Slovenia is known as the last green jewel of Europe
It has spectacular mountains, lush thick forests, crystal clear lakes and rivers, a short Adriatic coastline, and Tuscan style vineyards.
It is only 20,273 km2, and measures approximately 240 km east to west, and 130 km north to south. The population is a little over 2,000,000, of whom 350,000 live in the capital city of Ljubljana.
Slovenia is situated to the north of the Adriatic sea, bordered by Italy to the west, Austria to the north, Hungary to the east and Croatia to the south.
THE ECONOMY IN SLOVENIA
Slovenia is a model of economic and political success and stability. It was the first ex-Yugoslav state to join the EU on 1 May 2004, having become a member of NATO a few months before. Slovenia was the first of the 10 new member states to adopt the euro, on 1 January 2007. Slovenia currently holds the presidency of the EU, until the end of June.
In March 2004, Slovenia became the first transition country to graduate from borrower status to donor partner at the World Bank.
Slovenia has an excellent central location, a well-educated work force, and benefits from a GDP per capita substantially higher than any of the other transitional economies of Central Europe.
Economic forecasts from Unicredit Bank for 2008:
GDP per capita: 18,130 €
Inflation (CPI) yoy, eop. 3.5 %
Inflation (CPI) yoy, avg. 5.0 %
Current account balance/GDP -3.8 %
FDI/GDP 3.4 %
In Q3 2007 the Slovene economy grew by an impressive 6.3 % year on year, driven by booming investment activity. Thanks to a robust domestic economy, the unemployment rate kept falling, reaching a record low of 4.5 %. Inflationary pressures intensified thanks to higher food and energy prices, averaging 3.6 % last year. This has sparked a lively debate in Slovenia on the need for further structural reforms, especially after the ECB and European Commission expressed concern at inflation dynamics. With strong economic growth, the current account deficit is estimated to widen to 4 % of GDP in 2007, while gross foreign debt should be over 100 % of GDP. (Source: Unicredit Bank)
Slovenia faces growing challenges despite its economic success. Much of the economy remains in state hands and foreign direct investment in Slovenia is one of the lowest in the EU on a per capita basis, due mainly to high taxes and an inflexible labour market. The current center-right government, elected in October 2004, has pledged to accelerate privatization of a number of state holdings and has stated it will increase foreign investment in Slovenia. In 2005, the government's new Committee for Economic Reforms was promoted to cabinet-level status. The Committee's plans include lowering the tax burden, privatizing state-controlled firms, improving the flexibility of the labour market, and increasing the government's efficiency.
Slovenia exports manufactured goods, machinery and transport equipment, chemicals, and food. The country's natural resources include lignite coal, zinc, lead, uranium, mercury, hydropower, forests and silver.
GDP by sector: Agriculture: 2.8 % Industry: 36.9 % Services: 60.3 %
Two notable Slovene companies are Elan, with 8 % of the world's ski market, and Gorenje, with 4 % of the European household appliances market.
The west of Slovenia has achieved 104 % of average EU GDP, and the east of Slovenia 75 %, ahead of all other 9 new member states.
HISTORY OF SLOVENIA
The Slavic ancestors of the present-day Slovenes settled in the country in the 6th century. It is not clear whether they cast out the incumbent Celtic inhabitants, or settled with them.
During the 14th century, most of Slovenia's regions passed to the Habsburgs whose territories later formed the Austro-Hungarian Empire. With the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1918, Slovenia became part of the State of Slovenes, Croats and Serbs, which was one of the founding members of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia in 1929. Following the re-emergence of Yugoslavia at the end of World War II, Slovenia became part of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in 1945. Present day Slovenia was formed on 25 June 1991 upon its independence from Yugoslavia, after a relatively bloodless 10-day war.
KEY FACTS ABOUT SLOVENIA
Land mass: 20,273 km2 Population: a little over 2,000,000 Capital city: Ljubljana Language: Slovene Currency: The Euro Religion: majority Catholic Life expectancy: 73 years for men and 80 years for women Internet domain: .si International dialing code: +386 Average number of children per woman: 1.25 Average age of inhabitants: 40.6 years Borders: Austria, Hungary, Italy and Croatia Main trading partners: Germany, Italy, France and Austria
WEATHER IN SLOVENIA
Slovenia enjoys a Mediterranean climate on the coast with long, hot summers and mild, wet winters. The northwest has a typical alpine climate with mild to hot summers, and cold winters with plenty of snow. The rest of the country benefits from a mixture of continental and alpine weather. A typical summers day in Ljubljana will be around 26 degrees celsius, whilst winter will be 2 degrees.
SPORTS IN SLOVENIA
Slovenia is a sports enthusiast's paradise, and the Slovenes have officially been declared sports mad. On offer you will find:
- Skiing in over ten main ski resorts
- Golf on any one of 9 courses
- Hiking and trekking
- Mountain biking
- Horseriding
- White water rafting
- Fishing
- Sailing
- Kayaking
- Hunting wild boar and other birds and animals
- Canyoning
- Hot air ballooning
FOOD AND DRINK IN SLOVENIA
There are four main influences that have shaped the unique Slovene cuisine. The proximity to Italy has brought excellent pasta dishes and many restaurants have their own wood burning pizza oven. Slovenia's Austro-Hungarian roots mean meat and apple desserts and cakes are to be found on most menus. The Balkans have also played their part in shaping the Slovene diet with kebabs, grilled meat and spicy pepper relish. The proximity to the sea means fish and seafood is plentiful and widely enjoyed. Many Slovenes grow their own vegetables and delicious fresh salads feature everywhere. Slovenia brews its own beer, and produces many fine wines. No meal in Slovenia is complete without a shot of home made fruit brandy to finish off, and aid digestion. Eating out in Slovenia costs approximately half UK prices.
GETTING TO SLOVENIA
Connections from the UK and Ireland:
Stansted to Ljubljana (Easyjet)
Gatwick to Ljubljana (Adria)
Manchester to Ljubljana (Adria)
Birmingham to Ljubljana (Adria)
Stansted to Maribor (Ryanair)
Luton to Zagreb, Croatia (Wizzair)
Stansted to Graz, Austria (Ryanair)
Stansted to Klagenfurt, Austria (Ryanair)
Stansted to Pula, Croatia (Ryanair)
Stansted to Trieste, Italy (Ryanair)
Stansted to Balaton, Hungary (Ryanair)
Dublin to Ljubljana (Adria)
Dublin to Pula, Croatia (Ryanair).
SURPRISING FACTS ABOUT SLOVENIA
54 % of households in Slovenia have Internet access, compared to 57 % in the UK - Roast dormouse is considered a delicacy by some Slovenes - Slovenia has over a million hectares of woodland; covering 58 % and making it the third most densely forested country in Europe - Slovenia has 38 varieties of grapes and wine is produced in 14 different districts – Mount Triglav is Slovenia's highest peak at 2864 m - The sun shines for 2,000 hours a year in Slovenia compared to 1,375 in UK - Slovenia's largest cave is 19.5 km long - All the rivers and streams in Slovenia add up to 26,000 km - The Boka waterfall is Slovenia's largest at 106 metres high - The Lipizzaner horse originated in Slovenia in 1580 - Slovenia's 8,000 beekeepers produce 2,000 tonnes of honey annually.
