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Location
Southern Central Europe.
Time
GMT + 1 (GMT + 2 from last Sunday in March to last Sunday in October).
Area
20,273 sq km (7,827 sq miles).
Population
2 million (UN estimate 2005).
Population Density
98.6 per sq km.
Capital
Ljubljana. Population: 256,000 (UN estimate 2003).
Geography
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.
EU
Member since 2004.
Government
Republic since 1991. Declared independence from now defunct state of Yugoslavia in 1991.
Head of State
President Danilo Tuerk since 2007.
Head of Government
Prime Minister Janez Jansa since 2004.
Recent History
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.
Language
Slovene, which is closely related to Croat and Czech. Most Slovenes speak German, Hungarian or Italian, with English as a second language.
Religion
Most of the population is Roman Catholic (75%), with small communities of other Christians including Eastern Orthodox; there are Muslim and Jewish minorities.
Electricity
220 volts AC, 50Hz.
Social Conventions
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.
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