SLOVENIA AT A GLANCE
Where is it?
What's it like?
The Capital City
Population
Language
Safety
Health Care
Getting Here
Visas
Border Formalities
Driving in Slovenia
Accommodation
Prices and Currency
Food and Drink
Vegetarians
Drinking Water
Electricity
Guide Books
Upcoming Major Events
A Final Word
Surface area: 20,273 km2
Population: 1,982,603
Per capita GDP: USD 9,105 (2000)
Unemployment: 7.9% (1998), 7.5% (1999)
Inflation: 9.1% (1997), 7.9% (1998), 6.1% (1999)
Unit of currency: Slovenian tolar (SIT)
Capital city: Ljubljana (population 330,000)
Official language: Slovene
Extent of borders: with Austria, 333 km; with Italy, 232 km; with Hungary, 102 km; with Croatia, 670 km; total, 1334 km
Highest mountain: Triglav, 2864 m
Largest protected natural area: Triglav National Park (83,807 ha.)
Largest karst cave: Postojna Cave, 19.5 km
Largest lake: Cerknica (periodic) 26 km2
Longest river: Sava, 221 km
Highest waterfall: Čedca, 130 m
Where is it?
Slovenia is located in Central Europe. Half the size of Switzerland (20,273 square kilometers), and with a population of around 2 million, Slovenia shares borders with Austria, Hungary, Croatia and Italy. Its coastline is just 46 km (28 miles) long.
What's it like?
Small countries can be full of big surprises, and Slovenia is no exception. Its tiny seacoast has quite a Mediterranean feel to it; the leading beach resorts here are Portorož and Piran. Further inland there are long valleys and the world's original Karst region, with many underground caves, including the Škocjan Caves and the largest underground cave network in Europe - the Postojna Caves.
Slovenia has more than 1,120 miles of marked mountain trails, including those in the famous Julian Alps and Triglav National Park. The Park's highlights include the popular Alpine tourist resorts at Bled, Lake Bohinj, Bovec and Kranjska Gora. Slovenia offers abundant opportunities for skiing, rafting, water sports, golf and many other recreational activities.
There are also country farms and inns, the original Lipizzaner horses, and hundreds of castles - some of them now hotels (Otočec, Mokrice). "Health the natural way" is the collective motto of Slovenia's 16 health resorts, which offer their guests a wealth of nature's gifts, like thermal and mineral waters and microclimatic conditions, as well as a long healthcare tradition maintained by distinguished professionals.
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Logarska Valley is one of the most peaceful and greenest glacial valleys in all of Europe. (Igor Maher) |
Four major European geographical areas meet in Slovenia: the Alps, the Dinaric region, the Pannonian Plain, and the Mediterranean.
Highest peak: Mt. Triglav (2,864 m)
Lowest elevation: sea level
Average height above sea level: 556.8 m
Water: Slovenia is crossed by some 26,000 km of rivers and streams, and nearly 7,500 drinking water springs rise to its surface, including several hundred first-class therapeutic mineral springs.
Landscape
Forests: 10,124 km2 (Forest growth covers half of Slovenia's territory, ranking it third in Europe after Finland and Sweden)
Grasslands: 5,593 km2
Fields and Gardens: 2,471 km2
Orchards: 363 km2
Vineyards: 216 km2
Climate
Most of Slovenia enjoys a continental climate, with cold winters and warm summers. The average temperatures are -2°C in January and 21°C in July. Average rainfall is 1,000 mm on the coast, up to 3,500 mm in the Alps, 800 mm in the southeast and 1,400 mm in central Slovenia.
Biodiversity
Slovenia is home to over 3,000 plant species and more than 50,000 animal species. There are numerous endemic species, both plant and animal.
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Zois' Bellflower (Campanula zoysii), one of the 70 endemic plants, grows in the Julian and Kamnik Alps and in the Karavanke. (Ciril Mlinar) |
Protected natural areas make up approximately 8% of Slovenia's territory, the largest of these being Triglav National Park, with a surface area of 848 km2. Once planned protection measures are put into effect, Slovenia will become an equal partner in European and international systems of nature protection. The Škocjan Caves were included on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1986, while the soline (saltpans) in Sečovlje are part of the List of Wetlands of International Significance (Ramsar Convention on Wetlands).
The Capital City
Slovenia's capital city, Ljubljana, is a pleasant, medium-sized European town. Ljubljana is not only the focal point for Slovenian and foreign business activities, but also the country's leading center of culture. Ljubljana's prime geographical location makes it possible for motorists to visit the rest of Slovenia on easy day trips.
Population
Around 2 million people live in Slovenia, with 300,000 residing in the capital city, Ljubljana.
In terms of its ethnic make-up (1991 census figures), the population is dominated by ethnic Slovenes (87.84%), with Italians (0.16%) and Hungarians (0.43%) representing indigenous minority groups protected under the Constitution. Other ethnic groups (11.6%) include Croats, Serbs, Muslims, Yugoslavs, Macedonians, Montenegrins, Albanians and Roma.
Language
The country's official language is Slovene, which makes use of the Latin alphabet. In recent years, English has become the leading second language, and is a mandatory subject at all schools.
Other common second languages, especially among older Slovenes, include Italian or German.
Safety
Slovenia is a safe country. Even in Ljubljana, the country's capital city and its largest urban center, the streets are safe at night and the rate of street crime is low.
Important telephone numbers:
Police: 113
Fire: 112
Emergency first aid: 112
AMZS http://amzs.amis.net/ - Information for Motorists
Brnik Airport (serving Ljubljana): + 386 4 206 19 81
Ljubljana Railway Station: + 386 1 291 33 32
Health Care
The level of health care in Slovenia meets European standards.
Pharmacies are opened from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., and certain pharmacies are open at night in case of emergency.
Getting Here
Daily flights between Ljubljana and London, Paris, Vienna, Frankfurt, Zurich and Munich are the most frequently-used connections. Flights from the USA generally arrive via one of these cities. Aeroflot offers regular flights from Moscow.
Railways connect Slovenia with Germany, Austria, Italy, Hungary and Croatia, and buses travel to all of Slovenia's neighboring countries.
But the best way to get to know this country is by car. You can drive to Slovenia using major expressways from Italy, Austria, Hungary and Croatia, or rent a car once you arrive. Most worldwide car rental companies have representative offices in Slovenia.
Visas
No visa is required for those with passports from the USA, the EU (including GB), Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
Citizens of countries for which visas are required to enter Slovenia should seek information at: www.gov.si/mzz (useful facts + visa information), or inquire at the nearest embassy, consulate or other representative office of the Republic of Slovenia.
Border Formalities
Border formalities are minimal, and correspond to European norms.
Driving in Slovenia
Slovenia's highways are in good condition and clearly signposted. You will find rest stops, inns with overnight accommodation, and motels on all major roads.
Speed limits for automobiles:
urban areas 50 km/h
regional roads 90 km/h
main highways 100 km/h
expressways 130 km/h
Obtain a Green Card from your Insurance Agent.
Headlights must be switched on even during daylight hours.
Accommodation
Slovenia offers a wide range of hotels, including small, family-run bed-and-breakfasts, farmhouses with catering or self-catering options, Alpine-style lodges, and various forms of private accommodation, as well as luxury establishments like Villa Bled (a member of Relais et Chateaux). Other accommodation possibilities may be found in Slovenia's health spas, castles and manors.
Prices and Currency
The official currency here is the Slovenian tolar (SIT). Though fully convertible, tolars are usually only obtainable in Slovenia and its neighboring countries. However, all major currencies may be easily converted upon arrival at banks, hotels, exchange offices and so forth. Duty-free shops at airports and other locations accept most foreign currencies. Travelers' checks and Eurocheques may be cashed at most exchange offices, and major credit cards are widely accepted.
Food and Drink
The quality of food in Slovenia is excellent, with both Austrian and Italian influences prominent. The Slovenian pantry boasts wild mushrooms, plaited bakery, sauerkraut, sausage, stuffed dumplings called štruklji (made with cheese or meat), wild game, and a wide variety of vegetables, many of them organically-produced. The coast affords excellent seafood, including shellfish and the Adriatic Blue.
One recent eating trend in Slovenia is the "slow food movement". A typical "slow food" meal takes place in a restaurant or at a private home among a group of family members or close friends. There are usually eight or more courses, the emphasis being on local produce, old-style recipes and a relaxed pace, with a different wine to accompany each course. Slovenia's wines are of high quality, and have won many European awards. Many farms produce their own version of chardonnay. Many traditional Slovenian gostilne (country inns) have now been converted into upscale restaurants.
Mushrooms: http://www.matkurja.com/eng/country-info/food-drinks/mushrooms/ Wine: http://www.matkurja.com/projects/wine/ Some traditional Slovenian recipes: http://www.matkurja.com/eng/country-info/food-drinks/recipes/
Vegetarians
With the amount of fresh fruit and vegetables, wild mushrooms, dairy products and fresh pasta available here, vegetarians are sure to enjoy their time in Slovenia, too.
Drinking Water
Tap water is safe to drink throughout the country.
Electricity
The current is 220 V, 50 Hz AC.
Guide Books
Lonely Planet: Slovenia - most recent edition published September 1998
Slovenia - A Tourist Guide, published in April 1999 by Mladinska knjiga, Ljubljana
Ed Lenarčič - Slovenia
Upcoming Major Events
25 June 2001 - 10th Anniversary of Slovenia's Independence
20 - 22 June 2001 - Official visit by the President of the Republic of Ireland, Mary McAleese
25 June 2001 - Visit by the Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, Gerhard Schroeder
25 June 2001 - Visit by the Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Wim Kok
10 - 12 October 2001 - Official visit by Margrethe II, Queen of Denmark
A Final Word
Slovenia is a charming little country that offers lots of great holiday ideas, as well as a few surprises. Amazing contrasts can be experienced in one and the same day: a morning swim in the Adriatic and, just hours later, skiing beneath Alpine peaks; the adventurous discovery of the Karst underworld, followed by an invigorating bath in a thermal spring; an encounter with history in a lively medieval town and, just steps away, a solitary stroll through primeval forests or over rolling, vineyard-covered hills.
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Zelenci Marsh, an important habitat for highland marsh flora and fauna. (Bogdan Kladnik) |
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Bohinj, Vogel. The snow stays on Vogel (1,535m) till late spring. (Egon Kaše) |
Up-to-date official information and in-depth coverage on the Slovenian government and Slovenia in general
http://www.gov.si/vrs/ang/slovenia/slovenia.html
and
http://www.uvi.si/eng/slovenia/
109 different images of Slovenia
http://www.uvi.si/eng/service/audio-visual/slovenia-in-pictures/
Treasures of Slovenia
Slovenian Tourist Board
http://www.slovenia-tourism.si/
Welcome to Ljubljana
Living in Ljubljana
http://www.ljubljanalife.com