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 (SLT), 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. SLT1 = $0.0047 (or $1 = SLT212) 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.
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.
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%.
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.
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.
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.
Slovenia has no territories or colonies.