Basic information about Slovenia

BASIC INFORMATION

Official name:............ Republic of Slovenia

Capital: ............ Ljubljana

Political system: ........... Parliamentary republic

Population: ……….. Slovenia 2,019,406 (2007) / Ljubljana 266,845 (2004)

Official language: .......... Slovenian

Independent since: ………….. 1991 (ex-Yugoslavian republic)

Currency: ............ Euro (€) (since January 2007)

Visa information: ... Part of Schengen agreement since 2008

Part of European Union since: ..... May 2004

Borders: Austria 318km, Italy 280km, Hungary 102km, Croatia 670km

Ethnic origin of population: ............ Slovene (83.06%), Italian (0.11%), Hungarian (0.32%), Former Yugoslav minorities (5.3%), Hungarian, Albanian, Roma, Italian and others (2.8%)

Religion: ............. Roman Catholic (60%)

Time zone: ......... Central European Time GMT+1

Ethnic composition: Area: ............. 20,273 km2

Length of coast:........... 46.6 km

Forest: ........... 10,124 km2

Vineyards: .......... 216 km2

Longest river: ……….. Sava (221km in Slovenia)

Highest mountain: ………… Triglav 2,864m

Climate: ............. Alpine, Continental, Mediterranean

Average temperatures July: 21°C  January: -2°C

Electricity: ……… 220 volts AC, 50 Hz, European two-pin plugs

VISA INFORMATION

Many foreigners simply need a passport or ID card to enter Slovenia. Those requiring a visa will be able to travel freely between the Schengen-agreement countries for a limited amount of time, usually 90 days. Always check these details with a Slovenian embassy or consulate. Further information can be found at www.mzz.gov.si.

NATIONAL HOLIDAYS AND DAYS OFF IN SLOVENIA

1, 2 January ……… New Year
8 February ……… Slovenian Day of Culture
March / April ……… Easter
27 April ……… Uprising Day
1, 2 May ……… Labour Day
25 June ……… National Day
15 August ……… Assumption
31 October ……… Reformation Day
1 November ……… All Souls' Day
25 December ……… Christmas
26 December ……… Independence Day

TIPPING

It's not traditional to tip in Slovenia, though a reward of about 10% for good service in a restaurant or bar is always appreciated.

STANDARD COMPARISON

A bottle of Coca Cola - 0.5L (in a supermarket): ……… 0,70 EUR
A bottle of beer - 0.33L in can (in a supermarket): ……… 0,84 EUR
A bottle of beer - 0.5L in bottle (in a supermarket): ……… 0,65 EUR
A bottle of coca cola - 0.33L (in a bar): ……… 1,80 EUR
A bottle of beer - 0.5L (in a bar): ……… 2 EUR
Lunch at local restaurant (standard 3-course menu without drinks): ……… 12 – 18 EUR
Bus price: ……… 1 EUR per entry (public buses in Ljubljana)
Taxi price: ……… Fixed rate: 1,50 EUR / km, Starting rate: 1,50 EUR / km (please note that prices depend on different taxi companies)

UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE IN SLOVENIA

- Skocjan caves (since 1986)