The Slovenia Report   By: Kati Giddings
Overview History | Geography | Economy | People | Current Event
Star Player | World Cup Information | Links | Sources

Overview

    Slovenia is a small country between Italy and Hungary. It is mostly made up of mountains. They declared their independence in 1991. In 1918 Slovenia became apart of Yugoslavia. In 1946 Yugoslavia became a federal state that included six republics. One of which was Slovenia. From 1945 to 1990, the communists held a monopoly on all Power in Yugoslavia. In 1990 Slovenia held many elections i  which the non communists of Yugoslavia won a majority of seats.

History

    In 1941, during WW2, Slovenia was overtaken by Germany and Italy and split up between themselves and Hungary. In the 1960's, Slovenia wanted to withdrawal from Yugoslavia. In 1972 and 1973, Josip Broz Tito, president of Yugoslavia got rid of the liberals from the Slovenian communist party. In doing this, Tito was trying to attach Slovenia more tightly to Yugoslavia. In 1990, communism was falling apart all across eastern Europe. Communists also voted to end their monopoly on power in Yugoslavia. In June of 1991, Slovenia declared it's independence.

Government

    A one house government, the National Assembly, makes Slovenia’s laws. The National Assembly is made up of 90 elected members. A Prime Minister heads this form of government. All members of the National assembly serve a four-year term. The assembly also appoints all of the judges in Slovenia.

    A president is also elected for a five-year term, however they don't have very much say in the making of the laws. As in America, you must be 18 to vote for the president.

    After gaining independence in 1991, Slovenia created its first constitution. This constitution ensures freedom of speech along with freedom of assembly, press and religion.
 There are many important political parties in Slovenia such as: Liberal Democratic Party, Slovenian Christian Democrats, Associated list; which contains four parties, the Slovenian National Party and the Slovenian Peoples Party.

    There are about 15,000 men and women in the armed forced of Slovenia. Draftees can only be drafted at the age of 18. They serve for seven months. The government is required to release draftees if there is not a national crisis.
 
 

Geography

• Capital:   Ljubljana
• Other Cities:  Velenje, Celje, Maribor, Novo Mesto, Nova Gorica
• Land forms:   Lian Alps, Mount Triglav
• Neighbors:  Austria(N), Hungary(E), Croatia(S), Italy(W)
• Climate:  Mountians have very cold winters. There is heavy rain in the early summer although summers are warm in mountain valleys. The temperature hardly ever falls below freezing during the winter. Temperatures can get up to 100° F in the summer.

• Currency:  Tolar (SIT)
• GDP (per capita):  $12,000 (The year 2000)
• Labor force breakdown:  agriculture is 60%, industry 15%, and services 25%
• Inflation rate:   8.9%
• Trading partners:  Germany, Italy, Croatia, Austria, and France

    About 90% of the people of Slovenia are Slovenes. The Slovenian language is written with the Roman alphabet. Some of the people of Slovenia speak other languages, such as: German, Italian, Serbo-Croatian and English. The main religion of the Slovenians is Roman Catholic though other religions exist there, such as Lutheran, Muslim and Atheist.

    Half of the people in Slovenia live in rural areas. The houses in these areas are typically single family homes with have steep roofs. People in the city often live in high-rise apartment buildings.
 The cooking in Slovenia is much like of that in Austria. The most desired meats are veal and pork. Slovenia also produces many first-rate wines.

    The school requirements of Slovenia are much like those of the USA. It is mandatory for children to attend eight years of elementary school along with four years of secondary school.

    Celebrations and festivals are a big part of the Slovenian culture. One festival, called Kurenti, is very helpful and important to them. They all dress up with masks and furs to look like animals. They perform numerous rituals that are designed to drive away all the evil spirits of winter. This is done so that they will have pleasant spring and summer crop
 

  Slovenia Put to the Ultimate Test
        By: Bojan Kavcic    May 9, 2002
                      Slovenia
 

     Ten years ago June 6th, Slovenia then has its first international soccer match and now they are in the world cup. About four years ago, Slovenia was getting their players into shape for the world cup qualifying group. Four years later they are undefeated in their playoffs.
     What some people say changed the Slovenian soccer team was Srecko Katanec. He became coach in 1998. He is a former player of the Yugoslav and Slovenian team. Many of the players think he changed the way they thing about the game and the way you play it. In 1991, Slovenia was at the bottom of the list when it came to the Yugoslav soccer nation. Now they are the only team that qualified for both Euvo 2000 and these finals
 

Links

• www.slovensko.com/sloviak/slo.htm :  Some facts and information on Slovenia
• www.sigo.sil
• www.tradepoint.sil
• www.insideslovenia.com

• CIA World Factbook (Slovenia) :  flag, geography, economy, and people section
•  The World Encyclopedia