Slovakia

A Central European Gem in the Cover

One of the less popular travel destinations in Central Europe, landlocked Slovakia, hidden central nation, is a good destination that promises an enjoyable combination of medieval cities, natural scenery, and cultural roots. Slovakia is also a land of bright cities, rough mountains and awesome castles, which is why it is a land of more adventure and history than anyone can imagine. Visit Slovakia and you are bound to get captivated and charmed. Take a tour of the Ivy-league beauty High Tatras or tour the heritage listed town of Bansk.

To obtain all information about Slovakia,look at its Wikipedia site to see its detailed history as well as general information. To get the official resource and news visit the official site of Slovakia 

In case you want to find more information regarding Slovakia,such as its flag, language, area, currency, and population, you can produce and download free  this information by visit in our Random Country Generator tool. 

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Geographical Location

Slovakia borders on Central Europe with Czech republic to the northwest, Austria, Hungary, Ukraine, Slovakia and Poland to the north. With the territory of 49,035 square kilometers Slovakia is a not big country, but it gives an impressive range of landscapes which include not only the culmination of the Carpathian Mountains but also fertile plain and peaceful lakes. It is the hub of Europe and thus serves as a good base of exploring countries that are in its direct vicinity.

Landscape and Natural Formations

Slovakia has its beautiful and diversified landscapes in form of the high tatras which form part of the carpathians mountains. Slovakia also has the highest mountain range, the Tatras, which have been one of the best places ideal to hike, ski, and even practice mountaineering. The country is also very rich in rivers among them being the Vah river and Dunajec river flowing through breathtaking valleys. Slovakia is a land full of forests, national parks and green areas covered by laws as it is a real paradise of nature and sportsmen.

Medieval and Ancient History

The origin of Slovakia can be traced back to early times when Slovakia was occupied by Celtic, Roman and Slavic tribes. In the 9th century, the territory became one of the centres of the Great Moravian Empire, a notable cultural and political power that preconditioned the establishment of a Slavic identity in Slovakia. During the medieval time the area of modern-day Slovakia was under the control of different kingdoms such as Kingdom of Hungary. Most of the well-known castles of the country including Spi as Castle and Orava Castle were constructed during this period.

Independence and Colonial Era

The modern history of Slovakia was formed by the connection with Hungary within the Austro-Hungarian Empire, thus the uninterrupted union between the partner countries remained until the end of the World War I. After the war, the Slovaks joined Czechoslovakia that was formed in 1918. In 1993 Slovakia gained independence after decades of political instability and World War II as a result of successful peaceful partition of Czechoslovakia into two: the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

Current History and Development

Following independence, Slovakia has undergone rapid development with the nation evolving out of Soviet-inspired, communist existence to a prosperous modern democracy and the market economy. In 2004, the country entered the European Union and NATO and since then, it has been developing economically, specializing in high-tech industries, tourism as well as exports. Slovakia of today has a vibrant economy, spectacular architectural work and a cultural input into Europe.

Ethnic Diversity and Religious Diversity

The main ethnic group in Slovakia is the Slovak, however, there are also Hungarians, Roma, Czechs and Ukrainians living in smaller groups. The state has a powerful Roman Catholic heritage and most of the citizens are Catholics. There is also strong representation of Protestantism and especially the Lutheran sect especially around the western and central regions of the country. The high number of inhabitants and the history of Slovakia have made the country have a cultural mosaic as indicated by its food, language, and customs.

Traditions of Practices in Culture

The Slovak culture is predominantly rural in nature and most of its cultures entail the past usages of the country where the people of Slovakia were agrarian. Folk music, dances, and festivals are also the part of life where the Year celebrations such as Goralske Days and Folk Festivals are devoted to the traditional customs of Slovakia. Another reason why Slovakia is famous is its crafts woodcarving, pottery and embroidery, practiced to some extent in rural settlements. The country also has great cultural affiliations to sports and tradition as indicated by the Košice Peace Marathon, the oldest marathon in Europe.

Religious Festivals

Slovakia has religious holidays that are accorded a lot of respect especially those associated with the Catholic Church. Slovakia celebrates Christmas with lots of religious and family feasting, meals, and mass at churches. Easter is another holiday: this holiday has its own folk traditions (Easter Monday water splashing traditions which are supposed to bring good health and fecundity).

Special days and National Holidays

The 29th of August is Slovak National Uprising Day which commemorates the fight of Slovak partisans against the Nazi occupation in the period of World War II. It is a national day of memory and there are different events and ceremonies. September 1 st is Constitution Day which commemorates the adoption of the Slovak constitution in 1992 and is to celebrate the nation independence and democratic principles.

Agricultural Sector

Agricultural industry of Slovakia is significant, especially agriculture of cereal, vegetable and fruit. Corn, wheat and potatoes are major products of the country. In Slovakia also, wine production is extensive, especially in the areas neighboring the Malokarpatsk Wine Region, since the countries have a favorable climate around the vineyards.

Industrial and Manufacturing growth

Ever since its independence, Slovakia has experienced a spectacular development of industry. Automotive industry of the country is among the largest in the world with some of the biggest companies in the industry including Volkswagen, Peugeot, and Kia in operation in the country. There are also powerful manufacturing in Slovakia which are electronics, machinery and chemicals contributing to the economy.

Economic Development

The economy of Slovakia has been on the rising trend especially in the field where information technology, services, and high-tech industries have been booming. The country is also devoted to foreign investment and its powerful stance in the EU portrays the fact that Slovakia has a competitive economy in the Central Europe. The tourism industry in the country is expanding rapidly as well; therefore, maintaining its status as the industry that attracts tourists because of the rich culture, beauty of nature and liveliness of cities.

Slovakia Best Things to See

Slovakia has more than enough attractions to host its cultural heritage, beauty of nature and its history. Here are six do not miss places:

1. Bratislava Old Town

Bratislava The Old Town is an attractive combination of an old fashioned architectural style and the present-day dynamics. The Old Town has cobblestone streets, colored houses, and sightseeing attractions such as the Bratislava Castle and St. Martin Cathedral; it is an excellent sightseeing spot to take a pleasant walk or undertake a cultural tour.

2. Spiš Castle

Spiš Castle is the largest in Central Europe, one of the largest UNESCO world heritage sites in Central Europe. The castle is situated in eastern Slovakia and will offer an amazing sight on the countryside near it as well as a unique insight into the buildings and architecture of the medieval times.

3. High Tatras National Park

High Tatras are a spectacular piece of nature with mountains, pristine lakes, and beautiful valleys. The High Tatras has everything in it to satisfy rather the nature lover and the adventurer; hiking, skiing, view just to name a few things.

4. Banská Štiavnica

A historic town of Banska Štiavnica is a UNESCO World Heritage site, because of the preservation of the medieval architecture and the peculiar mining history. Kingsford has many beautiful hills, scenic views and has the Old Castle and New castle that give a view of the rich history of the region.

5. Orava Castle

One of the most beautiful production castles is Orava Castle which is situated in the Orava River on a rocky hill. It was a movie shooting site of many movies and an ideal illustration of a middle age architecture.

6. Demanovsk cava of freedom

The Demanovsk Cave of the Liberty is in the Low Tatras and it is an interesting natural phenomenon. This is an impressive cave situated in Slovakia which is known to have a terrific collection of stalactites, stalagmites and subterranean rivers.

Healthcare System

Slovakia has universal healthcare system, where everybody is sure to get quality healthcare. Larger cities such as Bratislava have modern fully equipped health care, whereas rural areas tend to be less well equipped. Slovakia has invested into healthcare infrastructure and progresses towards healthcare population access and quality.

Education System

Education is well developed in Slovakia and primary and secondary education there is free. There are also number of high quality universities in the country which include the Comenius University in Bratislava; which has a diversified selection of programs in different fields.

Transport Network

Slovakia possesses very good transportation facilities, which have a well-linked network of roads, rail traffic and a solid network of airports. The geographical position of the country in Central Europe makes it convenient to visit the neighboring states. The main international airport is Bratislava Airport and rail transport can be used as one of the most affordable means of sightseeing.

Urban Development

The cities of Slovakia have experienced a massive urbanization especially, its capital, Bratislava. Modern infrastructure covers the country, and there is emphasis on sustainability, green spaces and enhancement of transport means of transport to satisfy the demands of an expanding urban dweller.

Ideal Seasons

The spring (April to June), and autumn (September to October) are the best periods to visit Slovakia as the weather is really not too cold and landscapes are particularly beautiful. July and August are also excellent periods to do things outdoors in the High Tatras as well as to discover the cities of Slovakia.

Special events and Festivals

Slovakia has many well-attended festivals, such as Bratislava Music Festival, Goralske Days and the famous Christmas markets in such cities as Bratislava and Košice, which reveal the rich culture and traditions of Slovakia.

Conclusion :

Beautiful nature, ancient stripes of history and increasing economy of Slovakia makes a good perspective destination. Slovakia will always be an interesting place to visit and this is because the nation holds into the culture it practiced yet embracing modernity as well as encouraging people to invest in the country.

Questions and Answers

When is the most appropriate time to visit Slovakia?

Slovakia can be visited any time of a year; however, spring (April-June) or autumn (September-October) are the best times as the weather is mild, and not so many people tend to travel.

Which are the best things to do in Slovakia?

The best attractions are Old Town in Bratislava, Spi and Castle, High Tatras National Park and Bansk Slovakia.

Which are the languages spoken in Slovakia?

Slovakian is the official language, but a lot of folks along with tourists speak English and Hungarian.

Which are the main industries that propel the economy of Slovakia?

The economy of the Slovakian republic is pushed by motor vehicles, electronic devices, agriculture, and tourism.

Is Slovakia tourist friendly?

Slovakia is safe to tourists, Yes indeed. So low is the level of crimes in this country and the people are very friendly.

Which are the cultural festivals that I must visit in Slovakia?

One of the main cultural occurrences is The Goralske Days, Bratislava Music Festival, Christmas markets in Slovakia.