3 6 Biodiversity 4 Government and politics 4 1 Foreign relations 4 2 Military 4 3 Human rights 4 4 Administrative divisions 5 Economy 5 1 Industry 5 2 Energy 5 3 Transportation 5 4 Tourism 5 5 Science 6 Demographics 6 1 Languages 6 2 Religion 6 3 Education 7 Culture 7 1 Folk tradition 7 2 Art 7 3 Literature 7 4 Cuisine 7 5 Sport 8 See also 9 References 10 Bibliography 11 External linksEtymology EditSee also Name Slovakia s name in theory means the Land of the Slavs Slovensko in Slovak stemming from the older form Sloven Slovienin As such it is a cognate of the words Slovenia and Slavonia In medieval Latin German and even some Slavic sources the same name has often been used for Slovaks Slovenes Slavonians and Slavs in general According to one of the theories a new form of national name formed for the ancestors of the Slovaks between the 13th and 14th century possibly due to foreign influence the Czech word Slovak in medieval sources from 1291 onward 14 This form slowly replaced the name for the male members of the community but the female name Slovenka reference to the lands inhabited Slovensko and the name of the language slovencina all remained the same with their base in the older form compare to Slovenian counterparts Most foreign translations tend to stem from this newer form Slovakia in English Slowakei in German Slovaquie in French etc In medieval Latin sources terms Slavus Slavonia or Slavorum and more variants from as early as 1029 14 have been used In German sources names for the Slovak lands were Windenland or Windische Lande early 15th century 15 with the forms Slovakia and Schlowakei starting to appear in the 16th century 16 The present Slovak form Slovensko is first attested in the year 1675 17 History EditMain article History of Slovakia A Venus from Moravany nad Vahom which dates back to 22 800 BC The oldest surviving human artefacts from Slovakia are found near Nove Mesto nad Vahom and are dated at 270 000 BCE in the Early Paleolithic era These ancient tools made by the Clactonian technique bear witness to the ancient habitation of Slovakia 18 Other stone tools from the Middle Paleolithic era 200 000 80 000 BCE come from the Prevot Prepostska cave in Bojnice and from other nearby sites 19 The most important discovery from that era is a Neanderthal cranium c 200 000 BCE discovered near Ganovce a village in northern Slovakia Archaeologists have found prehistoric human skeletons in the region as well as numerous objects and vestiges of the Gravettian culture principally in the river valleys of Nitra Hron Ipeľ Vah and as far as the city of Zilina and near the foot of the Vihorlat Inovec and Tribec mountains as well as in the Myjava Mountains The most well known finds include the oldest female statue made of mammoth bone 22 800 BCE the famous Venus of Moravany The statue was found in the 1940s in Moravany nad Vahom near Piestany Numerous necklaces made of shells from Cypraca thermophile gastropods of the Tertiary period have come from the sites of Zakovska Podkovice Hubina and Radosina These findings provide the most ancient evidence of commercial exchanges carried out between the Mediterranean and Central Europe Bronze Age Edit During the Bronze Age the geographical territory of modern day Slovakia went through three stages of development stretching from 2000 to 800 BCE Major cultural economic and political development can be attributed to the significant growth in production of copper especially in central Slovakia for example in Spania Dolina and northwest Slovakia Copper became a stable source of prosperity for the local population After the disappearance of the Cakany and Velatice cultures the Lusatian people expanded building of strong and complex fortifications with the large permanent buildings and administrative centres Excavations of Lusatian hill forts document the substantial development of trade and agriculture at that period The richness and diversity of tombs increased considerably The inhabitants of the area manufactured arms shields jewellery dishes and statues Iron Age Edit Left a Celtic Biatec coinRight five Slovak crowns Hallstatt Period Edit The arrival of tribes from Thrace disrupted the people of the Kalenderberg culture who lived in the hamlets located on the plain Sered and in the hill forts like Molpir near Smolenice in the Little Carpathians During Hallstatt times monumental burial mounds were erected in western Slovakia with princely equipment consisting of richly decorated vessels ornaments and decorations The burial rites consisted entirely of cremation Common people were buried in flat urnfield cemeteries A special role was given to weaving and the production of textiles The local power of the Princes of the Hallstatt period disappeared in Slovakia during the century before the middle of first millennium BC after strife between the Scytho Thracian people and locals resulting in abandonment of the old hill forts Relatively depopulated areas soon caught the interest of emerging Celtic tribes who advanced from the south towards the north following the Slovak rivers peacefully integrating into the remnants of the local population La Tene Period Edit From around 500 BCE the territory of modern day Slovakia was settled by Celts who built powerful oppida on the sites of modern day Bratislava and Devin Biatecs silver coins with inscriptions in the Latin alphabet represent the first known use of writing in Slovakia At the northern regions remnants of the local population of Lusatian origin together with Celtic and later Dacian influence gave rise to the unique Puchov culture with advanced crafts and iron working many hill forts and fortified settlements of central type with the coinage of the Velkobysterecky type no inscriptions with a horse on one side and a head on the other This culture is often connected with the Celtic tribe mentioned in Roman sources as Cotini Roman Period Edit A Roman inscription at the castle hill of Trencin 178 179 AD From 2 AD the expanding Roman Empire established and maintained a series of outposts around and just south of the Danube the largest of which were known as Carnuntum whose remains are on the main road halfway between Vienna and Bratislava and Brigetio present day Szony at the Slovak Hungarian border Such Roman border settlements were built on the present area of Rusovce currently a suburb of Bratislava The military fort was surrounded by a civilian vicus and several farms of the villa rustica type The name of this settlement was Gerulata The military fort had an auxiliary cavalry unit approximately 300 horses strong modelled after the Cananefates The remains of Roman buildings have also survived in Stupava Devin Castle Bratislava Castle Hill and the Bratislava Dubravka suburb Near the northernmost line of the Roman hinterlands the Limes Romanus there existed the winter camp of Laugaricio modern day Trencin where the Auxiliary of Legion II fought and prevailed in a decisive battle over the Germanic Quadi tribe in 179 CE during the Marcomannic Wars The Kingdom of Vannius a kingdom founded by the Germanic Suebi tribes of Quadi and Marcomanni as well as several small Germanic and Celtic tribes including the Osi and Cotini existed in western and central Slovakia from 8 6 BCE to 179 CE Great invasions from the fourth to seventh centuries Edit In the second and third centuries AD the Huns began to leave the Central Asian steppes They crossed the Danube in 377 AD and occupied Pannonia which they used for 75 years as their base for launching looting raids into Western Europe However Attila s death in 453 brought about the disappearance of the Hunnic empire In 568 a Turko Mongol tribal confederacy the Avars conducted its invasion into the Middle Danube region The Avars occupied the lowlands of the Pannonian Plain and established an empire dominating the Carpathian Basin In 623 the Slavic population living in the western parts of Pannonia seceded from their empire after a revolution led by Samo a Frankish merchant 20 After 626 the Avar power started a gradual decline 21 but its reign lasted to 804 Slavic states Edit The Slavic tribes settled in the territory of present day Slovakia in the fifth century Western Slovakia was the centre of Samo s empire in the seventh century A Slavic state known as the Principality of Nitra arose in the eighth century and its ruler Pribina had the first known Christian church of the territory of present day Slovakia consecrated by 828 Together with neighbouring Moravia the principality formed the core of the Great Moravian Empire from 833 The high point of this Slavonic empire came with the arrival of Saints Cyril and Methodius in 863 during the reign of Duke Rastislav and the territorial expansion under King Svatopluk I Great Moravia 830 before 907 Edit Main article Great Moravia A statue of Saint Cyril and Saint Methodius in Zilina In 863 they introduced Christianity to what is now Slovakia Great Moravia arose around 830 when Mojmir I unified the Slavic tribes settled north of the Danube and extended the Moravian supremacy over them 22 When Mojmir I endeavoured to secede from the supremacy of the king of East Francia in 846 King Louis the German deposed him and assisted Mojmir s nephew Rastislav 846 870 in acquiring the throne 23 The new monarch pursued an independent policy after stopping a Frankish attack in 855 he also sought to weaken the influence of Frankish priests preaching in his realm Duke Rastislav asked the Byzantine Emperor Michael III to send teachers who would interpret Christianity in the Slavic vernacular On Rastislav s request two brothers Byzantine officials and missionaries Saints Cyril and Methodius came in 863 Cyril developed the first Slavic alphabet and translated the Gospel into the Old Church Slavonic language Rastislav was also preoccupied with the security and administration of his state Numerous fortified castles built throughout the country are dated to his reign and some of them e g Dowina sometimes identified with Devin Castle 24 25 are also mentioned in connection with Rastislav by Frankish chronicles 26 27 Scire vos volumus a letter written in 879 by Pope John VIII to Svatopluk I During Rastislav s reign the Principality of Nitra was given to his nephew Svatopluk as an appanage 25 The rebellious prince allied himself with the Franks and overthrew his uncle in 870 Similarly to his predecessor Svatopluk I 871 894 assumed the title of the king rex During his reign the Great Moravian Empire reached its greatest territorial extent when not only present day Moravia and Slovakia but also present day northern and central Hungary Lower Austria Bohemia Silesia Lusatia southern Poland and northern Serbia belonged to the empire but the exact borders of his domains are still disputed by modern authors 28 Svatopluk also withstood attacks of the Magyar tribes and the Bulgarian Empire although sometimes it was he who hired the Magyars when waging war against East Francia 29 In 880 Pope John VIII set up an independent ecclesiastical province in Great Moravia with Archbishop Methodius as its head He also named the German cleric Wiching the Bishop of Nitra Certain and disputed borders of Great Moravia under Svatopluk I according to modern historians After the death of Prince Svatopluk in 894 his sons Mojmir II 894 906 and Svatopluk II succeeded him as the Prince of Great Moravia and the Prince of Nitra respectively 25 However they started to quarrel for domination of the whole empire Weakened by an internal conflict as well as by constant warfare with Eastern Francia Great Moravia lost most of its peripheral territories In the meantime the semi nomadic Magyar tribes possibly having suffered defeat from the similarly nomadic Pechenegs left their territories east of the Carpathian Mountains 30 invaded the Carpathian Basin and started to occupy the territory gradually around 896 31 Their armies advance may have been promoted by continuous wars among the countries of the region whose rulers still hired them occasionally to intervene in their struggles 32 It is not known what happened with both Mojmir II and Svatopluk II because they are not mentioned in written sources after 906 In three battles 4 5 July and 9 August 907 near Bratislava the Magyars routed Bavarian armies Some historians put this year as the date of the break up of the Great Moravian Empire due to the Hungarian conquest other historians take the date a little bit earlier to 902 Great Moravia left behind a lasting legacy in Central and Eastern Europe The Glagolitic script and its successor Cyrillic were disseminated to other Slavic countries charting a new path in their sociocultural development Kingdom of Hungary 1000 1918 Edit Main articles Kingdom of Hungary and Austro Hungarian Empire Stephen I King of Hungary Following the disintegration of the Great Moravian Empire at the turn of the tenth century the Hungarians annexed the territory comprising modern Slovakia After their defeat on the river Lech the Hungarians abandoned their nomadic ways and settled in the centre of the Carpathian valley slowly adopting Christianity and began to build a new state the Hungarian kingdom 33 Slovaks seemed to play an important role during the development of the realm as evident by large number of loanwords into Hungarian language concerning primarily economical agricultural or metallurgy fields 34 In the years 1001 1002 and 1018 1029 Slovakia was part of the Kingdom of Poland having been conquered by Boleslaus I the Brave 35 After the territory of Slovakia was returned to Hungary a semi autonomous polity continued to exist or was created in 1048 by king Andrew I called Duchy of Nitra Comprising roughly the territory of Principality of Nitra and Bihar principality they formed what was called a tercia pars regni third of a kingdom 36 It used to be ruled by would be successors to the throne from the house of Arpad Interestingly in the Hungarian Polish chronicle from 13th century the ruler of said duchy duke Emeric son of Stephen I of Hungary is called Henricus dux Sclavonie in essence duke of Slovakia 37 This polity existed up until 1108 1110 after which it was not restored After this until the year 1918 when the Austro Hungarian empire collapsed the territory of Slovakia was an integral part of the Hungarian state 38 39 40 The ethnic composition of Slovakia became more diverse with the arrival of the Carpathian Germans in the 13th century and the Jews in the 14th century A significant decline in the population resulted from the invasion of the Mongols in 1241 and the subsequent famine However in medieval times the area of Slovakia was characterised by German and Jewish immigration burgeoning towns construction of numerous stone castles and the cultivation of the arts 41 The arrival of German element sometimes proved a problem for the autochthonous Slovaks and even Hungarians in the broader Hungary since they often quickly gained most power in medieval towns only to later refuse to share it Breaking of old customs by Germans often resulted in national quarrels One of which had to be sorted out by the king Louis I with the proclamation Privilegium pro Slavis Privilege for Slovaks in the year 1381 According to this privilege Slovaks and Germans were to occupy each half of the seats in the city council of Zilina and the mayor should be elected each year alternating between those nationalities This would not be last such case 42 One of the commanders of a Slovak volunteers army captain Jan Francisci Rimavsky during the fight for independence from the Kingdom of Hungary In 1465 King Matthias Corvinus founded the Hungarian Kingdom s third university in Pressburg Bratislava but it was closed in 1490 after his death 43 Hussites also settled in the region after the Hussite Wars 44 Owing to the Ottoman Empire s expansion into Hungarian territory Bratislava was designated the new capital of Hungary in 1536 ahead of the fall of the old Hungarian capital of Buda in 1541 It became part of the Austrian Habsburg monarchy marking the beginning of a new era The territory comprising modern Slovakia then known as Upper Hungary became the place of settlement for nearly two thirds of the Magyar nobility fleeing the Turks and became far more linguistically and culturally Hungarian than it was before 44 Partly thanks to old Hussite families and Slovaks studying under Martin Luther the region then experienced a growth in Protestantism 44 For a short period in the 17th century most Slovaks were Lutherans 44 They defied the Catholic Habsburgs and sought protection from neighbouring Transylvania a rival continuation of the Magyar state that practised religious tolerance and normally had Ottoman backing Upper Hungary modern Slovakia became the site of frequent wars between Catholics in the west territory and Protestants in the east as well as against Turks the frontier was on a constant state of military alert and heavily fortified by castles and citadels often manned by Catholic German and Slovak troops on the Habsburg side By 1648 Slovakia was not spared the Counter Reformation which brought the majority of its population from Lutheranism back to Roman Catholicism In 1655 the printing press at the Trnava university produced the Jesuit Benedikt Szollosi s Cantus Catholici a Catholic hymnal in Slovak that reaffirmed links to the earlier works of Cyril and Methodius The Ottoman wars the rivalry between Austria and Transylvania and the frequent insurrections against the Habsburg monarchy inflicted a great deal of devastation especially in the rural areas 45 In the Austro Turkish War 1663 1664 a Turkish army led by the Grand Vizier decimated Slovakia 44 Even so Thokoly s kuruc rebels from the Principality of Upper Hungary fought alongside the Turks against the Austrians and Poles at the Battle of Vienna of 1683 led by John III Sobieski As the Turks withdrew from Hungary in the late 17th century the importance of the territory composing modern Slovakia decreased although Pressburg retained its status as the capital of Hungary until 1848 when it was transferred back to Buda 46 During the revolution of 1848 49 the Slovaks supported the Austrian Emperor hoping for independence from the Hungarian part of the Dual Monarchy but they failed to achieve their aim Thereafter relations between the nationalities deteriorated see Magyarisation culminating in the secession of Slovakia from Hungary after World War I 47 Czechoslovakia 1918 1939 Edit Main article Czechoslovakia Czechoslovak declaration of independence by Tomas Garrigue Masaryk in the United States 1918 On 18 October 1918 Tomas Garrigue Masaryk Milan Rastislav Stefanik and Edvard Benes declared in Washington D C the independence for the territories of Bohemia Moravia Silesia Upper Hungary and Carpathian Ruthenia from the Austro Hungarian Empire and proclaimed a common state Czechoslovakia In 1919 during the chaos following the break up of Austria Hungary Czechoslovakia was formed with numerous Germans Slovaks Hungarians and Ruthenians within the newly set borders The borders were set by the Treaty of Saint Germain and Treaty of Trianon In the peace following the World War Czechoslovakia emerged as a sovereign European state It provided what were at the time rather extensive rights to its minorities During the Interwar period democratic Czechoslovakia was allied with France and also with Romania and Yugoslavia Little Entente however the Locarno Treaties of 1925 left East European security open Both Czechs and Slovaks enjoyed a period of relative prosperity There was progress in not only the development of the country s economy but also culture and educational opportunities Yet the Great Depression caused a sharp economic downturn followed by political disruption and insecurity in Europe 48 In the 1930s Czechoslovakia came under continuous pressure from the revisionist governments of Germany Hungary and Poland who used the aggrieved minorities in the country as a useful vehicle Revision of the borders was called for as Czechs constituted only 43 of the population Eventually this pressure led to the Munich Agreement of September 1938 which allowed the majority ethnic Germans in the Sudetenland borderlands of Czechoslovakia to join with Germany The remaining minorities stepped up their pressures for autonomy and the State became federalised with Diets in Slovakia and Ruthenia The remainder of Czechoslovakia was renamed Czecho Slovakia and promised a greater degree of Slovak political autonomy This however failed to materialise 49 Parts of southern and eastern Slovakia were also reclaimed by Hungary at the First Vienna Award of November 1938 World War II 1939 1945 Edit Main articles Munich Agreement Slovak Republic 1939 1945 Slovakia during World War II Slovak National Uprising and Iron Curtain Adolf Hitler greeting Jozef Tiso president of the First Slovak Republic a client state of Nazi Germany during World War II 1941 After the Munich Agreement and its Vienna Award Nazi Germany threatened to annex part of Slovakia and allow the remaining regions to be partitioned by Hungary or Poland unless independence was declared citation needed Thus Slovakia seceded from Czecho Slovakia in March 1939 and allied itself as demanded by Germany with Hitler s coalition 50 Secession had created the first Slovak state in history 51 The government of the First Slovak Republic led by Jozef Tiso and Vojtech Tuka was strongly influenced by Germany and gradually became a puppet regime in many respects Troops of Slovak anti Nazi resistance movement in 1944 Meanwhile the Czechoslovak government in exile sought to reverse the Munich Agreement and the subsequent German occupation of Czechoslovakia and to return the Republic to its 1937 boundaries The government operated from London and it was ultimately considered by those countries that recognised it the legitimate government for Czechoslovakia throughout the Second World War As part of the Holocaust in Slovakia 75 000 Jews out of 80 000 who remained on Slovak territory after Hungary had seized southern regions were deported and taken to German death camps 52 53 Thousands of Jews Gypsies and other politically undesirable people remained in Slovak forced labour camps in Sered Vyhne and Novaky 54 Tiso through the granting of presidential exceptions allowed between 1 000 and 4 000 people crucial to the war economy to avoid deportations 55 Under Tiso s government and Hungarian occupation the vast majority of Slovakia s pre war Jewish population between 75 000 and 105 000 individuals including those who perished from the occupied territory were murdered 56 57 The Slovak state paid Germany 500 RM per every deported Jew for retraining and accommodation a similar but smaller payment of 30 RM was paid by Croatia 58 After it became clear that the Soviet Red Army was going to push the Nazis out of eastern and central Europe an anti Nazi resistance movement launched a fierce armed insurrection known as the Slovak National Uprising near the end of summer 1944 A bloody German occupation and a guerilla war followed Germans and their local collaborators completely destroyed 93 villages and massacred thousands of civilians often hundreds at a time 59 The territory of Slovakia was liberated by Soviet and Romanian forces by the end of April 1945 Communist party rule 1948 1989 Edit Main articles 1948 Czechoslovak coup d etat Prague Spring and Warsaw Pact invasion of Czechoslovakia The Velvet Revolution ended 41 years of authoritarian communist rule in Czechoslovakia in 1989 After World War II Czechoslovakia was reconstituted and Jozef Tiso was executed in 1947 for collaboration with the Nazis More than 80 000 Hungarians 60 and 32 000 Germans 61 were forced to leave Slovakia in a series of population transfers initiated by the Allies at the Potsdam Conference 62 Out of about 130 000 Carpathian Germans in Slovakia in 1938 by 1947 only some 20 000 remained 63 failed verification The NKVD arrested and deported over 20 000 people to Siberia 64 As a result of the Yalta Conference Czechoslovakia came under the influence and later under direct occupation of the Soviet Union and its Warsaw Pact after a coup in 1948 Eight thousand two hundred and forty people went to forced labour camps in 1948 1953 65 In 1968 following the Prague Spring the country was invaded by the Warsaw Pact forces People s Republic of Bulgaria People s Republic of Hungary People s Republic of Poland and Soviet Union with the exception of Socialist Republic of Romania and People s Socialist Republic of Albania ending a period of liberalisation under the leadership of Alexander Dubcek 137 Czechoslovak civilians were killed 66 and 500 seriously wounded during the occupation 67 In 1969 Czechoslovakia became a federation of the Czech Socialist Republic and the Slovak Socialist Republic in the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic It became a puppet state of the Soviet Union but it was never part of the Soviet Union and remained independent to a certain degree Borders with the West were protected by the Iron Curtain About 600 people men women and children were killed on the Czechoslovak border with Austria and West Germany between 1948 and 1989 68 Slovak Republic 1989 present Edit Slovakia became a member of the European Union in 2004 and signed the Lisbon Treaty in 2007 The end of Communist rule in Czechoslovakia in 1989 during the peaceful Velvet Revolution was followed once again by the country s dissolution this time into two successor states The word socialist was dropped in the names of the two republics with the Slovak Socialist Republic renamed as Slovak Republic On 17 July 1992 Slovakia led by Prime Minister Vladimir Meciar declared itself a sovereign state meaning that its laws took precedence over those of the federal government Throughout the autumn of 1992 Meciar and Czech Prime Minister Vaclav Klaus negotiated the details for disbanding the federation In November the federal parliament voted to dissolve the country officially on 31 December 1992 The Slovak Republic and the Czech Republic went their separate ways after 1 January 1993 an event sometimes called the Velvet Divorce 69 70 Slovakia has nevertheless remained a close partner with the Czech Republic Both countries co operate with Hungary and Poland in the Visegrad Group Slovakia became a member of NATO on 29 March 2004 and of the European Union on 1 May 2004 On 1 January 2009 Slovakia adopted the Euro as its national currency 71 In 2019 Zuzana Caputova became Slovakia s first female president 72 Geography EditMain article Geography of Slovakia See also Geomorphological division of Slovakia Panorama of the High Tatras Slovakia lies between latitudes 47 and 50 N and longitudes 16 and 23 E The Slovak landscape is noted primarily for its mountainous nature with the Carpathian Mountains extending across most of the northern half of the country Among these mountain ranges are the high peaks of the Fatra Tatra Area including Tatra Mountains Greater Fatra and Lesser Fatra Slovak Ore Mountains Slovak Central Mountains or Beskids The largest lowland is the fertile Danubian Lowland in the southwest followed by the Eastern Slovak Lowland in the southeast 73 Forests cover 41 of Slovak land surface 74 Tatra mountains Edit Main article Tatra Mountains A topographical map of Slovakia The Tatra Mountains with 29 peaks higher than 2 500 metres 8 202 feet AMSL are the highest mountain range in the Carpathian Mountains The Tatras occupy an area of 750 square kilometres 290 sq mi of which the greater part 600 square kilometres 232 sq mi lies in Slovakia They are divided into several parts To the north close to the Polish border are the High Tatras which are a popular hiking and skiing destination and home to many scenic lakes and valleys as well as the highest point in Slovakia the Gerlachovsky stit at 2 655 metres 8 711 ft and the country s highly symbolic mountain Krivan To the west are the Western Tatras with their highest peak of Bystra at 2 248 metres 7 375 ft and to the east are the Belianske Tatras smallest by area Separated from the Tatras proper by the valley of the Vah river are the Low Tatras with their highest peak of Dumbier at 2 043 metres 6 703 ft The Tatra mountain range is represented as one of the three hills on the coat of arms of Slovakia National parks Edit Main article List of national parks of Slovakia Slovak Paradise National Park There are 9 national parks in Slovakia covering 6 5 of the Slovak land surface 75 Name Established Area km2 Tatra National Park 1949 738Low Tatras National Park 1978 728Veľka Fatra National Park 2002 404Slovak Karst National Park 2002 346Poloniny National Park 1997 298Mala Fatra National Park 1988 226Muranska planina National Park 1998 203Slovak Paradise National Park 1988 197Pieniny National Park 1967 38Caves Edit Main article List of caves in Slovakia Domica Cave Slovakia has hundreds of caves and caverns under its mountains of which 30 are open to the public 76 Most of the caves have stalagmites rising from the ground and stalactites hanging from above There are currently five Slovak caves under UNESCO s World Heritage Site status They are Dobsina Ice Cave Domica Gombasek Cave Jasovska Cave and Ochtinska Aragonite Cave Other caves open to the public include Belianska Cave Demanovska Cave of Liberty Demanovska Ice Cave or Bystrianska Cave Rivers Edit Main article List of rivers of Slovakia Bela River Most of the rivers arise in the Slovak mountains Some only pass through Slovakia while others make a natural border with surrounding countries more than 620 kilometres 390 mi For example the Dunajec 17 kilometres 11 mi to the north the Danube 172 kilometres 107 mi to the south or the Morava 119 kilometres 74 mi to the West The total length of the rivers on Slovak territory is 49 774 kilometres 30 928 mi The longest river in Slovakia is the Vah 403 kilometres 250 mi the shortest is the Cierna voda Other important and large rivers are the Myjava the Nitra 197 kilometres 122 mi the Orava the Hron 298 kilometres 185 mi the Hornad 193 kilometres 120 mi the Slana 110 kilometres 68 mi the Ipeľ 232 kilometres 144 mi forming the border with Hungary the Bodrog the Laborec the Latorica and the Ondava The biggest volume of discharge in Slovak rivers is during spring when the snow melts from the mountains The only exception is the Danube whose discharge is the greatest during summer when the snow melts in the Alps The Danube is the largest river that flows through Slovakia 77 Climate Edit Summer in Spisske Podhradie Winter in Banska Stiavnica the town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site The Slovak climate lies between the temperate and continental climate zones with relatively warm summers and cold cloudy and humid winters Temperature extremes are between 41 to 40 3 C 41 8 to 104 5 F although temperatures below 30 C 22 F are rare The weather differs from the mountainous north to the plains in the south The warmest region is Bratislava and Southern Slovakia where the temperatures may reach 30 C 86 F in summer occasionally to 39 C 102 F in Hurbanovo During night the temperatures drop to 20 C 68 F The daily temperatures in winter average in the range of 5 C 23 F to 10 C 50 F During night it may be freezing but usually not below 10 C 14 F In Slovakia there are four seasons each season spring summer autumn and winter lasts three months The dry continental air brings in the summer heat and winter frosts In contrast oceanic air brings rainfalls and reduces summer temperatures In the lowlands and valleys there is often fog especially in winter Spring starts with 21 March and is characterised by colder weather with an average daily temperature of 9 C 48 F in the first weeks and about 14 C 57 F in May and 17 C 63 F in June In Slovakia the weather and climate in the spring are very unstable Summer starts on 22 June and is usually characterised by hot weather with daily temperatures exceeding 30 C 86 F July is the warmest month with temperatures up to about 37 to 40 C 99 to 104 F especially in regions of southern Slovakia in the urban area of Komarno Hurbanovo or Sturovo Showers or thunderstorms may occur because of the summer monsoon called Medardova kvapka Medard drop 40 days of rain Summer in Northern Slovakia is usually mild with temperatures around 25 C 77 F less in the mountains Autumn in Slovakia starts on 23 September and is mostly characterised by wet weather and wind although the first weeks can be very warm and sunny The average temperature in September is around 14 C 57 F in November to 3 C 37 F Late September and early October is a dry and sunny time of year so called Indian summer Winter starts on 21 December with temperatures around 5 to 10 C 23 to 14 F In December and January it is usually snowing these are the coldest months of the year At lower altitudes snow does not stay the whole winter it changes into the thaw and frost Winters are colder in the mountains where the snow usually lasts until March or April and the night temperatures fall to 20 C 4 F and colder 78 Biodiversity Edit See also Endemic Plant Species in Slovakia Rupicapra rupicapra tatrica in the Tatra Mountains Slovakia signed the Rio Convention on Biological Diversity on 19 May 1993 and became a party to the convention on 25 August 1994 79 It has subsequently produced a National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan which was received by the convention on 2 November 1998 80 The biodiversity of Slovakia comprises animals such as annelids arthropods molluscs nematodes and vertebrates fungi Ascomycota Basidiomycota Chytridiomycota Glomeromycota and Zygomycota micro organisms including Mycetozoa and plants The geographical position of Slovakia determines the richness of the diversity of fauna and flora More than 11 000 plant species have been described throughout its territory nearly 29 000 animal species and over 1 000 species of protozoa Endemic biodiversity is also common 81 Slovakia is located in the biome of temperate broadleaf and mixed forests and terrestrial ecoregions of Pannonian mixed forests and Carpathian montane conifer forests 82 As the altitude changes the vegetation associations and animal communities are forming height levels oak beech spruce scrub pine alpine meadows and subsoil Forests cover 44 of the territory of Slovakia 83 The country had a 2019 Forest Landscape Integrity Index mean score of 4 34 10 ranking it 129th globally out of 172 countries 84 In terms of forest stands 60 are broadleaf trees and 40 are coniferous trees The occurrence of animal species is strongly connected to the appropriate types of plant associations and biotopes 81 Over 4 000 species of fungi have been recorded from Slovakia 85 86 Of these nearly 1 500 are lichen forming species 87 Some of these fungi are undoubtedly endemic but not enough is known to say how many Of the lichen forming species about 40 have been classified as threatened in some way About 7 are apparently extinct 9 endangered 17 vulnerable and 7 rare The conservation status of non lichen forming fungi in Slovakia is not well documented but there is a red list for its larger fungi 88 Government and politics EditMain articles Politics of Slovakia and Law of Slovakia See also Prime Minister of Slovakia President of Slovakia and National Council of the Slovak Republic Eduard Heger Prime Minister since 2021 Zuzana Caputova President since 2019 Slovakia is a parliamentary democratic republic with a multi party system The last parliamentary elections were held on 29 February 2020 and two rounds of presidential elections took place on 16 and 30 March 2019 The Slovak head of state and the formal head of the executive is the president currently Zuzana Caputova the first female president though with very limited powers The president is elected by direct popular vote under the two round system for a five year term Most executive power lies with the head of government the prime minister currently Eduard Heger 89 who is usually the leader of the winning party and who needs to form a majority coalition in the parliament The prime minister is 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 Narodna rada Slovenskej republiky Delegates are elected for a four year term on the basis of proportional representation Slovakia s highest judicial body is the Constitutional Court of Slovakia Ustavny sud which rules on constitutional issues The 13 members of this court are appointed by the president from a slate of candidates nominated by parliament The Constitution of the Slovak Republic was ratified 1 September 1992 and became effective 1 January 1993 It was amended in September 1998 to allow direct election of the president and again in February 2001 due to EU admission requirements The civil law system is based on Austro Hungarian codes The legal code was modified to comply with the obligations of Organization on Security and Cooperation in Europe OSCE and to expunge the Marxist Leninist legal theory Slovakia accepts the compulsory International Court of Justice jurisdiction with reservations Main office holders Office Name Party SincePresident Zuzana Caputova Independent 15 June 2019Prime Minister Eduard Heger OĽaNO 1 April 2021National Council Chairman Boris Kollar SR 21 March 2020 Grassalkovich Palace in Bratislava is the seat of the President of Slovakia The National Council building in Bratislava Episcopal Summer Palace the seat of the government of Slovakia Foreign relations Edit Main article Foreign relations of Slovakia See also List of diplomatic missions of Slovakia Former Slovak Prime Minister Peter Pellegrini with former U S President Donald Trump in the White House 2019 The Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs Slovak Ministerstvo zahranicnych veci a europskych zalezitosti is responsible for maintaining the Slovak Republic s external relations and the management of its international diplomatic missions The ministry s director is Ivan Korcok 90 91 The ministry oversees Slovakia s affairs with foreign entities including bilateral relations with individual nations and its representation in international organisations Slovakia joined the European Union and NATO in 2004 and the Eurozone in 2009 Slovakia is a member of the United Nations since 1993 and participates in its specialised agencies The country was on 10 October 2005 elected to a two year term on the UN Security Council from 2006 to 2007 It is also a member of the Schengen Area the Council of Europe CoE the Organization for Security and Co operation in Europe OSCE the World Trade Organization WTO the Organisation for Economic Co operation and Development OECD the Union for the Mediterranean UfM the European Organization for Nuclear Research CERN and part of the Visegrad Group V4 Slovakia Hungary the Czech Republic and Poland In 2022 Slovak citizens had visa free or visa on arrival access to 182 countries and territories putting the Slovak passport at the ninth rank of travel freedom tied with Lithuanian and Polish passports and behind 27 other countries on the Henley Passport Index 92 Embassy of Japan in Bratislava Slovakia maintains diplomatic relations with 134 countries primarily through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs As of December 2013 Slovakia maintained 90 missions abroad including 64 embassies seven missions to multilateral organisations nine consulates general one consular office one Slovak Economic and Cultural Office and eight Slovak Institutes 93 There are 44 embassies and 35 honorary consulates in Bratislava Slovakia and the United States retain strong diplomatic ties and cooperate in the military and law enforcement areas The U S Department of Defense programmes has contributed significantly to Slovak military reforms Around one million Americans have their roots in Slovakia and many retain strong cultural and familial ties to the Slovak Republic President Woodrow Wilson and the United States played a major role in the establishment of the original Czechoslovak state on 28 October 1918 Military Edit Main article Slovak Armed Forces Slovak 5th Special Forces Regiment in eastern Afghanistan during the Operation Enduring Freedom Slovak members of UNFICYP peacekeepers patrolling the buffer zone in Cyprus The president is formally the commander in chief of the Slovak armed forces Slovakia joined NATO in March 2004 94 From 2006 the army transformed into a fully professional organisation and compulsory military service was abolished Slovak armed forces numbered 19 500 uniformed personnel and 4 208 civilians in 2022 95 The country has been an active participant in US and NATO led military actions and involved in many United Nations peacekeeping military missions UNPROFOR in the Yugoslavia 1992 1995 UNOMUR in Uganda and Rwanda 1993 1994 UNAMIR in Rwanda 1993 1996 UNTAES in Croatia 1996 1998 UNOMIL in Liberia 1993 1997 MONUA in Angola 1997 1999 SFOR in Bosnia and Herzegovina 1999 2003 OSCE mission in Moldova 1998 2002 OSCE mission in Albania 1999 KFOR in Kosovo 1999 2002 UNGCI in Iraq 2000 2003 UNMEE in Ethiopia and Eritrea 2000 2004 UNMISET in East Timor 2001 EUFOR Concordia in Macedonia 2003 UNAMSIL in Sierra Leone 1999 2005 EU supporting action to African Union in Darfur 2006 Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan 2002 2005 Operation Iraqi Freedom in Iraq 2003 2007 and UNDOF at the borders of Israel and Syria 1998 2008 96 As of 2021 Slovakia has 169 military personnel deployed in Cyprus for UNFICYP United Nations led peace support operations 97 98 and 41 troops deployed in Bosnia and Herzegovina for EUFOR Althea 99 Slovak Ground Forces are made up of two active Mechanised infantry brigades The Air and Air Defence Forces comprise one wing of fighters one wing of utility helicopters and one SAM brigade Training and support forces comprise a National Support Element Multifunctional Battalion Transport Battalion Repair Battalion a garrison force of the capital city Bratislava as well as a training battalion and various logistics and communication and information bases Miscellaneous forces under the direct command of the General Staff include the 5th Special Forces Regiment Human rights Edit Main article Human rights in Slovakia Human rights in Slovakia are guaranteed by the Constitution of Slovakia from the year 1992 and by multiple international laws signed in Slovakia between 1948 and 2006 100 The US State Department in 2017 reported The government generally respected the human rights of its citizens however there were problems in some areas The most significant human rights issues included incidents of interference with privacy corruption widespread discrimination against Roma minority and security force violence against ethnic and racial minorities government actions and rhetoric did little to discourage The government investigated reports of abuses by members of the security forces and other government institutions although some observers questioned the thoroughness of these investigations Some officials engaged in corrupt practices with impunity Two former ministers were convicted of corruption during the year 101 According to the European Roma Rights Centre ERRC Romani people in Slovakia endure racism in the job market housing and education fields and are often subjected to forced evictions vigilante intimidation disproportionate levels of police brutality and more subtle forms of discrimination 102 Administrative divisions Edit Main articles Regions of Slovakia Districts of Slovakia and List of municipalities and towns in Slovakia Bratislava capital and largest city of Slovakia Slovakia is divided into 8 kraje singular kraj usually translated as region each of which is named after its principal city Regions have enjoyed a certain degree of autonomy since 2002 Their self governing bodies are referred to as Self governing or autonomous Regions sg samospravny kraj pl samospravne kraje or Upper Tier Territorial Units sg vyssi uzemny celok pl vyssie uzemne celky abbr VUC The kraje are subdivided into okresy sg okres usually translated as districts Slovakia currently has 79 districts The okresy are further divided into obce sg obec usually translated as municipality There are currently 2 890 municipalities In terms of economics and unemployment rate the western regions are richer than eastern regions Bratislava is the third richest region of the European Union by GDP PPP per capita after Hamburg and Luxembourg City GDP at purchasing power parity is about three times higher than in other Slovak regions 103 104 Presov Kosice Zilina Banska Bystrica Trencin Nitra Trnava Bratislava Name in English Name in Slovak Administrative seat Population 2019 Bratislava Region Bratislavsky kraj Bratislava 669 592 Trnava Region Trnavsky kraj Trnava 564 917 Nitra Region Nitriansky kraj Nitra 674 306 Trencin Region Trenciansky kraj Trencin 584 569 Zilina Region Zilinsky kraj Zilina 691 509 Banska Bystrica Region Banskobystricky kraj Banska Bystrica 645 276 Presov Region Presovsky kraj Presov 826 244 Kosice Region Kosicky kraj Kosice 801 460Economy EditMain article Economy of Slovakia National Bank of Slovakia in Bratislava The Slovak economy is a developed high income 105 economy with the GDP per capita equalling 78 of the average of the European Union in 2018 106 The country has difficulties addressing regional imbalances in wealth and employment 107 GDP per capita ranges from 188 of EU average in Bratislava to 54 in Eastern Slovakia 108 Although regional income inequality is high 90 of citizens own their homes The OECD in 2017 reported The Slovak Republic continues exhibiting robust economic performance with strong growth backed by a sound financial sector low public debt and high international competitiveness drawing on large inward investment 109 In 2021 Slovakia was ranked by the International Monetary Fund as the 45th richest country in the world out of 226 countries and territories with purchasing power parity per capita GDP of 34 815 The country used to be dubbed the Tatra Tiger Slovakia successfully transformed from a centrally planned economy to a market driven economy Major privatisations are completed the banking sector is almost completely in private hands and foreign investment has risen Slovakia is part of the Schengen Area the EU single market and since 2009 the Eurozone dark blue As of 2021 with population only 5 million Slovakia is the 61st largest economy in the world out of 216 countries and territories The Slovak economy is one of the fastest growing economies in Europe and 3rd fastest in eurozone 2017 In 2007 2008 and 2010 with GDP growth of 10 5 6 and 4 retrospectively In 2016 more than 86 of Slovak exports went to the European Union and more than 50 of Slovak imports came from other European Union member states 110 The ratio of government debt to GDP in Slovakia reached 49 4 by the end of 2018 far below the OECD average 111 Unemployment peaking at 19 at the end of 1999 decreased to 4 9 in 2019 lowest recorded rate in Slovak history 112 Slovakia adopted the Euro currency on 1 January 2009 as the 16th member of the Eurozone The euro in Slovakia was approved by the European commission on 7 May 2008 The Slovak koruna was revalued on 28 May 2008 to 30 126 for 1 euro 113 which was also the exchange rate for the euro 114 High rise buildings in Bratislava s business districts The Slovak government encourages foreign investment since it is one of the driving forces of the economy Slovakia is an attractive country for foreign investors mainly because of its low wages low tax rates well educated labour force favourable geographic location in the heart of Central Europe strong political stability and good international relations reinforced by the country s accession to the European Union Some regions mostly at the east of Slovakia have failed to attract major investment which has aggravated regional disparities in many economic and social areas Foreign direct investment inflow grew more than 600 from 2000 and cumulatively reached an all time high of 17 3 billion in 2006 or around 22 000 per capita by the end of 2008 Slovakia ranks 45th out of 190 economies in terms of ease of doing business according to the 2020 World Bank Doing Business Report and 57th out of the 63 countries and territories in terms of competitive economy according to the 2020 World Competitiveness Yearbook Report Industry Edit See also Automotive industry in Slovakia Although Slovakia s GDP comes mainly from the tertiary services sector the industrial sector also plays an important role within its economy The main industry sectors are car manufacturing and electrical engineering Since 2007 Slovakia has been the world s largest producer of cars per capita 115 with a total of 1 090 000 cars manufactured in the country in 2018 alone 116 275 000 people are employed directly and indirectly by the automotive industry 117 There are currently four automobile assembly plants and fifth under construction Volkswagen s in Bratislava models Volkswagen Up Volkswagen Touareg Audi Q7 Audi Q8 Porsche Cayenne Lamborghini Urus PSA Peugeot Citroen s in Trnava models Peugeot 208 Citroen C3 Picasso Kia Motors Zilina Plant models Kia Cee d Kia Sportage Kia Venga and Jaguar Land Rover s in Nitra model Land Rover Discovery Volvo will build electric cars at a new plant in Slovakia construction is scheduled to begin in 2023 with series production starting in 2026 118 Hyundai Mobis in Zilina is the largest suppliers for the automotive industry in Slovakia 119 From electrical engineering companies Foxconn has a factory at Nitra for LCD TV manufacturing Samsung at Galanta for computer monitors and television sets manufacturing Slovnaft based in Bratislava with 4 000 employees is an oil refinery with a processing capacity of 5 5 6 million tonnes of crude oil annually Steel producer U S Steel in Kosice is the largest employer in the east of Slovakia with 12 000 employees A proportional representation of Slovakia s exports 2019 ESET is an IT security company from Bratislava with more than 1 000 120 employees worldwide at present Their branch offices are in the United States Ireland United Kingdom Argentina the Czech Republic Singapore and Poland 121 In recent years service and high tech oriented businesses have prospered in Bratislava Many global companies including IBM Dell Lenovo AT amp T SAP and Accenture have built outsourcing and service centres here 122 Reasons for the influx of multi national corporations include proximity to Western Europe skilled labour force and the high density of universities and research facilities 123 Other large companies and employers with headquarters in Bratislava include Amazon Slovak Telekom Orange Slovensko Slovenska sporiteľna Tatra banka Doprastav Hewlett Packard Slovakia Henkel Slovensko Slovensky plynarensky priemysel Microsoft Slovakia Mondelez Slovakia Whirlpool Slovakia and Zurich Insurance Group Slovakia Bratislava s geographical position in Central Europe has long made Bratislava a crossroads for international trade traffic 124 125 Various ancient trade routes such as the Amber Road and the Danube waterway have crossed territory of present day Bratislava Today Bratislava is a road railway waterway and airway hub 126 Energy Edit Nuclear Power Plant Mochovce In 2012 Slovakia produced a total of 28 393 GWh of electricity while at the same time consumed 28 786 GWh The slightly higher level of consumption than the capacity of production 393 GWh meant the country was not self sufficient in energy sourcing Slovakia imported electricity mainly from the Czech Republic 9 961 GWh 73 6 of total import and exported mainly to Hungary 10 231 GWh 78 2 of total export Nuclear energy accounts for 53 8 of total electricity production in Slovakia followed by 18 1 of thermal power energy 15 1 by hydro power energy 2 by solar energy 9 6 by other sources and the rest 1 4 is imported 127 The two nuclear power plants in Slovakia are in Jaslovske Bohunice and Mochovce each of them containing two operating reactors Before the accession of Slovakia to the EU in 2004 the government agreed to turn off the V1 block of Jaslovske Bohunice power plant built in 1978 After deactivating the last of the two reactors of the V1 block in 2008 Slovakia stopped being self dependent in energy production citation needed Currently there is another block V2 with two active reactors in Jaslovske Bohunice It is scheduled for decommissioning in 2025 Two new reactors are under construction in Mochovce plant The nuclear power production in Slovakia occasionally draws the attention of Austrian green energy activists who organise protests and block the borders between the two countries citation needed Transportation Edit Main article Transport in Slovakia A train in the northern town of Vysoke Tatry D1 motorway There are four main highways D1 to D4 and eight expressways R1 to R8 Many of them are still under construction The D1 motorway connects Bratislava to Trnava Nitra Trencin Zilina and beyond while the D2 motorway connects it to Prague Brno and Budapest in the north south direction A large part of D4 motorway an outer bypass which should ease the pressure on Bratislava s highway system is scheduled to open in 2020 128 The A6 motorway to Vienna connects Slovakia directly to the Austrian motorway system and was opened on 19 November 2007 129 Slovakia has three international airports Bratislava s M R Stefanik Airport is the main and largest international airport It is located nine kilometres 5 1 2 miles northeast of the city centre It serves civil and governmental scheduled and unscheduled domestic and international flights The current runways support the landing of all common types of aircraft currently used The airport has enjoyed rapidly growing passenger traffic in recent years it served 279 028 passengers in 2000 and 2 292 712 in 2018 130 Kosice International Airport is an airport serving Kosice It is the second largest international airport in Slovakia The Poprad Tatry Airport is the third busiest airport the airport is located 5 km west northwest of ski resort town Poprad It is an airport with one of the highest elevations in Central Europe at 718 m which is 150 m higher than Innsbruck Airport in Austria Railways of Slovak Republic provides railway transport services on national and international lines The Port of Bratislava is one of the two international river ports in Slovakia The port connects Bratislava to international boat traffic especially the interconnection from the North Sea to the Black Sea via the Rhine Main Danube Canal Additionally tourist boats operate from Bratislava s passenger port including routes to Devin Vienna and elsewhere The Port of Komarno is the second largest port in Slovakia with an area of over 20 hectares and is located approximately 100 km east of Bratislava It lies at the confluence of two rivers the Danube and Vah Tourism Edit Main article Tourism in Slovakia See also List of castles in Slovakia and List of World Heritage Sites in Slovakia Bojnice Castle Slovakia features natural landscapes mountains caves medieval castles and towns folk architecture spas and ski resorts More than 5 4 million tourists visited Slovakia in 2017 The most attractive destinations are the capital of Bratislava and the High Tatras 131 Most visitors come from the Czech Republic about 26 Poland 15 and Germany 11 132 Slovakia contains many castles most of which are in ruins The best known castles include Bojnice Castle often used as a filming location Spis Castle on the UNESCO list Orava Castle Bratislava Castle and the ruins of Devin Castle Cachtice Castle was once the home of the world s most prolific female serial killer the Bloody Lady Elizabeth Bathory The centre of Bardejov a UNESCO World Heritage Site Slovakia s position in Europe and the country s past part of the Kingdom of Hungary the Habsburg monarchy and Czechoslovakia made many cities and towns similar to the cities in the Czech Republic such as Prague Austria such as Salzburg or Hungary such as Budapest A historical centre with at least one square has been preserved in many towns Large historical centres can be found in Bratislava Trencin Kosice Banska Stiavnica Levoca and Trnava Historical centres have been going through a restoration in recent years Historical churches can be found in virtually every village and town in Slovakia Most of them are built in the Baroque style but there are also many examples of Romanesque and Gothic architecture for example Banska Bystrica Bardejov and Spisska Kapitula The Basilica of St James in Levoca with the tallest wood carved altar in the world and the Church of the Holy Spirit in Zehra with medieval frescos are UNESCO World Heritage Sites The St Martin s Concathedral in Bratislava served as the coronation church for the Kingdom of Hungary The oldest sacral buildings in Slovakia stem from the Great Moravian period in the ninth century Cable cars at Jasna in the Tatra Mountains Very precious structures are the complete wooden churches of northern and northern eastern Slovakia Most were built from the 15th century onwards by Catholics Lutherans and members of eastern rite churches Tourism is one of the main sectors of the Slovakia s economy although still underserved It is based on domestic tourism as most of the tourists are the Slovak nationals and residents travelling for leisure within the country Bratislava and the High and Low Tatras are the busiest tourist stops Other popular tourist destinations are the cities and towns of Kosice Banska Stiavnica or Bardejov and numerous national parks such as Pieniny National Park Mala and Veľka Fatra National Parks Poloniny National Park or Slovak Paradise National Park among others Spis Castle There are many castles located throughout the country Among the tourists some of the most popular are Bojnice Castle Spis Castle Stara Ľubovna Castle Krasna Horka Castle Orava Castle where many scenes of Nosferatu were filmed Trencin Castle and Bratislava Castle and also castles in ruins such as Beckov Castle Devin Castle Saris Castle Povazie Castle and Strecno Castle where Dragonheart was filmed Caves open to the public are mainly located in Northern Slovakia Driny is the only cave located in Western Slovakia that is open to the public Dobsina Ice Cave Demanovska Ice Cave Demanovska Cave of Liberty Belianska Cave or Domica Cave are among the most popular tourist stops Ochtinska Aragonite Cave located in Central Slovakia is one of only three aragonite caves in the world There are thousands of caves located in Slovakia thirteen of which are open to the public Slovakia is also known for its numerous spas Piestany is the biggest and busiest spa town in the country attracting many visitors from the Gulf countries mostly the United Arab Emirates Qatar Kuwait and Bahrain Bardejov Trencianske Teplice Turcianske Teplice and Rajecke Teplice are other major spa towns Some well known minor spa towns and villages are Stos Ciz Dudince Kovacova Nimnica Smrdaky Lucky and Vysne Ruzbachy among others Typical souvenirs from Slovakia are dolls dressed in folk costumes ceramic objects crystal glass carved wooden figures crpaks wooden pitchers fujaras a folk instrument on the UNESCO list and valaskas a decorated folk hatchet and above all products made from corn husks and wire notably human figures Souvenirs can be bought in the shops run by the state organisation UĽUV Ustredie ľudovej umeleckej vyroby Centre of Folk Art Production Dielo shop chain sells works of Slovak artists and craftsmen These shops are mostly found in towns and cities Prices of imported products are generally the same as in the neighbouring countries whereas prices of local products and services especially food are usually lower Science Edit The Slovak Academy of Sciences has been the most important scientific and research institution in the country since 1953 Slovaks have made notable scientific and technical contributions during history Slovakia is currently in the negotiation process of becoming a member of the European Space Agency Observer status was granted in 2010 when Slovakia signed the General Agreement on Cooperation 133 in which information about ongoing education programmes was shared and Slovakia was invited to various negotiations of the ESA In 2015 Slovakia signed the European Cooperating State Agreement based on which Slovakia committed to the finance entrance programme named PECS Plan for the European Cooperating States which serves as preparation for full membership Slovak research and development organisations can apply for funding of projects regarding space technologies advancement Full membership of Slovakia in the ESA is expected in 2020 after signing the ESA Convention Slovakia will be obliged to set state budget inclusive ESA funding Slovakia was ranked 33rd in the Global Innovation Index in 2021 134 Demographics EditMain article Demographics of Slovakia Further information List of Slovaks Largest cities or towns in Slovakia Statisticky urad Slovenskej republiky 31 December 2020Rank Name Region Pop Rank Name Region Pop Bratislava Kosice 1 Bratislava Bratislava 475 503 11 Prievidza Trencin 45 017 Presov Zilina2 Kosice Kosice 229 040 12 Zvolen Banska Bystrica 40 6373 Presov Presov 84 824 13 Povazska Bystrica Trencin 38 6414 Zilina Zilina 82 656 14 Nove Zamky Nitra 37 7915 Nitra Nitra 78 489 15 Michalovce Kosice 36 7046 Banska Bystrica Banska Bystrica 76 018 16 Spisska Nova Ves Kosice 35 4317 Trnava Trnava 63 803 17 Komarno Nitra 32 9678 Trencin Trencin 54 740 18 Levice Nitra 31 9749 Martin Zilina 52 520 19 Humenne Presov 31 35910 Poprad Presov 49 855 20 Bardejov Presov 30 840 Population density in Slovakia The two biggest cities are clearly visible Bratislava in the far west and Kosice in the east The population is over 5 4 million and consists mostly of Slovaks The average population density is 110 inhabitants per km2 135 According to the 2021 census the majority of the inhabitants of Slovakia are Slovaks 83 82 Hungarians are the largest ethnic minority 7 75 Other ethnic groups include Roma 1 23 136 Czechs 0 53 Rusyns 0 44 and others or unspecified 6 1 137 In 2018 the median age of the Slovak population was 41 years 138 The largest waves of Slovak emigration occurred in the 19th and early 20th centuries In the 1990 US census 1 8 million people self identified as having Slovak ancestry 139 needs update Languages Edit Main article Slovak language See also History of the Slovak language The Slovak alphabet has 46 characters of which 3 are digraphs and 18 contain diacritics The official language is Slovak a member of the Slavic language family Hungarian is widely spoken in the southern regions and Rusyn is used in some parts of the Northeast Minority languages hold co official status in the municipalities in which the size of the minority population meets the legal threshold of 15 in two consecutive censuses 140 Slovakia is ranked among the top EU countries regarding the knowledge of foreign languages In 2007 68 of the population aged from 25 to 64 years claimed to speak two or more foreign languages finishing second highest in the European Union The best known foreign language in Slovakia is Czech Eurostat report also shows that 98 3 of Slovak students in the upper secondary education take on two foreign languages ranking highly over the average 60 1 in the European Union 141 According to a Eurobarometer survey from 2012 26 of the population have knowledge of English at a conversational level followed by German 22 and Russian 17 142 The deaf community uses the Slovak Sign Language Even though spoken Czech and Slovak are similar the Slovak Sign language is not particularly close to Czech Sign Language citation needed Religion Edit Main article Religion in Slovakia Basilica of St James in Levoca St Elisabeth Cathedral in Kosice is Slovakia s largest church The Slovak constitution guarantees freedom of religion In 2021 55 8 of population identified themselves as Roman Catholics 5 3 as Lutherans 1 6 as Calvinists 4 as Greek Catholics 0 9 as Orthodox 23 8 identified themselves as atheists or non religious and 6 5 did not answer the question about their belief 143 In 2004 about one third of the church members regularly attended church services 144 The Slovak Greek Catholic Church is an Eastern rite sui iuris Catholic Church Before World War II an estimated 90 000 Jews lived in Slovakia 1 6 of the population but most were murdered during the Holocaust After further reductions due to postwar emigration and assimilation only about 2 300 Jews remain today 0 04 of the population 145 There are 18 state registered religions in Slovakia of which 16 are Christian one is Jewish and one is the Bahaʼi Faith 146 In 2016 a two thirds majority of the Slovak parliament passed a new bill that would obstruct Islam and other religious organisations from becoming state recognised religions by doubling the minimum followers threshold from 25 000 to 50 000 however Slovakia s then president Andrej Kiska vetoed the bill 146 In 2010 there were an estimated 5 000 Muslims in Slovakia representing less than 0 1 of the country s population 147 Slovakia is the only member state of the European Union to not have any mosques 148 Education Edit Main article Education in Slovakia Comenius University headquarters in Bratislava The Programme for International Student Assessment coordinated by the OECD currently ranks Slovak secondary education the 30th in the world placing it just below the United States and just above Spain 149 Education in Slovakia is compulsory from age 6 to 16 The education system consists of elementary school which is divided into two parts the first grade age 6 10 and the second grade age 10 15 which is finished by taking nationwide testing called Monitor in Slovak and math Parents may apply for social assistance for a child that is studying on an elementary school or a high school If approved the state provides basic study necessities for the child Schools provide books to all their students with usual exceptions of books for studying a foreign language and books which require taking notes in them which are mostly present in the first grade of elementary school After finishing elementary school students are obliged to take one year in high school After finishing high school students can go to university and are highly encouraged to do so Slovakia has a wide range of universities The biggest university is Comenius University established in 1919 Although it s not the first university ever established on Slovak territory it s the oldest university that is still running Most universities in Slovakia are public funded where anyone can apply Every citizen has a right to free education in public schools Slovakia has several privately funded universities however public universities consistently score better in the ranking than their private counterparts Universities have different criteria for accepting students Anyone can apply to any number of universities Culture EditMain article Culture of Slovakia Folk tradition Edit See also Music of Slovakia and Architecture of Slovakia Wooden folk architecture can be seen in the well preserved village of Vlkolinec a UNESCO World Heritage Site Folk tradition has rooted strongly in Slovakia and is reflected in literature music dance and architecture The prime example is the Slovak national anthem Nad Tatrou sa blyska which is based on a melody from the Kopala studienku folk song The manifestation of Slovak folklore culture is the Vychodna Folklore Festival It is the oldest and largest nationwide festival with international participation 150 which takes place in Vychodna annually Slovakia is usually represented by many groups but mainly by SĽUK Slovensky ľudovy umelecky kolektiv Slovak folk art collective SĽUK is the largest Slovak folk art group trying to preserve the folklore tradition An example of wooden folk architecture in Slovakia can be seen in the well preserved village of Vlkolinec which has been the UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1993 151 The Presov Region preserves the world s most remarkable folk wooden churches Most of them are protected by Slovak law as cultural heritage but some of them are on the UNESCO list too in Bodruzal Hervartov Ladomirova and Ruska Bystra Slovaks wearing folk costumes from Eastern Slovakia The best known Slovak hero found in many folk mythologies is Juraj Janosik 1688 1713 the Slovak equivalent of Robin Hood The legend says he was taking from the rich and giving to the poor Janosik s life was depicted in a list of literary works and many movies throughout the 20th century One of the most popular is a film Janosik directed by Martin Fric in 1935 152 Art Edit Main altar in the Basilica of St James crafted by Master Paul of Levoca 1517 It is the tallest wooden altar in the world Visual art in Slovakia is represented through painting drawing printmaking illustration arts and crafts sculpture photography or conceptual art The Slovak National Gallery founded in 1948 is the biggest network of galleries in Slovakia Two displays in Bratislava are situated in Esterhazy Palace Esterhazyho palac and the Water Barracks Vodne kasarne adjacent one to another They are located on the Danube riverfront in the Old Town 153 154 The Bratislava City Gallery founded in 1961 is the second biggest Slovak gallery of its kind It stores about 35 000 pieces of Slovak international art and offers permanent displays in Palffy Palace and Mirbach Palace located in the Old Town Danubiana Art Museum one of the youngest art museums in Europe is situated near Cunovo waterworks part of Gabcikovo Waterworks Other major galleries include Andy Warhol Museum of Modern Art Warhol s parents were from Mikova East Slovak Gallery Ernest Zmetak Art Gallery Zvolen Castle Literature Edit Further information Slovak literature See also List of Slovak authors Ľudovit Stur the creator of standard Slovak Christian topics include poem Proglas as a foreword to the four Gospels partial translations of the Bible into Old Church Slavonic Zakon sudnyj ljudem Medieval literature in the period from the 11th to the 15th centuries was written in Latin Czech and Slovakised Czech Lyric prayers songs and formulas was still controlled by the Church while epic was concentrated on legends Authors from this period include Johannes de Thurocz author of the Chronica Hungarorum and Maurus both of them Hungarians 155 The worldly literature also emerged and chronicles were written in this period Two leading persons codified Slovak The first was Anton Bernolak whose concept was based on the western Slovak dialect in 1787 It was the codification of the first ever literary language of Slovaks The second was Ľudovit Stur whose formation of the Slovak took principles from the central Slovak dialect in 1843 Slovakia is also known for its polyhistors of whom include Pavol Jozef Safarik Matej Bel Jan Kollar and its political revolutionaries and reformists such Milan Rastislav Stefanik and Alexander Dubcek Cuisine Edit Main article Slovak cuisine See also Slovak wine and Beer in Slovakia Halusky with bryndza cheese kapustnica soup and Zlaty Bazant dark beer examples of Slovak cuisine Traditional Slovak cuisine is based mainly on pork poultry chicken is the most widely eaten followed by duck goose and turkey flour potatoes cabbage and milk products It is relatively closely related to Hungarian Czech Polish and Austrian cuisine On the east it is also influenced by Ukrainian including Lemko and Rusyn In comparison with other European countries game meat is more accessible in Slovakia due to vast resources of forest and because hunting is relatively popular 156 Boar rabbit and venison are generally available throughout the year Lamb and goat are eaten but are not widely popular citation needed The traditional Slovak meals are bryndzove halusky bryndzove pirohy and other meals with potato dough and bryndza Bryndza is a salty cheese made of sheep milk characterised by a strong taste and aroma Bryndzove halusky especially is considered a national dish and is very commonly found on the menu of traditional Slovak restaurants A typical soup is a sauerkraut soup kapustnica A blood sausage called krvavnica made from any parts of a butchered pig is also a specific Slovak meal Wine is enjoyed throughout Slovakia Slovak wine comes predominantly from the southern areas along the Danube and its tributaries the northern half of the country is too cold and mountainous to grow grapevines Traditionally white wine was more popular than red or rose except in some regions and sweet wine more popular than dry but in recent years tastes seem to be changing 157 Beer mainly of the pilsener style though dark lagers are also consumed is also popular Sport Edit Main article Sport in Slovakia Sporting activities are practised widely in Slovakia many of them on a professional level Ice hockey and football have traditionally been regarded as the most popular sports in Slovakia though tennis handball basketball volleyball whitewater slalom cycling alpine skiing biathlon and athletics are also popular citation needed The Slovak national ice hockey team celebrating a victory against Sweden at the 2010 Winter Olympics One of the most popular team sports in Slovakia is ice hockey Slovakia became a member of the IIHF on 2 February 1993 158 and since then has won 4 medals in Ice Hockey World Championships consisting of 1 gold 2 silver and 1 bronze The most recent success was a silver medal at the 2012 IIHF World Championship in Helsinki The Slovak national hockey team made eight appearances in the Olympic games finishing fourth in the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver and third with bronze medal at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing The country has 8 280 registered players and is ranked seventh in the IIHF World Ranking at present The Slovak hockey teams HC Slovan Bratislava and HC Lev Poprad participated in the Kontinental Hockey League 159 Slovakia hosted the 2011 IIHF World Championship where Finland won the gold medal and 2019 IIHF World Championship where Finland also won the gold medal Both competitions took place in Bratislava and Kosice citation needed Football stadium Tehelne pole in Bratislava Football is the most popular sport in Slovakia Football is the most popular sport in Slovakia with over 400 000 registered players Since 1993 the Slovak national football team has qualified for the FIFA World Cup once in 2010 They progressed to the last 16 where they were defeated by the Netherlands The most notable result was the 3 2 victory over Italy In 2016 the Slovak national football team qualified for the UEFA Euro 2016 tournament under head coach Jan Kozak This helped the team reach its best ever position of 14th in the FIFA World Rankings citation needed In club competitions only three teams have qualified for the UEFA Champions League Group Stage namely MFK Kosice in 1997 98 FC Artmedia Bratislava in 2005 06 season and MSK Zilina in 2010 11 FC Artmedia Bratislava has been the most successful team finishing third at the Group Stage of the UEFA Cup therefore qualifying for the knockout stage They remain the only Slovak club that has won a match at the group stage citation needed See also Edit Slovakia portalOutline of SlovakiaReferences Edit SODB2021 Population Basic results SODB2021 K rimskokatolickemu vyznaniu sa prihlasilo 56 obyvateľov Surface water and surface water change Organisation for Economic Co operation and Development OECD Retrieved 11 October 2020 Slovakia Population 2022 Live World Population Review Retrieved 11 July 2022 a b c d World Economic Outlook Database April 2021 IMF org International Monetary Fund Retrieved 4 March 2022 Gini coefficient of equivalised disposable income EU SILC survey ec europa eu 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science scale at OECD PDF Retrieved 16 October 2010 centrum Narodne osvetove Folklorny festival Vychodna Folklorny festival Vychodna Centre UNESCO World Heritage Vlkolinec UNESCO World Heritage Centre Janosik movie on Czechoslovak Film Database 1935 Slovak National Gallery SNG Bratislava Muzeum sk n d Archived from the original on 2 March 2021 Retrieved 17 May 2007 About SNG SNG Sng sk Archived from the original on 11 March 2012 Retrieved 25 November 2012 Lawrence Barnett Phillips 1871 The dictionary of biographical reference containing one hundred thousand names together with a classed index of the biographical literature of Europe and America S Low Son amp Marston p 1020 United Nations Economic Commission for Europe Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations 2000 Forest resources of Europe CIS North America Australia Japan and New Zealand industrialised temperate boreal countries UN ECE FAO contribution to the Global Forest Resources Assessment 2000 United Nations pp 347 ISBN 978 92 1 116735 1 In some countries the commercial sale of game meat is an important economic activity including the export of game meat value in the Netherlands and as the value of export domestic consumption and industrial processing in Slovakia Slovak Cuisine Slovakiasite com Retrieved 16 October 2010 Slovakia Iihf com 2 February 1993 Retrieved 25 November 2012 World of difference for KHL iihf com 7 May 2012 Archived from the original on 23 January 2013 Bibliography EditJulius Bartl et al Slovak History Chronology amp Lexicon Wauconda IL Bolchazy Carducci Publishers 2002 Olga Drobna Eduard Drobny and Magdalena Gocnikova Slovakia The Heart of Europe Wauconda IL Bolchazy Carducci Publishers 1996 Pavel Dvorak The Early History of Slovakia in Images Budmerice Slovakia Vydavatel stvo Rak Budmerice 2006 Sharon Fisher Political Change in Post Communist Slovakia and Croatia From Nationalist to Europeanist New York Palgrave Macmillan 2006 Karen Henderson Slovakia The Escape from Invisibility London Routledge 2002 Rob Humphrey The Rough Guide to the Czech and Slovak Republics New York Rough Guides 2006 Michael Jacobs Blue Guide Czech and Slovak Republics London A amp C Black 1999 Owen V Johnson Slovakia 1918 1938 Education and the Making of a Nation Boulder CO East European Monographs 1985 Lil Junas My Slovakia An American s View Martin Slovakia Vydavatelstvo Matice slovenskej 2001 Stanislav Kirschbaum A History of Slovakia The Struggle for Survival New York St Martin s Press 1995 Eugen Lazistan Fedor Mikovic Ivan Kucma and Anna Jureckova Slovakia A Photographic Odyssey Wauconda IL Bolchazy Carducci Publishers 2001 Elena Mannova A Concise History of Slovakia Bratislava Historicky ustav SAV 2000 Anton Spiesz and Dusan Caplovic Illustrated Slovak History A Struggle for Sovereignty in Central Europe Wauconda IL Bolchazy Carducci Publishers 2001 External links EditSlovakia at Wikipedia s sister projects Media from Commons News from Wikinews Travel information from Wikivoyage GovernmentGovernment Office of the Slovak Republic President of the Slovak Republic Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic Statistical Office of the Slovak RepublicTourism and living informationOfficial Slovak National Tourism Portal Railways of Slovak Republic Slovakia at Lonely Planet Slovakia at TripadvisorGeneral InformationSlovakia The World Factbook Central Intelligence Agency Slovakia profile from the BBC News Key Development Forecasts for the Slovak Republic from International Futures Coordinates 48 40 N 19 30 E 48 667 N 19 500 E 48 667 19 500 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Slovakia amp oldid 1131987221, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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