SLOVENIA

Slovenia is one of the youngest European countries, becoming an independent state in 1991, after the collapse of the Yugoslav federation. Soon after it became the 176th member of the United Nations and an associate member of the European Union. Today, agricultural industries are a significant economic factor, and its large freight port in Koper (on the Adriatic Sea) is an important gateway into Central Europe.

Location

Central Europe, eastern Alps bordering the Adriatic Sea, between Austria and Croatia.

Geography

Despite its small size, this eastern Alpine country controls some of Europe's major transit routes.

Capital

Ljubljana

Climate

Mediterranean climate on the coast, continental climate with mild to hot summers and cold winters in the plateaus and valleys to the east.

Language

Slovenian 91.1%, Serbo-Croatian 4.5%, other or unspecified 4.4%

Monetary Unit

Tolar (SIT)

Largest Cities

Ljubljana, Maribor, Celje, Kranj, Velenje, Koper, Novo Mesto, Ptuj, Trbovlje, Nova Gorica

Principal rivers

Sava, Drava

Airports

Cerklje Mil, Ljubljana, Maribor, Portoroz