Slovakia is a landlocked country in Central Europe, bordered by the Czech Republic and Austria to the west, Poland to the north, Ukraine to the east and Hungary to the south.
Slovakia Size
Slovakia has an area of 49 035 square kilometres and borders five countries: Ukraine (98 km), Czech Republic (252 km), Poland (547 km ), Hungary (679 km), and Austria (106 km). Slovakia’s total border length of 1,672 km
As of 2019, the population is 5.45 million
Map of Slovakia
Slovak Flag
The Slovak flag is divided into three horizontal stripes in the following colours: white, blue and red. On its left side, there is the coat of arms of this country, which distinguishes it from the flags of Slovenia and Russia, which have the same colour set.
Facts about Bratislava
Bratislava is the biggest city in Slovakia and the capital of Slovakia with over 400k inhabitants. Second biggest city is Košice
Bratislava lies on the borders of Austria and Hungary
Bratislava’s historical city centre (Old Town) with its restored baroque buildings, pedestrian streets, ancient churches on hilltops and castles from different eras forms unique atmosphere of an eastern European metropolis.
Bratislava is the only capital in the world that borders two independent countries. Both cities are stretched on the banks of the Danube river – the longest river in Europe. Austrian capital Vienna is only 60 km from the city. The boat cruise between Vienna and Bratislava takes only 90 minutes.
Bratislava is the only capital city in the world bordering two countries. It borders with Austria and Hungary.
There are many cultural events such as the International Organ Festival, Art festival Bratislava – Autumn leaves and many more.
In 2016, it was voted as one of the most attractive cities in Central Europe by Lonely Planet.
One of the smallest capital city in Europe. Bratislava is perfect city for one day visit.
Bratislava castle is a complex of buildings erected in the Middle Ages, with many later additions. The Castle was the place of the official coronation for the Hungarian Kings.
Slovakia has an interesting history.
Slovakia was part of Hungary from 1241 to 1918 when it became an independent state after World War I with the Treaty of Trianon.
In 1938, Slovakia became a part of the German Third Reich and Adolf Hitler’s main goal was to strengthen its position as an agricultural country. the first Slovak republic existed as part of a Nazi State between March 1939 and April 1945
After World War II in 1945, Czechoslovakia – including Slovakia – has been reestablished with good relations between both countries until 1968 when Soviet Union invaded (with Warsaw Pact) Czechoslovakia.
In 1993, Slovakia peacefully separated from Czechoslovakia and became an independent country three years after the Velvet Revolution
On 1st May 2004 Slovakia joined European Union. In 2009 Slovakia replaced the currency from Slovak Korona to Euro.
Geography of Slovakia
The geographical midpoint of Europe
Slovakia claims to be the geographical centre of Europe located in the village of Kremnické Bane. I wouldn’t pay much attention to this claim as there are quite a few places in Europe that say the same like Suchowola w Polsce. The middle point moves depend on what point we use for the calculation, so it can be here or elsewhere.
Slovakian Water, springs and Geyser
there are over 1300 mineral springs and other mineral sources which are used for therapeutic water in Slovakia, including high-quality spring water for drinking. But is not true that Slovakia has the largest natural freshwater supplies, after Austria. the Largest sweet water supplies in the world have Brasil and in Europe Iceland.
The cold geyser in Herlany is the only cold geyser in Europe. it shoots water up to 15 meter high and erupts every one and half day. it’s not as spectacular as a geyser in Iceland, which erupts every 4-10 minutes but it still worth a visit
One of the most mountainous countries in Europe
Over 80% of the country is mountains – over 800 metres above sea level, with the tallest mountains being the High Tatra mountains, which are shared between Slovakia and Poland.
Caves in Slovakia
There are over 6000 grottos and caves in Slovakia. The most important of them is Ochtinská aragonitová jaskyňa, the underground chambers of which are decorated with aragonite crystals.
More than six thousand caves have been discovered in Slovakia so far! the biggest caves can be found in the national parks of Low Tatras, Slovak Paradise and Slovak Karst.
Slovakia has Ochtinska Aragonite Cave is the only aragonite cave located in Europe
Highest Sinter Column in KrasnoHorska cave
In one of the Krásnohorská cave, registered in The World Heritage List (UNESCO), you can find the tallest sinter column – 34 meters high. It’s listed in the Guinness Book of Records
There are 9 National Parks and 14 Protected Landscape Areas in Slovakia
Tallest wooden altar
In the Church of St. Jakub in Levoča there is the highest wooden altar in the world. The 18.62 m high altar has survived several church fires and the invasion of woodworms.
The highest number of castles and chateaux per capita in the world
Slovakia has 180 castles and 425 chateaux in a country with an entire population far smaller than New York. The most popular castles such as Bratislava castle, Orava castle or Bojnice castle draw thousands of visitors every year. The real highlight is undoubtedly medieval Spiš Castle, which belongs to one of the largest castles in Central Europe and was included in the UNESCO List of World’s Cultural and Natural Heritage. Slovakia has the largest number of castles in Central Europe.
World’s highest statue of the horse
The highest statue of a horse in the world is located in the sport and congress center devoted to equestrian sports Šamorín-Cilistov. The statue is nine meters in height weighs over 20 tons and it is made entirely of stainless steel.
Folk Architecture
The picturesque village of Čičmany (Northern Slovakia) is said to be the first reserve of folk architecture in the world. It contains 136 log houses painted with white ornamentation.
The Folk reserve was first open in 1977
Famous Slovaks
Štefan Banič
Slovak inventor Štefan Banič constructed the first prototype of a parachute in 1913. The Slovak made courageous attempts to test his parachute in Washington in front of the army and representatives of the Patent Office. During the first one, Banič jumped from the 41st floor of the building, while the second one took place from a much higher altitude a year later – from an airplane. The Slovak handed over his invention to the American army. The Slovak parachute was used by the United States Air Force during World War I. Interestingly, Banič did not receive any remuneration for his help.
Andy Warhol and Slovak Parents
Andy Warhol’s museum is located in Medzilaborce, Slovakia. The artist himself is not Slovak and has never been to Slovakia, but his parents came from the nearby village of Miková.
Slovak Grandparents
Grandfather of the famous Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie was born in Košice
Odd facts about Slovakia
Slovak and Slovenian postal services exchange items that have been addressed to the wrong country once a month. Read more about the difference between Slovakia and Slovenia.
Slovakia was the first in the world to introduce free train travel for a large part of the population (pensioners, students up to the age of 26, etc.)
Slovakia has the only opal mines in Europe.
In 1999, the first Slovak flew into space – it was Ivan Bella.
Facts about Slovakia- Pin it for later
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