History
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In the 7th century the Slavic Duchy of Carantania emerged. Over the next two centuries Carantania came first under Bavarian, then under Frankish supremacy. In the course of the rise of the Habsburgs, in the mid-13th century, large areas of Slovenia were under rule of the Habsburg regime until the end of World War I.
The in the 19th century increasingly blazing national consciousness and the dissolution of Austria-Hungary at the end of World War I led to the formation of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes on the 1st of December 1918.
After World War II, the Democratic Federal Republic of Yugoslavia was founded on the 29th of November 1945, from 1963 on it was called Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (SFRY). Slovenia was a constituent republic of the SFRY.
The growing dissatisfaction with the leadership in Belgrade during the 1980s led to the Declaration of Independence of Slovenia on the 25th of June 1991. On the 1st of Mai 2004 Slovenia joined the European Union and the NATO.
Worth Knowing
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Triglav National Park is one of the oldest parks in Europe. It includes the Eastern Julian Alps and with its area of 838 km² it covers about 4 % of the total area of Slovenia.
Beekeeping has always been part of the culture in Slovenia. It is one of the oldest and most traditional activities in the rural areas and has been practiced for more than 600 years.
The waterfall Boka is the biggest in Slovenia and one of the most amazing waterfalls in Europe.
Facts & Figures
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Capital Ljubljana
Language Slovenian
Currency Euro (since 2007)
Inhabitants 2 million
Area 20 273 km²
Specialities curd cheese strudel, called Struklji’, Potica, Njoki, Stuffed tripe
Geography various landforms: High Alpine, Alpine, Mediterranean coast, Dinaric Karst and Pannonia Plain.
Famous Personalities
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France Prešeren considered to be the national poet of Slovenia. His works include “The Baptism on the Savica” and “Poezije”.
Aleksander Knavs football player (born in 1975). He played more than 60 times in the Slovenian national team.
Leon Stukelj significant athlete and gold medalist.