Area:A landlocked country of 18,932 square miles; once the eastern 40% of Czechoslovakia.
Neighbours:
Poland, Ukraine, Hungary, Austria and the Czech Republic.
Environment:
The rugged Carpathian Mountains, including the Tatras, lie to the north (highest point 2,655 metres). South-western Slovakia’s fertile lowland extends to the River Danube on the Hungarian border. Slovakia has a rich wildlife.
Population:
5.4 million.
Life expectancy:
Men 70 years; women 78 years.
Ethnic groups:
Slovak 86%, Hungarian 10%, Roma (Gypsy) 2%, Czech 1%, others 1%.
Languages:
Slovak (official), Hungarian, Roma.
Capital:
Bratislava (450,000).
Other cities:
Kosice, Nitra and Presov.
Urbanisation:
57%.
Economy:
There has been a reasonably successful transition from a communist to a capitalist economy, although unemployment stands at about 15%. Heavy industry is prominent; exports include machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods and chemicals. There are significant forestry and mineral resources.
Religions:
Roman Catholic 60-73%, non-religious 17%, Protestant 8%, others 2-15%. There is freedom of religion.
Protestant denominations:
Lutheran, Reformed, Apostolic, Baptist, Church of the Brethren, Christian Fellowship, Evangelical Methodist, Christian Assemblies, others.
History:
In 1918 the Slovaks joined the Czechs to form Czechoslovakia. Following World War II, Czechoslovakia became a Communist nation within Soviet-ruled Eastern Europe. Soviet influence collapsed in 1989. The Slovaks and the Czechs agreed to separate on 1 January 1993. Slovakia joined NATO and the EU earlier this year.
