Official name:  Slovak republic
Capital city : Bratislava
Area: 49 035 km2
Population: 5 389 180 (51.5% female) as of 31.12. 2005
Population density: 110/km2
Official language : Slovak
State formation date: January 1st, 1993

Location
Central Europe (17o - 22o E, 47o - 49o N)
The Mid & North of the country are mountains (Carpathian curve), for the East & South are typical lowlands.

Border countries
Hungary (679 km)
Poland (597,5 km)
Czech Republic (265 km)
Austria (127,2 km)
Ukraine (98 km)

Time: Central European Time (GMT +1 hour)

Climate: moderate climatic zone with changing 4 seasons; average temperature in winter -2 oC, in summer 21 oC. In some mountain ranges the snow remains in average 130 days per year.

Administrative divisions:

1. self-governing regions: Bratislavsky, Trnavsky, Trenciansky, Nitriansky, Zilinsky, Banskobystricky, Presovsky, Kosicky
2. 79 districts
3. 138 towns
4. 2891 municipalities (incl. towns)

Nationalities/Ethnic groups:

1. Slovak 85,8 %
2. Hungarian9,7 %
3. Roma(Gipsy) 1,7 %
4. Czech 0,8 %
5. Other 2 %

National Holidays and Days Off:

1. 1st January - Day of Slovak Republic's Establishment
2. 6th January - Epiphany (The Three Magi)
3. Good Friday
4. Easter Monday
5. 1st May - Labour Day
6. 8th May - Day of victory of the fascism
7. 5th July - St. Cyril's and Method's Day
8. 29th August - Slovak National Uprising Anniversary
9. 1st September - Day of Slovak Republic's Constitution
10. 15th September - Lady of Sorrows Day (Blessed Virgin Mary)
11. 1st November - All Saints Day
12. 17th November - Struggle for Freedom and Democracy Day
13. 24th December - Christmas Eve
14. 25th December - Christmas Day
15. 26th December - St. Stephen's Day