SLOVENIA



Republic of Slovenia

Republika Slovenije

CAPITAL : Ljubljana

FLAG : Equal horizontal bands of white (top), blue, and red with seal superimposed on upper hoist side.

ANTHEM : Zive naj vsi narodi. (The national anthem begins, "Let all nations live …")

MONETARY UNIT : The currency of Slovenia is the tolar (S LT ), which consists of 100 stotinov. There are coins of 50 stotinov and 1, 2, and 5 tolars, and notes of 10, 20, 50, and 200 tolars. S LT 1 = $0.0047 (or $1 = S LT 212) as of May 2003.

WEIGHTS AND MEASURES : The metric system is in force.

HOLIDAYS : New Year, 1–2 January; Preeren Day, Day of Culture, 8 February; Resistance Day, 27 April; Labor Days, 1–2 May; National Statehood Day, 25 June; Assumption, 15 August; Reformation Day, 31 October; All Saints' Day, 1 November; Christmas Day, 25 December; Independence Day, 26 December. Movable holidays are Easter Sunday and Monday.

TIME : 1 PM = noon GMT.


TOPOGRAPHY

The topography of Slovenia features a small coastal strip on the Adriatic, an alpine region adjacent to Italy, and mixed mountains and valleys with numerous rivers in the east.

Slovenia's natural resources include lignite coal, lead, zinc, mercury, uranium, and silver. Approximately 11% of Slovenia's land is arable.

ETHNIC GROUPS

In 1998, the population was 91% Slovene. Croats comprised 3%; Serbs made up 2%; Muslims accounted for 1%, and various other groups formed the remaining 3%.

INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION

Slovenia was admitted to the UN in 1992. It is also a member of the Council of Europe, ECE, OSCE, IAEA, ICAO, ILO, ITU, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, and WTO. In November 2002, NATO invited Slovenia to join the organization, and in December 2002, Slovenia was invited to join the EU in 2004. In referendums held in March 2003, Slovenian voters approved accession to both bodies.

FISHING

The total catch in 2000 was 1,859 tons, 94% from marine fishing. The freshwater catch is dominated by rainbow trout and common carp. Exports of fish products amounted to $6.2 million in 2000, up from $5.1 million in 1997. The fishing sector accounts for less than 1% of foreign investment.

INSURANCE

In 1996, the company Zavarovaluica Triglav wrote all classes of insurance. There were at least 13 companies operating in Slovenia in 1997. In 2001, there was $203 million worth of life insurance premiums written.

DEPENDENCIES

Slovenia has no territories or colonies.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Benderly, Jill, and Evan Kraft, (eds.). Independent Slovenia: Origins, Movements, Prospects. New York: St. Martin's Press, 1994.

Carmichael, Cathie. Slovenia. Santa Barbara, Calif.: Clio Press, 1996.

Fink-Hafner, Danica, and John R. Robbins, (eds.). Making a New Nation: The Formation of Slovenia. Brookfield, Vt.: Dartmouth Publishing Company, 1997.

Glenny, Michael. The Fall of Yugoslavia: The Third Balkan War. New York: Penguin, 1992.

Gobetz, Edward, and Ruth Lakner, (eds.). Slovenian Heritage. Willoughby Hills, Ohio: Slovenian Research Center of America, 1980.

Harriman, Helga H. Slovenia Under Nazi Occupation, 1941–1945. New York: Studia Slovenica, 1977.

McElrath, Karen, ed. HIV and AIDS: A Global View. Westport, Conn.: Greenwood Press, 2002.

Pavlovic, Vukasin, and Jim Seroka, (eds.). The Tragedy of Yugoslavia: The Failure of Democratic Transformation. Armonk, N.Y.: M. E. Sharpe, 1992.

Plut-Pregelj, Leopoldina. Historical Dictionary of Slovenia. Lanham, Md.: Scarecrow Press, 1996.

Summers, Randal W., and Allan M. Hoffman, (eds.). Domestic Violence: A Global View. Westport, Conn.: Greenwood Press, 2002.

Svetlik, Ivan, ed. Social Policy in Slovenia: Between Tradition and Innovation. Brookfield, Vt.: Ashgate, 1992.

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