Slovakia
26830
225929386
2008-07-16T01:50:29Z
TheRedPenOfDoom
5745932
[[WP:UNDO|Undid]] revision 225929127 by [[Special:Contributions/TheRedPenOfDoom|TheRedPenOfDoom]] ([[User talk:TheRedPenOfDoom|talk]]) material is already in article
{{otheruses1|the European country}}
{{redirect|Slovensko|the whole Slovene-inhabited territories in Central Europe|Slovene Lands}}
{{Infobox Country
|native_name = ''Slovenská republika''
|conventional_long_name = Slovak Republic
|common_name = Slovakia
|image_flag = Flag of Slovakia.svg
|image_coat = Coat of Arms of Slovakia.svg
|image_map = EU_location_SVK.png
|map_caption = {{map_caption |region=on the [[Europe|European continent]] |subregion=the [[European Union]] |legend=European location legend en.png}}
|national_anthem = ''[[Nad Tatrou sa blýska]]''<small><br/>"Lightning over the Tatras"</small>
|motto = "Afferant Montes Pacem Populo"<small><br/>"May mountains bring people peace"</small>
|official_languages = [[Slovak language|Slovak]]
|capital = [[Bratislava]]
|latd=48 |latm=09 |latNS=N |longd=17 |longm=07 |longEW=E
|largest_city = capital
|government_type = [[Parliamentary republic]]
|leader_title1 = [[President of Slovakia|President]]
|leader_title2 = [[Prime Minister of Slovakia|Prime Minister]]
|leader_title3 = [[List of leaders of Slovak parliaments|President of National Council]]
|leader_name1 = [[Ivan Gašparovič]]
|leader_name2 = [[Robert Fico]]
|leader_name3 = [[Pavol Paška]]
|accessionEUdate = [[May 1]], 2004<ref name=cia/>
|area_rank = 130th
|area_magnitude = 1 E10
|area_km2 = 49,035 <!--http://www.statistics.sk/mosmis/eng/run.html-->
|area_sq_mi = 18,932
|percent_water = negligible
|population = 5,400,998 (31.12.2007)
|population_estimate_rank = 110th
|population_estimate_year = 2007
|population_census = 5,379,455
|population_census_year = 2001
|population_density_km2 = 111
|population_density_sq_mi = 287
|population_density_rank = 88th
|GDP_PPP = $109.587 billion <!--IMF-->
|GDP_PPP_rank = 59th
|GDP_PPP_year = 2007
|GDP_PPP_per_capita = $20,251
|GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = 41st
|GDP_nominal = $74.103 billion <!--2007 IMF data-->
|GDP_nominal_rank = 60th <!--2007 rank-->
|GDP_nominal_year = 2007 [[International Monetary Fund|IMF]]
|GDP_nominal_per_capita = $13,857 <!--2007 IMF data-->
|GDP_nominal_per_capita_rank = 44th <!--2007 rank-->|sovereignty_type = [[Independence]]
|sovereignty_note = Peaceful dissolution of [[Czechoslovakia]]
|established_event1 = Date
|established_date1 = [[January 1]] [[1993]]<sup>1</sup>
|HDI = {{increase}} 0.863
|HDI_rank = 42nd
|HDI_year = 2004
|HDI_category = <font color="#009900">high</font>
|currency = [[Slovak koruna]]<sup>2</sup> (1 koruna = 100 haliers)
|currency_code = SKK
|country_code =
|time_zone = [[Central European Time|CET]]
|utc_offset = +1
|time_zone_DST = [[CEST]]
|utc_offset_DST = +2
|demonym = [[Slovaks|Slovak]]
|cctld = [[.sk]]²
|calling_code = 421
|calling_code_note = ³
|footnotes = <sup>1</sup> [[Czechoslovakia]] split into the [[Czech Republic]] and Slovakia; see [[Velvet Divorce]].<br/><sup>2</sup>Slovakia will adopt the [[Euro]] as its currency on [[January 1]][[2009]] at a rate of €1 = 30.126SKK. <br/>² Also [[.eu]], shared with other [[European Union]] member states.<br/>³ Shared code 42 with [[Czech Republic]] until 1997.
}}
'''Slovakia''' (long form: '''Slovak Republic'''; [[Slovak language|Slovak]]: {{Audio|Slovensko.ogg|''Slovensko''}}, long form {{Audio|Slovenska republika.ogg|''Slovenská republika''}}) is a [[landlocked country]] in [[Central Europe]] with a population of over five million and an area of about 49,000 [[square kilometres]] (almost 19,000 [[square miles]]). The Slovak Republic borders the [[Czech Republic]] and [[Austria]] to the west, [[Poland]] to the north, [[Ukraine]] to the east and [[Hungary]] to the south. The largest city is its capital, [[Bratislava]]. Slovakia is a member state of the [[European Union]], [[NATO]], [[OECD]], [[WTO]], and other international organizations.
The Slavic people arrived in the territory of present day Slovakia between the 5th and 6th century [[AD]] during the [[Migration Period]] (Migration of Nations). Various parts of Slovakia belonged to [[Samo]]'s Empire, the first known political unit of Slavs, [[Great Moravia]], the [[Kingdom of Hungary]], [[Habsburg (Austrian) monarchy]], [[Austria-Hungary]], [[Czechoslovakia]] throughout history. Slovakia became independent on [[January 1]], [[1993]] with the peaceful division of Czechoslovakia in the [[Velvet Divorce]].
Slovakia is a [[high-income economy]]<ref>[http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/DATASTATISTICS/0,,contentMDK:20421402~pagePK:64133150~piPK:64133175~theSitePK:239419,00.html#High_income World Bank Country Classification], 2007</ref> with one of the fastest rates of growth in the [[EU]] and [[OECD]]. It joined the European Union in 2004 and will join the [[Eurozone]] on [[1 January]], [[2009]].
==History==
{{main|History of Slovakia}}
=== Before the 5th century ===
[[Image:Trencin-Roman2.JPG|thumb|left|A Roman inscription at the castle hill of [[Trenčín]] (178-179 AD).]]
From around 500 BC, the territory of modern-day Slovakia was settled by [[Celts]], who built powerful [[Enclosed oppidum|oppida]] on the sites of modern-day [[Bratislava]] and [[Havránok]]. [[Biatec]]s, silver coins with the names of Celtic Kings, represent the first known use of writing in Slovakia. From 2 [[Anno Domini|AD]], the expanding [[Roman Empire]] established and maintained a series of outposts around and just north of the [[Danube]], the largest of which were known as [[Carnuntum]] and [[Brigetio]]. Near the northernmost line of the Roman hinterlands, [[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 AD during the [[Marcomannic Wars]]. The Kingdom of [[Vannius]], a [[barbarian]] kingdom founded by the [[Germanic peoples|Germanic]] [[Suebian]] 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 BC to 179 AD.
=== Slavic states ===
The [[Slavic peoples|Slavic]] tribes settled in the territory of Slovakia in the 6th century. Western Slovakia was the centre of [[Samo]]'s Empire in the 7th century. A Slavic state, known as the [[Principality of Nitra]], arose in the 8th century and its ruler [[Pribina]] had the first known [[Christian]] [[church]] in Slovakia consecrated by 828. Together with neighboring [[Moravia]], the principality formed the core of the [[Great Moravia|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 Prince [[Rastislav]], and the territorial expansion under King [[Svatopluk I]].
=== Kingdom of Hungary ===
After the disintegration of the Great Moravian Empire in the early 10th century, the [[Hungarian people|Hungarians]] gradually annexed the territory of the present-day Slovakia. In the late 10th century, south-western Slovakia became part of the arising Hungarian principality, which transformed to the [[Kingdom of Hungary]] after 1000. Most of Slovakia was integrated into the Kingdom of Hungary by c. 1100, north-eastern parts by c. 1300. For almost two centuries, it was ruled autonomously as the [[Principality of Nitra]] within the Kingdom of Hungary. Slovak settlements extended to northern and south-eastern present-day Hungary. The ethnic composition became more diverse with the arrival of the [[Carpathian Germans]] in the 13th century, [[Vlachs]] in the 14th century and [[Jew]]s.
[[Image:SK BS Trinity Square.PNG|thumb|right|''Trojičné námestie'' in [[Banská Štiavnica]], [[World Heritage Site]].]]
A huge population loss resulted from the [[Mongol invasion of Europe|invasion of the Mongols]] in 1241 and the subsequent [[famine]]. However medieval Slovakia was characterized rather by burgeoning towns, construction of numerous stone castles, and the development of art.<ref name="tibensky">{{cite book| author=Tibenský, Ján et al.| title =Slovensko: Dejiny| publisher =Obzor| date =1971| location =Bratislava}}</ref> In 1465, King [[Matthias Corvinus]] founded the first university in Bratislava, but it was closed in 1490 after his death.<ref>{{cite web | publisher = City of Bratislava | url = http://www4.bratislava.sk/en/vismo5/dokumenty2.asp?u=700000&id_org=700000&id=2009414& | title = Academia Istropolitana | date = February 14, 2005 | accessmonthday = January 5 | accessyear = 2008}}</ref>
After the [[Ottoman Empire]] started its expansion into Hungary and the occupation of [[Buda]] in the early 16th century, the centre of the Kingdom of Hungary (under the name of [[Royal Hungary]]) shifted towards Pressburg (now Bratislava), which became the capital city of the [[Royal Hungary]] in 1536. But the [[Ottoman wars]] and frequent insurrections against the [[Habsburg Monarchy]] also inflicted a great deal of destruction, especially in rural areas. As the Turks withdrew from Hungary in the late 17th century, Slovakia's importance within the kingdom decreased, although Bratislava retained its position as the capital city of Hungary until 1848, when the capital moved to [[Budapest]].
During the [[Revolutions of 1848 in the Habsburg areas|revolution in 1848-49]] the Slovaks supported the [[Austrian Emperor]] with the ambition to secede from the Hungarian part of the Austrian monarchy, but they failed to achieve this aim. During the period of the [[Austro-Hungarian Empire]], from 1867 to 1918, the Slovaks experienced severe oppression in the form of [[Magyarization]], promoted by the Hungarian government.
=== Czechoslovakia and World War 2===
In 1918, Slovakia and the regions of [[Bohemia]] and [[Moravia]] formed a common state, [[Czechoslovakia]], with the borders confirmed by the [[Treaty of Saint Germain]] and [[Treaty of Trianon]]. In 1919, during the chaos following the breakup of Austria-Hungary, Slovakia was attacked by the provisional [[Hungarian Soviet Republic]] and one-third of Slovakia temporarily became the [[Slovak Soviet Republic]].
During the inter-war period, democratic and prosperous Czechoslovakia was under continuous pressure from the [[Revanchism|revisionist]] governments of Germany and Hungary, until it was finally broken up in 1939, as a result of the [[Munich Agreement]] concluded a year before. Southern Slovakia was lost to Hungary due to the [[First Vienna Award]].
Under pressure from [[Nazi Germany]], the [[First Slovak Republic]], led by the [[clerical fascism|clerical fascist]] leader [[Jozef Tiso]], declared its independence from Czechoslovakia in 1939. However, the government was strongly influenced by Germany and gradually became a [[puppet regime]]. An anti-Nazi resistance movement launched a fierce armed insurrection, known as the [[Slovak National Uprising]], in 1944. A bloody German occupation and a guerilla war followed. Most [[Jew]]s were deported from the country and taken to German concentration camps during [[the Holocaust]].
===Communist era===
After [[World War II]], Czechoslovakia was reconstituted and Jozef Tiso was hanged in 1947 for collaboration with the Nazis. More than [[Hungarians in Slovakia#Population exchanges|76,000 Hungarians]]<ref>[http://www.psa.ac.uk/journals/pdf/5/2003/Erika%20Harris.pdf Management of the Hungarian Issue in Slovak Politics]</ref> and 32,000 Germans<ref>[http://www.saske.sk/cas/4-98/olejnik.html German minority in Slovakia after 1918 (''Nemecká menšina na Slovensku po roku 1918'') (in Slovak)]</ref> were forced to leave Slovakia, in a series of [[Expulsion of Germans after World War II|population transfers]] initiated by the Allies at the [[Potsdam Conference]]. <ref name='rock'>{{cite book | last = Rock | first = David | authorlink = | coauthors = Stefan Wolff | title = Coming home to Germany? : the integration of ethnic Germans from central and eastern Europe in the Federal Republic | publisher = Berghahn |date=2002 | location = New York; Oxford | pages = | url = | doi = | id = | isbn = }}</ref> This expulsion is still a source of tension between Slovakia and Hungary.{{Fact|date=April 2008}}
Czechoslovakia came under the influence of the [[Soviet Union]] and its [[Warsaw Pact]] after a coup in 1948. The country was [[Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia (1968)|occupied]] by the Warsaw Pact forces in 1968, ending a [[Prague Spring|period of liberalization]] under the leadership of [[Alexander Dubček]]. In 1969, Czechoslovakia became a [[federation]] of the Czech Socialist Republic and the [[Slovak Socialist Republic]].
===Establishment of Slovakia===
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 state]]s. In 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 December 31, 1992. Slovakia and the Czech Republic went their separate ways after January 1, 1993, an event sometimes called the [[Dissolution of Czechoslovakia|Velvet Divorce]]. Slovakia has remained a close partner with the Czech Republic and other countries within the [[Visegrad Group]]. Slovakia became a member of [[NATO]] on March 29, 2004 and of the [[European Union]] on May 1, 2004 .
==Geography==
{{main|Geography of Slovakia}}
{{seealso|Geomorphological division of Slovakia}}
[[Image:Slovakia topo.jpg|250px|thumb|A [[topographical]] map of Slovakia.]]
[[Image:Krivanska mala fatra hreben.jpg|thumb|The main ridge of the Kriváň [[Lesser Fatra]].]]
The Slovak landscape is noted primarily for its mountainous nature, with the [[Carpathian Mountains]] extending across most of the northern half of the country. Amongst these mountain ranges are the high peaks of the [[Tatra mountains]].<ref name='cia'/> To the north, close to the Polish border, are the [[High Tatras]] which are a popular [[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 (peak)|Kriváň]].
Major Slovak rivers are the [[Danube]], the [[Váh]] and the [[Hron]].
The Slovak climate lies between the temperate and continental climate zones with relatively warm summers and cold, cloudy and humid winters. The area of Slovakia can be divided into three kinds of climatic zones and the first zone can be divided into two sub-zones.
===Climate of lowlands===
====Dominance of oceanic influences====
The average annual temperature is about 9–10°C (48–50°F). The average temperature of the hottest month is about 20°C (68°F) and the average temperature of the coldest month is greater than −3°C (26°F). This kind of climate occurs at [[Záhorská nížina]] and [[Podunajská nížina]]. It is the typical climate of the capital city Bratislava.<ref>[http://www.eurometeo.com/english/climate/city_LZIB/clima_select/meteo_Bratislava Bratislava at euroWEATHER]</ref>
====Climate of lowlands with dominance of continental influences====
The average annual temperature is about 8–9°C (46–48°F). The average temperature of the hottest month is about 19°C (66°F) and the average temperature of the coldest month is less than −3°C (26°F). This kind of climate can be found at [[Košická kotlina]] and [[Východoslovenská nížina]]. It is the typical climate of the city of Košice.<ref>[http://www.eurometeo.com/english/climate/city_LZKZ/clima_select/meteo_Kosice Košice at euroWEATHER]</ref>
===Climate of basins===
The average annual temperature is between 5°C and 8.5°C (41–47°F). The average temperature of the hottest month is between 15°C and 18.5°C (59–65°F) and the average temperature of the coldest month is between −3°C and −6°C (21–26°F). This climate can be found in almost all basins in Slovakia. For example [[Podtatranská kotlina]], [[Žilinská kotlina]], [[Turčianska kotlina]], [[Zvolenská kotlina]]. It is the typical climate for the towns of [[Poprad]]<ref>[http://www.eurometeo.com/english/climate/city_LZTT/clima_select/meteo_Poprad Poprad at euroWEATHER]</ref> and [[Sliač]].<ref>[http://www.eurometeo.com/english/climate/city_LZSL/clima_select/meteo_Sliac Sliač at euroWEATHER]</ref>
===Mountain climate===
The average annual temperature is less than 5°C (41°F). The average temperature of the hottest month is less than 15°C (59°F) and the average temperature of the coldest month is less than −5°C (23°F). This kind of climate occurs in mountains and in some villages in the valleys of [[Orava]] and [[Spiš]].
==Demographics==
{{main|Demographics of Slovakia}}
The majority of the inhabitants of Slovakia are ethnically [[Slovaks|Slovak]] (85.8%). [[Hungary|Hungarians]] are the largest ethnic minority (9.7%). Other ethnic groups, as of the 2001 census, include [[Roma (people)|Roma]] with 1.7%, [[Rusyns|Ruthenians]] or [[Ukrainians]] with 1%, and other or unspecified, 1.8%.<ref name=cia>{{cite web | title = Slovakia | work = The World Factbook | publisher = [[Central Intelligence Agency|CIA]] |date=2007 | url = https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/lo.html | accessmonthday = April 26 | accessyear = 2008}}</ref>
The official state language is [[Slovak language|Slovak]], a member of the [[Slavic languages|Slavic Language Family]], but [[Hungarian language|Hungarian]] is also widely spoken in the south of the country and enjoys a co-official status in some municipalities, and many people also speak [[Czech language|Czech]].
The [[Constitution of Slovakia|Slovak constitution]] guarantees [[freedom of religion]]. The majority of Slovak citizens (68.9 %) identify themselves with [[Roman Catholicism]] (although church attendance is lower); the second-largest group are people without confession (13%). About 6.93% belong to [[Lutheranism]], 4.1% are [[Greek Catholic]], affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church, [[Calvinism]] has 2.0%, other and non-registered churches 1.1% and some (0.9%) are [[Eastern Orthodox Church|Eastern Orthodox]]. About 2,300 [[Jew]]s remain of the large estimated pre-WWII population of 90,000.<ref>{{cite web | last =Vogelsang | first =Peter | coauthors =Brian B. M. Larsen | title =Deportations
| work =The Danish Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies | publisher = |date=2002 | url =http://www.holocaust-education.dk/holocaust/deportationer.asp | accessmonthday = April 26 | accessyear = 2008}}</ref>
In 2007 Slovakia was estimated to have a [[fertility rate]] of 1.33.<ref name=cia/> (i.e., the average woman will have 1.33 children in her lifetime), which is one of the lowest numbers among EU countries.
==Politics==
[[Image:Grasalkovičov palác Bratislava Oct. 2006 011.jpg|left|thumb|Slovakia's [[Grassalkovich Palace|Presidential Palace]] in [[Bratislava]] (Pozsony)]]
{{main|Politics of Slovakia}}<!--Please add new information into relevant articles of the series-->
{{seealso|List of rulers of Slovakia|List of Prime Ministers of Slovakia|List of Presidents of Slovakia}}
Slovakia is a parliamentary democratic republic with a multi-party system. The last [[Slovak parliamentary election, 2006|parliamentary elections]] were held on [[June 17]], [[2006]] and two rounds of [[Presidential election in Slovakia 2004|presidential elections]] took place on [[April 3]], [[2004]] and [[April 17]], [[2004]].
The Slovak [[head of state]] is the president ([[Ivan Gašparovič]], 2004 - 2009), elected by direct popular vote for a five-year term. Most [[executive (government)|executive]] power lies with the [[head of government]], the prime minister ([[Robert Fico]], 2006 - 2010), who is usually the leader of the winning party, but he/she needs to form a majority [[coalition]] in the parliament. The prime minister is appointed by the president. The remainder of the [[cabinet (government)|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 [[judiciary|judicial body]] is the [[Constitutional Court of Slovakia]] (''Ústavný súd''), which rules on [[constitution]]al issues. The 13 members of this court are appointed by the president from a slate of candidates nominated by parliament.
Slovakia is a member state of the [[European Union]] and [[NATO]] since 2004. As a member of the [[United Nations]] (since 1993), Slovakia was, on [[October 10]], 2005, elected to a two-year term on the [[UN Security Council]] from 2006 to 2007. Slovakia is also a member of [[WTO]], [[OECD]], [[OSCE]], and other international organizations.
==Regions and districts==
{{main|Regions of Slovakia|Districts of Slovakia}}
As for administrative division, Slovakia is subdivided into 8 ''[[kraj]]e'' (singular - ''kraj'', usually translated as "region", but actual meaning is "county"), 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).
[[Image:Slovakiakrajenumbers.png|right|350px]]
# [[Bratislava Region]] (''Bratislavský kraj'') (capital [[Bratislava]])
# [[Trnava Region]] (''Trnavský kraj'') (capital [[Trnava]])
# [[Trenčín Region]] (''Trenčiansky kraj'') (capital [[Trenčín]])
# [[Nitra Region]] (''Nitriansky kraj'') (capital [[Nitra]])
# [[Žilina Region]] (''Žilinský kraj'') (capital [[Žilina]])
# [[Banská Bystrica Region]] (''Banskobystrický kraj'') (capital [[Banská Bystrica]])
# [[Prešov Region]] (''Prešovský kraj'') (capital [[Prešov]])
# [[Košice Region]] (''Košický kraj'') (capital [[Košice]])
(the word ''kraj'' can be replaced by ''samosprávny kraj'' or by ''VÚC'' in each case)
The "kraje" are subdivided into many ''[[okres]]y'' (sg. ''okres'', usually translated as districts). Slovakia currently has 79 districts. The districts are then subdivided into ''zuj'' ("village" or "municipality").
In terms of [[economics]] and [[unemployment rate]], the western regions are richer than eastern regions; however the relative difference is no bigger than in most EU countries having regional differences.
{{seealso|List of traditional regions of Slovakia|List of tourism regions of Slovakia}}
==Economy==
[[Image:Bratislava-34.jpg|upright|thumb|[[High-rise]] buildings at Nivy, one of Bratislava's main [[business district]]s]]
{{main|Economy of Slovakia}}
Slovakia has pursued a difficult transition from a centrally [[planned economy]] to a modern, high-income<ref>[http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/DATASTATISTICS/0,,contentMDK:20421402~pagePK:64133150~piPK:64133175~theSitePK:239419,00.html#High_income World Bank Country Classification], 2007</ref> market economy. Major [[privatization]]s are nearly complete, the [[banking]] sector is almost completely in private hands, and foreign investment has picked up.
Slovakia is characterized by the sustained high [[economic growth]]. In 2006, Slovakia reached the highest growth of [[GDP]] (8.9%) among the members of [[OECD]]. The annual GDP growth in 2007 is estimated at 10,4%, with the record level of 14,3% reached in the fourth quarter.<ref>{{cite news | title= Gross domestic product in the 4th quarter of 2007 | date= 3 March 2008 | publisher=Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic | url =http://portal.statistics.sk/showdoc.do?docid=11460 | accessmonthday = March 4 | accessyear = 2008}}</ref>
[[Unemployment]], peaking at 19.2% at the end of 2001, decreased to 7.84% in February 2008 according to the Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic.<ref>[http://www.iii.co.uk/news/?type=afxnews&articleid=6608367&subject=companies&action=article Slovak unemployment falls to 7.84 pct in Feb from Jan from Thomson Financial News Limited]</ref> In addition to the economic growth, migration of workers to other EU countries also contributed to this reduction. According to [[Eurostat]], which uses calculation method different from that of the Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic, the unemployment rate is still the highest in the EU at 9.9%.<ref>[http://www.newsfood.com/Articolo/International/2008-04/20080401-Euro-area-unemployment-stable.asp Euro area unemployment stable at 7.1% at NEWSFOOD.com]</ref>
[[Inflation]] dropped from an average annual rate of 12.0% in 2000 to just 3.3% in the election year 2002, but it rose again in 2003-2004 because of increases in taxes and regulated prices. It reached 3.7 % in 2005.
Slovakia will adopt the [[euro]] currency on [[1 January]] [[2009]] as the 16th EU country to do so and has already entered the [[European Exchange Rate Mechanism|ERM II]] for this purpose. 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,<ref>[http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/feedarticle/7546478 Slovakia revalues currency ahead of euro entry] at [[Guardian.co.uk]]</ref> which will also be the exchange rate for the euro.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7495169.stm 'Slovak euro exchange rate is set' at BBC]</ref>
{{seealso|Slovak euro coins}}
Slovakia is an attractive country for foreign investors mainly because of its lower labour cost, low tax rates and well educated labour force. In recent years, Slovakia has been pursuing a policy of encouraging foreign investment. [[foreign direct investment|FDI]] inflow grew more than 600% from 2000 and cumulatively reached an all-time high of $17.3 billion USD in 2006, or around $18,000 per capita by the end of 2006.
Despite a sufficient number of researchers and a solid secondary educational system, Slovakia, along with other post-communist countries, still faces many challenges in the field of modern [[knowledge economy]]. The business and public [[research and development]] expenditures are well below the EU average. The [[Programme for International Student Assessment]], coordinated by the [[OECD]], currently ranks the Slovak secondary education as the 30th in the world (placing it just below the United States and just above Spain).<ref>[http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/42/8/39700724.pdf Range of rank on the PISA 2006 science scale at OECD]</ref>
In March 2008, the Ministry of Finance announced that Slovakia's economy is developed enough to stop being an aid receiver from the [[World Bank]]. Slovakia will become an aid provider by the end of 2008.<ref>[http://www.tasr.sk/30.axd?k=20080312TBB00600 Slovakia Is Sufficiently Developled to Offer Aid Within World Bank at TASR]</ref>
===Tourism===
[[Image:STRBSKE PLESO.jpg|thumb|400px|[[High Tatras]].]]
{{main|Tourism in Slovakia}}
Slovakia features natural landscapes, mountains, [[List of caves in Slovakia|caves]], medieval [[List of castles in Slovakia|castles]] and towns, folk architecture, spas and [[Ski and winter sports in Slovakia|ski resorts]].
More than 1.6 million people visited Slovakia in 2006, and the most attractive destinations are the capital of [[Bratislava]] and the [[High Tatras]].<ref>{{cite web | publisher = Aktualne.sk | url = http://aktualne.centrum.sk/cestovanie/clanek.phtml?id=240802 | title = The number of tourists in Slovakia is increasing (''Turistov na Slovensku pribúda'') | date = 30 June 2007 |accessdate = 30 December | accessyear = 2007 | language = Slovak}}</ref> Most visitors come from the Czech Republic (about 26%), Poland (15%) and Germany (11%).<ref>{{cite web | publisher = Monika Martišková, Joj.sk | url = http://www.joj.sk/ekonomika/20-9-2007/clanok/na-slovensko-chodi-stale-najviac-turistov-z-cr.html | title = Most tourists in Slovakia still come from the Czech Republic (''Na Slovensko chodí stále najviac turistov z ČR'') | date = 20 September 2007 |accessdate = 28 November | accessyear = 2007 | language = Slovak}}</ref>
==Culture==
===Cuisine===
{{Unreferencedsection|date=June 2008}}
{{main|Cuisine of Slovakia}}
[[Pork]], [[beef]] and [[poultry]] are the main meats consumed in Slovakia, with pork being the most popular by a substantial margin. Among poultry, chicken is most common, although duck, goose, and turkey are also well established. A blood sausage called jaternice also has a following, containing any and all parts of a butchered pig. Game meats, especially boar, rabbit, and venison, are also widely available around the year. Lamb and goat are also available, but for the most part are not very popular. The consumption of horse meat is generally frowned upon.
[[Wine]] is common throughout all parts of 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 both these tastes seem to be changing.{{Fact|date=June 2008}}
[[Beer]] (in slovak language Pivo) is also popular throughout the country. In most of the country, the [[Pils]] is predominant.
===Music===
{{main|Music of Slovakia}}
[[Popular music]] began to replace [[folk music]] beginning in the [[1950s]], when Slovakia was a part of [[Czechoslovakia]]; [[United States|American]] [[jazz]], [[R&B]], and [[rock and roll]] were popular, alongside [[waltz]]es, [[polka]]s, and [[czardas]], among other folk forms. By the end of the '50s, radios were common household items, though only state stations were legal. Slovak popular music began as a mix of [[bossa nova]], [[cool jazz]], and rock, with [[propaganda|propagandistic]] lyrics. Dissenters listened to [[ORF]] (Austrian Radio), [[Radio Luxembourg]], or [[Slobodna Europa]] (Radio Free Europe), which played more rock. Czechoslovakia was more passive in the face of Soviet domination, and thus radio and the whole music industry toed the line more closely than other satellite states.
After the [[Velvet Revolution]] and the declaration of the Slovak state, domestic music greatly diversified as [[free enterprise]] allowed a great expansion in the number of bands and genres represented in the Slovak market. Soon, however, [[major label]] brought [[pop music]] to Slovakia and drove many of the small companies out of business. The [[1990s]], American [[grunge music|grunge]] and [[alternative rock]], and [[Britpop]] gain a wide following, as well as a newfound popularity in [[musical theater|musicals]].
==International rankings==
*[[Human Development Index]] 2006: Rank 42nd out of 177 countries
*[[Index of Economic Freedom]] 2006: Rank 34th out of 157 countries
*[[Reporters Without Borders]] world-wide press freedom index 2007: Rank 3rd (along with Estonia) out of 169 countries
*[[Global Competitiveness Report]] ranking 2006-2007: Rank 37th out of 125 countries.
*[[Corruption Perceptions Index]] 2007: Rank 49th out of 180 countries.
*[[PISA]] 2006: Rank 27
==See also==
===Culture===
{{portal|Slovakia|Flag of Slovakia.svg}}
*[[Cinema of Slovakia]]
*[[Music of Slovakia]]
*[[Slovak literature]]
*[[Slovak language]]
*[[Slovak cuisine]]
*[[Valaška|Slovak national weapon]]
===Holidays===
* [[National holidays in Slovakia]]
* [[Remembrance days in Slovakia]]
===Miscellaneous topics===
* [[Communications in Slovakia]]
* [[Education in Slovakia]]
* [[Foreign relations of Slovakia]]
* [[History of ice hockey in Slovakia]]
* [[List of villages and municipalities in Slovakia]]
* [[List of rivers in Slovakia]]
* [[List of rulers of Slovakia]]
* [[List of Slovaks]]
* [[List of tourism regions of Slovakia]]
* [[List of towns in Slovakia]]
* [[List of traditional regions of Slovakia]]
* [[Military of Slovakia]]
* [[Protected areas of Slovakia]]
* [[Transportation in Slovakia]]
==References==
{{Refimprove|date=February 2007}}
{{reflist|2}}
==Further reading==
*Pavel Dvorak: ''The Early History of Slovakia in Images'' ISBN 80-85501-34-1
*Julius Bartl and Dusan Skvarna: ''Slovak History: Chronology & Lexicon'' ISBN 086-5164444
*Olga Drobna, Eduard Drobny and Magdalena Gocnikova: ''Slovakia: The Heart of Europe'' ISBN 086-5163197
*Karen Henderson: ''Slovakia: The Escape from Invisibility'' ISBN 0415274362
*Stanislav Kirschbaum: ''A History of Slovakia : The Struggle for Survival'' ISBN 0312161255
*Alfred Horn: ''Insight Guide: Czech & Slovak Republics'' ISBN 088-7296556
*Rob Humphreys: ''The Rough Guide to the Czech and Slovak Republics'' ISBN 1858289041
*Michael Jacobs: ''Blue Guide: Czech and Slovak Republics'' ISBN 0393319326
*Neil Wilson, Richard Nebesky: ''Lonely Planet World Guide: Czech & Slovak Republics'' ISBN 1864502126
*Eugen Lazistan, Fedor Mikovič, Ivan Kučma and Anna Jurečková: ''Slovakia: A Photographic Odyssey'' ISBN 086-5165173
*Lil Junas: ''My Slovakia: An American's View'' ISBN 8070906227
==External links==
{{sisterlinks|Slovakia}}
===General===
* [http://www.government.gov.sk/english The Slovak Republic Government Office]
* [http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&t=h&ie=UTF8&om=1&ll=48.828566,19.797363&spn=3.044754,7.470703&z=7 Google satellite map of Slovakia]
===Travelling===
* [http://www.slovakia.travel The official travel guide to Slovakia]
* [http://www.slovakiatourism.sk/index?lang=en Slovakia Tourism from The Slovak Tourist Board]
* [http://www.slovakia.org Slovakia.org - guide to Slovakia]
===Statistics===
* [https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/lo.html CIA World Factbook - Slovakia]
* [http://portal.statistics.sk/showdoc.do?docid=359 Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic]
===News===
* [http://www.slovakspectator.sk/ The Slovak Spectator], English-speaking news magazine
* [http://www.sktoday.com/ Slovakia today], English-language online newspaper
{{Template group
|title = Geographic locale
|list =
{{Countries of Europe}}
}}
{{Template group
|title = International organizations
|list =
{{EU members}}
{{Council of Europe members}}
{{Visegrád Group}}
{{NATO}}
{{OECD}}
{{WTO}}
{{La Francophonie}}
}}
{{Slavic-speaking nations}}
<!--Categories-->
[[Category:Slovakia| ]]
[[Category:Liberal democracies]]
[[Category:Slavic countries]]
[[Category:Landlocked countries]]
{{Link FA|af}}
<!--Other languages-->
[[af:Slowakye]]
[[als:Slowakei]]
[[am:ስሎቫኪያ]]
[[ang:Slofacia]]
[[ar:سلوفاكيا]]
[[an:Eslobaquia]]
[[arc:ܣܠܘܒܩܝܐ]]
[[roa-rup:Slovachia]]
[[frp:Slovaquie]]
[[ast:Eslovaquia]]
[[gn:Elovakia]]
[[az:Slovakiya]]
[[bn:স্লোভাকিয়া]]
[[zh-min-nan:Slovensko]]
[[be:Славакія]]
[[be-x-old:Славаччына]]
[[bar:Slowàkai]]
[[bo:སི་ལོ་ཕ་ཁེ]]
[[bs:Slovačka]]
[[br:Slovakia]]
[[bg:Словакия]]
[[ca:Eslovàquia]]
[[cv:Словаки]]
[[ceb:Slovakia]]
[[cs:Slovensko]]
[[cy:Slofacia]]
[[da:Slovakiet]]
[[pdc:Slowaaki]]
[[de:Slowakei]]
[[dv:ސުލޮވާކިއާ]]
[[dsb:Słowakska]]
[[et:Slovakkia]]
[[el:Σλοβακία]]
[[es:Eslovaquia]]
[[eo:Slovakio]]
[[eu:Eslovakia]]
[[fa:اسلواکی]]
[[fo:Slovakia]]
[[fr:Slovaquie]]
[[fy:Slowakije]]
[[fur:Slovachie]]
[[ga:An tSlóvaic]]
[[gv:Yn Clovack]]
[[gd:An t-Slòbhac]]
[[gl:Eslovaquia - Slovensko]]
[[ko:슬로바키아]]
[[haw:Solowakia]]
[[hy:Սլովակիա]]
[[hi:स्लोवाकिया]]
[[hsb:Słowakska]]
[[hr:Slovačka]]
[[io:Slovakia]]
[[ilo:Slovakia]]
[[bpy:স্লোভাকিয়া]]
[[id:Slowakia]]
[[ia:Slovachia]]
[[ie:Slovacia]]
[[os:Словаки]]
[[is:Slóvakía]]
[[it:Slovacchia]]
[[he:סלובקיה]]
[[pam:Slovakia]]
[[ka:სლოვაკეთი]]
[[csb:Słowackô]]
[[kk:Словакия]]
[[kw:Slovaki]]
[[ky:Словакия]]
[[sw:Slovakia]]
[[ht:Slovaki]]
[[ku:Slovakya]]
[[la:Slovacia]]
[[lv:Slovākija]]
[[lb:Slowakei]]
[[lt:Slovakija]]
[[lij:Slovacchia]]
[[li:Slowakieë]]
[[hu:Szlovákia]]
[[mk:Словачка]]
[[ml:സ്ലോവാക്യ]]
[[ms:Slovakia]]
[[nah:Eslovaquitlān]]
[[na:Slovakia]]
[[nl:Slowakije]]
[[nds-nl:Slowaaknlaand]]
[[ne:स्लोभाकिया]]
[[ja:スロバキア]]
[[ce:Словаки]]
[[no:Slovakia]]
[[nn:Slovakia]]
[[nrm:Slovaquie]]
[[nov:Slovakia]]
[[oc:Eslovaquia]]
[[uz:Slovakiya]]
[[ps:سلواکيا]]
[[pms:Slovachia]]
[[nds:Slowakei]]
[[pl:Słowacja]]
[[pt:Eslováquia]]
[[crh:Slovakiya]]
[[ro:Slovacia]]
[[rmy:Slovaiko]]
[[qu:Isluwakya]]
[[ru:Словакия]]
[[se:Slovákia]]
[[sa:स्लोवाकिया]]
[[sco:Slovakie]]
[[sq:Sllovakia]]
[[simple:Slovakia]]
[[sk:Slovensko]]
[[cu:Словѣньско]]
[[sl:Slovaška]]
[[stq:Slowakäi]]
[[szl:Suowacyjo]]
[[so:Slovakia]]
[[sr:Словачка]]
[[sh:Slovačka]]
[[fi:Slovakia]]
[[sv:Slovakien]]
[[tl:Slovakia]]
[[ta:சிலோவேக்கியா]]
[[tet:Eslovákia]]
[[th:ประเทศสโลวาเกีย]]
[[vi:Slovakia]]
[[tg:Словакия]]
[[tpi:Slovakia]]
[[tr:Slovakya]]
[[udm:Словакия]]
[[uk:Словаччина]]
[[vec:Slovachia]]
[[vo:Slovakiyän]]
[[fiu-vro:Slovakkia]]
[[war:Eslovakya]]
[[wo:Eslowaaki]]
[[wuu:斯洛伐克]]
[[yi:סלאוואקיי]]
[[zh-yue:斯洛伐克]]
[[diq:Slowakya]]
[[zea:Slowakije]]
[[bat-smg:Slovakėjė]]
[[zh:斯洛伐克]]