Slovenia Travel Guide - Key Facts

Southern Central Europe.

GMT + 1 (GMT + 2 from last Sunday in March to last Sunday in October).

20,273 sq km (7,827 sq miles).

2 million (UN estimate 2005).

98.6 per sq km.

Ljubljana. Population: 256,000 (UN estimate 2003).

This compact and strategically important country is dominated by mountains, rivers and major north-south and east-west transit routes. Slovenia borders Italy to the west, Austria to the north, Hungary to the northeast and Croatia to the southeast, with a 47km (30-mile) Adriatic Sea coastline, where the main port is Koper.

Member since 2004.

Republic since 1991. Declared independence from now defunct state of Yugoslavia in 1991.

President Danilo Tuerk since 2007.

Prime Minister Janez Jansa since 2004.

Former leader of the centre-left Liberal Democrats, Prime Minister Janez Drnovsek won the second round of presidential elections in 2002. As president, he oversaw Slovenia's entry into the EU and Nato in 2004. Janez Jansa, the leader of the centre-right Slovenian Democratic Party, became prime minister in October 2004. The party forged a coalition with three other parties: New Slovenia and the People's Party and the centre-left Democratic Party of Pensioners. Mr Jansa's campaign was based on a promise to cut the costs of state administration and press ahead with privatisation in anticipation of joining the euro in 2007.

Slovene, which is closely related to Croat and Czech. Most Slovenes speak German, Hungarian or Italian, with English as a second language.

Most of the population is Roman Catholic (75%), with small communities of other Christians including Eastern Orthodox; there are Muslim and Jewish minorities.

220 volts AC, 50Hz.

Shaking hands is the normal form of greeting. Usual European social conventions apply and informal dress is widely acceptable. Smoking is prohibited on public transport, in cinemas, theatres, public offices and in waiting rooms.