Slovakia

The official name is the Slovak Republic. It is an independent state situated in the heart of Europe. The capital city is Bratislava. Slovakia has 5 neighbours: Austria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Ukraine. In our country live about 5,5 million inhabitants. Slovakia has 49 000 square kilometres, so it belong to smaller countries of Europe. Here live people of different nations and ethnic groups. The strongest nationality are the Slovaks. Here live minorities like Hungarians, Romany people, the Czechs, the Ruthenians, the Ukrainians, the Germans, the Russians an more other, too.



The official language is Slovak. Slovakia is divided into 3 regions: West, Middle an East region. Slovakia territory isn't big, but is characterised by great difference in height. The lowest lying place is the town of Streda nad Bodrogom (95 meter above sea level) in eastern Slovakia, the highest point being the Gerlach Peak (2655 meter above sea level) in the High Tatra mountains. The longest river is the Váh, which flows into the river Danube. Other big rivers are the Danube, the Hron, the Poprad and the Ipeľ.



Up to one half of Slovakia's territory is taken up by the Carpathian mountain range. The Carpathians range consists of several smaller ranges: the small Carpathians, the White Carpathians, the small Fatra, the High Fatra, the High Tatras and the Low Tatras and the Slovak Rudohorie. The highest point of the Tatras is Gerlach Peak (2655). Climate in Slovakia is mild. The warmest regions are at the Southern Slovak and the coldest is in the High Tatras.



In the Slovakia are many different castles. The most famous of them is Spišský castle, Bojnický castle, Krásna Hôrka, and more other. Slovakia has also many historical towns, for example Kremnica, Levoča, Banská Štiavnica and more other.

For tourists in winter there are favourite places like ski centres in Tatras to visit. In summer there are many lakes in Tatras, too.

On 1 January 1993

was sign the Declaration of independence and Slovakia became an independent state.

Slovak customs and auditions
At the Christmas Slovak's families has a traditional dinner. People usually eat cabbage soup, mushrooms soup, carp and every family has some, what is only their tradition. On the first and second Christmas day's people usually go to a visit their near and distant family.
On the Easter boy go to water girls and usually girls give them a chocolate eggs.
Slovaks traditional meal is a dumplings with Liptaner cheese.