Slovenia 27338 226011292 2008-07-16T12:53:44Z Sardanaphalus 427947 updating link using [[Project:AutoWikiBrowser|AWB]] {{otheruses}} {{Infobox Country |native_name = ''Republika Slovenija'' |conventional_long_name = Republic of Slovenia |common_name = Slovenia |image_flag = Flag of Slovenia.svg |image_coat = Coat of Arms of Slovenia.svg |image_map = Location Slovenia EU Europe.png |map_caption = {{map_caption|location_color=dark green|country='''[[Slovenia]]'''|region=[[Europe]]|region_color=dark grey|subregion=the [[European Union]]|subregion_color=light green|legend=Location Slovenia EU Europe.png}} |national_anthem = {{nowrap|7th stanza of ''[[Zdravljica]]''}} |official_languages = [[Slovene language|Slovene]]<sup>1</sup> |demonym = Slovenian, [[Slovenes|Slovene]] |capital = [[Ljubljana]] |latd=46 |latm=03 |latNS=N |longd=14 |longm=30 |longEW=E |largest_city = capital |government_type = [[Parliamentary republic]] |leader_title1 = [[President of Slovenia|President]] |leader_title2 = [[Prime Minister of Slovenia|Prime Minister]] |leader_name1 = [[Danilo Türk]] |leader_name2 = [[Janez Janša]] |accessionEUdate = [[May 1]] [[2004]] |area_rank = 153rd |area_magnitude = 1_E10 |area_km2 = 20,273 |area_sq_mi = 7,827 <!--Do not remove per [[WP:MOSNUM]]--> |percent_water = 0.6 |population_estimate = 2,023,358 <sup>2</sup> |population_estimate_year = 2008 |population_estimate_rank = 143rd |population_census = 1,964,036 |population_census_year = 2002 |population_density_km2 = 99.6 |population_density_sq_mi = 251 <!--Do not remove per [[WP:MOSNUM]]--> |population_density_rank = 80th |GDP_PPP_year = 2008 |GDP_PPP = $48.343 billion [http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2007/02/weodata/weorept.aspx?sy=2004&ey=2008&scsm=1&ssd=1&sort=country&ds=.&br=1&pr1.x=51&pr1.y=20&c=961&s=NGDPD&grp=0&a=] |GDP_PPP_rank = 83rd |GDP_PPP_per_capita = $28,010 [http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2007/02/weodata/weorept.aspx?sy=2004&ey=2008&scsm=1&ssd=1&sort=country&ds=.&br=1&pr1.x=58&pr1.y=8&c=961&s=PPPPC&grp=0&a=] |GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = 29th |GDP_nominal = $38.240&nbsp;[[Orders of magnitude (numbers)|billion]]<ref name="IMF">[http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2007/02/weodata/index.aspx IMF database]</ref> |GDP_nominal_rank = 67th |GDP_nominal_year = 2007 |GDP_nominal_per_capita = $22,079 |GDP_nominal_per_capita_rank = 30th |HDI_year = 2005 |HDI = {{increase}} 0.917 |HDI_rank = 27th |HDI_category = <font color="#009900">high</font> |sovereignty_type = [[Independence]] |sovereignty_note = from [[Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia|Yugoslavia]] |established_event1 = Declared |established_event2 = Recognised |established_date1 = [[June 25]] [[1991]] |established_date2 = 1992 |currency = [[euro]] ([[Euro sign|€]])<sup>3</sup> |currency_code = EUR |time_zone = [[Central European Time|CET]] |utc_offset = +1 |time_zone_DST = [[Central European Summer Time|CEST]] |utc_offset_DST = +2 |cctld = [[.si]]<sup>4</sup> |calling_code = 386 |ISBN_code = 961, 86 |ISO_3166-1_alpha2 = SI |ISO_3166-1_alpha3 = SVN |ISO_3166-1_num = 705 |alt_sport_code = SLO |vehicle_code = SLO |aircraft_code = S5 |footnotes = <sup>1</sup> [[Italian language|Italian]] and [[Hungarian language|Hungarian]] are recognised as official languages in the residential municipalities of the Italian or Hungarian national community.<br/><sup>2</sup> Source: [http://www.stat.si/eng/novica_prikazi.aspx?ID=1236 Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia: Population, Slovenia, 30 June 2007]<br/><sup>3</sup> Prior to 2007: [[Slovenian tolar]]<br/><sup>4</sup> Also [[.eu]], shared with other [[European Union]] member states. }} '''Slovenia''', officially the '''Republic of Slovenia''' ({{lang-sl|Republika Slovenija}}, {{Audio|Republika-slovenija.ogg|listen}}), is a [[country]] in southern [[Central Europe]] bordering [[Italy]] to the west, the [[Adriatic Sea]] to the southwest, [[Croatia]] to the south and east, [[Hungary]] to the northeast, and [[Austria]] to the north. The capital of Slovenia is [[Ljubljana]]. At various points in Slovenia's history, the country has been part of the [[Roman Empire]], the [[Byzantine Empire]], the [[Republic of Venice]], the Duchy of [[Karantania|Carantania]] (only modern Slovenia's northern part), the [[Holy Roman Empire]], the [[Habsburg Monarchy]], the [[Austrian Empire]] (later known as [[Austria-Hungary]]), the [[State of Slovenes, Croats and Serbs]], the [[Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes]] (renamed to Kingdom of Yugoslavia in 1929) [[Interwar period|between the two World Wars]], and the [[Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia]] from 1945 until gaining independence in 1991. Slovenia is the only former [[communist state]] to be at the same time a member of the [[European Union]], the [[Eurozone]], the [[Schengen Agreement|Schengen area]], the [[Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe]], the [[Council of Europe]] and [[NATO]]. {{TOClimit|limit=2}} == History == {{History of Slovenia}} {{main|History of Slovenia}} {{seealso|Timeline of Slovenian history}} [[Slavic peoples|Slavic]] ancestors of the present-day [[Slovenes]] settled in the area in the 6th century. The Slavic Duchy of [[Karantania|Carantania]] was formed in the 7th century. In 745, Carantania was incorporated into the [[Carolingian Empire]], while [[Karantanians]] and other Slavs living in present Slovenia [[christianisation|converted to Christianity]]. Carantania retained its internal independence until 828 when the local princes were deposed following the anti-[[Franks|Frankish]] rebellion of [[Ljudevit Posavski]] and replaced with a German (mostly [[Bavaria]]n) ascendancy. Under the Emperor [[Arnulf of Carinthia]] Carantania, now ruled by a mixed Bavarian-Slav nobility, shortly emerged as a regional power, but was destroyed by the [[Hungarian]] invasions in the late 9th century. The [[Slovene Lands]] were turned into a military borderland of the Carolingian Empire (the [[March of Carinthia|Marches of Carinthia]], of [[March of Carniola|Carniola]] and of [[March of Friuli|Friuli]]). Carantania was established again as an autonomous administrative unit in 976, but it never developed into a unified realm; it soon broke down into what became the duchies of [[Carinthia (duchy)|Carinthia]], [[Styria (duchy)|Styria]], [[Carniola]] and [[Friuli]], into which the Slovene Lands remained divided up to 1918. The Carantanian identity remained alive into the 12th century when it was slowly replaced by regional identities. The first mentions of a common Slovene ethnic identity, transcending regional boundaries, date from the 16th century. The [[Freising manuscripts]], the earliest surviving written documents in a [[Slovene dialects|Slovene dialect]] as well as the oldest document written in any Slavic language with [[Latin alphabet|Latin]] script, were written in the 10th century. During the 14th century, most of Slovene Lands passed under [[House of Habsburg|Habsburg]] rule. In the 15th century, the Habsburg domination was challenged by the [[Counts of Celje]], but by the end of the century the great majority of Slovene-inhabited territories were incorporated into the [[Habsburg Monarchy]]. Most Slovenes lived in the region known as [[Inner Austria]], forming the majority of the population of the [[Duchy of Carniola]] and the [[County of Gorizia and Gradisca]], as well as of [[Lower Styria]] and southern [[Carinthia (duchy)|Carinthia]]. Slovenes also inhabited most of the territory of the [[Imperial Free City]] of [[Trieste]], although representing the minority of its population. Slovene majorities also existed in the [[Prekmurje]] region of the [[Kingdom of Hungary]], in the [[Venetian Slovenia]] and north-western [[Istria]] which were part of the [[Republic of Venice]]. In the 16th century, the [[Protestant Reformation]] spread throughout the Slovene Lands. During this period, the first books in Slovene language were written by the [[Protestant]] preacher [[Primož Trubar]] and his followers, establishing the base for the development of the Slovene standard language. Although almost all Protestants were expelled from the Slovene Lands (with the exception of Prekmurje) by the beginning of the 17th century, they left a strong legacy in the tradition of the Slovene culture, which was partially incorporated in the [[Roman Catholic Church|Catholic]] [[Counter-Reformation]]. The Slovene cultural tradition was further reinforced in the [[Age of Enlightenment|Enlightenment]] period by the endeavours of the [[Sigismund Zois|Zois Circle]]. After a short [[First French Empire|French]] interim between 1805 and 1813, all Slovene Lands were included in the [[Austrian Empire]]. Slowly, a distinct Slovene national consciousness developed, and the quest for a political unification of all Slovenes became widespread. In 1848, a mass political and popular movement for the [[United Slovenia]] (''{{lang|sl|Zedinjena Slovenija}}'') emerged as part of the [[Spring of Nations]] movement within the Austrian Empire. Between 1848 and 1918, numerous institutions (including theatres and publishing houses, as well as political, financial and cultural organisations) were founded in the so-called [[Slovene National Awakening]]; despite their political and institutional fragmentation and lack of a proper political representation, the Slovenes were able to establish a functioning and integrated national infrastructure. During this period, the town of Ljubljana, the capital of Carniola, emerged as the undisputed centre of all Slovene Lands, while the Slovenes developed an internationally comparable literature and culture. Nevertheless, the Slovene national question remained unsolved, so the political élite of the time started looking towards other Slavic nations in [[Austria-Hungary]] and the [[Balkans]] in order to engage in a common political action against [[Ethnic Germans|German]] and [[Hungarian people|Magyar]] [[hegemony]]. The idea of a common political entity of all [[South Slavs]], known as [[Yugoslavia]], emerged. During [[World War I]], after the Italian attack on Austria-Hungary in 1915, the [[Italian Campaign (World War I)|Italian front]] opened, and some of the most important battles (the [[Battles of the Isonzo]]) were fought along the river [[Soča]] and on the [[Kras|Kras Plateau]] in the [[Slovenian Littoral]]. With the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy in 1918, the Slovenes initially joined the [[State of Slovenes, Croats and Serbs]], which soon afterwards merged into the [[Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes]], later renamed to [[Kingdom of Yugoslavia]]. The western part of the Slovene Lands (the Slovenian Littoral and western districts of [[Inner Carniola]]) was annexed to the [[Kingdom of Italy (1861-1946)|Kingdom of Italy]] and became known under the name of [[Julian March]]. In 1920, in the [[Carinthian Plebiscite]], the majority of [[Carinthian Slovenes]] voted to remain in [[Austria]]. Although the Slovenes in the [[Kingdom of Yugoslavia]] were submitted to an intolerant [[centralist]] policy trying to eradicate a distinct Slovene national consciousness, they were still better off than Slovenes in Italy, Austria and [[Hungarian Slovenes|Hungary]], who became victims of policies of [[Cultural assimilation#Forced assimilations|forced assimilation]] and violent persecution. As a reaction to the [[fascist]] violence of the Italian State in the [[Julian March]], the organisation [[TIGR]], regarded as one of the first armed [[antifascist]] resistance groups in Europe, was founded in 1927. In April 1941, [[Invasion of Yugoslavia|Yugoslavia was invaded]] by the [[Axis Powers]]. Slovenia was divided between [[Italian fascism|Fascist Italy]], [[Nazi Germany]] and [[Kingdom of Hungary (1920-1944)|Horthy's Hungary]]. Soon, a liberation movement under [[Communist Party of Slovenia|Communist]] leadership emerged. Due to political assassinations carried out by the Communist guerrillas as well as the pre-existing radical anti-Communism of the conservative circles of Slovenian society, a civil war between Slovenes broke out in the Italian-occupied south-eastern Slovenia (known as [[Province of Ljubljana]]) between the [[Liberation Front of the Slovenian People]] and the Axis-sponsored anti-communist militia, the [[Slovene Home Guard]]. Nevertheless, the Slovene [[Yugoslav partisans|partisan]] guerrilla managed to liberate large portions of the Slovene Lands, making an important contribution to the defeat of [[Nazism]]. Following the re-establishment of Yugoslavia at the end of [[World War II]], Slovenia became part of the [[Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia]], declared on [[29 November]] [[1945]]. A Communist dictatorship was established, but due to the [[Tito-Stalin split]] economic and personal freedom were better than in the [[Eastern Bloc]]. In 1947, Italy ceded most of the Julian March to Yugoslavia and Slovenia thus regained the [[Slovenian Littoral]], including access to the sea. From the 1950s, the [[Socialist Republic of Slovenia]] enjoyed a relatively wide autonomy under the rule of the local Communist elite. In 1990, the first free and democratic elections were held and the [[DEMOS coalition]] defeated the former Communist parties. In December 1990, the overwhelming majority of Slovenian citizens voted for independence, which was declared on [[25 June]] [[1991]]. A [[Ten-Day War]] followed in which the Slovenians rejected Yugoslav military interference. After 1990, a stable democratic system evolved, with economic liberalisation and gradual growth of prosperity. Slovenia joined [[NATO]] on [[29 March]] [[2004]] and the [[European Union]] on [[1 May]] [[2004]]. Slovenia is the first post-Communist country to hold the [[Presidency of the Council of the European Union]], for the first six months of 2008. == Politics == {{main|Politics of Slovenia}}<!--Please add new information to relevant articles of the series--> The Slovenian [[head of state]] is the [[President of Slovenia|president]], who is elected by popular vote every five years. The [[executive branch]] is headed by the [[prime minister]] and the council of [[Minister (government)|ministers]] or [[cabinet (government)|cabinet]], who are elected by the [[parliament]]. The [[bicameral]] [[Parliament of Slovenia]] consists of the [[National Assembly (Slovenia)|National Assembly]] (''{{lang|sl|Državni zbor}}''), and the [[National Council (Slovenia)|National Council]] (''{{lang|sl|Državni svet}}''). The National Assembly has ninety members, 88 of which are elected by all the citizens in a system of [[proportional representation]], while two are elected by the [[autochthonous]] Hungarian and Italian minorities. The National Council has forty members, appointed to represent social, economic, professional and local interest groups. Parliamentary elections are held every four years. == Administrative divisions == [[Image:Sloregions.png|thumb|300px|Slovenia is traditionally divided into eight regions.]] The traditional regions of Slovenia based on the former four [[House of Habsburg|Habsburg]] [[crown land]]s ([[Carniola]], [[Duchy of Carinthia|Carinthia]], [[Styria (duchy)|Styria]], and the [[Slovenian Littoral|Littoral]]) are the following{{Fact|date=March 2008}}: {| style="background:transparent;" |width="150px"| '''English name''' ||width="150px"| '''Native name'''</tr> | [[Upper Carniola]] || ''Gorenjska'' ||align="center"|</tr> | [[Lower Styria|Styria]] || ''Štajerska'' ||align="center"|</tr> | [[Prekmurje]] || ''Prekmurje'' ||align="center"|</tr> | [[Carinthia (province)|Carinthia]] || ''Koroška'' ||align="center"|</tr> | [[Inner Carniola]] || ''Notranjska'' ||align="center"|</tr> | [[Lower Carniola]] || ''Dolenjska'' ||align="center"|</tr> | [[Goriška]] || ''Goriška'' ||align="center"|</tr> | [[Slovenian Istria]]{{spaces|2}} || ''Slovenska Istra''{{spaces|2}} ||align="center"|</tr> |} Goriška and Slovenian Istria together are known as the [[Slovenian Littoral|Littoral]] region (''{{lang-sl|Primorska}}''). [[White Carniola]] (''{{lang-sl|Bela krajina}}''), otherwise part of Lower Carniola, is considered a separate region of Slovenia, as are [[Zasavje]] and [[Posavje]], the former being a part of Upper Carniola, Lower Carniola and Styria; and the latter part of Lower Carniola and Styria. ===Natural regions=== [[Image:Si-4geographic-regions.jpg|thumb|200px|Landscape types in Slovenia. {{legend|#F6E4B4|[[Alpine]] landscape|border=#dc9}} {{legend|#A6D4CA|[[Pannonia|Panonnian]] landscape}} {{legend|#FAC1B8|[[Dinaric]] landscape}} {{legend|#A7B4D6|[[Mediterranean]] landscape}} ]] The first regionalisations of Slovenia were made by geographers [[Anton Melik]] (1935-1936) and [[Svetozar Ilešič]] (1968). The newer regionalisation by [[Ivan Gams]] divides Slovenia in the following macroregions: * the [[Alps]] (visokogorske Alpe) * the [[Prealpine Hills]] (predalpsko hribovje) * the [[Ljubljana Basin]] (Ljubljanska kotlina) * Submediterranean ([[Littoral]]) Slovenia (submediteranska - primorska Slovenija) * the [[Dinaric Alps|Dinaric]] [[Karst]] of inner Slovenia (dinarski kras notranje Slovenije) * [[Subpannonian Slovenia]] (subpanonska Slovenija) [[Image:Piran - overview.jpg|thumb|right|200px|[[Piran]], a popular tourist destination in Slovenia]] According to a newer natural geographic regionalisation, the country consists of four [[macroregion]]s. These are the Alpine, the Mediterranean, the Dinaric, and the Pannonian landscapes. Macroregions are defined according to major relief units (the Alps, the Pannonian plain, the Dinaric mountains) and climate types (submediterranean, temperate continental, mountain climate).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.zrc-sazu.si/Zgds/glasgow/9.pdf |title=Modern climate change in Slovenia |accessdate=2008-04-01 |last=Ogrin |first=Darko |year=2004 |month=August |work=Slovenia: a geographical overview |publisher=Association of the Geographical Societies of Slovenia}}</ref> These are often quite interwoven. Macroregions consist of multiple and very diverse [[mesoregion]]s. The main factor that defines them is the relief together with the geologic composition. Mesoregions in turn consist of numerous [[microregion]]s. ===Statistical regions=== [[Image:Slov-regije.PNG|thumb|right|200px|Slovenia's twelve statistical regions.]] Slovenia's statistical regions exist solely for legal and statistical purposes. As of February 2007 there are 12 statistical regions (NUTS-2 level), which are grouped in two macroregions (NUTS-1 level):<ref name="NUTS">{{cite web|url=http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/ramon/nuts/codelist_en.cfm?list=nuts|title=Hierarchical list of the Nomenclature of territorial units for statistics - NUTS and the Statistical regions of Europe|publisher=European Union|accessdate=2008-04-18}}</ref> {| style="background:transparent;" |- valign="top" | <!--column 1--> {|class="wikitable" |+ Vzhodna Slovenija (East Slovenia) - SI01 ! Statistical Region !! NUTS code |- |[[Pomurje statistical region|Pomurska]] |align="center"| SI011 |- |[[Podravje statistical region|Podravska]] |align="center"| SI012 |- |[[Koroška statistical region|Koroška]] |align="center"| SI013 |- |[[Savinja statistical region|Savinjska]] |align="center"| SI014 |- |[[Zasavje statistical region|Zasavska]] |align="center"| SI015 |- |[[Spodnje Posavje statistical region|Spodnjeposavska]] |align="center"| SI016 |- |[[Southeastern Slovenia|Jugovzhodna Slovenija]] |align="center"| SI017 |- |[[Notranjska-Kras statistical region|Notranjsko-kraška]] |align="center"| SI018 |} | <!--column 2--> {|class="wikitable" |+ Zahodna Slovenija (West Slovenia) - SI02 ! Statistical Region !! NUTS code |- |[[Central Slovenian statistical region|Osrednjeslovenska]] |align="center"| SI021 |- |[[Gorenjska statistical region|Gorenjska]] |align="center"| SI022 |- |[[Goriška statistical region|Goriška]] |align="center"| SI023 |- |[[Littoral-Kras statistical region|Obalno-kraška]] |align="center"| SI024 |} |} The government, however, is preparing a plan for new administrative regions. The number of these regions is not yet defined, but is said to be between twelve and fourteen. After being unveiled publicly, the plan will undergo parliamentary debate. [[Constitution]]al changes allowing the creation of regions have already been approved by the National Assembly. If, however, twelve administrative regions are favored, they will most likely be the same as those already in place. On [[May 24]] [[2007]] the government proposed a reform in the [[local government]] system, introducing administrative regions with limited [[home rule]]. It has been stated that 13 will be the maximum allowed number of such regions (or provinces), but their actual names, territories and capitals have yet to be exactly determined. As the passage of necessary legislation has stalled, the process of [[devolution]] has been postponed, probably till 2010.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ukom.gov.si/eng/slovenia/publications/slovenia-news/6075/6103/ |title=PM Jansa: Government to resubmit the law establishing regions with partial amendments |publisher=Government Communication Office |date=2008-02-14 |accessdate=2008-04-15}}</ref> ===Municipalities=== {{main|Municipalities of Slovenia}} Slovenia is divided into 210 local municipalities, eleven of which have urban status. == Geography == [[Image:Slovenia-map-CIA.png|thumb|right|250px|Map of Slovenia]] [[Image:Triglav.jpg|thumb|right|250px|[[Triglav]]]] [[Image:Velika planina 4.JPG|thumb|250px|left|The [[Kamnik Alps]]]] {{main|Geography of Slovenia}} {{seealso|Protected areas of Slovenia}} Four major European geographic regions meet in Slovenia: the [[Alps]], the [[Dinaric Alps|Dinarides]], the [[Pannonian plain]], and the [[Mediterranean]]. Slovenia's highest peak is [[Triglav]] (2,864&nbsp;m; 9,396&nbsp;ft); the country's average height above sea level is 557 metres (1,827&nbsp;ft). Around half of the country (11,691&nbsp;km²; 4,514&nbsp;sq&nbsp;mi) is covered by [[forest]]s; the third most forested country in Europe, after [[Finland]] and [[Sweden]]. Remnants of primeval forests are still to be found, the largest in the [[Kočevje]] area. Grassland covers 5,593 square kilometres (2,159&nbsp;sq&nbsp;mi) and fields and gardens 2,471 square kilometres (954&nbsp;sq&nbsp;mi). There are 363 square kilometres (140&nbsp;sq&nbsp;mi) of orchards and 216 square kilometres (83&nbsp;sq&nbsp;mi) of [[vineyard]]s. Its [[climate]] is submediterranean on the coast, alpine in the mountains and continental with mild to hot summers and cold winters in the plateaux and valleys to the east. Average temperatures are -2 °C (28 °F) in January and 21 °C (70 °F) in July. The average rainfall is 1,000 millimetres (39.4&nbsp;in) for the coast, up to 3,500 millimetres (137.8&nbsp;in) for the Alps, 800 millimetres (31.5&nbsp;in) for south-east and 1,400 millimetres (55.1&nbsp;in) for central Slovenia. Although on the shore of the [[Mediterranean Sea]], most of Slovenia is in the [[Black Sea]] [[drainage basin]]. The [[geometry|geometric]] [[Centre (geometry)|center]] of gravity of Slovenia is at the [[Geographic coordinate system|geographic coordinates]] 46°07'11.8" N and 14°48'55.2" E. It lies in [[Spodnja Slivna]] near [[Vače]] in the [[municipality]] of [[Litija]]. == Economy == {{main|Economy of Slovenia}} Slovenia has a high-income [[developed country|developed]] economy which enjoys the second highest (after Cyprus) [[Gross Domestic Product|GDP]] per capita ($28,010.76 estimate for 2008<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2007/02/weodata/weorept.aspx?pr.x=13&pr.y=15&sy=2004&ey=2008&scsm=1&ssd=1&sort=country&ds=.&br=1&c=193%2C158%2C122%2C542%2C124%2C137%2C156%2C138%2C423%2C196%2C128%2C142%2C172%2C182%2C132%2C576%2C134%2C961%2C174%2C184%2C532%2C144%2C176%2C146%2C178%2C528%2C436%2C112%2C136%2C111&s=PPPPC&grp=0&a= |title=Report for Selected Countries and Subjects |publisher=International Monetary Fund |accessdate=2007-10-19}}</ref>) of the new EU countries which is 93% of the EU average.{{Fact|date=April 2008}} Although the country's relatively high [[inflation]] declined to 2.3% in 2006 (prior to adoption of the euro), it recently reached 5.1% year-on-year, exceeding the average in the [[eurozone]]. Slovenia's economy has started to [[Economic growth|grow]] more strongly in the last few years (7.2% in first quarter of 2007, 5.7% in 2006, 4.1% in 2005), after relatively slow growth in 2003 (2.8%). Despite economic success, Slovenia faces challenges. Much of the economy remains in state hands and [[foreign direct investment]] (FDI) in Slovenia is one of the lowest in the EU per capita. [[Taxes]] are relatively high, the [[labor market]] is seen as inflexible, and industries are losing sales to [[China]], [[India]], and elsewhere.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/si.html#Econ|title=The World Factbook 2007 -- Slovenia, Economy}}</ref> During the 2000s, privatisations were seen in the [[banking]], [[telecommunications]], and public utility sectors. Restrictions on foreign [[investment]] are being dismantled, and [[foreign direct investment]] (FDI) is expected to increase. Slovenia is the economic front-runner of the countries that joined the European Union in 2004 and the first new member to adopt the [[euro]] on [[1 January]] [[2007]]. [[Image:2008 Slovenia 3 Euro Presidency front.JPG|thumb|160px|[[Euro gold and silver commemorative coins (Slovenia)|The 3 euro European Presidency commemorative coin]] minted in 2008.]] ==Numismatics== {{main|Slovenian euro coins}} {{main|Euro gold and silver commemorative coins (Slovenia)}} Slovenian euro coins were first issued for circulation on 1 January 2007 and feature a unique design for each coin. The Slovenian euro coins were the first to feature a new common side, with a new map of Europe on the bicoloured and Nordic-gold coins. Since January 1, 2007, in such a short time, Slovenia have already built a small collection of collectors' coins, in gold, silver and other metals, with face value ranging from 3 to 100 euro. These coins are a legacy of an old national practice of minting of silver and gold commemorative coins. Unlike normal issues, these coins are not legal tender in all the eurozone. For instance, a €3 Slovenian commemorative coin cannot be used in any other country. == Demographics == {{main|Demographics of Slovenia}} {{seealso|Roman Catholicism in Slovenia|History of the Jews in Slovenia|Izbrisani|l3=The erased immigrants}} ({{lang-sl|Izbrisani}}) {{bar box |width = 370px |float = right |title = Ethnic composition of Slovenia |titlebar = #ddd |bars = {{bar percent|Slovene|teal|83.06}} {{bar percent|Serbian|teal|1.98}} {{bar percent|Croatian|teal|1.81}} {{bar percent|Bosnian|teal|1.10}} {{bar percent|Hungarian|teal|0.32}} {{bar percent|Albanian|teal|0.31}} {{bar percent|Macedonian|teal|0.20}} {{bar percent|Romani|teal|0.17}} {{bar percent|Montenegrin|teal|0.14}} {{bar percent|Italian|teal|0.11}} {{bar percent|other minorities|teal|1.9}} {{bar percent|undeclared or unknown|gray|8.9}} |caption = <small>source: [http://www.stat.si/popis2002/en/rezultati/rezultati_red.asp?ter=SLO&st=7 2002 census]</small> }} Slovenia's main ethnic group is [[Slovenes|Slovene]] (83%). Nationalities from the [[former Yugoslavia]] ([[Serbs|Serbian]], [[Croats|Croatian]], [[Bosniaks|Bosnian]], [[Macedonians (ethnic group)|Macedonian]], [[Montenegrins|Montenegrin]]) form 5.3%, and the [[Magyars|Hungarian]], [[Albanians|Albanian]], [[Romani people|Roma]], [[Italians|Italian]] and other minorities form 2.8% of the population. Ethnic affiliation of 8.9% was either undeclared or unknown. Life expectancy in 2003 was 72.2 years for men and 80 years for women. Slovenia ranks number 8 on the [[list of countries by suicide rate]]. {{bar box |width = 370px |float = center |title = Religion in Slovenia |titlebar = #ddd |bars = {{bar percent|Roman Catholic|teal|57.8}} {{bar percent|undeclared or unknown|teal|22.8}} {{bar percent|Atheist|teal|10.1}} {{bar percent|Agnostic|teal|3.5}} {{bar percent|Islam|teal|2.4}} {{bar percent|Orthodox|teal|2.3}} {{bar percent|Evangelical|teal|0.8}} {{bar percent|other religions|teal|0.3}} {{bar percent|Jewish|teal|0.0}} |caption = <small>source: [http://www.stat.si/popis2002/en/rezultati/rezultati_red.asp?ter=SLO&st=8 2002 census]</small> }} With 99 inhabitants per square kilometre (256/sq&nbsp;mi), Slovenia ranks low among the European countries in population density (compared to 320/km² (829/sq&nbsp;mi) for the [[Netherlands]] or 195/km² (505/sq&nbsp;mi) for [[Italy]]). The [[Notranjska-Kras statistical region]] has the lowest population density while the [[Central Slovenian statistical region|Central Slovenia]] has the highest. Approximately 51% of the population lives in urban areas and 49% in rural areas.[[Image:StNicholas-Ljubljana.JPG|thumb|right|250px|Ljubljana's [[St. Nicholas Cathedral, Ljubljana|St. Nicholas Cathedral]]]] The official language is [[Slovene language|Slovene]], which is a member of the [[South Slavic languages|South Slavic Slavic language group]]. [[Hungarian language|Hungarian]] and [[Italian language|Italian]] enjoy the status of official languages in the ethnically mixed regions along the Hungarian and Italian borders. By religion, Slovenes are traditionally largely [[Roman Catholic]] (57.8% according to the 2002 Census). According to the most recent [[Eurobarometer|Eurobarometer Poll]] 2005,<ref name=EUROBAROMETER>{{cite web|url=http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_225_report_en.pdf|title=Eurobarometer on Social Values, Science and technology 2005 - page 11|accessdate=2007-05-05}}</ref> 37% of Slovenian citizens responded that "they believe there is a god", whereas 46% answered that "they believe there is some sort of spirit or life force" and 16% that "they do not believe there is any sort of spirit, god, or life force". == Culture == {{main|Culture of Slovenia}} {{seealso|List of Slovenians|Holidays in Slovenia|Slovene literature|Music of Slovenia}} Slovenia's first book was printed by the Protestant reformer [[Primož Trubar]] (1508-1586). It was actually two books, {{lang-la|Catechismus}} (a [[catechism]]) and [[Abecedarium (Trubar)|Abecedarium]], which was published in 1550 in [[Tübingen]], [[Germany]]. The central part of the country, namely [[Carniola]] (which existed as a part of [[Austria-Hungary]] until the early 20th century) was ethnographically and historically well-described in the book ''[[The Glory of the Duchy of Carniola]]'' (''{{lang-de|Die Ehre deß Herzogthums Crain}}'', ''{{lang-sl|Slava vojvodine Kranjske}}''), published in 1689 by Baron [[Janez Vajkard Valvasor]] (1641-1693). [[Image:France Preseren.jpg|150px|thumb|left|[[France Prešeren]], a portrait by [[Božidar Jakac]], 1940]]<!-- The picture was painted post-mortem.--> Some of Slovenia's greatest literates were the poets [[France Prešeren]] (1800-1849), [[Srečko Kosovel]], [[Edvard Kocbek]] and [[Dane Zajc]], as well as the writers [[Ivan Cankar]] (1876-1918) and [[Vladimir Bartol]]. [[Alojz Rebula]], [[Drago Jančar]], [[Boris Pahor]], [[Tomaž Šalamun]] and [[Aleš Debeljak]] are the leading names of contemporary Slovene literature, while [[Aleš Šteger]] is one of the most noticeable name among newcomers. The most important Slovene painters include [[Anton Ažbe]], [[Ivana Kobilca]], [[Rihard Jakopič]], [[Božidar Jakac]], [[Avgust Černigoj]] and [[Zoran Mušič]]. The most famed Slovene architects are [[Jože Plečnik]] and [[Max Fabiani]]. Slovenia is a homeland of numerous musicians and composers, including [[Renaissance]] composer [[Jacobus Gallus]] (1550-1591), who greatly influenced Central European classical music, and the violin virtuoso [[Giuseppe Tartini]]. In the twentieth century, [[Bojan Adamič]] was a renowned film music composer and [[Ivo Petrić]] (born [[June 16]] [[1931]]), is a composer of European classical music. Contemporary popular musicians have been [[Slavko Avsenik]], [[Laibach (band)|Laibach]], [[Vlado Kreslin]], [[Pero Lovšin]], [[Pankrti]], [[Zoran Predin]], [[Lačni Franz]], [[New Swing Quartet]], [[DJ Umek]], [[Valentino Kanzyani]], [[Siddharta (band)|Siddharta]], [[Big Foot Mama]],[[Terrafolk]], [[Katalena]], [[Magnifico]] and others. Slovene cinema has more than a century-long tradition with [[Karol Grossmann]], [[Janko Ravnik]], [[Ferdo Delak]], [[France Štiglic]], [[Mirko Grobler]], [[Igor Pretnar]], [[France Kosmač]], [[Jože Pogačnik]], [[Matjaž Klopčič]], [[Jane Kavčič]], [[Jože Gale]], [[Boštjan Hladnik]] and [[Karpo Godina]] as its most established filmmakers. Contemporary film directors [[Janez Burger]], [[Jan Cvitkovič]], [[Damjan Kozole]], [[Janez Lapajne]] and [[Maja Weiss]] are most notable representatives of the so-called "[[Renaissance of Slovenian cinema]]". Famous Slovene scholars include the chemist and [[Nobel prize]] laureate [[Friderik Pregl]], physicist [[Joseph Stefan|Jožef Stefan]], philosophers [[Slavoj Žižek]] and [[Milan Komar]], linguist [[Franc Miklošič]], physician [[Anton Marko Plenčič]], mathematician [[Jurij Vega]], sociologist [[Thomas Luckmann]], theologian [[Anton Strle]] and rocket engineer [[Herman Potočnik]]. == Biodiversity == [[Image:Forest1.jpg|thumb|300px|A deciduous forest in Slovenia]] Although Slovenia is a small country, there is an exceptionally wide variety of habitats. In the north of Slovenia are the [[Alps]] (namely, [[Julian Alps]], [[Karavanke]], [[Kamnik Alps]]), and in the south stand the [[Dinaric Alps]]. There is also a small area of the [[Pannonian plain]] and a [[Littoral Region]]. Much of southwestern Slovenia is characterized by [[Kras|Classical Karst]], a very rich, often unexplored underground habitat containing diverse [[Flora (plants)|flora]] and [[fauna (animals)|fauna]]. More than half of the country (about 58%) is covered by forests. These forests are an important natural resource, but they are also valuable for the preservation of natural diversity. An ecological asset like all forests, they enrich the soil and cleanse the water and air. Slovenes find the social benefits of tourism and recreation. The forests also lend their natural beauty to the Slovenian landscape. In the interior of the country there are typical [[Central Europe]]an forests. The predominant trees are [[oak]]s and [[beech]]es. In the mountains, [[spruce]], [[fir]], and [[pine]] are more common. The [[tree line]] is at 1,700 to 1,800 metres (or 5,575 to 5,900 ft). Pine trees also grow on the Kras plateau. Only one third of Kras is now covered by pine forest. Before that Kras was covered by oak forest. It is said that most of the forest was chopped down long ago to provide the wooden piles on which the city of [[Venice]] now stands. The Kras and [[White Carniola]] are well known for the mysterious [[olm|proteus]]. The [[tilia|lime/linden]] tree, also common in Slovenian forests, is a national symbol. In the Alps, flowers such as ''[[Daphne blagayana]]'', various [[gentian]]s (''[[Gentiana clusii]]'', ''[[Gentiana froelichi]]''), ''[[Primula auricula]]'', [[Leontopodium alpinum|edelweiss]] (the symbol of Slovene mountaineering), ''[[Cypripedium calceolus]]'', ''[[Fritillaria meleagris]]'' (snake's head fritillary), and ''[[Pulsatilla grandis]]'' are found. The country's fauna includes [[marmot]]s, [[Alpine ibex]], and [[chamois]]. There are numerous [[deer]], [[roe deer]], [[boar]], and [[hare]]s. The [[edible dormouse]] is often found in the Slovenian beech forests. Hunting these animals is a long tradition and is well described in the book ''[[The Glory of the Duchy of Carniola]]'' ({{lang-sl|Slava vojvodine Kranjske}}, 1689), written by [[Janez Vajkard Valvasor]] (1641-1693). Some important carnivores include the [[Eurasian lynx]] (reintroduced to the [[Kočevje]] area in 1973), European [[wild cat]]s, [[fox]]es (especially the [[red fox]]), and the rare [[jackal]].<ref>{{sl icon}} {{cite web |url=http://www.gea-on.net/clanek.asp?ID=608 |title="Šakali" |author=Maja Berden Zrimec |year=2005 |month=May |publisher=[[GEA (journal)]] |accessdate=2006-04-06}}</ref> There are also [[hedgehog]]s, [[marten]]s, and snakes such as [[Viperinae|viper]]s and [[grass snake]]s. As of March 2005, Slovenia also has a limited population of [[wolves]] and around four hundred [[brown bear]]s. There is a wide variety of birds, such as the [[Tawny Owl]], the [[Long-eared Owl]], the [[Eagle Owl]], [[hawk]]s, and [[Short-toed Eagle]]s. Various other birds of prey have been recorded, as well as a growing number of [[raven]]s, [[crow]]s and [[magpie]]s migrating into [[Ljubljana]] and [[Maribor]] where they thrive. Other birds include (both Black and Green) [[Woodpecker]]s and the [[White Stork]], which nests in [[Prekmurje]]. The indigenous Slovenian fish is the [[marble trout]] or marmorata (''Salmo marmoratus''). Extensive breeding programmes have been introduced to repopulate the marble trout into lakes and streams invaded by non-indigenous species of [[trout]]. The only regular species of [[cetacea]]ns found in the northern Adriatic sea is the [[bottlenose dolphin]] (''Tursiops truncatus'').<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.morigenos.org/index.php?path=Delfini_pri_nas |title=Delfini pri nas |publisher=Morigenos |accessdate=2006-04-06 |language=Slovene}}</ref> Domestic animals originating in Slovenia include the [[Carniolan honeybee]], the indigenous [[Karst Shepherd]] and the [[Lipizzan]] horse. The exploration of various cave systems has yielded discoveries of many cave-dwelling insects and other organisms. Slovenia is a veritable cornucopia of forest, cavern and mountain-dwelling wildlife. Many species that are endangered or can no longer be found in other parts of Europe can still be found here. == Education == {{main|Education in Slovenia}} [[Image:Univerza Ljubljana.jpg|thumb|300px|right|The [[University of Ljubljana]]]] The Slovenian education system consists of: *pre-school education *basic education (single structure of primary and lower secondary education) *(upper) secondary education: vocational and technical education, secondary general education *higher vocational education *higher education Specific parts of the system: *adult education *music and dance education *special needs education *programmes in ethnically and linguistically mixed areas Currently there are four universities in Slovenia: *[[University of Ljubljana]] *[[University of Maribor]] *[[University of Primorska]] *[[University of Nova Gorica]] The [[Programme for International Student Assessment]], coordinated by the [[OECD]], currently ranks Slovenia's education as the 12th best in the world, being significantly higher than the OECD average.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/42/8/39700724.pdf |title=Table: Range of rank on the PISA 2006 science scale |date=2007-12-04 |accessdate=2008-04-15|work=PISA 2006 |publisher=OECD}}</ref> == See also == {{portal}} * [[Communications in Slovenia]] * [[Constitution of Slovenia]] * [[Foreign relations of Slovenia]] * [[Music of Slovenia]] * [[National symbols of Slovenia]] * [[Military of Slovenia]] * [[Tourism in Slovenia]] * [[Transportation in Slovenia]] == References == {{reflist}} == External links == {{sisterlinks|Slovenia}} * [http://www.gov.si/ The Republic of Slovenia]. Government links. * [http://www.zrc-sazu.si/agss/Slovenia.htm Slovenia: a geographical overview]. Published by the Association of the Geographical Societies of Slovenia. * [http://www.stat.si/eng/ Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia] * [http://www.slovenia.info/ The Slovenian Tourist portal]. Published by the Slovenian Tourist Board. * [http://www.mojaslovenija.si/ Slovenia - Landmarks]. A site featuring virtual reality panoramas of various spots in the country. {{Template group |title = Geographic locale |list = {{Countries of Europe}} {{Countries and territories bordering the Mediterranean Sea}} }} {{Template group |title = International membership and history |list = {{EU members}} {{Council of Europe members}} {{NATO}} {{La Francophonie}} {{WTO}} {{Slavic-speaking nations}} {{Republics and autonomous provinces of the former Yugoslavia}} }} [[Category:Slovenia| ]] [[Category:Liberal democracies]] [[Category:Slavic countries]] [[Category:States and territories established in 1991]] [[af:Slowenië]] [[als:Slowenien]] [[am:ስሎቬኒያ]] [[ar:سلوفينيا]] [[an:Eslobenia]] [[arc:ܣܠܘܒܢܝܐ]] [[frp:Slovènie]] [[ast:Eslovenia]] [[gn:Eloveña]] [[az:Sloveniya]] [[bn:স্লোভেনিয়া]] [[zh-min-nan:Slovenia]] [[be:Славенія]] [[be-x-old:Славенія]] [[bar:Slowénien]] [[bs:Slovenija]] [[br:Slovenia]] [[bg:Словения]] [[ca:Eslovènia]] [[cv:Словени]] [[ceb:Slovenia]] [[cs:Slovinsko]] [[cy:Slofenia]] [[da:Slovenien]] [[de:Slowenien]] [[dv:ސުލޮވީނިއާ]] [[dsb:Słowjeńska]] [[et:Sloveenia]] [[el:Σλοβενία]] [[es:Eslovenia]] [[eo:Slovenio]] [[eu:Eslovenia]] [[fa:اسلوونی]] [[fo:Slovenia]] [[fr:Slovénie]] [[fy:Sloveenje]] [[fur:Slovenie]] [[ga:An tSlóivéin]] [[gv:Yn Clovean]] [[gd:An t-Slòbhain]] [[gl:Eslovenia - Slovenija]] [[ko:슬로베니아]] [[haw:Solowenia]] [[hy:Սլովենիա]] [[hi:स्लोवेनिया]] [[hsb:Słowjenska]] [[hr:Slovenija]] [[io:Slovenia]] [[ilo:Slovenia]] [[bpy:স্লোভেনিয়া]] [[id:Slovenia]] [[ia:Slovenia]] [[ie:Slovenia]] [[os:Словени]] [[is:Slóvenía]] [[it:Slovenia]] [[he:סלובניה]] [[jv:Slovenia]] [[pam:Slovenia]] [[ka:სლოვენია]] [[csb:Sloweńskô]] [[kk:Слоуения]] [[kw:Sloveni]] [[ky:Словения]] [[sw:Slovenia]] [[ht:Sloveni]] [[ku:Slovenya]] [[la:Slovenia]] [[lv:Slovēnija]] [[lb:Slowenien]] [[lt:Slovėnija]] [[lij:Slovenia]] [[li:Slovenië]] [[hu:Szlovénia]] [[mk:Словенија]] [[mt:Slovenja]] [[mr:स्लोव्हेनिया]] [[ms:Slovenia]] [[nah:Esloventlān]] [[nl:Slovenië]] [[nds-nl:Sloveniën]] [[ne:स्लोभेनिया]] [[ja:スロベニア]] [[ce:Словени]] [[no:Slovenia]] [[nn:Slovenia]] [[nrm:Slovénie]] [[nov:Slovenia]] [[oc:Eslovènia]] [[uz:Sloveniya]] [[ps:سلووېنيا]] [[pms:Slovenia]] [[nds:Slowenien]] [[pl:Słowenia]] [[pt:Eslovénia]] [[crh:Sloveniya]] [[ro:Slovenia]] [[qu:Isluwinya]] [[ru:Словения]] [[se:Slovenia]] [[sa:स्लोवीनिया]] [[sq:Sllovenia]] [[scn:Slovenia]] [[simple:Slovenia]] [[sk:Slovinsko]] [[cu:Їллӱрїиска Словѣнїꙗ]] [[sl:Slovenija]] [[so:Isloveeniya]] [[sr:Словенија]] [[sh:Slovenija]] [[fi:Slovenia]] [[sv:Slovenien]] [[tl:Slovenia]] [[ta:சுலோவீனியா]] [[tet:Eslovénia]] [[th:ประเทศสโลวีเนีย]] [[vi:Slovenia]] [[tg:Словения]] [[tr:Slovenya]] [[udm:Словения]] [[uk:Словенія]] [[vec:Slovenia]] [[vo:Sloveniyän]] [[fiu-vro:Sloveeniä]] [[war:Eslovenya]] [[wo:Esloweeni]] [[wuu:斯洛文尼亚]] [[yi:סלאוועניע]] [[diq:Slowenya]] [[bat-smg:Slovienėjė]] [[zh:斯洛文尼亚]]