Slovenia Basic Informations
Slovenia measures 20,273 km2 in area, and has a population of two million. The majority of people live in Slovenia towns and cities, but a significant number live in the countryside. Agriculture accounts for only a small proportion of the workforce, while the majority work in services and manufacturing.
Since 1991, Slovenia is a parliamentary democracy republic with a multi-party system. The head of state is president, elected by popular vote every five years. The executive and administrative authority in Slovenia is held by the Government of Slovenia, headed by the Prime Minister and the council of ministers or cabinet, elected by the National Assembly.
GDP per capita by the high-income developed Slovenian economy is at $ 27,654 in 2009, or 88% of the EU average. Slovenia is the economic front-runner of the countries that joined the European Union in 2004. It was the first new member to adopt the euro on 1 January 2007.
Slovenes are very thorough in learning foreign languages. The majority of people can speak good English, while most have a good grasp of German. A large share of the population can communicate in the languages of the old Yugoslavia, while there are many fluent Italian speakers in the areas bordering Italy.
Slovenia is the third most forested country in Europe and one third of Slovenia's territory is protected and included in the Europe-wide Natura 2000 network, which protects biodiversity.
Some of Slovenia's greatest authors were the poets France Prešeren (1800-1849), Oton Župančič, Srečko Kosovel, Edvard Kocbek and Dane Zajc, as well as the writer and playwright Ivan Cankar (1876-1918). Boris Pahor, Drago Jančar, Alojz Rebula, Tomaž Šalamun and Aleš Debeljak are some of the leading names of contemporary Slovene literature.
The most important Slovene painters include Anton Ažbe in late 19th century. Ivana Kobilca, Rihard Jakopič, Ivan Grohar worked in the beginning of 20th century. Prominent artists of the 20th century include Avgust Černigoj, Anton Gojmir Kos, group IRWIN, and Zoran Mušič. The most famed Slovene architects of the 20th century were Jože Plečnik, Edvard Ravnikar and Marko Mušič.
In the field of sport in Slovenia, individual sports are very popular. Mountaineering is one of the most widespread sporting activities. Several Slovenian extreme and endurance sportsmen have gained an international reputation, including the mountaineer Tomaž Humar, the mountain skier Davo Karničar, the ultramaraton swimmer Martin Strel and the ultracyclist Jure Robič.
Past and current winter sports Slovenian champions include Alpine skiers Mateja Svet, Bojan Križaj, Jure Franko, Rok Petrovič, Jure Košir and Tina Maze, and ski jumpers Franci Petek, Primož Ulaga, Primož Peterka, Rok Benkovič and Peter Žonta. Boxing has gained popularity since Dejan Zavec won the IBF Welterweight World Champion title in 2009.
Since the major international success of the national football team, qualifying for two FIFA World Cups and one UEFA European Football Championship, football has become increasingly popular, as well. Slovenian past and current football stars include Branko Oblak, Srečko Katanec and Zlatko Zahovič. The national basketball team has qualified for eight Eurobaskets, including a 4th place finish in 2009, and two FIBA World Championship appearances. Notable Slovenian basketball players include Marko Milič, Jure Zdovc, Peter Vilfan, Radoslav Nesterović and Ivo Daneu.
