General information
Slovenia lies in the heart of Europe, where the Alps meet the Mediterranean and the Pannonian Plain meets the Karst. To the north borders to Austria; Hungary is to the east; Croatia to the south and Italy to the west. This small green country measures 20,273 km2 in area, and is home to sincere, hospitable people of great diligence. It has an exceptional number of top athletes, and a wealth of cultural creativity.
Geography
The collision of four major European geographical units has created a very invigorating landscape, much of it thickly forested. More than a third of the country’s area is protected.
The most mountainous region is the north, where the Alps begin. The Julian Alps and the Kamnik-Savinja Alps have many stunning sharp peaks. The peaks of the Karavanke, the mountains bordering Austria, are more gentle.
Much of the east of the country between Ljubljana and Maribor is uplands, as are the areas west and south of the capital.
There are gentler hills in the south-east and east, where the vine flourishes, while plains and basins populate the areas between the hills.
Not only is the land surface very invigorating, there are also wonders underground: some of the country’s 9,000 karstic caves are among the most beautiful in the world.
Food and wine
As you enjoy Slovenian food and wine, the circumstances that resulted in the Slovenian proverb that love comes through the stomach will become clear. The delights of Slovenian cooking, hidden in old recipes, are now available at almost every turn.. Its faithful companions are the excellent Slovenian wines.
Almost everywhere you go in Slovenia you can find tasty and varied dishes, and Slovenian wines can enthuse even the most demanding wine connoisseur. Slovenia's varied cuisine developed at the meeting place of influences from the cuisines of the Mediterranean, the Pannonian plain, the Alps and the Balkans. You can discover its specialities in 24 different culinary regions.
The loveliest areas of the three Slovenian wine-growing regions are given over to a plant that requires a lot of attention, love and sunshine. The vines in Slovenia have been getting all of this for several thousand years. and you can find out for yourself why Slovenian wines are among the best in the world. Along the picturesque wine roads there are cellars where you can taste and buy quality, superior quality and quality-tested (predikat) wines and sparkling wines.
General statistics about Slovenia and usefull information:
Official name:
Republic of Slovenia
Official web site: http://www.gov.si/
AREA
20.251 KM2
Capital: Ljubljana pop. 280 000
POPULATION
2 million
90% Slovenes, with Italian and Hungarian minoritiesđ
LANGUAGE
Slovene
Most Slovenes speak one of the following languages: English, Italian or German.
RELIGION
Mainly Roman Catholic, some Protestant
CLIMATE
Slovenia has three different climatic regions: Central European, Alpine and Mediterranean. The average summer temperature is 21°C, winter 0°C.
Check the weather forecast before coming: http://www.slovenia.info/?_ctg_vreme=0&lng=2
POLITICAL SYSTEM
Multiparty parliamentary democracy; bicameral parliament made up of a National Assembly and National Council.
Slovenia is a Member State of the EU, joined in 2004.
CURRENCY
Euro.
BANKS
Banks will exchange foreign currency and travellers checks for Euros and vice versa. Foreign residents may open Euro and foreign currency accounts, and it is possible to send money orders and transfer payments. Exchanging money is also possible at exchange offices in hotels, gasoline stations, tourist agencies, supermarkets, and numerous small exchange offices.
Hours of operation:
Weekdays: 8:30-12:30 and 14:00-17:00
Saturdays: 8:30 to 11:00/12:00
STORES
Working hours are mostly nonstop without lunch time closing.
- Weekdays: 8:00 to 19:00
- Saturdays: 8:00 to 13:00
- Sundays and holidays: On duty pharmacies, etc., and some private stores
Payment is in Euros; most stores accept credit cards: American Express, Diners, Marster Card – Eurocard and Visa.
POST OFFICES
Hours of operation:
- Weekdays: 8:00 to 18:00
- Saturdays: 8:00 to 12:00
Evenings and Sundays only main Post Offices in larger cities are open; www.posta.si
TELEPHONE
International outgoing call prefix: 00
International calls to Slovenia prefix: 386
Public telephones operate on magnetic cards. Magnetic cards are sold at post offices; at newspaper kiosks and tobacco shops; www.telekom.si
MOBILE TELEPHONE USE
Mobile telephones in Slovenia operate in the network on the frequency bands of 900 MHz and 1800 MHz. Roaming is available in the following mobile networks: Mobitel, Simobil, Debitel, Izimobil, Mmobil, Tušmobil.
DRINKING WATER
The water is safe and drinkable throughout the country.
ELECTRICITY
Current is 220 V, 50 Hz.
Important telephone numbers
police: 113
fire: 112
emergency first aid: 112
AMZS - Automobile Association of Slovenia: 1987