Slovenia

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Slovenia is a small country in Central Europe and a member of the European Union. It is located at the northern end of the Adriatic Sea and is bordered by Austria, Italy, Hungary and Croatia. In its northern part are the Julian Alps. Despite its small size, it is an important transit hub in Europe.

It was one of the six republics of Yugoslavia, from which it seceded in 1991 during its breakup. Historical ties with Western Europe and aid from the European Union helped transform Slovenia into a modern state.

It has a Mediterranean climate on the coasts, a continental climate with mild to hot summers and cold winters on the plateaus and valleys in the east.

The Slovenes are a Slavic people and did not exist as a nation until 1991. The Slovenian territories were part of the Holy Roman Empire and later the Austro-Hungarian Empire until its dissolution after the end of World War I, when the multi-ethnic state of Yugoslavia was formed. Dissatisfied with the Serbian takeover, the Slovenes managed to establish their independence after a short ten-day war.

Its architecture is a mix of Austrian and Italian influence, with buildings and churches in the Baroque style.

Slovenia’s highest mountain, the three-peaked Triglav, is depicted on the national flag. Apart from the capital Ljubljana, main tourist attractions include Lake Bled, the famous Postojna Caves and the ski slopes of the Julian Alps. It still has a small coastline on the Adriatic.