Slovak Republic

Slovakia

Facts

● President: Andrej Kiska (2014)

● Prime Minister: Robert Fico (2012)

● Land area: 18,842 sq mi (48,800 sq km); total area: 18,859 sq mi (48,845 sq km)

● Population (2014 est.): 5,443,583 ● Capital and largest city: Bratislava, 434,000

● Other large city: Kosice, 240,688

Geography

● Slovakia is located in central Europe. The land has rugged mountains, rich in mineral resources, with vast forests and pastures. The Carpathian Mountains dominate the topography of Slovakia, with lowland areas in the southern region. Slovakia is about twice the size of the state of Maryland.

Gerlachovský Peak

Liptovská Mara reservoir

Environment and nature

There are nine national parks in Slovakia: The biggest and the oldest i the Tatra National park .

Slovak Paradise

Cars made in Slovakia

Sightseeing in Slovakia

Castles

Slovakia contains many castles, most of which are in ruins. The best known castles include Bojnice Castle (often used as a filming location), Spiš Castle (the largest fortified castle in

Europe, on the UNESCO list), Orava Castle, Bratislava Castle, and the ruins of Devín Castle.

Čachtice Castle was once the home of the world's most prolific female serial killer, the 'Bloody Lady',

Elizabeth Báthory.

Krásna Hôrka castle

Sightseeing in Slovakia

Caves

The number of caves per capita may be the highest in Europe. Thirteen caves are open to the public, the longest of which is 9 km

long. Some of them have been proclaimed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Among them,Ochtinská Aragonite Cave is one of three

aragonite caves in the world.

Jasov cave

Tourism in Slovakia

Mineral springs and spas● The spas include:● Balneological spas: Bojnice, Brusno, Dudince, Lúčky, Piešťany,

Sklené Teplice, Sliač, Smrdáky, Trenčianske Teplice, Turčianske Teplice

● Climatic spas: Nový Smokovec, Štós, Štrbské Pleso, Tatranské Matliare, High Tatras

● Mixed spas: Bardejovské Kúpele, Číž, Nimnica, Rajecké Teplice and Vyšné Ružbachy

Bešeňova Thermalpark

Mountain tourism

One of Slovakia's main tourist attractions are the Tatra Mountains, (particularly the High Tatras), the highest part of the Carpathians. They feature many rare plant and animal species and offer numerous skiing,

hiking and mountaineering opportunities..

The most famous Slovak people

Ľudovít Štúr- the author of the Sloval language standard

Milan Rastislav Štefaník ,politician, diplomat, astronomer

Andy Warhol , the Father of Pop Art

Slovak couisine

● National Slovak Food● Halušky, similar to Gnocchi, is the most famous dish of Slovakia

and part of Slovakia’s culture, especially in Liptov and Orava. It is made of elementary ingredients and it is very quick and simple to prepare.

● Kapustnica can be prepared in a lot of ways (ingredients, length of cooking, etc.), it differs from region to region. In some regions, Kapustnica may contain smoked meat, sausages and mushrooms, in some regions it is much simpler soup. Those prepared for special holidays are also different. For example, Vianočná Kapustnica (Christmas Cabbage Soup) is cooked without meat, it is thickened with white plain halušky, cream and potatoes.

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Sauerkraut soup

Potato dumplings with sheep´s cheese