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EUROPA > The EU at a glance > European countries > Member states of the EU > Slovenia
EU at a glance

 

SloveniaMember States of the EU

Slovenia

  • Year of EU entry: 2004
  • Political system: Republic
  • Capital city: Ljubljana
  • Total area: 20 273 km²
  • Population: 2 million
  • Currency: euro
  • Listen to the official EU language:
    Slovenian

Slovenia
Detailed map - click on the map Detailed map - click on the map
Previously one of Yugoslavia’s six constituent republics, present-day Slovenia became independent in 1991 as Yugoslavia fell apart. It is bordered by Italy, Austria, Hungary and Croatia.

Four major European geographic regions meet in Slovenia: the Alps, the Dinaric area, the Pannonian plain and the Mediterranean. The country is mountainous, and Slovenes are keen skiers and hikers. The national flag depicts the three-peaked Triglav, Slovenia’s highest mountain at 2 864 metres.

Skiing in the shadow of Mount TriglavThe country was once part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The capital, Ljubljana, was founded in Roman times. Its university, with more than 50 000 students, contributes to the city’s busy cultural life. The main industries are car parts, chemicals, electronics, electrical appliances, metal goods, textiles and furniture.

Tourist attractions include the famous caves at Postojna, with their decor of stalactites and stalagmites. Graffiti in the caves shows that the first tourists came here in 1213.

Slovenian cuisine is strongly influenced by that of its neighbours. From Austria comes Strudel and Wiener Schnitzel. Italy has contributed risotto and ravioli and Hungary goulash. The potica is a traditional Slovenian cake made by rolling up a layer of dough covered with walnuts.

Among the most famous Slovenes are the physicist Jožef Stefan, the linguist Franc Miklošič and the architect Jože Plečnik.

Useful links


 
  1. National public administration portal

    Slovenia.si is the gateway to information on Slovenia. It includes a section called “Slovenia in brief” that outlines the history, political system, economy and tourist attractions of Slovenia. Other sections include “Slovenian facts”, “Spotlight” and a calendar announcing the most important upcoming events in Slovenia.

  2. Introduction to the country

    The Slovenian Tourist Board’s online travel guide provides a wide range of information on Slovenia presented through factsheets. Special features are the multimedia section, with videos and pictures to browse through, and an interactive section with a forum, calendar of events and news database.

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