Slovakia
Official Country Name
Slovak Republic
Slovakia Overview
The dissolution of the Austro-Hungarian Empire at the close of World War I allowed the Slovaks to join the closely related Czechs to form Czechoslovakia. Following the chaos of World War II, Czechoslovakia became a Communist nation within Soviet-ruled Eastern Europe. Soviet influence collapsed in 1989 and Czechoslovakia once more became free. The Slovaks and the Czechs agreed to separate peacefully on 1 January 1993. Slovakia joined both NATO and the EU in the spring of 2004.
Slovakia Economy
Slovakia has mastered much of the difficult transition from a centrally planned economy to a modern market economy. The DZURINDA government made excellent progress during 2001-04 in macroeconomic stabilization and structural reform. Major privatizations are nearly complete, the banking sector is almost completely in foreign hands, and the government has helped facilitate a foreign investment boom with business-friendly policies, such as labor market liberalization and a 19% flat tax. Foreign investment in the automotive sector has been strong. Slovakia's economic growth exceeded expectations in 2001-06, despite the general European slowdown. Unemployment, at an unacceptable 18% in 2003-04, dropped to 10.2% in 2006, but remains the economy's Achilles heel. Slovakia joined the EU on 1 May 2004.
Slovakia Location
Slovakia is located in Central Europe, south of Poland
Region
Slovakia is located in Europe
Slovakia Population
Slovakia has population of 5,439,448 (July 2006 est.)
Slovakia Climate
Slovakia has temperate; cool summers; cold, cloudy, humid winters
Slovakia Terrain
rugged mountains in the central and northern part and lowlands in the south
Slovakia Natural Resources
brown coal and lignite; small amounts of iron ore, copper and manganese ore; salt; arable land
Ethnic Groups in Slovakia
Slovakia has the following ethnic groups - Slovak 85.8%, Hungarian 9.7%, Roma 1.7%, Ruthenian/Ukrainian 1%, other and unspecified 1.8% (2001 census)
Slovakia Religions
Roman Catholic 68.9%, Protestant 10.8%, Greek Catholic 4.1%, other or unspecified 3.2%, none 13% (2001 census)
Slovakia Languages
Slovak (official) 83.9%, Hungarian 10.7%, Roma 1.8%, Ukrainian 1%, other or unspecified 2.6% (2001 census)
Slovakia Capital
Slovakia capital is Bratislava
Slovakia Currency
Slovakia currency is Slovak koruna
Map of Slovakia
