Slovenia
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Overview - With excellent infrastructure, a well-educated work force, and a strategic location between the Balkans and Western Europe, Slovenia has one of the highest per capita GDPs in Central Europe, despite having suffered a protracted recession in the 2008-09 period in the wake of the global financial crisis. Slovenia became the first 2004 EU entrant to adopt the euro (on 1 January 2007) and has experienced a stable political and economic transition.
Source: CIA Fact Book |
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south Central Europe, Julian Alps between Austria and Croatia.
Note- despite its small size, this eastern Alpine country controls some of Europe's major transit routes |
Slovenia map showing major population centers as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Gulf of Venice.
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Slightly smaller than New Jersey
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Background - The Slovene lands were part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire until the latter's dissolution at the end of World War I. In 1918, the Slovenes joined the Serbs and Croats in forming a new multinational state, which was named Yugoslavia in 1929. After World War II, Slovenia was one of the republics in the restored Yugoslavia, which, though communist, soon distanced itself from the Soviet Union and spearheaded the Non-Aligned Movement. Dissatisfied with the exercise of power by the majority Serbs, the Slovenes succeeded in establishing their independence in 1991 after a short 10-day war. Historical ties to Western Europe, a growing economy, and a stable democracy have assisted in Slovenia's postcommunist transition. Slovenia acceded to both NATO and the EU in the spring of 2004; it joined the euro zone and the Schengen Area in 2007.
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Strengths
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Characteristic |
Fact |
Terrain |
a short southwestern coastal strip of Karst topography on the Adriatic; an alpine mountain region lies adjacent to Italy and Austria in the north; mixed mountains and valleys with numerous rivers to the east |
Percentage of English Spoken |
59% |
Population |
2,101,208 (2022 est.) |
Target Cities |
Ljubljana (capitol) |
Main Industries |
ferrous metallurgy and aluminum products, lead and zinc smelting; electronics (including military electronics), trucks, automobiles, electric power equipment, wood products, textiles, chemicals, machine tools |
GDP |
8.21% (2021 est.) |
Government |
parliamentary republic |
Relevant History |
Value |
Global Corporate Headquarters |
Aon, |
Urbanization |
56.1% of total population (2023) |
Internet Connectivity |
87% |
Moody's Credit Rating |
A3 (2020) |
Corruption Rank Index |
66 |
Coface Business Climate Index |
A1 |
Travel Advisory |
Level 1 |
VAT Tax |
22% |
