Difference between revisions 366060 and 366064 on siwiki

{{Infobox štát
| Celý názov = Slovinská republika
| 2. pád názvu = Slovinska
| Vlajka = Flag of Slovenia.svg
| Znak = Coat of Arms of Slovenia.svg
| Poloha = EU-Slovenia.svg
| Motto = nie je
| Hymna = Zdravljica
| Dlhý miestny názov = Republika Slovenija
| Krátky miestny názov = Slovenija
| Hlavné mesto = [[Ľubľana]]
| Najväčšie mesto = Ľubľana
| Úradné jazyky = [[slovinčina]]
| ŠírkaSt = 
| ŠírkaMin = 
| ŠírkaSJ = 
| DĺžkaSt = 
| DĺžkaMin = 
| DĺžkaVZ = 
| Štátne zriadenie = [[republika]]
| Funkcie politických predstaviteľov = [[hlava štátu]]<br />[[predseda vlády]]
| Politickí predstavitelia = [[Borut Pahor]]<br />[[Miro Cerar]]
| Vznik = [[25. jún]] [[1991]]
| Susedia = [[Taliansko]], [[Rakúsko]], [[Maďarsko]], [[Chorvátsko]]
| Rozloha = 20 273
| Poradie rozloha = 151
| Rozloha vody = 122
| Percento vody = 0,6
| Odhad počtu obyvateľov = 2 011 102
| Rok odhad počtu obyvateľov = 2005
| Poradie odhad počtu obyvateľov = 142
| Sčítanie počtu obyvateľov = 2 011 070
| Rok sčítanie počtu obyvateľov = 2005
| Hustota obyvateľstva = 99
| Poradie hustota = 102
| HDP = 
| Rok HDP = 2004
| Poradie HDP = 
| HDP na hlavu = 20 450
| Poradie HDP na hlavu = 28
| HDI = 
| Rok HDI = 
| Poradie (HDI) = 
| Kategória HDI = 
| Mena = [[euro]]
| Kód meny = EUR
| Časové pásmo = 
| UTC posun = +1
| Letný čas = 
| UTC posun leto = +2
| Medzinárodný kód = SVN / SI
| Kód motorových vozidiel = SLO
| Internetová doména = .si
| Smerové telefónne číslo = 386
| Poznámky = Gramotnosť: 99%
}}

[[Súbor:Slovenia map.png|right|thumb|Mapa Slovinska]]
[[Súbor:Triglav.jpg|right|thumb|Vrch Triglav]]
[[Súbor:Maribor Lent.jpg|right|thumb|Mesto Maribor]]
[[Súbor:Ljubljana-skyline.jpg|right|thumb|Hlavné mesto Ľubľana]]
[[Súbor:Postojna Caves.jpg|right|thumb|Jaskyňa Postojna]]
[[Súbor:Predjama Castle (9783317391).jpg|thumb|Zámok Predjama]]
'''Slovinsko''' (Slovenija), dlhý tvar '''Slovinská republika''', je stredoeurópsky a stredomorský štát. Samostatné Slovinsko vzniklo v roku [[1991]], ako jeden z nástupníckych štátov [[Juhoslávia|Juhoslávie]]. 

Prístup k [[Jadranské more|Jadranskému moru]] má vďaka 42 km pásu pobrežia. Významný je [[Piranský záliv]] a prístav [[Koper]]. Slovinsko je člen [[OSN]], [[Európska únia|Európskej únie]] a [[NATO]], od [[1. január]]a [[2007]] je člen [[Európska menová únia|Európskej menovej únie]] - [[Eurozóna|eurozóny]].

Kedysi patrilo [[Habsburská monarchia|monarchii Habsburgovcov]], neskôr tvorilo súčasť Juhoslávie. Nezávislosť získalo roku [[1991]]. Tisícky turistov lákajú prírodné krásy krajiny, jej jazerá a lesy.

== Hospodárstvo ==
Rozľahlé lesy poskytujú dostatok dreva pre píly, nábytkársky a papierenský priemysel Slovinska. Licenčné zmluvy medzi miestnymi továrňami a výrobcami zo západnej Európy umožnili v posledných rokoch výrobu rozličných druhov osobných a nákladných áut, motocyklov a chladničiek. 

V minulosti bolo Slovinsko súčasť [[rímska ríša|Rímskej ríše]] a [[Rakúsko-Uhorsko|Rakúsko–Uhorska]] až do roku [[1918]], keď po zániku monarchie vytvorilo s Chorvátskom a Srbskom úniu pod názvom Kráľovstvo Srbov, Chorvátov a Slovincov. V roku [[1929]] vzniká spoločný zväzok pod názvom Juhoslávia. Podľa HDP ide o najvyspelejšiu krajinu z bývalého tzv. východného bloku ([[Hrubý domáci produkt|HDP]] na obyvateľa je cca o polovicu vyššie, ako má SR a len o štvrtinu je HDP nižšie, ako má [[Grécko]]. Priemerný rast HDP je 7%). Z národnostného pohľadu tu neexistuje početná národnostná menšina a väčšinu obyvateľstva tvoria Slovinci, ktorí prišli na toto územie okolo [[6. storočie|6. storočia]] n. l. a patrili k tzv. južným [[Slovania|Slovanom]].

Slovinsko, ktoré získalo samostatnosť v roku 1991 má v pohoriach bohaté ložiská rúd (železné, olovnaté a zinočnaté rudy). Elektrickú energiu produkujú [[tepelná elektráreň|tepelné elektrárne]] ([[čierne uhlie]]) a [[vodná elektráreň|vodné elektrárne]] využívajúce veľký energetický potenciál slovinských riek. Najdôležitejšími priemyselnými odvetviami sú hutníctvo farebných kovov, strojárstvo (dopravné prostriedky, nástroje, domáce spotrebiče) a textilný priemysel. Vďaka rozvinutej technológii a kvalifikovanej pracovnej sile dosahujú exportované výrobky vysokú kvalitu. Vedúcu úlohu v poľnohospodárstve zohráva chov hospodárskych zvierat, najmä [[hovädzí dobytok|hovädzieho dobytka]]. Na ornej pôde sa pestuje najmä [[obilie]], [[zemiak]]y a [[cukrová repa]]. Významné je aj lesné hospodárstvo a ťažba dreva, ktoré spracováva nábytkársky priemysel. Nábytok je dôležitým exportným tovarom. Potenciál krajiny v oblasti cestovného ruchu tkvie v príjemných prímorských a vysokohorských strediskách, návštevníkov priťahujú aj krasové javy (jaskyne [[Postojna]] a [[Škocjani]]).

== Obyvateľstvo ==
Napriek tomu, že Slovinsko takmer tisíc rokov ovládali nemecky hovoriaci [[Rakúšania]], [[Slovinci]] si udržali svoj jazyk a ľudovú kultúru. Súčasťou tejto kultúry sú pestrofarebné výšivky a charakteristické čepce. Väčšina obyvateľov žije v mestečkách alebo početných dedinách roztrúsených po krajine. Iba 300 000 ľudí žije v hlavnom meste Ľubľane, ktorá patrí k najmenším metropolám v Európe.

Stredoeurópska republika Slovinsko vyhlásila nezávislosť od bývalej Juhoslávie v roku [[1991]]. S [[Rakúsko]]m a [[Taliansko]]m tradične udržiavala bližšie vzťahy. Na území Slovinska sa v roku [[1990]] nevyskytol nijaký vážny etnický konflikt, hoci prijali určité množstvo chorvátskych a bosnianskych utečencov. Jeho relatívne rozvinutá trhová ekonomika bola na krátky čas narušená regionálnymi vojnami - priemyselná výroba poklesla o vyše 25%. Slovinsko dostáva pomoc od [[MMF]] a Európskej únie.

=== Etnické zloženie obyvateľstva ===
* [[Slovinci]] 83,06 %
* [[Srbi]] 1,98 %
* [[Chorváti]] 1,81 %
* [[Bosniaci]] 1,10 %
* [[Maďari]] 0,32 %
* [[Albánci]] 0,31 %
* [[Taliani]] 0,11 %
a iní

=== Náboženské zloženie obyvateľstva ===
* [[Latinská cirkev|rímski katolíci]] 57,8 %
* [[moslimovia]] (hlavne z Bosny a Kosova) 2,4 %
* [[Pravoslávna cirkev|pravoslávni]] (hlavne Srbi) 2,3 %
* [[protestanti]] 0,8 %
* [[Ateizmus|ateisti]] 10,1 %
a ostatní

== Jazdecké školy ==
Už v roku [[1580]] bol na dnešnom území Slovinska založený žrebčinec, ktorý dodáva kone pre španielsku jazdeckú školu vo Viedni. Na farme bol vyšľachtený aj známy [[lipiciansky kôň]]. Dnes sa lipicani považujú za najlepšie vozové kone na svete.

== Poloha a povrch ==
Na území štátu, ktorý leží na okraji strednej a juhovýchodnej Európy sa zbiehajú hrebene [[Alpy|Álp]] a [[Dináre|Dinárov]]. Na severe kraľujú typické alpské pohoria ([[Júlske Alpy]], [[Karavanky]], [[Pohorje]]) s dolinami vymodelovanými vysokohorskými ľadovcami a strmými skalnými stenami. Táto krajina má viac než polovicu svojej rozlohy pokrytú lesmi a patrí spolu so [[Švédsko]]m a [[Fínsko]]m k najviac zalesneným štátom Európy.

V západnej a južnej časti štátu sa tiahnu chrbty Dinárov, v ktorých sa nachádza najtypickejšie [[kras]]ové územie na Zemi (Kras) s rozsiahlymi jaskynnými sústavami, závrtmi a krasovými dolinami. Rovinaté územia sa nachádzajú len vo východnej časti štátu v povodí rieky Mury, v juhovýchodnej časti v povodí Krky a Sávy a v severnej časti Istrijského polostrova. Slovinsko má prístup k Jadranskému moru v oblasti Terstského zálivu, pričom dĺžka pobrežia dosahuje 47 km. 

Podnebie je vnútrozemské, závislé od nadmorskej výšky najmä v severozápadnej časti, kde zrážky dosahujú až 2 000 mm ročne. 

=== Vodstvo ===
[[Dráva]], [[Sáva]], [[Mura]], [[Krka]], [[Savinja]], [[Vipava]] a jazero [[Bled]] - SZ v Juliánskych Alpách.

=== Pohoria ===
Najvyšší Slovinský vrch je [[Triglav]]. Meria 2 864 metrov. Akoby sa ním príroda chcela honosiť, tak mohutne pôsobí už z diaľky. "Triglav nie je vrch, Triglav je kráľovstvo", napísal o ňom [[Julius Kugy]] na konci 19. storočia. V čase, keď bol vrchol prístupný iba hŕstke jednotlivcov. Dnes je prístupný každému, kto si dá tu námahu, aby sa naň vyškriabal. Roku [[1979]] sa oslavovalo dvojsté výročie prvého zdolania vrchu, čo značí, že Triglav patrí medzi prvé alpské končiare, na ktorých stála ľudská noha. Tento rok má Triglav 225 rokov. Medzi juhoslovanskými končiarmi nad 2 000 metrov je Triglav najnavštevovanejší. Jeho vrchol tvorí časť Cesty oslobodenia po vrchol Juhoslávie, a tak symbolizuje zväzok juhoslovanských národov a národností v národnooslobodzovacom boji, keď boli vrchy úkrytom partizánom. Rovnako preslávená ako vrchol je aj severná stena Triglavu. V celej bývalej Juhoslávii niet skalného útesu s takými bohatými dejinami horolezectva, ľudského úsilia a túžby. [[Alpinizmus|Alpinistom]] táto stena udeľuje vstupenku na ázijské Himaláje a na ostatné svetové veľhory. Okrem skalného vrcholca priťahuje návštevníkov aj sedem triglavských [[jazero|jazier]]. Vznikli jedno nad druhým ako kaskáda a to najvyššie sa "vyšplhalo" až do výšky 1 999 metrov. Na Triglave čaká každého čosi zaujímavé. [[Fotograf]]i a milovníci panenskej prírody tu nájdu vhodné zákutia. V lete si tu dávajú zraz horolezci všetkých vekových kategórii, všetkých národov a národností, ľudia všetkých možných zamestnaní. Triglav zostáva takým, akým bol aj pred tisícročiami.

== Súhrnné informácie ==
* Rozloha: 20 253 km²
* Počet obyvateľov: 2 012 586 ([[2006]])
* Hustota zaľudnenia: 102 obyv./km²
* Nezávislosť získava osamostatnením od JZR 25. 6. 1991
* Štátne zriadenie: parlamentná demokratická republika
* Administratívne usporiadanie: 217 samosprávnych krajov 
* Prezident: [[Borut Pahor]] ([[23. december]] [[2012]]) 
* Predseda vlády: [[Miro Cerar]] ([[18. september]] [[2014]]) 
* Parlament: Štátna snemovňa – 90 členov – 4 ročné volebné obdobie 
* Hlavné mesto: Ľubľana 278 000 obyvateľov 
* Iné významnejšie sídla: [[Maribor]] 115 000 obyv., [[Celje]] 53 000 obyv., [[Kranj]] 51 000 obyv.
* Najvyšší bod: [[Triglav]] - 2864 m
* Najvýznamnejšie rieky: [[Dráva]], [[Sáva (rieka)|Sáva]], [[Mura]], [[Krka]], Savinja, Vipava 
* Úradný jazyk: [[slovinčina]]
* Mena: [[euro]] (1 euro = 100 centov) 
* Štátny sviatok: [[25. jún]] (Deň samostatnosti) 
* Rasové a národnostné zloženie: [[Slovinci]] (91 %), Chorváti (3 %), Srbi (2 %), iné (4%) 
* Náboženstvo: rímskokatolícke (<64 %), pravoslávne (4 %), islamské (6 %), evanjelické (0.7 %), ostatné <26%
* Urbanizácia: 63,6 % 
* Priemerná dĺžka života: muži 78 rokov, ženy 84 rokov 
* Dojčenská úmrtnosť: 3 ‰ 
* Analfabeti: menej ako 1 % 
* Nezamestnanosť: 9,1 % 
* Podiel na tvorbe HDP: poľnohospodárstvo 3%, priemysel 34%, služby 63% 
* HDP: 24 350 USD/obyv.
* Susediace štáty: [[Rakúsko]] 330 km, [[Chorvátsko]] 501 km, [[Taliansko]] 232 km, [[Maďarsko]] 102 km
* Najdlhšia rieka: Sáva (časť) 940 km
* Národnostné zloženie: [[Slovinci]], [[Srbi]], [[Chorváti]], [[Taliani]], [[Rakúšania]] 
* Hlavné zdroje: [[lignit]], [[olovo]], [[zinok]], [[Urán (prvok)|urán]], [[striebro]], [[ortuť]], [[priemyselná výroba]]

== Pozri aj ==
* [[Zoznam miest v Slovinsku]]

== Iné projekty ==
{{Projekt|commonscat=Slovenia}}

== Externé odkazy ==
* [http://www.slovenia.si/ Slovenia.si]. Your gateway to information on Slovenia.
* [http://www.vlada.si/en/ Government of the Republic of Slovenia]
* [http://www.slovenia.info Slovinsko]
* [http://hribi.slovenia.flowiktionary.org Hory v Slovinsku]
   
{{Slovinsko}}
{{Eurozóna}}
{{Štáty EÚ}}
{{Západoeurópska únia}}
{{Schengenský priestor}}
{{NATO}}
{{Európa}}
{{OECD}}
{{WTO}}
{{OBSE}}
[[Kategória:Slovinsko| ]]
[[Kategória:Krajiny EÚ]]
[[Kategória:Členovia NATO]]
[[Kategória:Členovia OSNabout|the country bordering the Adriatic Sea|the country to its north|Slovakia|the historic region of Croatia to its east|Slavonia|other uses|Slovene (disambiguation)}}
{{pp-move-indef}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2015}}
{{Coord|46|07|N|14|49|E|display=title}}
{{Infobox country
|conventional_long_name = Republic of Slovenia
|native_name = {{native name|sl|Republika Slovenija}}
|common_name = Slovenia
|image_flag = Flag of Slovenia.svg
|image_coat = Coat of Arms of Slovenia.svg
|image_map = EU-Slovenia.svg
|map_caption = {{map caption |location_color=dark green |region=[[Europe]] |region_color=dark  |subregion=the [[European Union]] |subregion_color=green}}
|national_anthem = {{nowrap|''[[Anthem of the Slovene nation|Zdravljica]]''&nbsp;<br/>{{small|''A Toast''}}{{efn-lr|Melody by [[Stanko Premrl]].{{#tag:ref|As defined by the Act Regulating the Coat-of-Arms, Flag and Anthem of the Republic of Slovenia and the Flag of the Slovene Nation ("Zakon o grbu, zastavi in himni Republike Slovenije ter o slovenski narodni zastavi") from 1994 and published on the web page of the [[National Assembly (Slovenia)|National Assembly of Slovenia]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pisrs.si/Predpis.aspx?id=ZAKO365&pogled=osnovni |title=PisRS |publisher=Pisrs.si |accessdate=2 June 2012}}</ref><ref name="Bozic">{{cite news |url=http://www.delo.si/clanek/127578 |title=Katero kitico č'mo kot himno zapet' |language=Slovenian |trans_title=Which Stanza Should We As the Anthem Sing? |first=Dragan |last=Božič |date=3 November 2010 |accessdate=14 February 2011 |issn=1854-6544}}</ref> The question whether the entire ''Zdravljica'' or only its seventh stanza constitutes the Slovenian national anthem remains unresolved. Whereas the [[Constitution of Slovenia]] determines the title of the poem, the act about the anthem specifically determines its seventh stanza. It has been argued that the act contradicts the constitution and that the question should be resolved by the [[Constitutional Court of Slovenia|Slovenian Constitutional Court]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.delo.si/novice/politika/zdravljica-v-politicnem-in-pravnem-primezu.html |title=Zdravljica v političnem in pravnem primežu |first=Klara |last=Škrinjar |newspaper=Delo.si |date=3 September 2012 |language=Slovenian |trans_title=Zdravljica in the Political and Legal Vice}}</ref>|group=Note}}}}}}<br/><center>[[File:Zdravljica.ogg]]</center>
|official_languages = [[Slovene language|Slovene]]
|demonym = [[Slovenes|Slovene]]
|capital = [[Ljubljana]]
|latd=46 |latm=03 |latNS=N |longd=14 |longm=30 |longEW=E
|largest_city = capital
|ethnic_groups =
 {{unbulleted list
  | 83% [[Slovenes]]
  |  2% [[Serbs in Slovenia|Serbs]]
  |  2% [[Croats of Slovenia|Croats]]
  |  1% [[Bosniaks]]
  | 12% others{{\}}<br />unspecified
 }}
|ethnic_groups_year = 2002<ref name="2002census">{{cite web |url=http://www.stat.si/popis2002/en/rezultati/rezultati_red.asp?ter=SLO&st=7 |title=Census 2002: 7. Population by ethnic affiliation, Slovenia, Census 1953,  1961, 1971, 1981, 1991 and 2002 |publisher=Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia |accessdate=2 February 2011}}</ref>
|government_type = {{nowrap|[[Unitary state|Unitary]] [[Parliamentary system|parliamentary]]<br />[[constitutional republic]]}}
|leader_title1 = [[President of Slovenia|President]]
|leader_name1 = {{Current president of Slovenia}}
|leader_title2 = [[Prime Minister of Slovenia|Prime Minister]]
|leader_name2 = [[Miro Cerar]]
|legislature = [[Slovenian Parliament|Parliament]]
|upper_house = [[National Council (Slovenia)|National Council]]
|lower_house = [[National Assembly (Slovenia)|National Assembly]]
|established_event1 = {{nowrap|[[State of Slovenes, Croats and Serbs|State of Slovenes,<br/>Croats and Serbs]]<br/>becomes independent}}
|established_date1 = <br/>29 October 1918
|established_event2 = {{nowrap|[[Creation of Yugoslavia|Kingdom of Serbs,<br/>Croats and Slovenes<br/>(Kingdom of Yugoslavia)]]}}
|established_date2 = <br/>4 December 1918
|established_event3 = [[Democratic Federal Yugoslavia|Yugoslavia]] becomes a republic
|established_date3 = 29 November 1945
|established_event4 = Independence from Yugoslavia
|established_date4 = 25 June 1991<ref name="Škrk1999"/>
|established_event5 = {{nowrap|[[2004 enlargement of the European Union|Joined]] the [[European Union]]}}
|established_date5 = 1 May 2004|area_rank = 154th
|area_magnitude = 1_E10
|area_km2 = 20,273
|area_sq_mi = 7,827 <!--Do not remove per [[WP:MOSNUM]]-->
|percent_water = 0.7<ref name="Surface2005">{{cite web |url=http://www.stat.si/letopis/2010/01_10/01-03-10.htm |title=Površina ozemlja in pokrovnost tal, določena planimetrično, 2005 |trans_title=Surface area and land cover determined planimetrically, 2005 |language=Slovenian, English|publisher=Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia |accessdate=2 February 2011}}</ref>
|population_estimate = 2,063,077<ref name="Statistical Office of Slovenia">{{cite web|url=http://www.stat.si/StatWeb/pregled-podrocja?idp=17&headerbar=15|title=Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia - Population, Slovenia, 1 July 2015 – final data|author=SURS - Oddelek za podporo izhodnim procesom in internetne tehnologije|publisher=|accessdate=4 December 2015}}</ref>
|population_estimate_year = 2015
|population_estimate_rank = 144th
|population_census = 1,964,036
|population_census_year = 2002
|population_density_km2 = 101.8<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.stat.si/StatWeb/pregled-podrocja?idp=17&headerbar=15|title=Prebivalstvo, Slovenija, 1. julij 2015 |language=Slovenian, English|trans_title=Population, Slovenia, 1 July 2015 |publisher=Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia |accessdate=4 December 2015}}</ref>
|population_density_sq_mi = 262 <!--Do not remove per [[WP:MOSNUM]]-->
|population_density_rank = 106th
|GDP_PPP_year = 2016
|GDP_PPP = $65.512&nbsp;billion<ref name=imf2>{{cite web |url=http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2015/01/weodata/weorept.aspx?pr.x=65&pr.y=5&sy=2013&ey=2020&scsm=1&ssd=1&sort=country&ds=.&br=1&c=961&s=NGDPD%2CNGDPDPC%2CPPPGDP%2CPPPPC&grp=0&a= |title=Slovenia |publisher=International Monetary Fund |accessdate=6 October 2015}}</ref>
|GDP_PPP_rank =97th
|GDP_PPP_per_capita = $31,720<ref name=imf2/>
|GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = 38th
|GDP_nominal = $44.015&nbsp;billion<ref name=imf2/>
|GDP_nominal_rank =
|GDP_nominal_year = 2016
|GDP_nominal_per_capita = $21,308<ref name=imf2/>
|Gini_year = 2014
|Gini_change =  <!--increase/decrease/steady-->increase
|Gini = 25.0 <!--number only-->
|Gini_ref = <ref name=eurogini>{{cite web|title=Gini coefficient of equivalised disposable income (source: SILC)|url=http://appsso.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/nui/show.do?dataset=ilc_di12|publisher=Eurostat Data Explorer|accessdate=4 December 2015}}</ref>
|Gini_rank =3rd
|HDI_year = 2014<!-- Please use the year to which the data refers, not the publication year-->
|HDI_change = increase<!--increase/decrease/steady-->
|HDI = 0.880 <!--number only-->
|HDI_ref = <ref name=HDI>{{cite web |url=http://hdr.undp.org/sites/default/files/ranking.pdf |date=14 December 2015 |accessdate=14 December 2015}}</ref>
|HDI_rank = 25th
|currency = [[Euro]] ([[Euro sign|€]]){{efn-lr|[[Slovenian tolar]] prior to 2007.}}
|currency_code = EUR
|time_zone = [[Central European Time|CET]]
|utc_offset = +1
|time_zone_DST = [[Central European Summer Time|CEST]]
|utc_offset_DST = +2
|date_format = dd.mm.yyyy
|drives_on = right
|calling_code = [[Telephone numbers in Slovenia|+386]]
|ISO_3166-1_alpha2=SI |ISO_3166-1_alpha3=SVN |ISO_3166-1_num=705
|alt_sport_code=SLO |vehicle_code=SLO |aircraft_code=S5
|cctld = [[.si]]{{efn-lr|Also [[.eu]], shared with other [[European Union]] member states.}}
|footnotes = {{notelist-lr}}
}}

'''Slovenia''' ({{IPAc-en|audio=en-us-Slovenia.ogg|s|l|oʊ|ˈ|v|iː|n|i|ə|,_|s|l|ə|-|,_|-|n|j|ə}}<ref>{{citation|last=Wells|first=John C.|year=2008|title=Longman Pronunciation Dictionary|edition=3rd|publisher=Longman|isbn=9781405881180}}</ref><ref>{{citation|last=Roach|first=Peter|year=2011|title=Cambridge English Pronouncing Dictionary|edition=18th|place=Cambridge|publisher=Cambridge University Press|isbn=9780521152532}}</ref> {{respell|sloh|VEE|nee-ə}}; {{lang-sl|Slovenija}} {{IPA-sl|slɔˈʋéːnija|}}),<ref>{{cite web|title=Slovenski pravopis 2001: Slovenija|url=http://bos.zrc-sazu.si/c/SP/neva.exe?name=sp&expression=Slovenija&hs=1}}</ref> officially the '''Republic of Slovenia''' (Slovene: {{Audio|Sl-Republika Slovenija.oga|''Republika Slovenija''}},<ref>{{IPA-sl|rɛˈpùːblika slɔˈʋèːnija}}. Source: {{cite web|title=Slovenski pravopis 2001: Republika Slovenija|url=http://bos.zrc-sazu.si/c/SP/neva.exe?name=sp&expression=republika+slovenija&hs=1}}</ref> [[Abbreviation|abbr.]]: ''RS''),<ref>{{IPA-sl|rəˈsə̀}}. Source: {{cite web|title=Slovenski pravopis 2001: Republika Slovenija|url=http://bos.zrc-sazu.si/c/SP/neva.exe?name=sp&expression=republika+slovenija&hs=1}}</ref> is a [[nation state]] in southern [[Central Europe]],<ref name="Armstrong2007">{{cite book |url=https://books.google.si/books?id=FWA3ppuOgK4C&pg=PA165 |title=Geopolitics of European Union Enlargement: The Fortress Empire |page=165 |chapter=Borders in Central Europe: From Conflict to Cooperation |authors=Armstrong, Werwick. Anderson, James |publisher=Routledge |year=2007 |isbn=978-1-134-30132-4}}</ref>{{#tag:ref|Slovenia's placement within the regional classification schemes for Europe is controversial.<ref name="Armstrong2007"/> It is most often placed in [[Central Europe]] but sometimes in [[Southeastern Europe]].<ref name="Armstrong2007"/> Examples include the [[United Nations Statistics Division]] (Southern Europe),<ref name="UNStat">{{cite web| url=http://unstats.un.org/unsd/methods/m49/m49regin.htm#ftna |title=Composition of macro geographical (continental) regions, geographical sub-regions, and selected economic and other groupings |publisher=UN Statistics Division |accessdate=7 March 2012}}</ref> ''[[The World Factbook]]'' (Central Europe),<ref name=Fact>{{cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2144.html|title=The World Factbook: Field listing – Location |work=[[The World Factbook]]|publisher=[[Central Intelligence Agency]]|year=2009|accessdate=7 March 2009}}</ref> ''[[Encarta]]'' ("south central Europe")<ref name=Encarta>{{cite encyclopedia |title=Slovenia|work=[[Encarta]]|url=http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761571128/Slovenia.html|accessdate=1 May 2009|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5kwafS3Ax|archivedate=31 October 2009|deadurl=yes}}</ref> and [[Peter J. Katzenstein]] ("no way to decide"),<ref>{{cite book|last=Katzenstein|first=Peter J.|authorlink=Peter J. Katzenstein|title=Mitteleuropa: Between Europe and Germany|publisher=Berghahn Books|year=1997|isbn=978-1-57181-124-0|page=4}}</ref>|group=Note}} located at the crossroads of main European cultural and trade routes.<ref>{{cite journal |url=http://zgs.zrc-sazu.si/Portals/8/Slo_Geo_Over/23.pdf |title=Gateway to Western, Central, and Southeastern Europe |first=Andrej |last=Černe |page=127 |series=Slovenia: A Geographical Overview |editor=Orožen Adamič, Milan |publisher=Association of the Geographical Societies of Slovenia |year=2004 |isbn=961-6500-49-X}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |url=http://www.creativecitiesproject.eu/en/output/doc-23-2011/SWOT_Ljubljana_EN.pdf |title=Introducing the National Context: Brief Presentation of the National Context |page=5 |publisher=Inštitut za ekonomska raziskovanja [Institute for Economic Research] |place=Ljubljana |series=SWOT Analysis: Status of the Creative Industries in Ljubljana |authors=Murovec, Nika. Kavaš, Damijan |date=December 2010}}</ref> It is bordered by [[Italy]] to the west, [[Austria]] to the north, [[Hungary]] to the northeast, [[Croatia]] to the south and southeast, and the [[Adriatic Sea]] to the southwest.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lZTsAAAAMAAJ |title=Europe beyond 2000: the enlargement of the European Union towards the East |author=Nicoll, William |author2=Schoenberg, Richard |year=1998 |publisher=Whurr Publishers |isbn=978-1-86156-064-3 |page=121}}</ref> It covers {{convert|20273|km2|sp=us}} and has a population of 2.06&nbsp;million.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.vlada.si/en/about_slovenia/ |title=About Slovenia: Republic of Slovenia |work=Vlada.si |publisher=Government of Slovenia, Republic of Slovenia|accessdate=25 November 2012}}</ref> It is a [[parliamentary republic]]<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.si/books?id=gsOPTeQ8vyYC&pg=PA3 |title=Doing Business with Slovenia |chapter=Political Overview |first=Biljana |last=Radonjić |editor=Reuvid, Jonathan |year=2005 |isbn=978-1-905050-70-3}}</ref> and a member of the [[United Nations]], [[European Union]], and [[NATO]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scribd.com/fullscreen/58435305?access_key=key-1nubaf9el1axl8dq1b31|title=Slovenia First 20 Years|publisher=Slovenia: South Australia Newsletter|issue=58|date=Winter 2010–2011|issn=1448-8175|accessdate=25 November 2012}}</ref> <!-- There is nothing about "high economic and social level" in this book on page 95 -->The capital and largest city is [[Ljubljana]].<ref>{{cite book |url=http://www.stat.si/doc/pub/00-RP-909-1103.pdf |title=Statistični portret Slovenije v EU 2011 |language=Slovenian, English|trans_title=Statistical Portrait of Slovenia in the EU 2011 |publisher=Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia |first=Vojka |last=Vuk Dirnberk |author2=Tomaž Valantič  |issn=1854-5734 |accessdate=2 February 2011}}</ref>

The territory is mostly mountainous<ref name="perko2008">{{cite journal |url=http://www.theslovenian.com/articles/2008/perko.pdf |title=Slovenia at the Junction of Major European Geographical Units |first=Drago |last=Perko |year=2008 |newspaper=The Slovenian |publisher=Vse Slovenski Kulturni Odbor [The All Slovenian Cultural Committee] |place=Toronto}}</ref> with a mainly [[continental climate]],<ref name="Fallon2007">{{cite book |url=https://books.google.si/books?id=Pb_eXmEyPvwC&pg=PA40 |title=Slovenia |chapter=Environment |first=Steve |last=Fallon |publisher=Lonely Planet |year=2007 |edition=5th |isbn=978-1-74104-480-5 |page=40}}</ref> with the exception of the [[Slovene Littoral]] that has a sub-[[Mediterranean climate]] and the north-western area that has an [[Alpine climate]].<ref>{{cite book |url=http://zgds.zrc-sazu.si/glasgow/9.pdf |first=Darko |last=Ogrin |chapter=Modern Climate Change in Slovenia |page=45 |title=Slovenia: A Geographical Overview |editor=Orožen Adamič, Milan |publisher=Association of the Geographical Societies of Slovenia |year=2004 |isbn=961-6500-49-X}}</ref> Additionally, the [[Dinaric Alps]] and the [[Pannonian Plain]] meet on the territory of Slovenia. The country, marked by a significant [[biodiversity|biological]] diversity,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://kazalci.arso.gov.si/?data=indicator&ind_id=4&lang_id=94 |title=Endangered Species |author=Blažič, Mateja. Arih, Andrej. Nartnik, Irena. Turk, Inga |date=26 March 2008 |publisher=Environmental Agency of the Republic of Slovenia, Ministry of the Environment and Spatial Planning |accessdate=8 March 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=http://www.sycp.si/Portals/0/Files/filebroker.aspx@id=6237.pdf |page=13 |chapter=Characteristics of Biological and Landscape Diversity in Slovenia |title=Biological and Landscape Diversity in Slovenia: An Overview |publisher=Environmental Agency of the Republic of Slovenia, Ministry of the Environment and Spatial Planning |year=2001 |editor=Hlad, Branka |editor2=Skoberne, Peter |isbn=961-6324-17-9 |place=Ljubljana |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/20121125091811/http://www.sycp.si/Portals/0/Files/filebroker.aspx@id=6237.pdf |archivedate=25 November 2012 }}</ref> is one of the most water-rich in Europe,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.stat.si/eng/novica_prikazi.aspx?id=3769 |title=World Water Day 2011 |date=18 March 2011 |publisher=Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia}}</ref> with a dense river network, a rich [[aquifer]] system, and significant [[karst]] underground watercourses.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.arso.gov.si/en/soer/country_introduction.html |title=Country Introduction |work=European state of the environment 2010 - contributions from Slovenia |publisher=Environmental Agency of the Republic of Slovenia, Ministry of the Environment and Spatial Planning |accessdate=8 March 2012}}</ref> Over half of the territory is covered by forest.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.zgs.gov.si/eng/slovenian-forests/forests-in-slovenia/slovenian-forest-in-figures/index.html |title=Slovenian Forest in Figures |publisher=Slovenia Forest Service |date=February 2010}}</ref> The human settlement of Slovenia is dispersed and uneven.<ref>{{cite book |url=http://zgs.zrc-sazu.si/Portals/8/Slo_Geo_Over/17.pdf |first=Drago |last=Kladnik |chapter=Modern Climate Change in Slovenia |page=93 |title=Slovenia: A Geographical Overview |editor=Orožen Adamič, Milan |publisher=Association of the Geographical Societies of Slovenia |year=2004 |isbn=961-6500-49-X}}</ref>

The [[Slavic languages|Slavic]], [[Germanic languages|Germanic]], [[Romance languages|Romance]], and [[Hungarian language|Hungarian]] languages meet here.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.arso.gov.si/en/soer/country_introduction.html |title=SOER: Country Introduction |accessdate=3 February 2011 |publisher=Environment Agency of the Republic of Slovenia}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=http://www.mk.gov.si/fileadmin/mk.gov.si/pageuploads/Ministrstvo/Medkulturni_dialog/Programska_knjizica-low.pdf |title=Medkulturni dialog kot temeljna vrednota EU |language=Slovenian, English |trans_title=Intercultural Dialogue as the Fundamental Value of the EU |year=2008 |publisher=Faculty of Humanities Koper, University of Primorska |first=Jonatan |last=Vinkler |isbn=978-961-92233-2-1 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120304001422/http://www.mk.gov.si/fileadmin/mk.gov.si/pageuploads/Ministrstvo/Medkulturni_dialog/Programska_knjizica-low.pdf |archivedate=4 March 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://sova.gov.si/en/media/resolution.pdf |title=Resolution on the National Security Strategy of the Republic of Slovenia |publisher=National Assembly of the Republic of Slovenia |date=21 June 2001 |accessdate=3 February 2011 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/20100414150808/http://www.sova.gov.si:80/en/media/resolution.pdf |archivedate=14 April 2010 }}</ref> Although the population is not homogeneous, the majority is [[Slovenes|Slovene]].<ref>{{cite book |url=http://zgs.zrc-sazu.si/Portals/8/Slo_Geo_Over/16.pdf |first=Jernej |last=Zupančič |chapter=Ethnic Structure of Slovenia and Slovenes in Neighbouring Countries |page=87 |title=Slovenia: A Geographical Overview |editor=Orožen Adamič, Milan |publisher=Association of the Geographical Societies of Slovenia |year=2004 |isbn=961-6500-49-X}}</ref> [[Slovene language|Slovene]] is the official language throughout the country. Slovenia is a largely [[secularization|secularized]] country,<ref>{{cite book |url=http://dk.fdv.uni-lj.si/diplomska/pdfs/martinsek-maja.pdf |title=Odnos med državo in religijo v Sloveniji |trans_title=The Relationship Between the State and Religion in Slovenia |first=Maja |last=Martinšek |year=2007 |publisher=Faculty of Humanities, University of Ljubljana}}</ref> but its culture and identity have been significantly influenced by [[Catholic Church|Catholicism]] as well as [[Lutheranism]].<ref name="Strubelj">{{cite book |url=http://geo.ff.uni-lj.si/pisnadela/pdfs/dipl_200610_dejan_strubelj.pdf |title=Primerjava narodne, verske in jezikovne sestave Slovenije: diplomsko delo |language=Slovenian |trans_title=Comparison of Ethnic, Religious and Ethnic Structure of Slovenia: Diploma Thesis |first=Dejan |last=Štrubelj |publisher=Faculty of Arts, University of Ljubljana |year=2006 |accessdate=29 January 2011}}</ref> The [[economy of Slovenia]] is small, open, and [[export-oriented industrialization|export-oriented]]<ref>{{cite journal |url=http://journals.cluteonline.com/index.php/JABR/article/download/910/894 |title=Corporate Strategies In The Post-Transition Economy: The Case Of Slovenian Companies |journal=The Journal of Applied Business Research |first=Matej |last=Lahovnik |volume=27 |issue=1 |date=January–February 2011 |issn=0892-7626 |id={{COBISS|ID=19878374}} |pages=61–68}}</ref> and has been strongly influenced by international conditions.<ref>{{cite book |url=http://dk.fdv.uni-lj.si/magistrska/pdfs/mag_banutai-andreja.pdf |title=Analiza modela gospodarske diplomacije Republike Slovenije |language=Slovenian, English|trans_title=Analysis of the Economic Diplomacy Model of the Republic of Slovenia |first=Andreja |last=Banutai |year=2011 |place=Ljubljana |publisher=Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ljubljana |page=5}}</ref> It has been severely hurt by the [[Eurozone crisis]], started in the late 2000s.<ref name="VE2012-03-15"/> The main economic field is [[service sector|services]], followed by industry and construction.<ref name="UMAR2011-09">{{cite book |url=http://www.umar.gov.si/fileadmin/user_upload/napovedi/jesen/2011/jngg_2011_1.pdf |chapter=Tabela 2b: Dodana vrednost po dejavnostih in bruto domači proizvod |language=Slovenian |trans_chapter=Table 2b: Added Value by Activities and Gross Domestic Product |title=Jesenska napoved gospodarskih gibanj 2011: statistična priloga |trans_title=Autumn Prediction of Economic Movements 2011: Statistical Appendix |location=Ljubljana |date=September 2011 |editor=Fajić, Lejla |publisher=Institute for Macroeconomic Analysis and Development (UMAR/IMAD), Republic of Slovenia |page=45}}</ref>

Historically, the current territory of Slovenia was part of many different state formations, including the [[Roman Empire]] and the [[Holy Roman Empire]], followed by the [[Habsburg Monarchy]]. In October 1918, the Slovenes exercised self-determination for the first time by co-founding the [[list of states with limited recognition|internationally unrecognized]] [[State of Slovenes, Croats and Serbs]]. The Slovenians mostly wanted to be with Germany and Austria, but merged that December with the [[Kingdom of Serbia]] into the [[Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes]] (renamed [[Kingdom of Yugoslavia]] in 1929). During [[World War II]], Slovenia was occupied and annexed by [[Nazi Germany|Germany]], [[Kingdom of Italy|Italy]], and [[Kingdom of Hungary (1920–46)|Hungary]], with a tiny area transferred to the [[Independent State of Croatia]], a Nazi puppet state.<ref name="sečen2005">{{cite news |url=http://www.dnevnik.si/tiskane_izdaje/dnevnik/121558 |title=Mejo so zavarovali z žico in postavili mine |language=Slovenian |trans_title=They Protected the Border with Wire and Set up Mines |newspaper=Dnevnik.si |first=Ernest |last=Sečen |date=16 April 2005}}</ref> Afterward, it was a founding member of the [[Federal People's Republic of Yugoslavia]], later renamed the [[Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia]], a communist state which was the only country in the Eastern Bloc never a part of the [[Warsaw Pact]]. In June 1991, after the introduction of [[multi-party system|multi-party]] [[representative democracy]], Slovenia split from Yugoslavia and became an independent country.<ref name="Škrk1999">{{cite book |url=https://books.google.si/books?id=AhwHHtwbhioC&pg=PA5 |title=Succession of States |editor-first=Mojmir |editor-last=Mrak |chapter=Recognition of States and Its (Non-)Implication on State Succession: The Case of Successor States to the Former Yugoslavia |page=5 |first=Mirjam |last=Škrk |publisher=Martinus Nijhoff Publishers |year=1999}}</ref> In 2004, it entered NATO and the European Union; in 2007 became the first [[Postcommunism|former Communist]] country to join the [[Eurozone]];<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.si/books?id=hE3oIMB6aj8C&pg=PA272 |title=Serbia, Croatia and Slovenia at Peace and at War: Selected Writings, 1983-2007 |first=Sabrina |last=P. Ramet |year=2008 |chapter=Democratization in Slovenia – The Third Stage |isbn=978-3-03735-912-9 |publisher=LIT Verlag Münster |page=272}}</ref> and in 2010 joined the [[Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development|OECD]], a global association of high-income developed countries.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.si/books?id=srZ6cuzQXcwC&pg=PA31 |title=The United States of Europe: European Union and the Euro Revolution |page=31 |chapter=Historical Progression of the EU |first=Manoranjan |last=Dutta |publisher=9781780523149 |year=2011}}</ref>

==History==
{{Main|History of Slovenia}}
[[File:Flûte paléolithique (musée national de Slovénie, Ljubljana) (9420310527).jpg|thumb|100px|A [[Divje Babe flute|pierced cave bear bone]], possibly [[flute]], from [[Divje Babe]]]]

=== Prehistory to Slavic settlement ===

==== History ====
Present-day Slovenia has been inhabited since [[prehistoric]] times, and there is evidence of human habitation from around 250,000 years ago.{{citation needed|date=January 2015}} A [[Divje Babe flute|pierced cave bear bone]], dating from 43100 ± 700 [[before present|BP]], found in 1995 in Divje Babe cave near [[Cerkno]], is possibly the oldest musical instrument discovered in the world.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.si/books?id=G9tDboBJ70EC |title=The Land Between: A History of Slovenia |chapter=From Prehistory to the End of the Ancient World |page=15 |first=Oto |last=Luthar |year=2008 |publisher=Peter Lang |isbn=978-3-631-57011-1}}</ref> In the 1920s and 1930s, artifacts belonging to the [[Cro-Magnon]] such as pierced bones, bone points, and needle were found by archaeologist [[Srečko Brodar]] in [[Potok Cave]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.parc.si/index.html |title=Potočka zijavka |work=Parc.si |publisher=Palaeolithic Research Centre}}</ref><ref name="autogenerated2">{{cite encyclopedia |url=http://www.dedi.si/dediscina/323 |title=Potočka zijalka |encyclopedia=Enciklopedija naravne in kulturne dediščine na Slovenskem – DEDI |first1=Irena |last1=Debeljak |first2=Matija |last2=Turk |editor=Šmid Hribar |editor2=Mateja Torkar |editor3=Gregor Golež |editor4=Mateja Podjed |editor5=Dan. Drago Kladnik |editor6=Drago. Erhartič |editor7=Bojan Pavlin |editor8=Primož. Jerele, Ines. |accessdate=12 March 2012 |language=Slovenian}}</ref>

In 2002, [[Prehistoric pile dwellings around the Alps|remains of pile dwellings]] over 4,500 years old were discovered in the [[Ljubljana Marshes]], now protected as a [[UNESCO World Heritage Site]], along with the [[Ljubljana Marshes Wooden Wheel]], the oldest wooden [[wheel]] in the world.<ref name="The_Oldest_Wooden_Wheel_in_the_World">{{cite web|url=http://www.koliscar.si/en/virtual-exhibition/ |title=The oldest wooden wheel in the world: Virtual exhibition |date=4 January 2013 }}</ref> It shows that wooden wheels appeared almost simultaneously in Mesopotamia and Europe.<ref name="Slovenia">{{cite web |title=World's Oldest Wheel Found in Slovenia |url=http://www.ukom.gov.si/en/media_relations/background_information/culture/worlds_oldest_wheel_found_in_slovenia/ |date=March 2003 |publisher=Government Communication Office of the Republic of Slovenia |author=Alexander Gasser |accessdate=19 August 2010}}</ref> In the transition period between the [[Bronze age]] to the [[Iron age]], the [[Urnfield]] culture flourished. Archaeological remains dating from the [[Hallstatt period]] have been found, particularly in southeastern Slovenia, among them a number of [[situla (vessel)|situla]]s in [[Novo Mesto]], the "Town of Situlas".<ref name="google2008">{{Cite journal|url=http://www.maribor2012.info/userfiles/File/application-form_2007+supplement_2008_v3.pdf |title=Application for the Title of the European Capital of Culture 2012 |publisher=City Municipality of Maribor |year=2008 }}{{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> In the [[Iron Age]], present-day Slovenia was inhabited by [[Illyrians|Illyrian]] and [[Celts|Celtic]] tribes until the 1st century BC.

==== Ancient Romans ====
[[File:Emona v Ljubljani (6).jpg|thumb|150px|Roman [[Emona]]'s south wall (reconstruction) in present-day Ljubljana]]
When the Ancient [[Ancient Rome|Romans]] conquered the area, they established the provinces of [[Pannonia]], and [[Noricum]] and present-day western Slovenia was included directly under [[Italia (Roman Empire)|Roman Italia]] as part of the X region ''Venetia et Histria''. The Romans established posts at [[Emona]] (Ljubljana), [[Poetovio]] (Ptuj), and [[Celeia]] (Celje); and constructed trade and military roads that ran across Slovene territory from Italy to Pannonia. In the 5th and 6th centuries, the area was subject to invasions by the [[Huns]] and Germanic tribes during their incursions into [[Italy]]. A part of the inner state was protected with a defensive line of towers and walls called ''[[Claustra Alpium Iuliarum]]''. [[Battle of the Frigidus|A crucial battle]] between [[Theodosius I]] and [[Eugenius]] took place in the [[Vipava Valley]] in 394.

==== Slavic settlement ====

The [[Slavic peoples|Slavic]] tribes migrated to the Alpine area after the westward departure of the [[Lombards]] (the last Germanic tribe) in 568, and under pressure from [[Pannonian Avars|Avars]] established a [[Slavic settlement of the Eastern Alps|Slavic settlement in the Eastern Alps]]. From 623 to 624 or possibly 626 onwards, [[Samo|King Samo]] united the Alpine and Western Slavs against the Avars and Germans and established what is referred to as Samo's Kingdom. After its disintegration following Samo's death in 658 or 659, the ancestors of [[Slovenes]] located in present-day [[Carinthia (state)|Carinthia]] formed the independent [[Carantania|duchy of Carantania]].<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=y0MqAQAAMAAJ |title=Na stičišču svetov: slovenska zgodovina od prazgodovinskih kultur do konca 18. stoletja |first=Peter |last=Štih |language=Slovenian |trans_title=At the Junction of the Worlds: Slovene History from the Prehistoric Cultures to the End of the 18th Century |isbn=978-961-241-375-0 |publisher=Modrijan Publishing House |page=33}}</ref> Other parts of present-day Slovenia were again ruled by Avars before [[Charlemagne]]'s victory over them in 803.
[[File:Landhaus Wappensaal Fuerstenstein 01.jpg|thumb|150px|[[Prince's Stone]], symbol of [[Carantania|duchy of Carantania]]]]

=== The Middle Ages to the early modern period ===
[[File:Kaernten herzogeinsetzung.jpg|thumb|left|200px|A depiction of an ancient democratic ritual of Slovene-speaking tribes, which took place on the [[Prince's Stone]] in [[Slovene language]] until 1414.]]
In the mid-8th century, Carantania became a vassal duchy under the rule of the [[Bavaria]]ns, who began [[christianization|spreading Christianity]]. Three decades later, the [[Carantanians]] were incorporated, together with the Bavarians, into the [[Carolingian Empire]]. During the same period [[Carniola]], too, came under the Franks, and was Christianised from [[Aquileia]]. Following the anti-Frankish rebellion of [[Liudewit]] at the beginning of the 9th century, the [[Franks]] removed the Carantanian princes, replacing them with their own border dukes. Consequently, the Frankish [[feudal system]] reached the Slovene territory.

After the victory of Emperor [[Otto I]] over the [[Magyars]] in 955, Slovene territory was divided into a number of border regions of the [[Holy Roman Empire]]. Carantania, being the most important, was elevated into the [[Duchy of Carinthia]] in 976.

By the 11th century, the Germanization of what is now [[Lower Austria]], effectively isolated the Slovene-inhabited territory from the [[western Slavs]], speeding up the development of the  [[Carantanians|Slavs of Carantania]] and of [[Carniola]] into an independent Slovene ethnic group. By the late Middle Ages, the historic provinces of Carniola, [[Styria (duchy)|Styria]], [[Carinthia (duchy)|Carinthia]], [[County of Gorizia|Gorizia]], [[Trieste]], and [[Istria]] developed from the border regions and were incorporated into the medieval German state. The consolidation and formation of these historical lands took place in a long period between the 11th and 14th centuries, and were led by a number of important feudal families, such as the [[Bernhard von Spanheim|Dukes of Spannheim]], the [[Meinhardiner|Counts of Gorizia]], the [[Counts of Celje]], and, finally, the [[House of Habsburg]]. In a parallel process, an intensive German colonisation significantly diminished the extent of Slovene-speaking areas. By the 15th century, the [[Slovene Lands|Slovene ethnic territory]] was reduced to its present size.<ref name="culture.si">{{cite web|url=http://www.culture.si/en/Slovenia |title=About Slovenia - Culture of Slovenia |publisher=Culture.si |accessdate=2 June 2012}}</ref>

In the  14th century, most of the territory of present-day Slovenia was taken over by the [[Habsburgs]], the Hungarian clan [[Záh (gens)|Záh]] administering the territories connecting Slovenia with [[Slovakia]] and [[Moravia]] was exterminated in 1330 and Slovenes permanently lost the connection with their [[Slovakia|Slovak]] kinsmen. The counts of Celje, a feudal family from this area who in 1436 acquired the title of state princes, were [[Habsburgs]]' powerful competitors for some time. This large dynasty, important at a European political level, had its seat in Slovene territory but died out in 1456. Its numerous large estates subsequently became the property of the Habsburgs, who retained control of the area right up until the beginning of the 20th century. [[Patria del Friuli]] ruled present western Slovenia until [[Republic of Venice|Venetian]] takeover in 1420.

[[File:Boj s Turki-Valvasor.jpg|thumb|200px|The Ottoman army battling the [[Ottoman–Habsburg wars|Habsburgs]] in present-day Slovenia during the [[Great Turkish War]].]]
At the end of the Middle Ages, the Slovene Lands suffered a serious economic and demographic setback because of the [[Ottoman–Habsburg wars|Turkish raids]]. In 1515, a [[Slovenian peasant revolt of 1515|peasant revolt]] spread across nearly the whole Slovene territory. In 1572 and 1573 the [[Croatian-Slovenian peasant revolt]] wrought havoc throughout the wider region. Such uprisings, which often met with bloody defeats, continued throughout the 17th century.<ref name="culture.si"/>

=== Between the 18th century and the end of World War I ===

Republic of Venice was dissolved in by France and Venetian Slovenia was passed to Austrian Empire in 1797. The [[Slovene Lands]] were part of the [[Illyrian provinces]], the [[Austrian Empire]] and [[Austria-Hungary]]. Slovenes inhabited most of [[Carniola]], the southern part of the duchies of [[Duchy of Carinthia|Carinthia]] and [[Duchy of Styria|Styria]], the northern and eastern areas of the [[Austrian Littoral]], as well as [[Prekmurje]] in the [[Kingdom of Hungary (Austria-Hungary)|Kingdom of Hungary]].<ref>{{cite journal |url=http://journals.lib.washington.edu/index.php/ssj/article/download/3797/3208 |title=Note: The Terms Wende - Winde, Wendisch - Windisch in the Historiographic Tradition of the Slovene Lands |first=Rado |last=Lenček |author-link=Rado Lenček |year=1990 |journal=Slovene Studies |volume=12 |issue=1 |page=94}}</ref>
Industrialization was accompanied by construction of railroads to link cities and markets, but the urbanization was limited.

Due to limited opportunities, between 1880-1910 there was extensive emigration, and around 300,000 Slovenes (i.e. 1 in 6) emigrated to other countries,<ref name="Benderly9">{{cite book |url=https://books.google.si/books?id=rXiCp49NJh8C&pg=PA10 |title=Independent Slovenia: Origins, Movements, Prospects |chapter=In the Beginning: The Slovenes from the Seventh Century to 1945 |first=Jill |last=Benderly |first2=Evan |last2=Kraft |publisher=Palgrave Macmillan |year=1996 |isbn=978-0-312-16447-8 |pages=9–11}}</ref> mostly to the US, but also to [[South America]] (main part to Argentina), Germany, [[Egypt]], and to larger cities in Austria-Hungary, especially [[Zagreb]] and [[Vienna]]. The locations in the United States where many Slovenians settled were areas with substantial industrial and mining activities:  Pittsburgh, Chicago, Pueblo, Butte, and the Salt Lake Valley. The men were important as workers in the mining industry, because of some of the skills they brought from Slovenia. The area of the United States with the highest concentration of Slovenian immigrants is [[Cleveland]], Ohio. Despite this, the Slovene population increased significantly.<ref name="Benderly9"/> Literacy was exceptionally high, at 80-90%.<ref name="Benderly9"/>

The 19th century also saw a revival of culture in the [[Slovene language]], accompanied by a [[Romantic nationalism|Romantic nationalist]] quest for cultural and political autonomy. The idea of a [[United Slovenia]], first advanced during the [[revolutions of 1848]], became the common platform of most Slovenian parties and political movements in Austria-Hungary. During the same period, [[Yugoslavism]], an ideology stressing the unity of all [[South Slavic peoples]], spread as a reaction to [[Pan-German nationalism]] and [[Italian irredentism]].

=== World War I ===
{{See also|Italian Campaign (World War I)|Battles of the Isonzo|Treaty of London (1915)|Corfu Declaration}}
[[File:Eingebaute Mannschaftsunterstände am Monte Sabotino.jpg|thumb|200px|The [[Battles of the Isonzo]] took place mostly in rugged mountainous areas above the Soča River.]]
[[World War I]] brought heavy casualties for the Slovenes, particularly the twelve [[Battles of the Isonzo]], which took place in present-day Slovenia's western border area. Hundreds of thousands of Slovene conscripts were drafted into the [[Austro-Hungarian Army]], and over 30,000 of them died. Hundreds of thousands of Slovenes from [[Gorizia and Gradisca]] were resettled in [[refugee camps]] in Italy and Austria. While the refugees in Austria received decent treatment, the Slovene refugees in Italian camps were treated as state enemies, and several thousand died of malnutrition and diseases between 1915 and 1918.<ref>Petra Svoljšak, ''Slovenski begunci v Italiji med prvo svetovno vojno'' (Ljubljana 1991).</ref> Entire areas of the Slovene Littoral were destroyed.

=== Kingdom of Yugoslavia ===
{{See also|Creation of Yugoslavia|Carinthian Plebiscite|Rudolf Maister}}
[[File:KongressfallofAH.jpg|thumb|200px|The proclamation of the [[State of Slovenes, Croats and Serbs]] at [[Congress Square]] in [[Ljubljana]] on 20 October 1918.]]
The [[Slovene People's Party (historical)|Slovene People's Party]] launched a movement for self-determination, demanding the creation of a semi-independent [[South Slavic peoples|South Slavic]] state under [[Habsburg dynasty|Habsburg]] rule. The proposal was picked up by most Slovene parties, and a mass mobilization of Slovene civil society, known as the [[May Declaration (1917)|Declaration Movement]], followed.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Kranjec |first=Silvo |chapter=Korošec Anton |title=Slovenski biografski leksikon |url=http://nl.ijs.si:8080/fedora/get/sbl:1188/VIEW/ |year=1925–1991 |edition=Online |publisher=[[Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts]] |accessdate=24 July 2010 |language=Slovenian}}</ref> This demand was rejected by the Austrian political elites; but following the dissolution of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in the aftermath of the [[World War I|First World War]], the [[National Council of Slovenes, Croats and Serbs]] took power in [[Zagreb]] on 6 October 1918. On 29 October, independence was declared by a national gathering in Ljubljana, and by the Croatian parliament, declaring the establishment of the new [[State of Slovenes, Croats and Serbs]].

On 1 December 1918 the [[State of Slovenes, Croats and Serbs]] merged with [[Serbia]], becoming part of the new [[Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes]]; in 1929 it was renamed the [[Kingdom of Yugoslavia]]. The main territory of Slovenia, being the most industrialized and westernized compared to other less developed parts of Yugoslavia, became the main center of industrial production: Compared to Serbia, for example, Slovenian industrial production was four times greater; and it was 22 times greater than in [[Republic of Macedonia|Macedonia]]. The interwar period brought further industrialization in Slovenia, with rapid economic growth in the 1920s, followed by a relatively successful economic adjustment to the [[1929 economic crisis]] and [[Great Depression]].

Following a [[Carinthian Plebiscite|plebiscite]] in October 1920, the Slovene-speaking southern [[Carinthia (state)|Carinthia]] was ceded to [[Austria]]. With the [[Treaty of Trianon]], on the other hand, the Kingdom of Yugoslavia was awarded the Slovene-inhabited [[Prekmurje]] region, formerly part of [[Austro-Hungary]].

Slovenes living in territories that fell under the rule of the neighboring states: Italy, Austria and Hungary, were subjected to [[Cultural assimilation|assimilation]].

==== Fascist Italianization of the Slovene Littoral and resistance ====
{{See also|Julian March|Slovene minority in Italy (1920–1947)}}
[[File:Treaty of Rapallo.png|thumb|350px|right|The map showing the present territory of Slovenia, with traditional regional boundaries; the Slovene-speaking areas annexed by Italy after WWI are shown in stripes]]

The [[Treaty of Rapallo, 1920|Treaty of Rapallo]] of 1920 left approximately 327,000 out of the total population of 1.3 million Slovenes in Italy.<ref name="SacroEgoismo2012">Lipušček, U. (2012) ''Sacro egoismo: Slovenci v krempljih tajnega londonskega pakta 1915'', Cankarjeva založba, Ljubljana. ISBN 978-961-231-871-0</ref><ref name="Cresciani_ClashOfCivilisations">Cresciani, Gianfranco (2004) [https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B1aAzmXBjZO5eFQySUlrdTBYRkk Clash of civilisations], Italian Historical Society Journal, Vol. 12, No. 2, p. 4</ref> After the [[March on Rome|fascists took over the power]] in Italy, they were subjected to a policy of violent [[Fascist Italianization]]. This caused a mass emigration of Slovenes, especially the middle class, from the [[Slovenian Littoral]] and [[Trieste]] to [[Yugoslavia]] and [[South America]]. Those who remained organized several connected networks of both passive and armed resistance. The most famous was the [[militant anti-fascist]] organization [[TIGR]], formed in 1927 in order to fight Fascist oppression of the Slovene and Croat populations in the [[Julian March]].<ref name="Mira Cencič 1997">Mira Cencič, ''TIGR'' (Ljubljana: Mladinska knjiga, 1997)</ref><ref name="Tatjana Rejec 1995">Tatjana Rejec, ''Pričevanja o TIGR-u'' (Ljubljana: [[Slovenska matica]], 1995)</ref>

=== Slovenia during and after World War II ===
{{main|World War II in the Slovene Lands}}
[[File:Bundesarchiv Bild 121-0721, Marburg-Drau, Adolf Hitler.jpg|thumb|left|[[Adolf Hitler]] and [[Martin Bormann]] visiting [[Maribor]] in April 1941, launching the Nazi anti-Slovene policies.{{citation needed|date=August 2015}}]]
{| class="infobox" style="width: 90px;"
| {{Image label begin|image=Provincia di Lubiana1941-1943.jpg|width=350}}
{{Image label small|x=0.345|y=0.105|scale=350|text=[[Anschluss|<span style="color:#0645AD;">Nazi-annexed<br/><br/>Austria</span>]]}}
{{Image label small|x=0.899|y=0.058|scale=350|text=[[Kingdom of Hungary (1920–46)|<span style="color:#0645AD;">Hungary</span>]]}}
{{Image label small|x=0.012|y=0.465|scale=350|text=[[Kingdom of Italy|<span style="color:#0645AD;">Fascist<br/><br/>Italy</span>]]}}
{{Image label small|x=0.815|y=0.454|scale=350|text=[[Independent State of Croatia|<span style="color:#0645AD;">Independent<br/><br/>State of<br/><br/>Croatia</span>]]}}
|-
| During WWII, [[Nazi Germany]] and [[Hungary]] annexed northern areas (brown and dark green areas, respectively), while Fascist [[Kingdom of Italy|Italy]] annexed the vertically hashed black area (solid black western part being annexed by Italy already with the [[Treaty of Rapallo (1920)|Treaty of Rapallo]]). Some villages were incorporated into the [[Independent State of Croatia]]. After 1943, Germany took over the Italian occupational area, as well.
|}
Slovenia was the only present-day European nation that was trisected and completely annexed into both [[Nazi]] Germany and Fascist [[Kingdom of Italy|Italy]] during WW II.<ref name="GJK_2013">Gregor Joseph Kranjc (2013).[http://www.amazon.com/Walk-Devil-Collaboration-Occupation-1941-1945/dp/1442613300/ref=sr_1_1/180-8718746-1176833?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1378491455&sr=1-1&keywords=1442613300#reader_1442613300 To Walk with the Devil], University of Toronto Press, Scholarly Publishing Division, p. introduction 5</ref> In addition, the [[Prekmurje]] region in the east was annexed to Hungary, and some villages in the [[Lower Sava Valley]] were incorporated in the newly created Nazi puppet [[Independent State of Croatia]].

Axis forces [[Invasion of Yugoslavia|invaded Yugoslavia]] in April 1941 and defeated the country in a few weeks. The southern part, including Ljubljana, was annexed to Italy, while the Nazis took over the northern and eastern parts of the country. The Nazis had a plan of [[ethnic cleansing]] of these areas,<ref name="HF2006_BerghahnBooks">Haar, I., Fahlbusch, M. (2006): [https://books.google.com/books?id=vBYW0uYved8C&pg=PA115#v=onepage&q=Slovenians%20%22ethnic%20cleansing%22&f=false German Scholars and Ethnic Cleansing, 1919-1945], Berghahn Books, ISBN 9781845450489, p. 115</ref> and they resettled or expelled the local Slovene civilian population to the puppet states of [[Nedić's Serbia]] (7,500) and [[NDH]] (10,000). In addition, some 46,000 Slovenes were expelled to Germany, including children who were separated from their parents and allocated to German families.<ref name="LM2009_UNC">Lukšič-Hacin, M., Mlekuž J. (2009): [https://books.google.si/books?id=EUWc0Csfp8cC&pg=PA55&dq=deportation+Slovenians&hl=en&sa=X&ei=wSktVIi_L47natDIgvgB&ved=0CDgQ6AEwBQ#v=onepage&q=deportation%20Slovenians&f=false Go Girls!: When Slovenian Women Left Home], Založba ZRC SAZU, ISBN 9789612541705, p. 55</ref><ref>Zdravko Troha (2004). Kočevski Nemci - partizani [fotografije Zdravko Troha, Pokrajinski muzej Kočevje, Arhiv Slovenije]. Ljubljana: Slovensko kočevarsko društvo Peter Kosler. ISBN 961-91287-0-2</ref> At the same time, the ethnic Germans in the [[Gottschee]] enclave in the Italian annexation zone were resettled to the Nazi-controlled areas cleansed of their Slovene population.<ref name="L1993_UNC">Lumans, V.O. (1993):[https://books.google.com/booksid=TIZSO31iSO4C&pg=PA175&dq=Italian+Gottschee&hl=en&sa=X&ei=Gx8tVNOzHpHcaLWUgNgE&ved=0CDsQ6AEwBQ#v=onepage&q=Italian%20Gottschee&f=false Himmler's Auxiliaries: The Volksdeutsche Mittelstelle and the German National Minorities of Europe, 1933-1945], Univ of North Carolina Press, ISBN 9780807820667, p. 175</ref>
Around 30,000 to 40,000 Slovene men were drafted to the [[Wehrmacht|German Army]] and sent to Eastern front. The Slovene language was banned from education, and its use in the public life was limited to the absolute minimum.<ref name="GJK_2013"/>

[[File:Boji za Trst in Slovensko primorje.jpg|thumbnail|left|Partisans fighting for Trieste and Primorje region, 1945]]
In south-central Slovenia, annexed by Fascist Italy and renamed to [[Province of Ljubljana]], the [[Liberation Front of the Slovene Nation|Slovenian National Liberation Front]] was organized in April 1941. Led by the Communist Party, it formed the [[Slovene Partisans|Slovene Partisan]] units as part of the  [[Yugoslav Partisans]] led by the Communist leader [[Josip Broz Tito]].<ref name="JJR2013_OxfordPress">[[Rhodri Jeffreys-Jones|Jeffreys-Jones, R.]] (2013): [https://books.google.com/books?id=3gK7e8LpXvcC&pg=PA87&dq=Europe%27s+most+effective+Anti+Nazi+resistance&hl=en&sa=X&ei=6eydUaOmMsbm4QTrsoCIBQ&ved=0CC4QuwUwAA#v=onepage&q=most%20effective%20Anti%20Nazi%20resistance&f=false In Spies We Trust: The Story of Western Intelligence], Oxford University Press, ISBN 9780199580972</ref><ref name="AS_2005">Adams, Simon (2005): [https://books.google.com/books?id=Cmm4J2Ug4o8C&pg=PA1981&dq=resistance+Europe&hl=en&sa=X&ei=1u2dUZT5IKam4gSZ3YCwDQ&ved=0CFMQuwUwBg#v=onepage&q=resistance%20Europe&f=false The Balkans], Black Rabbit Books, ISBN 9781583406038</ref>

After the resistance started in summer 1941, Italian violence against the Slovene civilian population escalated, as well. The Italian authorities deported some 25,000 people to the [[Italian concentration camps|concentration camps]], which equaled 7.5% of the population of their occupation zone. The most infamous ones were [[Rab concentration camp|Rab]] and [[Gonars concentration camp|Gonars]]. To counter the Communist-led insurgence, the Italians sponsored local anti-guerrilla units, formed mostly by the local conservative Catholic Slovene population that resented the revolutionary violence of the partisans. After the [[Italian armistice]] of September 1943, the Germans took over both the Province of Ljubljana and the Slovenian Littoral, incorporating them into what was known as the [[Operation Zone of Adriatic Coastal Region]]. They united the Slovene anti-Communist counter-insurgence into the [[Slovene Home Guard]] and appointed a puppet regime in the Province of Ljubljana. The anti-Nazi resistance however expanded, creating its own administrative structures as the basis for Slovene statehood within a new, federal and socialist Yugoslavia.<ref name=Tomasevich_2001>{{cite book|first=Jozo|last=Tomasevich|title=War and Revolution in Yugoslavia, 1941–1945: Occupation and Collaboration|volume=2|publisher=Stanford University Press|year=2001|location=San Francisco|isbn=0-8047-3615-4|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fqUSGevFe5MC&printsec=frontcover|ref=Tomasevich_2001|pages=96–97}}</ref><ref name="Dennison I. Rusinow 1978, p. 2">{{Cite book|last=Rusinow|first=Dennison I.|title=The Yugoslav experiment 1948–1974|publisher=[[University of California Press]]|year=1978|page=2|isbn=0-520-03730-8}}</ref>

In 1945, Yugoslavia was liberated by the partisan resistance and soon became a socialist federation known as the [[People's Federal Republic of Yugoslavia]]. Slovenia joined the federation as a constituent republic, led by its own pro-Communist leadership.

Approximately 8% of the entire Slovene population died during WWII. The small Jewish community, mostly settled in the [[Prekmurje]] region, perished in 1944 in the [[Holocaust in Hungary|holocaust of Hungarian Jews]]. The German speaking minority, amounting to 2.5% of the Slovenian population prior to WWII, was either expelled or killed in the aftermath of the war. Hundreds of [[Istrian Italians]] and Slovenes that opposed communism were killed in the [[Foibe killings|foibe massacres]], and more than 25,000 fled or were expelled from [[Slovenian Istria]] in the aftermath of the war.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kozina.com/premik/indexeng_porocilo.htm|title=Slovene-Italian Relations 1880-1956 - Report of the Slovene-Italian historical and cultural commission|publisher=}}</ref>

=== The socialist period ===
[[File:Locator map Slovenia in Yugoslavia.svg|200px|thumb|left|Location of Slovenia within Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia]]
[[File:Predsednik Jugoslavije Tito in sovjetski premier Hruščov v Kopru 1963.jpg|200px|thumb|right|President of Yugoslavia [[Josip Broz Tito]] and President of USSR [[Nikita Khrushchev]] , Koper 1963]]
Following the re-establishment of Yugoslavia during World War II, Slovenia became part of [[Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia|Federal Yugoslavia]]. A [[socialist state]] was established, but because of the [[Tito–Stalin split]] in 1948, economic and personal freedoms were broader than in the rest of the [[Eastern Bloc]]. In 1947, the [[Slovene Littoral]] and the western half of [[Inner Carniola]], which had been annexed by [[Italy]] after the World War One, were annexed to Slovenia.

After the failure of [[Collective farming|forced collectivisation]] that was attempted from 1949–53, a policy of gradual economic liberalisation, known as [[Workers' self-management|workers self-management]], was introduced under the advice and supervision of the Slovene Marxist theoretician and Communist leader [[Edvard Kardelj]], the main ideologue of the [[Titoism|Titoist]] path to socialism. Suspected opponents of this policy both from within and outside the Communist party were persecuted and thousands were sent to the [[Goli otok]] [[gulag]].

The late 1950s saw a policy of liberalisation in the cultural sphere, as well, and border crossing into neighboring Italy and Austria was allowed again, under limited restriction. Until the 1980s, the [[Socialist Republic of Slovenia|Slovenia]] enjoyed relatively broad autonomy within the federation. In 1956, [[Josip Broz Tito]], together with other leaders, founded the [[Non-Aligned Movement]]. Particularly in the 1950s, Slovenia's economy developed rapidly and was strongly industrialised. With further economic decentralisation of Yugoslavia in 1965-66, Slovenia's domestic product was 2.5 times the average of Yugoslav republics.

Opposition to the regime was mostly limited to intellectual and literary circles, and became especially vocal after Tito's death in 1980, when the economic and political situation in Yugoslavia became very strained.<ref name="culture.si"/> Political disputes around economic measures were echoed in the public sentiment, as many Slovenians felt they were being economically exploited, having to sustain an expensive and inefficient federal administration.

=== Slovenian Spring, democracy and independence ===
In 1987 a group of intellectuals demanded Slovene independence in the [[Contributions for the Slovenian National Program|57th edition]] of the magazine ''[[Nova revija (magazine)|Nova revija]]''. Demands for democratisation and more Slovenian independence were sparked off. A mass democratic movement, coordinated by the [[Committee for the Defense of Human Rights]], pushed the Communists in the direction of democratic reforms.

In September 1989, numerous [[constitutional amendment]]s were passed to introduce [[parliamentary democracy]] to Slovenia.<ref>{{cite book |url=http://www.fdv.si/zalozba/pdf-ji/135.pdf |title=Razvoj parlamentarizma: funkcije sodobnih parlamentov |language=Slovenian |trans_title=The Development of Parliamentarism: The Functions of Modern Parliaments |first=Drago |last=Zajc |page=109 |publisher=Publishing House of the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ljubljana |year=2004 |isbn=961-235-170-8}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.svz.gov.si/si/zakonodaja_in_dokumenti/osamosvojitveni_akti_republike_slovenije/ |title=Osamosvojitveni akti Republike Slovenije |language=Slovenian |trans_title=Independence Acts of the Republic of Slovenia |publisher=Office for Legislation, Government of the Republic of Slovenia |accessdate=27 December 2011}}</ref> The same year [[Rally of Truth|Action North]] united both the opposition and democratized communist establishment in Slovenia as the first defense action against attacks by [[Slobodan Milošević]]'s supporters, leading to Slovenian independence.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fvv.uni-mb.si/varstvoslovje/Abstract.aspx?cid=329|title=Historical Circumstances in Which "The Rally of Truth" in Ljubljana Was Prevented|publisher=Journal of Criminal Justice and Security|accessdate=4 July 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rtvslo.si/osamosvojitev/prispevek/108/predvajaj/|title="Rally of truth" (Miting resnice)|publisher= A documentary published by [[RTV Slovenija]]|accessdate=4 July 2012}}</ref>{{request quotation|date=July 2012}} On 7 March 1990, the Slovenian Assembly changed the official name of the state to the "Republic of Slovenia".<ref name="twenty.si">{{cite web|author=Innovatif and ORG.TEND |url=http://www.twenty.si/first-20-years/90/ |title=Year 1990 &#124; Slovenia 20 years |publisher=Twenty.si |date=14 May 1992 |accessdate=2 June 2012}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.uradni-list.si/dl/vip_akti/1990-02-0402.pdf |title=Odlok o razglasitvi ustavnih amandmajev k ustave<!-- sic! --> Socialistične Republike Slovenije |language=Slovenian |trans_title=The Decree About the Proclamation of Constitutional Amendments to the Constitution of the Socialist Republic of Slovenia |journal=Uradni list Republike Slovenije |date=16 March 1990 |accessdate=27 December 2011}}</ref> In April 1990, the first democratic election in Slovenia took place, and the united opposition movement [[Democratic Opposition of Slovenia|DEMOS]] led by [[Jože Pučnik]] emerged victorious.
[[File:Teritorialci so z armbrustom zadeli tank v križišču pred MMP Rožna Dolina..jpg|thumb|left|Slovenian forces attacking a Yugoslav army tank during the [[Ten-Day War]], 1991.]]
The initial revolutionary events in Slovenia pre-dated by almost one year the [[Revolutions of 1989]] in Eastern Europe, but went largely unnoticed by international observers. On 23 December 1990, more than 88% of the electorate voted for a sovereign and independent Slovenia.<ref name="Felicijan">{{cite conference|url=http://www.pokarh-mb.si/fileadmin/www.pokarh-mb.si/pdf_datoteke/Radenci2007/Felicijan.pdf |title=Prevzem arhivskega gradiva plebiscitnega referenduma o samostojnosti Republike Slovenije |language=Slovenian, English |trans_title=Acquisition of Plebiscite on the Sovereignty and Independence of the Republic of Slovenia Archives |first=Suzana |last=Felicijan Bratož |conference=6. zbornik referatov dopolnilnega izobraževanja s področja arhivistike, dokumentalistike in informatike v Radencih od 28. do 30. marca 2007 |conferenceurl=http://www.pokarh-mb.si/index.php?id=126 |pages=453–458 |year=2007 |publisher=Regional Archives Maribor |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/20121113023555/http://www.pokarh-mb.si/fileadmin/www.pokarh-mb.si/pdf_datoteke/Radenci2007/Felicijan.pdf |archivedate=13 November 2012 }}</ref><ref name="STAT11">{{cite book | chapterurl=http://www.stat.si/letopis/2011/05_11/05-11-11.htm |title=Statistični letopis 2011 |trans_title=Statistical Yearbook 2011 |chapter=Volitve |trans_chapter=Elections |page=108 |publisher=Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia |work=Statistical Yearbook 2011 |year=2011 |volume=15 |ISSN=1318-5403}}</ref> On 25 June 1991, Slovenia became independent<ref name="Škrk1999"/> through the passage of appropriate legal documents.<ref name="Jonsson">{{cite book |url=https://books.google.si/books?id=OegWny-r8TEC&pg=PA30 |title=Democratic Transition in Slovenia: Value Transformation, Education, And Media |editor1-first=Sabrina |editor1-last=P. Ramet |editor2-first=Danica |editor2-last=Fink-Hafner |chapter=Changing Concepts of Rights |first=Anna |last=Jonsson |page=75 |year=2006 |publisher=Texas A&M University Press |isbn=978-1-58544-525-7}}</ref> On 27 June in the early morning, the [[Yugoslav People's Army]] dispatched its forces to prevent further measures for the establishment of a new country, which led to the [[Ten-Day War]].<ref name="Race">{{cite book |url=http://dk.fdv.uni-lj.si/dela/Race-Helena.PDF |title="Dan prej" – 26. junij 1991: diplomsko delo |language=Slovenian |trans_title="A Day Before" – 26 June 1991: Diploma Thesis |first=Helena |last=Race |publisher=Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ljubljana |year=2005 |accessdate=3 February 2011}}</ref><ref name="SAF History">{{cite web |url=http://www.slovenskavojska.si/en/about-the-slovenian-armed-forces/history/ |title=About the Slovenian Military Forces: History |publisher=Slovenian Armed Forces, Ministry of Defence |accessdate=3 February 2011}}</ref> On 7 July, the [[Brijuni Agreement]] was signed, implementing a truce and a three-month halt of the enforcement of Slovenia's independence.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FeiKg3TuNl0C&pg=PA157 |title=Yugoslavia's Bloody Collapse: Causes, Course and Consequences |first=Christopher |last=Bennett |chapter=Slovenia Fights |page=159 |year=1995 |publisher=C. Hurst & Co. Publishers |isbn=978-1-85065-232-8}}</ref> In the end of the month, the last soldiers of the Yugoslav Army left Slovenia.

In December 1991, a new [[Constitution of Slovenia|constitution]] was adopted,<ref name="Jonsson"/> followed in 1992 by the laws on [[privatization|denationalisation and privatization]].<ref name="Klemenčič2004">{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ORSMBFwjAKcC&pg=PA298 |title=The Former Yugoslavia's Diverse Peoples: A Reference Sourcebook |first=Matjaž |last=Klemenčič |first2=Mitja |last2=Žagar |chapter=Democratization in the Beginning of the 1990s |page=298 |isbn=978-1-57607-294-3 |publisher=ABC-CLIO |year=2004}}</ref> The members of the [[European Union]] recognised Slovenia as an independent state on 15 January 1992, and the [[United Nations]] accepted it as a member on 22 May 1992.<ref name="Borak2004">{{cite book |url=https://books.google.si/books?id=RJ6PHRLKGxoC&pg=PA58 |title=Slovenia: From Yugoslavia to the European Union |editor1-first=Mojmir |editor1-last=Mrak |editor2-first=Matija |editor2-last=Rojec |editor3-first=Carlos |editor3-last=Silva-Jáuregui |year=2004 |series=World Bank Publications |isbn=978-0-8213-5718-7 |chapter=Institutional Setting for the New Independent State |first=Neven |last=Borak |first2=Bistra |last2=Borak |page=58}}</ref>
[[File:Tratado de Lisboa 13 12 2007 (081).jpg|thumb|Slovenia gained [[European Union]] membership in 2004]]
Slovenia joined the European Union on 1 May 2004. Slovenia has one Commissioner in the [[European Commission]], and seven Slovene parliamentarians were elected to the [[European Parliament]] at elections on 13 June 2004. In 2004 Slovenia also joined [[NATO]]. Slovenia subsequently succeeded in meeting the [[Maastricht criteria]] and joined the [[Eurozone]] (the first transition country to do so) on 1 January 2007. It was the first post-Communist country to hold the [[Presidency of the Council of the European Union]], for the first six months of 2008. On 21 July 2010, it became a member of the OECD.

The disillusionment with domestic socio-economic elites at municipal and national levels was expressed at the [[2012–2013 Slovenian protests]] on a wider scale than in the smaller [[15 October 2011 global protests#Slovenia|15 October 2011 protests]].<ref>[http://www.mladina.si/118056/joachim-becker-nujno-je-treba-zavreti-poglabljanje-neoliberalizma-v-evropski-uniji-saj-je-to-slep/ Joachim Becker: "Nujno je treba zavreti poglabljanje neoliberalizma v Evropski uniji, saj je to slepa ulica"], an interview with [[Joachim Becker]], [[Mladina]], 23 November 2012</ref> In relation to the leading politicians' response to allegations made by the official [[Commission for the Prevention of Corruption of the Republic of Slovenia]], legal experts expressed the need for changes in the system that would limit political [[arbitrariness]].<ref>[https://www.dnevnik.si/slovenija/v-ospredju/samovolja-politikov-presega-vse-meje A Symposium of Law Experts. Political arbitrariness has gone wild.] (In Slovene: "Posvet pravnikov. Samovolja politikov presega vse meje"), Dnevnik, 18 Januar 2013.</ref>

== Geography ==
{{Main|Geography of Slovenia}}
{{See also|Protected areas of Slovenia}}
[[File:General map of slovenia.svg|thumb|250px|A topographic map of Slovenia]]

Slovenia is situated in Central and Southeastern Europe touching the Alps and bordering the Mediterranean. It lies between latitudes [[45th parallel north|45°]] and [[47th parallel north|47° N]], and longitudes [[13th meridian east|13°]] and [[17th meridian east|17° E]]. The [[15th meridian east]] almost corresponds to the middle line of the country in the direction west-east.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.geodetski-vestnik.com/49/4/gv49-4_637-638.pdf |title=O pomenu meridiana 15° vzhodno od Greenwicha |trans_title=About the Significance of the 15th Degree to the East of Greenwich Meridian |language=Slovenian |first=Marjan |last=Jenko |year=2005 |journal=Geodetski vestnik |volume=49 |issue=4 |pages=637–638 |accessdate=5 January 2010}}</ref> The [[Geometric Centre of the Republic of Slovenia|Geometrical Center of the Republic of Slovenia]] is located at [[Geographic coordinate system|coordinates]] 46°07'11.8" N and 14°48'55.2" E.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.drustvo-geoss.si/page/sl/geoss/simboli_in_sestavine |title=Simboli in sestavine |language=Slovenian |trans_title=Symbols and Constituent Parts |publisher=GEOSS Society |accessdate=12 February 2012}}</ref> It lies in [[Slivna]] in the Municipality of [[Litija]].<ref>{{cite book |url=http://www.stat.si/letopis/2011/01_11/01-01-11.htm |title=Geografske koordinate skrajnih točk |language=Slovenian, English|trans_title=Geographical coordinates of the extreme points |publisher=Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia |accessdate=12 February 2012}}</ref> Slovenia's highest peak is [[Triglav]] ({{convert|2864|m|ft|0|abbr=on|disp=or}}); the country's average height [[Above mean sea level|above sea level]] is {{convert|557|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}.

Four major European geographic regions meet in Slovenia: the [[Alps]], the [[Dinaric Alps|Dinarides]], the [[Pannonian Plain]], and the [[Mediterranean]]. Although on the shore of the [[Adriatic Sea]] near the [[Mediterranean Sea]], most of Slovenia is in the [[Black Sea]] [[drainage basin]]. The Alps—including the Julian Alps, the Kamnik-Savinja Alps and the Karavanke chain, as well as the Pohorje massif—dominate Northern Slovenia along its long border with Austria. Slovenia's Adriatic coastline stretches approximately {{convert|47|km|mi|0|abbr=on}}<ref>{{cite book |url=http://www.stat.si/doc/pub/slo_figures_10.pdf |first=Tomaž |last=Valantič |title=Slovenija v številkah |trans_title=Slovenia in Figures |year=2010 |language=Slovenian, English|publisher=Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia |accessdate=2 February 2011 |issn=1318-3745}}</ref> from Italy to Croatia.

The term "[[Karst topography]]" refers to that of southwestern Slovenia's [[Karst Plateau]], a limestone region of underground rivers, gorges, and caves, between Ljubljana and the Mediterranean. On the Pannonian plain to the East and Northeast, toward the Croatian and Hungarian borders, the landscape is essentially flat. However, the majority of Slovenian terrain is hilly or mountainous, with around 90% of the surface {{convert|200|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} or more [[Above mean sea level|above sea level]].

Over half of the country ({{convert|10124|km2|sqmi|0|abbr=on|disp=or}}) is covered by forests. This makes Slovenia the third most forested country in Europe, after [[Finland]] and [[Sweden]]. The areas are covered mostly by [[beech]], [[fir]]-beech and beech-[[oak]] forests and have a relatively high production capacity.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.zgs.gov.si/eng/slovenian-forests/forests-in-slovenia/forestation-and-variety-of-forests/index.html |title=Forestation and variety of forests |publisher=Slovenia Forest Service |year=2009 |accessdate=2 February 2011}}</ref> Remnants of primeval forests are still to be found, the largest in the [[Kočevje]] area. Grassland covers {{convert|5593|km2|sqmi|0|abbr=on}} and fields and gardens ({{convert|954|km2|sqmi|0|abbr=on|disp=or}}). There are {{convert|363|km2|sqmi|0|abbr=on}} of orchards and {{convert|216|km2|sqmi|0|abbr=on}} of vineyards.

=== Geology ===
[[File:Žlebiči.jpg|thumbnail|right|Solution runnels (also known as rillenkarren) are a [[:en:Karst topography|karst]] feature on the Karst Plateau, as in many other karst areas of the world.]]
Slovenia is in a rather active seismic zone because of its position on the small [[Adriatic Plate]], which is squeezed between the [[Eurasian Plate]] to the north and the [[African Plate]] to the south and rotates counter-clockwise.<ref name="Seisme">{{cite web|url=http://www.arso.gov.si/en/Seismology/|title=Seismology|accessdate=30 July 2008}}</ref> Thus the country is at the junction of three important geotectonic units: the Alps to the north, the Dinaric Alps to the south and the Pannonian Basin to the east.<ref name="Seisme"/> Scientists have been able to identify 60 destructive earthquakes in the past. Additionally, a network of seismic stations is active throughout the country.<ref name="Seisme"/> Many parts of Slovenia have a carbonate ground, and an extensive subterranean system has developed.

=== Natural regions ===
The first regionalisations of Slovenia were made by geographers [[Anton Melik]] (1935–1936) and [[Svetozar Ilešič]] (1968). The newer regionalisation by [[Ivan Gams]] divided Slovenia in the following macroregions:<ref>{{cite news |url=http://giam.zrc-sazu.si/zbornik/perko_38.pdf |first=Drago |last=Perko |title=The Regionalization of Slovenia |chapter=Gams's Regionalization of Slovenia |journal=Geografski zbornik |year=1998 |volume=38 |pages=11–57 |id={{COBISS|ID=10668077}} |issn=0373-4498}}</ref>
* the [[Alps]] (''Alpe'')
* the [[Slovene Prealps|subalpine landscapes]] (''predalpski svet'')
* the [[Slovene Littoral]] or [[Submediterranean]] Slovenia (''Primorje'' or ''submediteranska Slovenija'')
* the [[Dinaric Alps|Dinaric]] [[plateaus]] of the continental Slovenia (''dinarske planote celinske Slovenije'')
* [[Pannonian Plain|Subpannonian Slovenia]] (''subpanonska Slovenija'')

According to a newer natural geographic regionalisation, the country consists of four [[macroregion]]s. These are the Alpine, the Mediterranean, the Dinaric, and the [[Pannonia]]n landscapes. Macroregions are defined according to major relief units (the Alps, the Pannonian plain, the Dinaric mountains) and climate types (submediterranean, temperate continental, mountain climate).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.zrc-sazu.si/Zgds/glasgow/9.pdf |format=PDF |title=Modern climate change in Slovenia |accessdate=1 April 2008 |last=Ogrin |first=Darko |date=August 2004 |work=Slovenia: a geographical overview |publisher=Association of the Geographical Societies of Slovenia |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/20060820073301/http://www.zrc-sazu.si:80/zgds/glasgow/9.pdf |archivedate=20 August 2006 }}</ref> These are often quite interwoven.

Protected areas of Slovenia include national parks, regional parks, and nature parks, the largest of which is [[Triglav National Park]]. There are 286 [[Natura 2000]] designated protected areas, which comprise 36% of the country's land area, the largest percentage among European Union states.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.natura2000.gov.si/index.php?id=45&L=1 |title=Natura 2000 in Slovenia |work=natura2000.gov.si |accessdate=1 February 2011}}</ref> Additionally, according to [[Yale University]]'s [[Environmental Performance Index]], Slovenia is considered a "strong performer" in environmental protection efforts.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://epi.yale.edu/epi2012/rankings |title=2012 EPI :: Rankings &#124; Environmental Performance Index |publisher=Epi.yale.edu |accessdate=25 November 2012 }}{{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>

<gallery mode=packed>
File:Strunjan bay (24209577441).jpg|Slovenian coast with [[cliff]]s
File:Goriska Brda PA64.jpg|Submediterranean Slovenia: [[vineyard]]s in the [[Gorizia Hills]]
File:2015-5-Slivnica&Cerkniško jezero (9).JPG|[[Dinaric Alps|Dinaric]] Slovenia: [[Intermittent lake|intermittent]] [[Lake Cerknica]]
File:Julian Alps with Prisojnik and Razor.jpg|[[Julian Alps|Alpine]] landscape: View of Lake Jasna near [[Kranjska Gora]] with Mounts [[Prisojnik]] and [[Razor (mountain)|Razor]] in back
File:Cerkno - Labinje.jpg|Pre-Alpine landscape: the village of [[Labinje]] near [[Cerkno]]
File:Lendava.wi.jpg|Pannonian Slovenia: the town of [[Lendava]] in [[Prekmurje]]
</gallery>

=== Climate ===
[[File:View from Mangart MC.jpg|thumb|left|300px|Different types of clouds in the [[Julian Alps]] (northwestern Slovenia), as seen from the top of [[Mangart]] in September 2007.]]
[[File:Climate types Slovenia 1970-2000.JPG|thumb|right|Climate types Slovenia 1970-2000 and climograms for selected settlements.]]
Slovenia is located in temperate latitudes. The climate is also influenced by the variety of relief, and the influence of the Alps and the Adriatic Sea. In the Northeast, the [[continental climate]] type with greatest difference between winter and summer temperatures prevails. In the coastal region, there is sub-[[Mediterranean climate]]. The effect of the sea on the temperature rates is visible also up the [[Soča]] valley, while a severe [[Alpine climate]] is present in the high mountain regions. There is a strong interaction between these three climatic systems across most of the country.<ref name="arso.gov.si">{{cite web|url=http://www.arso.gov.si/en/Weather/climate/Climate_of_Slovenia_at_glance.pdf |title=Climate of Slovenia at Glance |author=Tanja Cegnar |publisher=Arso.gov.si |accessdate=25 November 2012}}</ref><ref name="arso.gov.si Meteo Archive">{{cite web|url=http://www.meteo.si/met/en/app/webmet/#webmet==8Sdwx2bhR2cv0WZ0V2bvEGcw9ydlJWblR3LwVnaz9SYtVmYh9iclFGbt9SaulGdugXbsx3cs9mdl5WahxXYyNGapZXZ8tHZv1WYp5mOnMHbvZXZulWYnwCchJXYtVGdlJnOn0UQQdSf; |title=National Meteorological Service of Slovenia - Archive |publisher=Meteo.si |accessdate=2 June 2012}}</ref>

[[Precipitation (meteorology)|Precipitation]], often coming from [[Bay of Genoa]],<ref>{{cite web|title=Kotišče ciklonov v zavetrju Alp|url=http://www.gore-ljudje.net/novosti/40204/|accessdate=19 August 2015}}</ref> varies across the country as well, with over {{convert|3500|mm|0|abbr=on}} in some Western regions and dropping down to {{convert|800|mm|0|abbr=on}} in [[Prekmurje]]. Snow is quite frequent in winter and the record snow cover in Ljubljana was recorded in 1952 at {{convert|146|cm|0|abbr=on}}.

Compared to Western Europe, Slovenia is not very windy, because it lies in the slipstream of the Alps. The average wind speeds are lower than in the plains of the nearby countries. Due to the rugged terrain, local vertical winds with daily periods are present. Besides these, there are three winds of particular regional importance: the [[bora (wind)|bora]], the [[sirocco|jugo]], and the [[foehn wind|foehn]]. The jugo and the bora are characteristic of the Littoral. Whereas jugo is humid and warm, bora is usually cold and gusty. The foehn is typical of the Alpine regions in the north of Slovenia. Generally present in Slovenia are the northeast wind, the southeast wind and the [[north wind]].<ref>{{cite book|url=http://www.arso.gov.si/cd/klima1/Zaslon/PDF%20Zaslon/19-Znacilnosti%20vetra%20v%20Sloveniji.pdf |chapter=Značilnosti vetra v Sloveniji |language=Slovenian |trans_chapter=Characteristics of Wind in Slovenia |title=Klimatografija Slovenije |trans_title=Climatography of Slovenia |first=Renato |last=Bertalanič |year=2003 |publisher=Meteorology Office, Slovenian Environment Agency |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060209055155/http://www.arso.gov.si/cd/klima1/Zaslon/PDF%20Zaslon/19-Znacilnosti%20vetra%20v%20Sloveniji.pdf |archivedate=9 February 2006 }}</ref>

=== Waters ===
[[File:Triglav National Park (7892861178).jpg|200px|thumbnail|left|The [[Soča]] River is considered the most beautiful Slovenian river]]
[[File:Lake Bohinj.jpg|200px|thumbnail|right|[[Lake Bohinj]], largest Slovenian lake, one of the two springs of the [[Sava (river)|Sava]] River]]
The territory of Slovenia mainly ({{convert|16423|km2|sp=us|disp=or}}, i.e. 81%) belongs to the [[Black Sea]] basin, and a smaller part ({{convert|3850|km2|sp=us|disp=or}}, i.e. 19%) belongs to the [[Adriatic Sea]] basin. These two parts are divided into smaller units in regard to their central rivers, the [[Mur (river)|Mura]] River basin, the [[Drava]] River basin, the [[Sava]] River basin with [[Kupa|Kolpa]] River basin, and the basin of the Adriatic rivers.<ref>{{cite book |url=http://www.arso.gov.si/vode/publikacije%20in%20poro%c4%8dila/Vodno_bogastvo_2tekoce_vode.pdf |title=Vodno bogastvo Slovenije: tekoče vode |trans_title=Water Wealth of Slovenia: Running Water |publisher=Slovenian Environment Agency |accessdate=17 May 2012}}</ref> In comparison with [[developed countries]], water quality in  Slovenia is considered to be among the highest in Europe. One of the reasons is undoubtedly that most of the rivers rise on the mountainous territory of Slovenia. But this does not mean that Slovenia has no problems with surface water and groundwater quality, especially in areas with intensive farming.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Ambrožič|first1=Špela|title=Water Quality in Slovenia|url=http://www.arso.gov.si/en/water/reports%20and%20publications/Kakovost%20voda-ANG.pdf|publisher=ENVIRONMENTAL AGENCY OF THE REPUBLIC OF SLOVENIA|accessdate=19 August 2015|date=March 2008|display-authors=etal}}</ref>

=== Biodiversity ===
Slovenia signed the Rio [[Convention on Biological Diversity]] on 13 June 1992 and became a party to the convention on 9 July 1996.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbd.int/convention/parties/list/ |title=List of Parties |accessdate=8 December 2012}}</ref> It subsequently produced a [[Biodiversity action plan|National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan]], which was received by the convention on 30 May 2002.

[[File:P anguinus1.jpg|thumb|[[Olm]] can be found in [[Postojna cave]] and other caves in the country.]]
Slovenia is distinguished by an exceptionally wide variety of habitats,<ref>{{cite book|url=http://www.sycp.si/Portals/0/Files/filebroker.aspx@id=6237.pdf |chapter=Characteristics of Biological and Landscape Diversity in Slovenia |title=Biological and Landscape Diversity in Slovenia: An Overview |publisher=Environmental Agency of the Republic of Slovenia, Ministry of the Environment and Spatial Planning |year=2001 |editor=Hlad, Branka |editor2=Skoberne, Peter |page=IX |isbn=961-6324-17-9 |place=Ljubljana |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/20121125091811/http://www.sycp.si/Portals/0/Files/filebroker.aspx@id=6237.pdf |archivedate=25 November 2012 }}</ref> due to the contact of geological units and biogeographical regions, and due to human influences. Around 12.5% of the territory is protected with 35.5% in the [[Natura 2000]] ecological network.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.stat.si/eng/novica_prikazi.aspx?id=4713 |title=European Day of Parks 2012 |work=News |publisher=Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia}}</ref> Despite this, because of pollution and environmental degradation, diversity has been in decline.

;Animals
The [[biodiversity|biological diversity]] of the country is high, with 1% of the world's organisms on 0.004% of the Earth's surface area.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.slovenia.info/en/Did-you-know%E2%80%A6.htm?ali_ste_vedeli=0&lng=2 |title=Did you know... - Slovenia - Official Travel Guide |publisher=Slovenia.info |accessdate=25 November 2012}}</ref> There are 24,000 animal species, among them [[marmot]]s, [[Alpine ibex]], and [[chamois]]. There are numerous [[deer]], [[roe deer]], [[boar]], and [[hare]]s.<ref name="NFPRes">{{cite book|url=http://www.letogozdov.si/knjiznica/doc_download/6-resolution-on-national-forest-programme |title=Resolution on National Forest Programme |chapter=Habitats of wild game in Slovenia, guidelines and conditions for the preservation and protection of wild game and their habitats, and provision of coexistence with humans |pages=87–104 |editor=Perko, Franc |publisher=Federation of Forest Associations of Slovenia. Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food, Slovenia |year=2008 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/20120908010408/http://www.letogozdov.si/knjiznica/doc_download/6-resolution-on-national-forest-programme |archivedate=8 September 2012 }}</ref> The [[edible dormouse]] is often found in the Slovenian beech forests. Trapping these animals is a long tradition and is a part of the Slovenian national identity.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://hrcak.srce.hr/file/89983 |title=Dormouse Hunting as Part of Slovene National Identity |first=Magda |last=Peršak |journal=Natura Croatica |volume=7 |issue=3 |date=30 September 1998 |pages=199–211 |ISSN=1330-0520 |accessdate=4 February 2012}}</ref>

Some important carnivores include the [[Eurasian lynx]] (reintroduced to the [[Kočevje]] area in 1973), European [[wild cat]]s, [[fox]]es (especially the [[red fox]]), and [[European jackal]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://web.bf.uni-lj.si/bi/NATURA-SLOVENIAE/pdf/NatSlo_11_1_4.pdf |title=Confirmed presence of territorial groups of golden jackals (''Canis aureus'') in Slovenia |first=Miha |last=Krofel |journal=Natura Sloveniae: Journal of Field Biology |issn=1580-0814 |volume=11 |issue=1 |year=2009 |pages=65–68 |publisher=Association for Technical Culture of Slovenia |accessdate=18 January 2011}}</ref> There are [[hedgehog]]s, [[marten]]s, and snakes such as [[Viperinae|vipers]] and [[grass snake]]s. According to recent estimates, Slovenia has up to 50 [[Gray wolf|wolves]] and about 450 [[brown bear]]s.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.finance.si/?MOD=show&id=324600&pay=yes&snark=22d772d879d45bf274fe9b5b82d794f5 |title=Koliko medvedov živi v Sloveniji? |publisher=Finance.si |language=Slovenian |trans_title=How Many Bears Live in Slovenia? |date=23 September 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.dnevnik.si/tiskane_izdaje/dnevnik/1042503131 |title=Medveda znamo držati nazaj, volka še ne |newspaper=Dnevnik |language=Slovenian |trans_title=We Know How to Keep the Bear Back, the Wolf Not Yet |publisher=Dnevnik, d. d. |date=18 January 2012}}</ref>

[[File:Carnica bee on solidago.jpg|thumb|[[Carniolan honey bee]] is native to Slovenia and is a subspecies of the western honey bee.]]

Slovenia is home to an exceptionally diverse number of cave species, with a few tens of [[Endemism|endemic species]].<ref>{{cite book|url=http://www.sycp.si/Portals/0/Files/filebroker.aspx@id=6237.pdf |chapter=Karst and Subterranean Habitats |title=Biological and Landscape Diversity in Slovenia: An Overview |publisher=Environmental Agency of the Republic of Slovenia, Ministry of the Environment and Spatial Planning |year=2001 |editor=Hlad, Branka |editor2=Skoberne, Peter |page=50 |isbn=961-6324-17-9 |place=Ljubljana |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/20121125091811/http://www.sycp.si/Portals/0/Files/filebroker.aspx@id=6237.pdf |archivedate=25 November 2012 }}</ref> Among the cave vertebrates, the only known one is the [[olm]], living in Karst and [[White Carniola]].
[[File:Lipizzaner 2.jpg|thumb|A modern [[Lipizzan]]]]

The only regular species of [[cetacea]]ns found in the northern Adriatic sea is the [[bottlenose dolphin]] (''Tursiops truncatus'').<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.morigenos.org/index.php?path=Delfini_pri_nas |title=Delfini pri nas |publisher=Morigenos |accessdate=6 April 2006 |language=Slovenian}}</ref>

There are a wide variety of birds, such as the [[tawny owl]], the [[long-eared owl]], the [[eagle owl]], [[hawk]]s, and [[short-toed eagle]]s. Other birds of prey have been recorded, as well as a growing number of [[raven]]s, [[crow]]s and [[magpie]]s migrating into Ljubljana and Maribor where they thrive.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vecer.com/clanek2010020905510240 |title=Puška poči, vrana pade. Koliko jih še sedi? |publisher=Vecer.Com |date=9 February 2010 |accessdate=2 June 2012}}</ref> Other birds include [[Black woodpecker|black]] and [[European green woodpecker|green]] [[woodpecker]]s and the [[white stork]], which nests mainly in [[Prekmurje]].

There are 13 domestic animals native to Slovenia,<ref>{{cite book |url=http://www.genska-banka.si/fileadmin/uploads/Strokovni_svet_JSNGBZ/Letni_program_2011.pdf |title=Program varstva biotske raznovrstnosti v živinoreji: program za leto 2011 |language=Slovenian |trans_title=The Program of the Conservation of Biotic Diversity in Livestock Farming: 2011 Program |author=Kompan, Dragomir|date=May 2011 |publisher=Oddelek za zootehniko, Biotehniška fakulteta, Univerza v Ljubljani [Department of Zootechnics, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana]|display-authors=etal}}</ref> of eight species (hen, pig, dog, horse, sheep, goat, honey bee, and cattle).<ref name="Meglič2003">{{cite book |url=http://www.mop.gov.si/fileadmin/mop.gov.si/pageuploads/podrocja/okolje/pdf/ocena_genski_viri_kmet_rast.pdf |language=Slovenian |title=Ocena pogojev in mehanizmov za ex-situ varstvo genskih virov kmetijskih rastlin, genskih bank v gozdarstvu in živinoreji |trans_title=Evaluation of the Conditions and Mechanisms for the Ex-Situ Preservation of Genetic Sources of Agricultural Plants, Gene Banks in Forestry and Stock Breeding |chapter=Opis obstoječih zbirk |trans_chapter=Description of Extant Collections |first1=Vladimir |last1=Meglič |first2=Hojka |last2=Kraigher |first3=Peter |last3=Dovč |editor=Meglič, Vladimir |year=2003 |page=17 |id={{COBISS|ID=1184678}} |publisher=Ministry of Environment and Space, Republic of Slovenia |accessdate=16 March 2012}}</ref> Among these are the [[Karst Shepherd]],<ref name="FCI2009doc">{{cite web|url=http://www.fci.be/uploaded_files/278gb2001_en.doc |title=Brief Historical Summary, breed standard (DOC file) |accessdate=2 June 2012}}</ref> the [[Carniolan honeybee]], and the [[Lipizzan]] horse.<ref name="Meglič2003"/> They have been preserved [[ex situ]] and [[in situ]].<ref>{{cite book |url=http://www2.arnes.si/~ljinv16/RIG/RIG%2050-51/AJS.pdf |title=Slovenske avtohtone pasme: kokoši, čebele, prašiči, psi in konji |title=Avtohtonost v slovenskem narod(nost)nem vprašanju in koncept staroselstva: nastavki za analizo ideologij primata |language=Slovenian |trans_title=Autochthony in the Slovene Nation(al) Question and the Concept of Indigenity: The Starts for the Analysis of Ideologies of a Primate |first=Alenka |last=Janko Spreizer |journal=Razprave in gradivo |place=Ljubljana |year=2006 |issn=1854-5181 |pages=257–258 |publisher=Inštitut za narodnostna vprašanja [Institute for Ethnic Studies]}}</ref> The [[marble trout]] or marmorata (''Salmo marmoratus'') is an indigenous Slovenian fish.<ref name="Balkan Trout Restoration Group">{{cite web|title=Marble trout (Salmo marmoratus) |url=http://www.balkan-trout.com/studied_taxa_7_marble_trout.htm |publisher=[http://www.balkan-trout.com/ Balkan Trout Restoration Group] |accessdate=10 March 2009}}</ref> Extensive breeding programmes have been introduced to repopulate the marble trout into lakes and streams invaded by non-indigenous species of [[trout]]. Slovenia is also home to the [[wels catfish]].

;Fungi
More than 2400 fungal species have been recorded from Slovenia<ref>Dušan Jurc, Andrej Piltaver & Nikica Ogris, ''Glive Slovenije - Fungi of Slovenia'' (Ljubljana, 2005), 497 pp.</ref> and, since that figure does not include lichen-forming fungi, the total number of Slovenian fungi already known is undoubtedly much higher. Many more remain to be discovered.

;Plants
Slovenia is the third most-forested country in Europe, with 58.5% of the territory covered by forests.<ref>{{cite web|author=Golob A.|title=Forests and forestry in Slovenia|url=http://www.zgs.gov.si/eng/slovenian-forests/forests-in-slovenia/forestation-and-variety-of-forests/index.html| publisher=[[Food and Agriculture Organization|FAO]]|accessdate=7 May 2009}}</ref> The forests are an important natural resource, and logging is kept to a minimum — Slovenians value their forests for the preservation of natural diversity, for enriching the soil and cleansing the water and air, for the social and economic benefits of recreation and tourism, and for the natural beauty they give the landscape. In the interior of the country are typical [[Central Europe]]an forests, predominantly [[oak]] and [[beech]]. In the mountains, [[spruce]], [[fir]], and [[pine]] are more common. Pine trees grow on the [[Karst Plateau]], although only one-third of the region is covered by pine forest. The [[tilia|lime/linden]] tree, common in Slovenian forests, is a national symbol. The [[tree line]] is at 1,700 to 1,800 meters (or 5,575 to 5,900&nbsp;ft).<ref>{{cite book|url=http://www.ff.uni-lj.si/fakulteta/zalozbainknjigarna/knjigarna/prelistaj.asp?katera=619&stran=11 |author=Lovrenčak, Franc |year=2007 |title=Zgornja gozdna meja slovenskih Alp, visokih kraških planot in Prokletij |publisher=Faculty of Arts, University of Ljubljana |isbn=978-961-6648-11-0 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/20130522205612/http://www.ff.uni-lj.si/fakulteta/zalozbainknjigarna/knjigarna/prelistaj.asp?katera=619&stran=11 |archivedate=22 May 2013 }}</ref>

In the Alps, flowers such as ''[[Daphne blagayana]]'', [[gentian]]s (''[[Gentiana clusii]]'', ''[[Gentiana froelichi]]''), ''[[Primula auricula]]'', [[Leontopodium alpinum|edelweiss]] (the symbol of Slovene mountaineering), ''[[Cypripedium calceolus]]'', ''[[Fritillaria meleagris]]'' (snake's head fritillary), and ''[[Pulsatilla grandis]]'' are found.

Slovenia harbors many plants of [[Ethnobotany|ethnobotanically]] useful groups. Of 59 known species of ethnobotanical importance, some species such as ''[[Aconitum napellus]]'', ''[[Cannabis sativa]]'' and ''[[Taxus baccata]]'' are restricted for use as per the Official Gazette of the Republic of Slovenia.<ref>{{cite web | last1 = Kala | first1 = C.P. | last2 = Ratajc | first2 = P. | author-link = Chandra Prakash Kala | year=2012|title=High altitude biodiversity of the Alps and the Himalayas: ethnobotany, plant distribution and conservation perspectives. Biodiversity and Conservation, 21: 1115-1126|url=http://rd.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10531-012-0246-x|publisher=Rd.springer.com|accessdate=25 November 2012}}</ref>

== Politics ==
{{Main|Politics of Slovenia}}<!--Please add new information to relevant articles of the series-->
{{See also|Foreign relations of Slovenia}}
[[File:Presidential Palace. Ljubljana.jpg|thumb|left|The [[Government Palace, Ljubljana|Government and Presidential Palace]] in Ljubljana]]
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Slovenia is a [[Parliamentary system|parliamentary democracy]] republic with a [[multi-party system]]. The [[head of state]] is the [[President of Slovenia|president]], who is elected by popular vote and has an important integrative role.<ref name="Furtlehner">{{cite book |url=https://books.google.si/books?id=uQafEg3TQJUC&pg=PA126 |title=Compliance in the Enlarged European Union: Living Rights Or Dead Letters? |editor1-first=Gerda |editor1-last=Falkner |editor2-first=Oliver |editor2-last=Treib |editor3-first=Elizabeth |editor3-last=Holzleithner |publisher=Ashgate Publishing, Ltd |year=2008 |isbn=978-0-7546-7509-9 |pages=126–127 |chapter=Slovenia |first=Petra |last=Furtlehner}}</ref> He is elected for five years and at maximum for two consecutive terms. He has mainly a representative role and is the commander-in-chief of the [[Military of Slovenia|Slovenian military forces]].<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |url=https://books.google.si/books?id=M3A-xgf1yM4C&pg=PA832 |encyclopedia=Encyclopedia of World Constitutions |editor-first=Gerhard |editor-last=Robbers |article=Slovenia |first=Lovro |last=Šturm |title=The President of the Republic |year=2006 |publisher=Infobase Publishing |isbn=978-0-8160-6078-8 |page=832}}</ref>

The [[executive (government)|executive]] and [[administration (business)|administrative]] authority in Slovenia is held by the [[Government of Slovenia]] (''{{lang|sl|Vlada Republike Slovenije}}''),<ref name="Borak2004"/> headed by the [[Prime Minister of Slovenia|Prime Minister]] and the council of [[minister (government)|minister]]s or cabinet, who are elected by the [[National Assembly (Slovenia)|National Assembly]] ({{lang|sl|''Državni zbor Republike Slovenije''}}). The legislative authority is held by the [[bicameral]] [[Parliament of Slovenia]], characterised by an asymmetric duality.{{clarify|date=April 2014}}<ref name="Prunk2007">{{cite book |url=https://books.google.si/books?id=dzAWAQAAMAAJ |title=Facts about Slovenia |first=Janko |last=Prunk |first2=Jernej |last2=Pikalo |first3=Marko |last3=Milosavljevič |year=2007 |publisher=Government Communication Office, Government of the Republic of Slovenia |isbn=978-961-6435-45-1 |page=23}}</ref> The bulk of power is concentrated in the National Assembly, which consists of ninety members. Of those, 88 are elected by all the citizens in a system of [[proportional representation]], whereas two are elected by the registered members of the [[indigenism|autochthonous]] Hungarian and Italian [[Ethnic Minorities|minorities]]. Election takes place every four years. The [[National Council (Slovenia)|National Council]] (''{{lang|sl|Državni svet Republike Slovenije}}''), consisting of forty members, appointed to represent social, economic, professional and local interest groups, has a limited advisory and control power.<ref name="Prunk2007"/>
The 1992-2004 period was marked by the rule of the [[Liberal Democracy of Slovenia]], which was responsible for gradual transition from the [[Titoism|Titoistic]] economy to the capitalist market economy. It later attracted much criticism by neo-liberal economists, who demanded a less gradual approach. The party's president [[Janez Drnovšek]], who served as prime minister between 1992 and 2002, was one of the most influential Slovenian politicians of the 1990s,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rtvslo.si/slovenija/zivljenje-janeza-drnovska/79437 |title=Življenje Janeza Drnovška :: Prvi interaktivni multimedijski portal, MMC RTV Slovenija |publisher=Rtvslo.si |accessdate=2 June 2012}}</ref> alongside President [[Milan Kučan]] (who served between 1990 and 2002).<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.si/books?id=OegWny-r8TEC&pg=PA30 |title=Democratic Transition in Slovenia: Value Transformation, Education, And Media |first1=Sabrina |last1=P. Ramet |first2=Danica |last2=Fink-Hafner |chapter=Key Trends in Slovenian Politics, 1988 – 2004 |page=30}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.si/books?id=6bz5M7-d7icC&pg=PA174 |title=The Politics of Central Europe |first=Attila |last=Ágh |chapter=The Regions in Comparative Transition |publisher=SAGE |year=1998 |isbn=978-0-7619-5032-5}}</ref>

The 2005-2008 period was characterized by over-enthusiasm after joining the EU. During the first term of [[Janez Janša]]'s government, for the first time after independence, the Slovenian banks saw their [[loan-deposit ratio]]s veering out of control. There was over-borrowing from foreign banks and then over-crediting of customers, including local tycoons.

After the onset of the [[Financial crisis of 2007–2010|financial crisis of 2007-2010]] and [[European sovereign-debt crisis]], the left-wing coalition that replaced Janša's government in the 2008 elections, had to face the consequences of the 2005-2008 over-borrowing. Attempts to implement reforms that would help economic recovery were met by student protesters, led by a student who later became a member of [[Janez Janša]]'s [[Slovenska demokratska stranka|SDS]], and by the trade unions. The proposed reforms were postponed in a referendum. The left-wing government was ousted with a vote of no confidence. Janez Janša attributed the boom of spending and overborrowing to the period of left-wing government; he proposed harsh austerity reforms which he had previously helped postpone. Generally, some economists estimate that left and right parties attributed to over-loaning and managers' takovers; reason behind was that each block tried to establish economic elite which will support political forces.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Pavlovčič|first1=Idija|title=Jože P. Damijan: Levica in desnica podpirali menedžerske prevzeme|url=http://www.delo.si/sobotna/joze-p-damijan-levica-in-desnica-podpirali-menedzerske-prevzeme.html|website=Delo d.d.|accessdate=6 September 2015}}</ref>

=== Judiciary ===
{{Main|Judiciary of Slovenia}}

Judicial powers in Slovenia are executed by [[judge]]s, who are elected by the National Assembly. Judicial power in Slovenia is implemented by courts with general responsibilities and specialised courts that deal with matters relating to specific legal areas. The [[State's Attorney|State Prosecutor]] is an independent state authority responsible for prosecuting cases brought against those suspected of committing criminal offences. The [[Constitutional Court of Slovenia|Constitutional Court]], composed of nine judges elected for nine-year terms, decides on the conformity of laws with the Constitution; all laws and regulations must also conform with the general principles of international law and with ratified international agreements.<ref name="culture.si"/>

=== Military ===
{{main|Military of Slovenia}}
[[File:Slokfor.jpg|thumbnail|right|200px|Slovenian units as part of Kosovo [[Kosovo Force|KFOR]] units, with home produced [[Valuk]] 6x6 light armoured vehicle in front.]]
[[File:Ladji Ankaran in Triglav.jpg|thumb|left|200px|[[Project 10412 class patrol boat|10412 class patrol boat]] "Triglav" with [[Super Dvora Mk II-class patrol boat]] "Ankaran".]]
The [[Slovenian Armed Forces]] provide military defence independently or within an alliance, in accordance with international agreements. Since conscription was abolished in 2003, it is organized as a fully professional [[standing army]].<ref>{{cite book|author=Central Intelligence Agency |title=[[The CIA World Factbook|The CIA World Factbook 2010]] |publisher=Skyhorse Publishing Inc |year=2009 |page=617 |isbn=1-60239-727-9 |authorlink=Central Intelligence Agency}}</ref> The [[Commander-in-Chief]] is the [[President of Slovenia|President of the Republic of Slovenia]], while operational command is in the domain of the [[Chief of the General Staff (Slovenia)|Chief of the General Staff]] of the Slovenian Armed Forces. In 2008, military spending was an estimated 1.5% of the country's GDP.<ref>{{cite web| title=The SIPRI Military Expenditure Database |url=http://milexdata.sipri.org/ |publisher=[[Stockholm International Peace Institute]] |accessdate=15 February 2011}}</ref> Since joining [[NATO]], the Slovenian Armed Forces have taken a more active part in supporting international peace. They have participated in peace support operations and humanitarian activities. Among others, Slovenian soldiers are a part of international forces serving in [[Bosnia and Herzegovina]], [[Kosovo]], and [[Afghanistan]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.slovenskavojska.si/en/international-cooperation/ |title=International Cooperation |publisher=Slovenian Armed Forces |accessdate=15 February 2011}}</ref>

According to the 2012 [[Global Peace Index]], Slovenia is one of the world's most peaceful countries.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.visionofhumanity.org/gpi-data/#/2011/scor/SI/detail |title=2012 Global Peace Index « Vision of Humanity |publisher=Visionofhumanity.org |date=12 June 2012 |accessdate=25 November 2012}}</ref>

=== Administrative divisions and traditional regions ===
{{Main|Statistical regions of Slovenia|Municipalities of Slovenia}}
{| class="infobox bordered" style="width: auto;"
|+ Traditional regions of Slovenia
|-
||[[File:Borders of the Historical Habsburgian Lands in the Republic of Slovenia.png|center|250px]]
|-
| <center> <span style="color:#3f3f3f">'''1'''</span> [[Slovene Littoral]]; <span style="color:#3f3f3f"> '''Carniola:''' '''2a'''</span> [[Upper Carniola|Upper]] <br />  <span style="color:#3f3f3f">'''2b'''</span> [[Inner Carniola|Inner]], <span style="color:#3f3f3f">'''2c'''</span> [[Lower Carniola|Lower]] <br />   <span style="color:#3f3f3f">'''3'''</span> [[Slovene Carinthia|Carinthia]]; <span style="color:#3f3f3f">'''4'''</span> [[Styria (Slovenia)|Styria]]; <span style="color:#3f3f3f">'''5'''</span> [[Prekmurje]]</center>
|}

==== Municipalities ====
Officially, Slovenia is subdivided into 211 [[municipalities]] (eleven of which have the status of urban municipalities). The municipalities are the only bodies of local autonomy in Slovenia. Each municipality is headed by a mayor (''župan''), elected every four years by popular vote, and a municipal council (''občinski svet''). In the majority of municipalities, the municipal council is elected through the system of [[proportional representation]]; only a few smaller municipalities use the [[plurality voting system]]. In the urban municipalities, the municipal councils are called town (or city) councils.<ref name="www2.gov.si">{{cite web|url=http://www2.gov.si/zak/Zak_vel.nsf/0/660b7ab7cbd45736c125662d0037c142?OpenDocument |title=Sprejet zakon |publisher=.gov.si |date=13 July 2000 |accessdate=2 June 2012}}</ref> Every municipality also has a Head of the Municipal Administration (''načelnik občinske uprave''), appointed by the mayor, who is responsible for the functioning of the local administration.<ref name="www2.gov.si"/>

==== Administrative districts ====
There is no official intermediate unit between the municipalities and the Republic of Slovenia. The 62 administrative districts, officially called "Administrative Units" (''upravne enote''), are only territorial sub-units of government administration and are named after their capital. They are headed by a Head of the Unit (''načelnik upravne enote''), appointed by the Minister of Public Administration.

==== Traditional regions and identities ====
Traditional regions were based on the former [[House of Habsburg|Habsburg]] [[crown land]]s that included [[Carniola]], [[Duchy of Carinthia|Carinthia]], [[Styria (duchy)|Styria]], and the [[Slovene Littoral|Littoral]]. Stronger than with either the Carniola as a whole, or with Slovenia as the state, Slovenes historically tend to identify themselves with the traditional regions of [[Slovene Littoral]], [[Prekmurje]], and even traditional (sub)regions, such as Upper, Lower and, to a lesser extent, Inner Carniola.<ref name="Repe_deželani_ali_državljani">Repe, Božo (2003) [http://sistory.si/?urn=SISTORY:ID:5288 Od deželana do državljana: Regionalni razvoj Slovencev v letih 1918-1991], Zgodovinski časopis, 3-4, Ljubljana.</ref>

[[File:Slovenia, administrative divisions - Nmbrs (statistical regions) - colored.svg|thumb|250px|Statistical regions: 1. Gorizia, 2. Upper Carniola, 3. Carinthia, 4. Drava, 5. Mura, 6. Central Slovenia, 7. Central Sava, 8. Savinja, 9. Coastal–Karst, 10. Inner Carniola–Karst, 11. Southeast Slovenia, 12. Lower Sava]]

The capital city Ljubljana was historically the administrative center of Carniola and belonged to [[Lower Carniola]], except for the Šentvid district, which was in [[Upper Carniola]] where the border between the German occupation zone and [[Province of Ljubljana]] also was during WWII.<ref name="Kje_so_naše_meje">Mihovec M., Barbka (2008)[http://www.gorenjskiglas.si/novice/priloga_moja_gorenjska/index.php?action=clanek&id=18737 Kje so naše meje?], Gorenjski Glas, 19 March 2008. {{wayback|url=http://www.gorenjskiglas.si/novice/priloga_moja_gorenjska/index.php?action=clanek&id=18737 |date=20130521104744 |df=y }}</ref>

==== Statistical regions ====
The 12 ''statistical regions'' have no administrative function and are subdivided into two macroregions for the purpose of the [[Regional policy of the European Union]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/cache/ITY_OFFPUB/KS-RA-07-020/EN/KS-RA-07-020-EN.PDF |title=Regions in the European Union: Nomenclature of territorial units for statistics |publisher=Epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu |accessdate=2012-11-125}}</ref>
These two macroregions are:
*[[East Slovenia]] (''Vzhodna Slovenija'' – SI01), which groups the Mura, Drava, Carinthia, Savinja, Central Sava, Lower Sava, Southeast Slovenia, and Inner Carniola–Karst statistical regions.
*[[West Slovenia]] (''Zahodna Slovenija'' – SI02), which groups the Central Slovenia, Upper Carniola, Gorizia, and Coastal–Karst statistical regions.

== Economy ==
{{Main|Economy of Slovenia}}
[[File:Eurozone.svg|thumb|right|Since 2007 Slovenia has been part of the [[Eurozone]] (dark blue).]]
Slovenia has a [[developed country|developed economy]] and is [[per capita income|per capita]] the second richest of the Slavic countries behind the [[Czech Republic]].<ref name="rich">[http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/tgm/table.do?tab=table&init=1&language=en&pcode=tec00114&plugin=1 "GDP per capita in PPS, Eurostat"], retrieved 1. June 2015.</ref> Slovenia was in the beginning of 2007 the first new member to introduce the [[euro]] as its currency, replacing the [[Slovenian tolar|tolar]]. Since 2010, it has been member of the [[Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development]].<ref name="VE2012-03-15"/><ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1mwG3haSo_cC&pg=PA27 |chapter=Eastern Europe |title=Nations and Government: Comparative Politics in Regional Perspective |first=Thomas |last=M. Magstadt |edition=6th |year=2010 |isbn=978-0-495-91528-7 |publisher=Cengage Learning |page=27}}</ref>  There is a big difference in prosperity between the various regions. The economically most prosperous regions are the [[Central Slovenia statistical region|Central Slovenia]] region which includes the capital [[Ljubljana]] and the [[Slovene Littoral|western Slovenian regions]], as [[Goriška Statistical Region|Goriška]] and [[Coastal–Karst Statistical Region|Coastal–Karst]]. The poorest regions are the [[Mura statistical region|Mura]], the [[Central Sava statistical region|Central Sava]] and the [[Littoral–Inner Carniola Statistical Region|Littoral–Inner Carniola]].<ref name="bslo">[http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:6Y8OGV0Oc5IJ:https://www.bsi.si/library/includes/datoteka.asp%3FDatotekaId%3D4696+&cd=1&hl=de&ct=clnk&gl=de "Regional Disparities in Slovenia 2/12"], retrieved 8. April 2015.</ref>

=== Economic growth ===
[[File:Loan to deposit ratio in Slovenia - including the Boom Period..png|thumb|left||200px|[[Loan-deposit ratio]] in Slovenia by years - including the 2005-2008 Boom Period.<ref>[[Jože Mencinger]] (2011) [http://www.eipf.si/pdfdocs/gospodarska_gibanja/2011/gg433_uvodnik.pdf Razprodaja?], Gospodarska gibanja, EIPF, Ljubljana [http://www.webcitation.org/6G5tsomqj Archived copy] at [[WebCite]] (23 April 2013).</ref>]]
In 2004-2006, the economy grew on average by nearly 5% a year in Slovenia; in 2007, it expanded by almost 7%. The growth surge was fuelled by debt, particularly among firms, and especially in construction. After the [[Financial crisis of 2007–2010|financial crisis of 2007-2010]] and [[European sovereign-debt crisis]], the price for a boom that veered out of control is now being paid.<ref name="Slovenia's Economy: Next in Line">{{cite news|title=Slovenia's Economy: Next in Line|url=http://www.economist.com/node/21560567|accessdate=22 August 2012|newspaper=The Economist|date=18 August 2012}}</ref> The construction industry was severely hit in 2010 and 2011.<ref name="ST2012-03-13">{{cite news |url=http://www.sloveniatimes.com/double-dip-recession-is-the-%E2%80%98official%E2%80%99-reality |title=Double Dip Recession is the 'Slovenian' Reality |newspaper=The Slovenia Times |date=13 March 2012}}</ref> In 2009, Slovenian [[GDP per capita]] shrunk by 8%, the biggest decline in the European Union after the [[Baltic countries]] and Finland.

In August 2012, the year-on-year contraction was 0.8%, however, 0.2% growth was recorded in the first quarter (in relation to the quarter before, after data was adjusted according to season and working days).<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.sloveniatimes.com/statistics-office-to-release-gdp-data-for-q2 |title=Statistics Office to Release GDP Data for Q2 |newspaper=The Slovenia Times |date=31 August 2012}}</ref> Year-on-year contraction has been attributed to the fall in domestic consumption, and the slowdown in export growth. The decrease in domestic consumption has been attributed to the fiscal [[austerity]], to the freeze on budget expenditure in the final months of last year,<ref name="Bloomberg">{{cite news |url=http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-02-29/slovenia-s-economy-falls-in-recession-as-export-growth-weakens.html |title=Slovenia’s Economy Falls Into a Recession as Exports Weaken |first=Boris |last=Cerni |date=29 February 2012 |work=Bloomberg}}</ref> to the failure of the efforts to implement [[microeconomic reform|economic reforms]], to inappropriate financing, and to the decrease in exports.<ref name="RTV2012-02-29">{{cite news |url=http://www.rtvslo.si/gospodarstvo/zdrs-v-recesijo-so-ekonomisti-pricakovali/277878 |title=Zdrs v recesijo so ekonomisti pričakovali |language=Slovenian |trans_title=The Slid into Recession Was Expected by Economists |newspaper=MMC RTV Slovenija |publisher=RTV Slovenija |issn=1581-372X |date=29 February 2012}}</ref>

=== National debt ===
Slovenia's total [[government debt|national debt]] at the end of September 2011 amounted to 15,884&nbsp;million euros or 44.4% of GDP.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.sta.si/vest.php?s=a&t=&id=1710644 |title=Weekly Review of Events Involving Slovenia, 24–30 December |publisher=Slovenian Press Agency |date=31 December 2012}}</ref> In August 2012, the three main [[Credit rating agency|ratings agencies]] have all downgraded Slovenian sovereign debt. An increase in 2013 estimates about Slovenia allegedly being in need of a bailout was attributed by Finland’s Europe Minister [[Alexander Stubb]] to "financial sharks" who would like to capitalize on it by creating [[self-fulfilling prophecy|self-fulfilling prophecies]]<ref>{{cite news|last=Pohjanpalo |first=Kati |url=http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-04-04/sharks-circling-europe-won-t-bring-down-slovenia-finland-says.html |title=Sharks Circling Europe Won’t Bring Down Slovenia, Finland’s Europe Minister Alexander Stubb |publisher=Bloomberg.com |date=4 April 2013 |accessdate=4 April 2014}}</ref> and [[Die Welt]] ranked Slovenia among the three least vulnerable European countries topped only by Germany and Estonia.<ref>[http://www.rtvslo.si/gospodarstvo/die-welt-slovenija-je-pozitivno-presenecenje/306220 Das sind die nächsten vier Opfer der Euro-Krise], [[Die Welt]], 7 April 2013.</ref><ref>[http://www.rtvslo.si/gospodarstvo/die-welt-slovenija-je-pozitivno-presenecenje/306220 Die Welt: Slovenia is a positive surprise] (in Slovene: Slovenija je pozitivno presenečenje), MMC [[RTV Slovenija]], 8 April 2013.</ref>

=== Services and industry ===
[[File:Slovenia treemap.png|thumb|250px|A graphical depiction of Slovenia's product exports in 28 color-coded categories.]]

Almost two-thirds of people are employed in services, and over one-third in industry and construction.<ref name="CIA">{{cite web |url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/si.html#field |at=Economy |title=The World Factbook |publisher=Central Intelligence Agency, United States |date=23 February 2012}}</ref> Slovenia benefits from a well-educated workforce, well-developed infrastructure, and its location at the crossroads of major trade routes.<ref name="VE2012-03-15">{{cite web |url=http://dunaj.veleposlanistvo.si/index.php?id=4035&L=1 |title=Osnovni gospodarski podatki o Sloveniji |language=Slovenian |trans_title=Basic Economic Data about Slovenia |publisher=Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia Vienna |accessdate=15 March 2012}}</ref>

The level of [[foreign direct investment]]&nbsp;(FDI) per capita in Slovenia is one of the lowest in the EU,<ref name="VE2012-03-15"/> and the labor productivity and the competitiveness of the Slovenian economy is still significantly below the EU average.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.delo.si/gospodarstvo/posel-in-denar/dr-pavle-sicherl-slovenija-je-po-produktivnosti-dela-23-let-za-evropo_2.html |title=Dr. Pavle Sicherl: Slovenija je po produktivnosti dela 23 let za Evropo |language=Slovenian |trans_title=Dr. Pavle Sicherl: Regarding the Workforce Productivity, Slovenia Lags 23 Years behind Europe |newspaper=Delo.si |date=8 August 2011 |issn=1854-6544}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.delo.si/gospodarstvo/makromonitor/konkurencnost-slovenske-industrije-pod-evropskim-povprecjem.html |title=Konkurenčnost slovenske industrije pod evropskim povprečjem |language=Slovenian |trans_title=The Competitiveness of the Slovene Industry Below the European Average |newspaper=Delo.si |date=14 October 2011 |issn=1854-6544}}</ref> Taxes are relatively high, the [[labor market]] is seen by business interests as being inflexible, and industries are losing sales to China, India, and elsewhere.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/si.html#Econ|title=The World Factbook 2007 – Slovenia, Economy}}</ref>

High level of openness makes Slovenia extremely sensitive to economic conditions in its main trading partners and changes in its international price competitiveness.<ref>{{cite book |url=http://www.stat.si/doc/pub/Blagovna_menjava_ang.pdf |title=Slovenia’S Trade in Goods / In The 2000-2010 Period |first1=Simon |last1=Perše |first2=Snježana |last2=Štuhec Lončarević |first3=Alenka |last3=Kozar |first4=Almira |last4=Urbiha |first5=Jana |last5=Živec |first6=Amira |last6=Mušić |date=January 2012 |isbn=978-961-239-240-6 |page=20}}</ref> The main industries are motor vehicles, electric and electronic equipment, machinery, [[pharmaceutical]]s, and fuels.<ref name="VE2012-03-15"/> An increasing burden for the Slovenian economy has been its rapidly ageing population.<ref name="CNBC2012-01-23">{{cite news |url=http://www.cnbc.com/id/46010334/Countries_With_Aging_Populations?slide=3 |title=Countries with Aging Populations |newspaper=Cnbc.com |date=23 January 2012 |first=Rajeshni |last=Naidu-Ghelani |publisher=CNBC LLC}}</ref>

=== Energy ===
{{Further|Energy in Slovenia}}
In 2011 electricity production was 14,144 GWh, electricity consumption was 12,602&nbsp;GWh. Electricity production by source: hydro 3,361&nbsp;GWh, thermal 4,883&nbsp;GWh, [[Krško Nuclear Power Plant|nuclear]] 5,899&nbsp;GWh.

Current investments: new 600&nbsp;MW block of Šoštanj thermal power plant is in construction and will be finished by 2014. New 39.5&nbsp;MW HE Krško hydro power plant was finished in 2013. By 2018, 41.5&nbsp;MW HE Brežice and 30.5 MW HE Mokrice hydro power plants will be built on the Sava River. Construction of ten hydropower plants on the [[Sava|Sava River]] with a cumulative capacity of 338&nbsp;MW is planned to be finished by 2030. A large [[Pumped-storage hydroelectricity|pumped-storage hydro power plant]] Kozjak on the [[Drava|Drava River]] is in the planning stage.

Renewable energy in Slovenia: at the end of 2011 at least 87&nbsp;MWp of photovoltaic modules were installed and 22&nbsp;MW of [[biogas]] powerplants.{{citation needed|date=September 2015}} There is a plan and obligation that at least 500&nbsp;MW of wind power will be installed by 2020.{{citation needed|date=September 2015}} Solar hot water heating is gaining popularity in Slovenia.{{citation needed|date=September 2015}}

=== Tourism ===
{{Main|Tourism in Slovenia}}
[[File:Tourism in Slovenia - key European markets.png|thumb|left||300px|Source: Slovenian Tourism in Numbers<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.slovenia.info/?ps_najpomembnejsi-kazalniki=0&lng=2|title=Slovenian Tourism in Numbers - Official Travel Guide |publisher=Slovenia.info |accessdate=7 August 2012}}</ref>]]
{{Multiple image
 | align     = right
 | direction = vertical
 | width     = 
 | image1    = Bled island July 2005.jpg
 | width1    = 200
 | alt1      = [[Lake Bled]]
 | caption1  = [[Lake Bled]] with its island
 | image2    = Panoramics of Piran 2015.jpg
 | width2    = 200
 | alt2      = Piran
 | caption2  = Old town of [[Piran]] on Slovenian coast
 | image3    =Burger PostojnskaJama.jpg
 | width3    = 200
 | alt3      = Postojna cave
 | caption3  = [[Postojna cave]]
}}
Slovenia offers tourists a wide variety of natural and cultural amenities. Different forms of tourism have developed. The tourist gravitational area is considerably large, however the tourist market is small. There has been no large-scale tourism and no acute environmental pressures.<ref>{{cite book |url=http://zgs.zrc-sazu.si/Portals/8/Slo_Geo_Over/25.pdf |first=Uroš |last=Horvat |chapter=Tourism in Slovenia |page=146 |title=Slovenia: A Geographical Overview |editor=Orožen Adamič, Milan |isbn=961-6500-49-X |publisher=Association of the Geographical Societies of Slovenia |year=2004}}</ref>

The nation's capital, Ljubljana, has many important [[Baroque]] and [[Vienna Secession]] buildings, with several important works of the native born architect [[Jože Plečnik]] <ref>[http://www.aml.si/plecnikova-hisa/teorija/plecnikova-ljubljana/ ] {{wayback|url=http://www.aml.si/plecnikova-hisa/teorija/plecnikova-ljubljana/ |date=20110903231641 |df=y }}</ref> and also his pupil, architect Edo Ravnikar.

At the northwestern corner of the country lie the [[Julian Alps]] with the picturesque [[Lake Bled]] and the [[Soča]] Valley, as well as the nation's highest peak, [[Mount Triglav]] in the middle of [[Triglav National Park]]. Other mountain ranges include [[Kamnik–Savinja Alps]], [[Karavanke]] and [[Pohorje]], popular with skiers and hikers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.slovenia.info/en/Active-holidays.htm?aktivne_pocitnice=0&lng=2 |title=Active holidays - Slovenia - Official Travel Guide |publisher=Slovenia.info |accessdate=2 June 2012}}</ref>

The [[Karst Plateau]] in the [[Slovene Littoral]] gave its name to [[karst]], a landscape shaped by water dissolving the carbonate bedrock, forming caves. The best-known caves are [[Postojna Cave]] and the [[UNESCO World Heritage Site|UNESCO]]-listed [[Škocjan Caves]]. The region of [[Slovenian Istria]] meets the [[Adriatic Sea]], where the most important historical monument is the [[Venetian Gothic architecture|Venetian Gothic]] Mediterranean town of [[Piran]] while the settlement of [[Portorož]] attracts crowds in summer.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.piran.si/index.php?page=static&item=1 |title=Občina Piran-O občini |publisher=Piran.si |accessdate=2 June 2012}}</ref>

The hills around Slovenia's second-largest town, [[Maribor]], are renowned for their wine-making. The northeastern part of the country is rich with spas,<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/2006/jun/23/slovenia.travelfoodanddrink.shortbreaks | location=London | work=The Guardian | first=Liane | last=Katz | title=Detox, retox in Slovenia | date=23 June 2006}}</ref> with [[Rogaška Slatina]], [[Radenci]], [[Čatež ob Savi]], [[Dobrna]], and [[Moravske Toplice]] growing in importance in the last two decades.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.slovenia.info/en/15-Slovenian-natural-spas.htm?zdravilisce=0&lng=2|title=15 Spas in Slovenia, Official Travel Guide |publisher=Slovenia.info |accessdate=7 August 2012}}</ref>

Other popular tourist destinations include the historic cities of [[Ptuj]] and [[Škofja Loka]], and several castles, such as the [[Predjama Castle]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.slovenia.info/en/arhitekturne-znamenitosti.htm?arhitekturne_znamenitosti=0&lng=2 |title=Architectural Heritage - Slovenia - Official Travel Guide |publisher=Slovenia.info |accessdate=2 June 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.slovenia.info/en/grad.htm?grad=0&lng=2 |title=Castles - Slovenia - Official Travel Guide |publisher=Slovenia.info |accessdate=2 June 2012}}</ref>

Important parts of tourism in Slovenia include congress and [[gambling tourism]]. Slovenia is the country with the highest percentage of [[casino]]s per 1,000&nbsp;inhabitants in the European Union.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.earthinpictures.com/world/slovenia/ |title=Slovenia photo gallery - pictures, facts and information on Slovenia |publisher=Earthinpictures.com |accessdate=2 June 2012}}</ref> [[Perla hotel and casino|Perla]] in [[Nova Gorica]] is the largest casino in the region.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.worldcasinodirectory.com/easteurope-casinos.asp |title=East Europe Casinos and Gambling |publisher=Worldcasinodirectory.com |accessdate=8 September 2012}}</ref>

Most of foreign tourists to Slovenia come from the key European markets: [[Italy]], [[Austria]], Germany, [[Croatia]], [[Benelux]], [[Serbia]], [[Russia]] and [[Ukraine]], followed by UK and [[Ireland]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.slovenia.info/pictures/TB_board/atachments_1/2011/tvs_slo_e_12434.pdf |title=I Feel Slovenia: 2010 |publisher=Slovenia.info |accessdate=25 November 2012}}</ref> European tourists create more than 90% of Slovenia's tourist income.

=== Transport ===
{{Main|Transport in Slovenia}}
[[File:Ljubljana BW 2014-10-09 11-06-24.jpg|thumbnail|River excursions in Ljubljana.]]
[[File:Pendolino ETR 310.jpg|thumbnail|left|[[Pendolino]] tilting train]]
[[File:Motorways-SLO-map.svg|thumb|left|Motorways in Slovenia in 2011; capital Ljubljana lies in the intersection of north-south and west-east main directions]]
The location at the junction of major geographic units and the area being traversed by major rivers have been the reasons for the intersection of the main transport routes in Slovenia. Their course was established already in the Antiquity. A particular geographic advantage in recent times has been the location of the intersection of the [[Pan-European transport corridor]]s [[Pan-European transport corridor V|V]] (the fastest link between the North Adriatic, and Central and Eastern Europe) and [[Pan-European Corridor X|X]] (linking Central Europe with the Balkans) in the country. This gives it a special position in the European social, economic and cultural integration and restructuring.<ref name="UKOM2000-11">{{cite web |url=http://www.ukom.gov.si/en/media_relations/background_information/transport/slovenia_a_country_at_the_crossroads_of_transport_links/  |title=Slovenia, a Country at the Crossroads of Transport Links |publisher=Government Communication Office, Republic of Slovenia |date=November 2000}}</ref>

The road freight and passenger transport constitutes the largest part of transport in Slovenia at 80%.<ref name="MW2009SORS">{{cite web |url=http://www.stat.si/novica_prikazi.aspx?id=2582 |title=Teden mobilnosti 2009 |trans_title=Mobility Week 2009 |publisher=Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia |date=15 September 2009}}</ref> Personal cars are much more popular than public road passenger transport, which has significantly declined.<ref name="MW2009SORS"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://kazalci.arso.gov.si/?data=indicator&ind_id=214 |title=Lastništvo avtomobilov v gospodinjstvih |language=Slovenian |trans_title=Car Ownership in Households |publisher=Environment Agency of Slovenia |author=Bernard Vukadin, Barbara. Kušar, Urška. Burja, Alenka |date=25 October 2009}}</ref> Slovenia has a very high [[highways in Slovenia|highway and motorway density]] compared to the European Union average.<ref name="ECORYS2011">{{cite book |url=http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/sources/docgener/evaluation/pdf/evasltrat_tran/slovenia.pdf |chapter=Situation per mode of transport |title=Study on Strategic Evaluation on Transport Investment Priorities under Structural and Cohesion funds for the Programming Period 2007-2013 |date=August 2006 |publisher=ECORYS Nederland BV}}</ref> The highway system, the construction of which was speeded up after 1994,<ref name="Oplotnik2004">{{cite conference |url=http://dinamico2.unibg.it/highways/paper/oplotnik.pdf |title=National motorway construction program (NMCP) in Slovenia (financing, impact on national economy and realization) |authors=Oplotnik, Žan. Križanič, France |booktitle=Highways: cost and regulation in Europe |date=November 2004}}</ref> has slowly but steadily transformed Slovenia into a large [[conurbation]].<ref>{{cite conference |url=ftp://ftp.cgs.si/Uporabniki/UrosZ/clanki/10.%20kongres%20o%20cestah%20in%20prometu/19-24.pdf |title=Narodnogospodarske koristi in razvojne možnosti prometnih sistemov v RS |language=Slovenian, English|trans_title=National Economic Benefits and the Possibilities of the Development of Transport Systems in the Republic of Slovenia |first=Peter |last=Gabrijelčič |booktitle=10th Slovenian Road and Transport Congress |date=October 2010}}</ref> Other state roads have been rapidly deteriorating due to neglect and the overall increase in traffic.<ref name="ECORYS2011"/>

The existing Slovenian railways are out-of-date and can't compete with the motorway network.<ref name="ARSO420">{{cite web |url=http://kazalci.arso.gov.si/?data=indicator&ind_id=420#comment |title=Vlaganja v prometno infrastrukturo: Komentar |language=Slovenian |trans_title=The Investments in the Transport Infrastructure: a Comment |publisher=Slovenian Environment Agency |date=18 November 2011 |author=Plevnik, Aljaž. Polanec, Vesna}}</ref> The maintenance and modernisation of the Slovenian railway network has been neglected due to the lack of financial assets.<ref name="UNIMB2011-04">{{cite book |url=http://www.losamedchem.eu/web/attachments/article/20/SWOT%20KOPER%20+%20UM.pdf |chapter=Executive Summary |title=Analysis of the infrastructure network in Slovenia and report on SWOT analysis |publisher=Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of Maribor. Port of Koper |date=April 2011}}</ref> Due to the out-of-date infrastructure, the share of the railway freight transport has been in decline in Slovenia.<ref name="ARSO416">{{cite web |url=http://kazalci.arso.gov.si/?data=indicator&ind_id=416#comment |chapter=Komentar |title=Obseg in sestava blagovnega prevoza in prometa: Komentar |trans_title=The Scale and the Structure of the Freight Transport and Traffic: a Comment |publisher=Slovenian Environment Agency |date=18 November 2011 |author=Plevnik, Aljaž. Polanec, Vesna}}</ref> The railway passenger transport has been recovering after a large drop in the 1990s.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://kazalci.arso.gov.si/?data=indicator&ind_id=415#comment |chapter=Komentar |trans_chapter=Comment |title=Obseg in sestava potniškega prevoza in prometa: Komentar |trans_title=The Scale and the Structure of the Passenger Transport and Traffic: a Comment |publisher=Slovenian Environment Agency |date=18 November 2011 |author=Plevnik, Aljaž. Polanec, Vesna}}</ref> The Pan-European railway corridors V and X, and several other major European rail lines intersect in Slovenia.<ref name="UNIMB2011-04"/> All international transit trains in Slovenia drive through the [[Ljubljana Railway Hub]].<ref name="oDPN2010-03">{{cite book |url=http://arhiv.mm.gov.si/mop/javno/zeleznisko_vozlisce_ljubljana/1_tekstualni_del/12_uredba/oDPN_Zeleznica_100323.pdf  |title=Državni prostorski načrt za Ljubljansko železniško vozlišče |language=Slovenian |trans_title=The National Space Plan for the Ljubljana Rail Hub: Draft |date=March 2010 |author=LUZ, d. d.}}</ref>

[[File:Lukakoper.jpg|thumb|The [[Port of Koper]]]]

The major Slovenian port is the [[Port of Koper]]. It is the largest Northern Adriatic port in terms of container transport,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.greenmed.eu/news-1160.html |title=Koper Port Hits Record High in Container Traffic |newspaper=Green Med Journal |date=21 November 2011}}</ref> with almost 590,000 [[twenty-foot equivalent unit|TEUs]] annually<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.porttechnology.org/news/konecranes_to_delivery_three_further_rtgs_to_luka_koper/ |title=Konecranes to deliver three further RTGs to Luka Koper |newspaper=Port Technology International |date=23 January 2012}}</ref> and lines to all major world ports.<ref name="ECONSHIP2011"/><ref name="AH2008-16-3GA">{{cite journal|url=http://www.dlib.si/stream/URN:NBN:SI:DOC-JKJ7TQMG/74880c59-56c7-48b6-9ed2-73ca85b11622/PDF |title=Sodobne pol1t1čno-geografske značilnosti alpsko-jadranskega prostora brez meja |language=Slovenian, English, Italian|trans_title=Contemporary Political Geography Of The Alpen-Adriatic Region Without Borders |first=Anton |last=Gosar |journal=Acta Histriae |year=2008 |volume=16 |issue=3 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/20131025125302/http://www.dlib.si/stream/URN:NBN:SI:DOC-JKJ7TQMG/74880c59-56c7-48b6-9ed2-73ca85b11622/PDF |archivedate=25 October 2013 }}</ref> It is much closer to destinations east of the [[Suez Canal|Suez]] than the ports of Northern Europe.<ref name="ECONSHIP2011">{{cite conference |url=http://www.stt.aegean.gr/econship2011/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_view&gid=100&tmpl=component&format=raw&Itemid=20 |title=Container Boom in the Port of Koper |authors=Twrdy, Elen. Trupac, Igor |booktitle=European Conference on Shipping & Ports 2011: Proceedings |isbn=978-960-93329-5-8}}</ref> In addition, the maritime passenger traffic mostly takes place in Koper.<ref name="RR21">{{cite journal |url=http://www.stat.si/doc/statinf/22-SI-084-1101.pdf |title=Transport |journal=Statistične informacije [Rapid Reports] |date=4 November 2011 |page=11 |issue=21}}</ref> Two smaller ports used for the international passenger transport as well as cargo transport are located in [[Izola]] and [[Piran]]. Passenger transport mainly takes place with Italy and Croatia.<ref name="ReNPRP">{{cite web |url=http://www.mzp.gov.si/fileadmin/mzp.gov.si/pageuploads/DPomorstvo_splosno/2010_Nacionalni_program_verzija_22.pdf |title=Resolucija o nacionalnem programu razvoja pomorstva Republike Slovenije |trans_title=Resolution on the National Programme for the Development of Maritime Transport in the. Republic of Slovenia |language=Slovenian |publisher=Ministry of Transport, Republic of Slovenia |date=3 November 2010}}</ref> [[Splošna plovba]],<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.rtvslo.si/gospodarstvo/edini-slovenski-ladjar-praznuje/24584 |title=Edini slovenski ladjar praznuje |trans_title=The Only Slovenian Shipowner Celebrates |newspaper=MMC RTV Slovenija |date=22 October 2004 |ISSN=1581-372X}}</ref> the only Slovenian shipping company, transports freight and is active only in foreign ports.<ref name="RR21"/>

Air transport in Slovenia is quite low,<ref name="ARSO416"/> but has significantly grown since 1991.<ref name="RR26">{{cite journal |url=http://www.stat.si/doc/statinf/22-SI-284-1001.pdf |title=Transport |journal=Statistične informacije [Rapid Report] |date=22 November 2010 |issue=26}}</ref> Of the three international airports in Slovenia, [[Ljubljana Jože Pučnik Airport]] in central Slovenia is the busiest,<ref name="RR26"/> with connections to many major European destinations.<ref>{{cite book |url=http://www.lju-airport.si/pripone/1085/informator_junij11_koncna.pdf |title=Information Booklet |year=2011 |publisher=Aerodrom Ljubljana}}</ref> The [[Maribor Edvard Rusjan Airport]] is located in the eastern part of the country and the [[Portorož Airport]] in the western part.<ref name="RR26"/> The state-owned [[Adria Airways]] is the largest Slovenian airline.<ref name="RR26"/> Since 2003, several new carriers have entered the market, mainly low-cost airlines.<ref name="ECORYS2011"/> The only Slovenian [[military airbase|military airport]] is the [[Cerklje ob Krki Air Base]] in the southwestern part of the country.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.mo.gov.si/fileadmin/mo.gov.si/pageuploads/revija_sv/2006/sv06_08.pdf |title=Cerklje Airport on its way to future growth |journal=Slovenska vojska |page=29 |volume=XIV |issue=8 |year=2006 |first=Jože |last=Konda |ISSN=1580-1993}}</ref> There are also 12&nbsp;[[public airport]]s in Slovenia.<ref name="RR26"/>

== Demographics ==
{{Main|Demographics of Slovenia}}

{{Historical populations
|type =
|footnote =
|1921 | 1054919
|1931 | 1144298
|1948 | 1391873
|1953 | 1466425
|1961 | 1591523
|1971 | 1727137
|1981 | 1891864
|1991 | 1913355
|2002 | 1964036
|2011 | 2050189
|2015 | 2062874
}}

{{bar box
|width = 300px
|float = right
|title = Ethnic composition of Slovenia<br/>(according to the 2002 census)<ref name="2002census"/>
|titlebar = #ddd
|bars =
{{bar percent|Slovene|teal|83.06}}
{{bar percent|Serb|teal|1.98}}
{{bar percent|Croat|teal|1.81}}
{{bar percent|Bosniak|teal|1.10}}
{{bar percent|other minorities|teal|4.85}}
{{bar percent|undeclared or unknown|gray|8.9}}
|caption =
}}
With 101 inhabitants per square kilometer (262/sq&nbsp;mi), Slovenia ranks low among the European countries in population density (compared to 402/km<sup>2</sup> (1042/sq&nbsp;mi) for the [[Netherlands]] or 195/km<sup>2</sup> (505/sq&nbsp;mi) for [[Italy]]). The [[Inner Carniola–Karst Statistical Region]] has the lowest population density while the [[Central Slovenia Statistical Region]] has the highest.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stat.si/letopis/2010/30_10/30-09-10.htm |title=30.9 Gostota naseljenosti 1.7 - Population Density, 1 July |publisher=Stat.si |accessdate=25 November 2012}}</ref>

According to the 2002 census, Slovenia's main ethnic group are the [[Slovenes]] (83%), however their share in the total population is continuously decreasing due to their relatively low [[fertility rate]]. At least 13% (2002) of the population were immigrants from other parts of [[Former Yugoslavia]] and their descendants.<ref name="Medvesek">{{Cite news|url=http://www2.arnes.si/~ljinv16/RIG/RIG%2053_54/rig%2053%20medvesek.pdf |title=Kdo so priseljenci z območja nekdanje Jugoslavije |trans_title=Who Are the Immigrants from the Area of Former Yugoslavia |language=Slovenian |first=Mojca |last=Medvešek |journal=Razprave in gradivo |publisher=Institute for Ethnic Studies |issue=53–54 |year=2007 |page=34}}</ref> They have settled mainly in cities and suburbanised areas.<ref name="Repolusk">{{Cite news|url=http://www.ff.uni-lj.si/oddelki/geo/publikacije/dela/files/dela_25/07%20repolust.pdf |first=Peter |last=Repolusk |title=Narodnostno neopredeljeno prebivalstvo ob popisih 1991 in 2002 v Sloveniji |trans_title=Ethnically Undeclared Population in Slovenian Population Censuses 1991 and 2002 |language=Slovenian, English|journal=Dela |volume=25 |pages=87–96 |year=2006 |publisher=Anton Melik Geographical Institute}}</ref> Relatively small but protected by the [[Constitution of Slovenia]] are the [[Hungarians in Slovenia|Hungarian]] and the [[Italians in Slovenia|Italian ethnic minority]].<ref name="MDL2010">{{cite news |url=http://www.stat.si/eng/novica_prikazi.aspx?id=2957 |title=International Mother Language Day 2010 |publisher=Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia |date=19 February 2010 |accessdate=29 January 2011}}</ref><ref name="Constitution">{{cite web| url=http://www.dz-rs.si/index.php?id=351&docid=25&showdoc=1 |title=Constitution of the Republic of Slovenia |publisher=National Assembly of the Republic of Slovenia |accessdate=26 January 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=http://www.eliamep.gr/en/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/slovenija_slov.pdf |title=Poročilo: Italijanska narodna skupnost v Slovenski Istri |language=Slovenian |trans_title=Report: The Italian National Community in the Slovenian Istria |year=2009 |first=Ksenija |last=Šabec |publisher=Center for Cultural and Religious Studies, University of Ljubljana |accessdate=1 February 2011 |page=7 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/20110511125306/http://www.eliamep.gr/en/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/slovenija_slov.pdf |archivedate=11 May 2011 }}</ref> A special position is held by the autochthonous and geographically dispersed [[Roma in Slovenia|Roma ethnic community]].<ref>{{cite book |url=http://dk.fdv.uni-lj.si/dela/Gajsek-Nina.PDF |title=Pravice romske skupnosti v Republiki Sloveniji |language=Slovenian |trans_title=Rights of the Roma Community in the Republic of Slovenia |year=2004 |first=Nina |last=Gajšek |publisher=Faculty of Social Science, University of Ljubljana}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.ff.uni-lj.si/oddelki/geo/publikacije/dela/files/Dela_27/12_zupancic.pdf |title=Romska naselja kot poseben del naselbinskega sistema v Sloveniji |language=Slovenian, English|trans_title=Roma Settlements as a Specific Part Of Settlement System in Slovenia |first=Jernej |last=Zupančič |journal=Dela |publisher=Institute of Geography |volume=27 |year=2007 |pages=215–246}}</ref>

Slovenia is among the European countries with the most pronounced ageing of population, ascribable to a low birth rate and increasing life expectancy.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.delo.si/zgodbe/delo2020/demografski-preobrat-tiha-revolucija-med-nami.html |title=Demografski preobrat: tiha revolucija med nami |language=Slovenian |trans_title=The Demographic Overturn: The Silent Revolution Among Us |date=20 June 2011 |first=Milena |last=Zupanič |newspaper=Delo.si |publisher=Delo, d. d. |issn=1854-6544}}</ref> Almost all Slovenian inhabitants older than 64 are retired, with no significant difference between the genders.<ref name="Hoff2011">{{cite book |url=https://books.google.si/books?id=vmAQ_cwR14oC&pg=PA118 |title=Population Ageing in Central and Eastern Europe: Societal and Policy Implications |chapter=Population Ageing in Slovenia and Social Support Networks of Older People |pages=118–119 |editor-first=Andreas |editor-last=Hoff |first1=Valentina |last1=Hlebec |first2=Milivoja |last2=Šircelj |publisher=Ashgate Publishing, Ltd. |date=September 2011 |isbn=978-0-7546-7828-1}}</ref> The working-age group is diminishing in spite of immigration.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.si/books?id=OgBaG-NB9hMC&pg=PA34 |title=Slovenia |chapter=Strong Growth but an Ageing Workforce  |page=34 |publisher=OECD Publishing |date=July 2009 |isbn=978-92-64-06894-0}}</ref> The proposal to raise the retirement age from the current 57 for women and 58 for men was rejected in a [[Slovenian referendum, June 2011|referendum in 2011]].<ref name="CNBC2012-01-23"/> In addition, the difference among the genders regarding life expectancy is still significant.<ref name="Hoff2011"/> The [[total fertility rate]] (TFR) in 2014 was estimated at 1.33 children born/woman, which is lower than the replacement rate of 2.1.<ref>.https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/si.html</ref> The majority of children are born to unmarried women (in 2014, 58.3% of all births were outside of marriage).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stat.si/StatWeb/en/show-news?id=5284|title=Births, Slovenia, 2014|publisher=}}</ref> In 2014, life expectancy was 77.83 years (74.21 years male, and 81.69 years female).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/si.html|title=The World Factbook|publisher=|accessdate=1 March 2015}}</ref>

In 2009, the [[List of countries by suicide rate|suicide rate]] in Slovenia was 22 per 100,000 persons per year, which places Slovenia among the highest ranked European countries in this regard.<ref name="stat2009suicide">{{cite web |url=http://www.stat.si/eng/novica_prikazi.aspx?id=3380 |title=World Suicide Prevention Day 2010 |publisher=Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia |date=8 September 2010}}</ref> Nonetheless, from 2000 until 2010, the rate has decreased by about 30%. The differences between regions and the genders are pronounced.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.stat.si/eng/novica_prikazi.aspx?id=4162 |title=World Suicide Prevention Day 2011 |date=8 September 2011 |publisher=Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia}}</ref>

=== Urbanisation ===
{{Main|List of cities and towns in Slovenia}}
Depending on definition, between 65% and 79% of people live in wider  urban areas.<ref>{{Cite journal | url = https://books.google.com/?id=q2vXdJRZhzoC&pg=PA143&lpg=PA143&dq=slovenija+stopnja+urbanizacije#v=onepage&q&f=false | title = Ekonomska preobrazba slovenskih mest | isbn = 978-961-254-090-6 | author1 = Bole | first1 = David | year = 2008}}</ref> According to [[OECD]] definition of rural areas none of the [[Statistical regions of Slovenia|Slovene statistical regions]] is mostly urbanised, meaning that 15% or less of the population lives in rural communities. According to this definition statistical regions are classified:
* mostly rural regions: [[Mura Statistical Region|Mura]], [[Drava Statistical Region|Drava]], [[Carinthia Statistical Region|Carinthia]], [[Savinja Statistical Region|Savinja]], [[Lower Sava Statistical Region|Lower Sava]], [[Littoral–Inner Carniola Statistical Region|Littoral–Inner Carniola]], [[Gorizia Statistical Region|Gorizia]], [[Southeast Slovenia Statistical Region|Southeast Slovenia]] 
* moderately rural regions: [[Central Sava Statistical Region|Central Sava]], [[Upper Carniola Statistical Region|Upper Carniola]], [[Coastal–Karst Statistical Region|Coastal–Karst]], [[Central Slovenia Statistical Region|Central Slovenia]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.stat.si/tema_splosno_upravno_podezelje_predstavitev.asp |title=Projekt statistike razvoja podeželja |accessdate=20 September 2013 |date= |format= |work=Statistical Office RS }}</ref>

The only large town is the capital, Ljubljana. Other, medium-sized towns include Maribor, Celje, and Kranj.<ref name="GV52-2">{{Cite news|url=http://www.geodetski-vestnik.com/52/2/gv52-2_290-312.pdf |title=Small and Medium-Size Towns as the Basis of Polycentric Urban Development |authors=Zavodnik Lamovšek, Alma. Drobne, Samo. Žaucer, Tadej |journal=Geodetski vestnik |publisher=Association of Surveyors of Slovenia |ISSN=0351-0271 |year=2008 |volume=52 |issue=2 |page=303}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stat.si/eng/KrajevnaImena/pregledi_naselja_najvecja_prebivalci.asp |title=:: Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia - How frequent are the same names of settlements and streets? :: |publisher=Stat.si |accessdate=2 June 2012}}</ref> Overall, there are eleven urban municipalities in Slovenia.

{{Largest towns of Slovenia}}
{{Clear}}

=== Languages ===
{{Main|Languages of Slovenia|Slovene language}}

The official language in Slovenia is [[Slovene language|Slovene]], which is a member of the [[South Slavic languages|South Slavic language group]]. In 2002, Slovene was the native language of around 88% of Slovenia's population according to the census, with more than 92% of the Slovenian population speaking it in their home environment.<ref name="siol.net">{{cite web|url= http://www.siol.net/kultura/novice/2009/02/slovenscina_materni_jezik_za_88_odstotkov_drzavljanov.aspx |title= Slovenščina materni jezik za 88 odstotkov državljanov |publisher= [[Siol]] |date= 19 February 2009 |accessdate= 2 June 2012 |deadurl= yes |archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/20120516055023/http://www.siol.net/kultura/novice/2009/02/slovenscina_materni_jezik_za_88_odstotkov_drzavljanov.aspx |archivedate= 16 May 2012 }}</ref><ref name="stat.si">{{cite book|url =http://www.stat.si/popis2002/gradivo/2-169.pdf |title= Verska, jezikovna in narodna sestava prebivalstva Slovenije: Popisi 1921-2002 |language= Slovenian |trans_title= Religious, Linguistic, and National Composition of the Slovenian Population: 1921-2002 Censuses |format= PDF |publisher= Statistični urad Republike Slovenije |year= 2003 |issue= 2 |first= Milivoja |last =Šircelj |isbn= 961-239-024-X}}</ref> This statistic ranks Slovenia among the most homogeneous countries in the EU in terms of the share of speakers of the predominant mother tongue.<ref name="Dular">{{cite news |url= http://www.sta.si/en/vest.php?s=a&id=1482640 |title= Linguist Says Slovenian Language Not Endangered |date= 21 February 2010 |publisher= Slovenian Press Agency}}</ref>

Slovene is sometimes characterized{{by whom|date=January 2016}} as the most diverse Slavic language in terms of [[Slovene dialects|dialects]],<ref name="MLD 2009">{{cite news |url= http://www.stat.si/eng/novica_prikazi.aspx?id=2177 |title= International Mother Language Day |publisher= Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia |date= 19 February 2009 |accessdate= 3 February 2011}}</ref> with different degrees of mutual intelligibility. Accounts of the number of dialects range from as few as seven<ref>McDonald, Gordon C. 1979. ''Yugoslavia: A Country Study''. Washington, DC: American University, p. 93</ref><ref>Greenberg, Marc L. 2009. "Slovene." In Keith Brown & Sarah Ogilvie (eds.), ''Concise Encyclopedia of Languages of the World'', pp. 981–984. Oxford: Elsevier, p. 981.</ref><ref>Brown, E. K. & Anne Anderson. 2006. ''Encyclopedia of Language & Linguistics: Sca-Spe''. Oxford: Elsevier, p. 424</ref> dialects, often considered dialect groups or dialect bases that are further subdivided into as many as 50 dialects.<ref>Sussex, Roland, & Paul V. Cubberley. 2006. ''The Slavic languages''. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, p. 502.</ref> Other sources characterize the number of dialects as nine<ref>Sławski, Franciszek. 1962. ''Zarys dialektologii południowosłowiańskiej. Warsaw: PAN.</ref> or as eight.<ref>Priestly, Tom M. S. 1993. "On 'Drift' in Indo-European Gender Systems.' ''Journal of Indo-European Studies'' 11: 339–363.</ref>

[[File:Slovenian Passport3.jpg|thumb|upright|Bilingual Slovene-Italian edition of the Slovenian passport]]

[[Hungarian language|Hungarian]] and [[Italian language|Italian]], spoken by the respective minorities, enjoy the status of official languages in the ethnically mixed regions along the Hungarian and Italian borders, to the extent that even the passports issued in those areas are bilingual. In 2002 around 0.2% of the Slovenian population spoke Italian and around 0.4% spoke Hungarian as their native language. Hungarian is co-official with Slovene in 30 settlements in 5 municipalities (whereof 3 are officially bilingual). Italian is co-official with Slovene in 25 settlements in 4 municipalities (all of them officially bilingual).

[[Romani language|Romani]],<ref>{{cite journal |url= http://www2.arnes.si/~ljinv16/RIG/RIG%2052/rig%2052%20celota%20E%20TISK.pdf |title= Legal Protection of Roma in Slovenia |first= Vera |last= Klopčič |journal= Treatises and Documents: Journal of Ethnic Studies |year= 2007 |issue= 52 |pages =234–255 |publisher= Institute for Ethnic Studies |issn= 1854-5181}}</ref> spoken in 2002 as the native language by 0.2% of people, is a legally protected language in Slovenia. These people mainly belong to the geographically dispersed and marginalized Roma community.<ref>{{cite book |url= http://www.inv.si/DocDir/Publikacije-PDF/2003/evropa,%20slovenija%20in%20romi_optimized.pdf |title= Evropa, Slovenija in Romi |language= Slovenian |trans_title= Europe, Slovenia and Roma |first= Vera |last= Klopčič |author2= Miroslav Polzer  |year= 2003 |isbn= 961-6159-23-2 |publisher= Institute for Ethnic Studies |accessdate= 3 February 2011}}</ref>

German, which used to be the largest minority language in Slovenia prior to World War II (around 4% of the population in 1921), is now the native language of only around 0.08% of the population, the majority of whom are more than 60 years old.<ref name="stat.si"/> [[Gottscheerish]] or ''Granish'', the traditional German dialect of [[Gottschee County]],  faces extinction.<ref name="norwaysi">{{cite web|url= http://www.norway.si/ARKIV/heritage/granish/ |title= Granish – a Minority Language Spoken in Slovenia |publisher= Norway.si |accessdate= 2 June 2012}}</ref>

A significant number of people in Slovenia speak a variant of [[Serbo-Croatian]] ([[Serbian language|Serbian]], [[Croatian language|Croatian]], [[Bosnian language|Bosnian]], or [[Montenegrin language|Montenegrin]]) as their native language. These are mostly immigrants who moved to Slovenia from other [[former Yugoslav]] republics from the 1960s to the late 1980s, and their descendants. In 2002, 0.4% of the Slovenian population declared themselves to be native speakers of [[Albanian language|Albanian]] and 0.2% native speakers of [[Macedonian language|Macedonian]].<ref name="stat.si"/> [[Czech language|Czech]], the fourth-largest minority language in Slovenia prior to World War II (after German, Hungarian, and Serbo-Croatian), is now the native language of a few hundred residents of Slovenia.<ref name="stat.si"/>

Regarding the knowledge of foreign languages, Slovenia ranks among the top European countries. The most taught foreign languages are English, German, Italian, French and Spanish. {{As of|2007}}, 92% of the population between the age of 25 and 64 spoke at least one foreign language and around 71.8% of them spoke at least two foreign languages, which was the highest percentage in the European Union.<ref>[http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/cache/ITY_PUBLIC/3-24092009-AP/EN/3-24092009-AP-EN.PDF European Day of Languages], Eurostat Newsrelease, 24 September 2009</ref> According to the [[Eurobarometer]] survey, {{as of|2005|lc=on}} the majority of Slovenes could speak [[Croatian language|Croatian]] (61%) and English (56%).<ref name="EurobarLang">{{cite web|url= http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_386_en.pdf |title= Special Eurobarometer 386 Europeans and Their Languages |date= June 2012 |format= PDF |accessdate= 18 October 2013}}</ref>{{rp|21}}

A reported 42% of Slovenes could speak German, which was one of the highest percentages outside German-speaking countries.<ref name="EurobarLang"/> Italian is widely spoken on the [[Slovenian Istria|Slovenian Coast]] and in some other areas of the [[Slovene Littoral]]. Around 15% of Slovenians can speak Italian, which is (according to the Eurobarometer pool) the third-highest percentage in the European Union, after Italy and [[Malta]].<ref>
{{cite web
|url= http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_243_en.pdf 
|title= Eurobarometer pool (2006), page 152 |format= PDF 
|accessdate =2 June 2012
}}
</ref>

===Religion===
{{Main|Religion in Slovenia}}
[[File:Radovljica Brezje Bazilika Sv Vida 28082012 011.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Basilica of the Virgin Mary in [[Brezje, Radovljica|Brezje]], also known as the Slovenian National Shrine, is the most visited [[Catholic]] pilgrimage site in Slovenia]]
[[File:Evangeličanska cerkev, Bodonci.jpg|right|200px|thumb|[[Lutheran]] church in [[Bodonci]] in the Prekmurje region]]

Before World War II, 97% of the population declared itself [[Roman Catholicism in Slovenia|Catholic]] ([[Roman Rite]]), around 2.5% as Lutheran, and around 0.5% of residents identified themselves as members of other denominations.<ref name="stat.si"/>

Catholicism was an important feature of both social and political life in pre-Communist Slovenia. After 1945, the country underwent a process of gradual but steady [[secularization]]. After a decade of persecution of religions, the Communist regime adopted a policy of relative tolerance towards churches. After 1990, the Catholic Church regained some of its former influence, but Slovenia remains a largely secularized society. According to the 2002 census, 57.8% of the population is Catholic. In 1991, 71.6% were self-declared Catholics which means a drop of more than 1% annually.<ref>Source: Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia, Census of Population, Households and Housing, 2002.</ref> The vast majority of Slovenian Catholics belong to the [[Latin Rite]]. A small number of [[Eastern Catholic Churches|Greek Catholics]] live in the [[White Carniola]] region.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lokalno.si/si/aktualno/ljudje/?id=26004|title=Uskoška dediščina Bele krajine na RTVS&#124;Ljudje&#124;Lokalno aktualno|publisher=Lokalno.si|date=6 January 2012|accessdate=2 June 2012}}</ref>

Despite a relatively small number of [[Protestantism|Protestants]] (less than 1% in 2002), the Protestant legacy is historically significant given that the Slovene standard language and Slovene literature were established by the [[Protestant Reformation]] in the 16th century. Today, a significant [[Lutheranism|Lutheran]] minority lives in the easternmost region of [[Prekmurje]], where they represent around a fifth of the population and are headed by a bishop with the seat in [[Murska Sobota]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.evang-cerkev.si/sl/page.asp?id_informacija=35&id_language=1&id_meta_type=10|title=Predstavitev|publisher=Evang-cerkev.si|accessdate=2 June 2012}}</ref>

Besides these two Christian denominations, a small [[History of the Jews in Slovenia|Jewish community]] has also been historically present. Despite the losses suffered during the [[Holocaust]], Judaism still numbers a few hundred adherents, mostly living in Ljubljana, site of the sole remaining active [[synagogue]] in the country.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/vjw/slovenia.html|title=The Virtual Jewish History Tour - Slovenia|publisher=Jewishvirtuallibrary.org|date=4 March 2003|accessdate=2 June 2012}}</ref>

According to the 2002 census, [[Islam]] is the second largest religious denomination with around 2.4% of the population. Most Slovenian Muslims came from [[Bosnia]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.islamska-skupnost.si/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1&Itemid=2 |title=Islamska Skupnost v Republiki Sloveniji |publisher=Islamska-skupnost.si |accessdate=2 June 2012}}</ref> The third largest denomination, with around 2.2% of the population, is [[Orthodox Church|Orthodox Christianity]], with most adherents belonging to the [[Serbian Orthodox Church]] while a minority belongs to the [[Macedonian Orthodox Church|Macedonian]] and other Orthodox churches.{{citation needed|date=August 2015}}

In the 2002, around 10% of Slovenes declared themselves as [[atheists]], another 10% professed no specific denomination, and around 16% decided not to answer the question about their religious affiliation. According to the [[Eurobarometer|Eurobarometer Poll]] 2010,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_341_en.pdf|title=Special Eurobarometer, biotechnology, page 204|date=Fieldwork: Jan-Feb 2010|format=PDF}}</ref> 32% of Slovenian citizens responded that "they believe there is a god", whereas 36% answered that "they believe there is some sort of spirit or life force" and 26% that "they do not believe there is any sort of spirit, god, or life force".{{citation needed|date=August 2015}}

=== Immigration and emigration ===
Around 12% of the inhabitants of Slovenia were born abroad:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rtvslo.si/slovenija/vsak-osmi-prebivalec-slovenije-priseljenec/246585 |title=Vsak osmi prebivalec Slovenije priseljenec :: Prvi interaktivni multimedijski portal, MMC RTV Slovenija |publisher=Rtvslo.si |accessdate=2 June 2012}}</ref>  in 2008, around 100,000 non-EU citizens were living in Slovenia, or around 5% of the overall population of the country.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.racunovodja.com/clanki.asp?clanek=4281 |title=Odgovor na pisno poslansko vprašanje v zvezi z nastanitvijo tujcev v Sloveniji |publisher=Racunovodja.com |accessdate=2 June 2012}}</ref>  The highest number of these foreign-born residents came from [[Bosnia-Herzegovina]], followed by immigrants from [[Serbia]], [[Republic of Macedonia|Macedonia]], [[Croatia]], and [[Kosovo]].

The number of people immigrating into Slovenia risen steadily from 1995<ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite web|url=http://www.stat.si/novica_prikazi.aspx?id=1823 |title=Statistični urad RS – Selitveno gibanje, Slovenija, 2007 |publisher=Stat.si |accessdate=2 June 2012}}</ref> and has been increasing even rapidly in recent years.  After Slovenia joined the EU in 2004, yearly immigrants doubled by 2006 and increased by half again by 2009.<ref>[http://www.stat.si/pxweb/Database/Dem_soc/05_prebivalstvo/20_selitve/01_05563_meddrzavne_selitve/01_05563_meddrzavne_selitve.asp ] {{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> In 2007, Slovenia had one of the fastest growing [[net migration rate]]s in the European Union.<ref name="autogenerated1"/>

As to emigration (leaving their country), between 1880 and 1918 (World War I) many men left Slovenia to work in mining areas in other nations. Especially they chose to settle in the United States. The 1910 US Census showed that there were already "183.431 persons in the USA of Slovenian mother tongue".{{dubious|date=April 2016}} But there may have been many more, because a good number avoided anti-Slavic prejudice and "identified themselves as Austrians".  Favorite localities before 1900 were Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, as well as Omaha, Nebraska, Joliet, Illinois, Cleveland, Ohio, and rural areas of Iowa. After 1910, they settled in Utah (Bingham Copper Mine), Colorado (especially Pueblo), and Butte, Montana. These areas attracted first many single men (who often boarded with Slovenian families). Then after locating work and having sufficient money, the men sent back for their wives and families to join them.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.everyculture.com/multi/Pa-Sp/Slovenian-Americans.html|title=Slovenian Americans - History, Modern era, The first slovenians in america, Settlement|publisher=}}</ref>

== Education ==
{{Main|Education in Slovenia}}

{{Multiple image
|align = right
|direction = vertical
|width = 220
|image1 = Univerza Ljubljana.jpg
|caption1 =
|image2 = UniverzaMaribor.jpg
|caption2 = Universities in Ljubljana and Maribor
}}
Slovenia's education ranks as the 12th best in the world and 4th best in the [[European Union]], being significantly higher than the [[OECD]] average, according to the [[Programme for International Student Assessment]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/42/8/39700724.pdf |format=PDF|title=Table: Range of rank on the PISA 2006 science scale |date=4 December 2007 |accessdate=15 April 2008|work=PISA 2006 |publisher=OECD}}</ref> Among people age 25 to 64, 12% have attended higher education, whilst on average Slovenes have 9.6 years of formal education. According to an OECD report, 83% of adults ages 25–64 have earned the equivalent of a high school degree, well above the OECD average of 74%; among 25- to 34-year-olds, the rate is 93%.<ref>{{cite web|author=OECD |url=http://www.oecdbetterlifeindex.org/countries/slovenia/ |title=Slovenia – OECD Better Life Index |publisher=Oecdbetterlifeindex.org |accessdate=25 November 2012}}</ref> According to the 1991 census there is 99.6% [[literacy]] in Slovenia. [[Lifelong learning]] is also increasing.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

;Primary
Responsibility for education oversight at primary and secondary level in Slovenia lies with the Ministry of Education and Sports. After non-compulsory pre-school education, children enter the nine-year [[primary school]] at the age of six.<ref>[http://www.mss.gov.si/si/solstvo/osnovnosolsko_izobrazevanje/osnovna_sola/ ] {{wayback|url=http://www.mss.gov.si/si/solstvo/osnovnosolsko_izobrazevanje/osnovna_sola/ |date=20120221033345 |df=y }}</ref> Primary school is divided into three periods, each of three years. In the academic year 2006–2007 there were 166,000 pupils enrolled in elementary education and more than 13,225 teachers, giving a ratio of one teacher per 12 pupils and 20 pupils per class.<ref name="ReferenceA">{{cite web|url=http://www.culture.si/en/Slovenia#Education |title=About Slovenia - Culture of Slovenia |publisher=Culture.si |accessdate=2 June 2012}}</ref>

;Secondary
After completing elementary school, nearly all children (more than 98%) go on to secondary education, either vocational, technical or general secondary programmes ([[Gymnasium (school)|gimnazija]]). The latter concludes with [[Matura#Matura in Slovenia|matura]], the final exam that allows the graduates to enter a university. 84% of secondary school graduates go on to tertiary education.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

;Tertiary
Among several universities in Slovenia, the best ranked is the [[University of Ljubljana]], ranking among the first 500 or the first 3% of the world's best universities according to the [[Academic Ranking of World Universities|ARWU]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.shanghairanking.com/ARWU-Statistics-2012.html#2 |title=Statistics (by Country) of Academic Ranking of World Universities &#124; ARWU &#124; First World University Ranking &#124; Shanghai Ranking |publisher=ARWU |accessdate=2 June 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uni-lj.si/en/news.aspx?id=7606 |title=University of Ljubljana once again on Shanghai and Webometrics ranking lists |publisher=Uni-lj.si |accessdate=4 April 2014}}</ref> Two other public universities include the [[University of Maribor]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uni-mb.si/podrocje.aspx?id=0&langID=1060 |title=Univerza v Mariboru |publisher=Uni-mb.si |accessdate=2 June 2012}}</ref> in [[Styria (Slovenia)|Styria]] region and the [[University of Primorska]] in [[Slovene Littoral]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.upr.si/ |title=Univerza na Primorskem: SLO |publisher=Upr.si |accessdate=2 June 2012}}</ref> In addition, there is a private [[University of Nova Gorica]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ung.si/si/ |title=Univerza v Novi Gorici |publisher=Ung.si |accessdate=2 June 2012}}</ref> and an international [[EMUNI University]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.emuni.si/en/strani/29/EMUNI-University.html |title=EMUNI University| accessdate=13 February 2011}}</ref>

== Culture ==
{{Main|Culture of Slovenia}}
[[File:Ivan Grohar - Sejalec.jpg|thumb|''[[The Sower]]'' (1907), produced by the impressionist painter [[Ivan Grohar]], became a [[metaphor]] for the Slovenes<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ng-slo.si/default.asp?id=29&prikaz=opis&p=1 |title=Slovenska moderna |publisher=National Gallery of Slovenia |language=Slovenian |trans_title=Slovene Early Modernism |first=Andrej |last=Smrekar}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.gorenjskiglas.si/novice/gg_plus/index.php?action=clanek&id=22034 |title=Je človek še Sejalec |trans_title=Is a Man Still a Sower |language=Slovenian |first=Miha |last=Naglič |date=6 June 2008 |newspaper=Gorenjski glas}}</ref> and was a reflection of the transition from a rural to an urban culture.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rtvslo.si/odprtikop/pogled-na/ivan-grohar-sejalec/ |title=Pogled na ...: Ivan Grohar, Sejalec |language=Slovenian |trans_title=A Look on...: Ivan Grohar, ''The Sower'' |publisher=RTV Slovenija |date=4 December 2007}}</ref>]]

=== Heritage ===
Slovenia has widespread built heritage, including 2,500 churches, 1,000 castles, ruins, and manor houses, farmhouses, and special structures to dry hay, called [[hayrack]]s ({{lang|sl|''kozolci''}}).

Three [[historic site]]s in Slovenia are on the [[UNESCO World Heritage Site]] list. [[Škocjan Caves]] and its [[karst]] landscape are a protected site. The [[Heritage of Mercury. Almadén and Idrija|Idrija Mercury mining site]] is of world importance, as are the [[Prehistoric pile dwellings around the Alps|prehistoric pile dwellings]] in the [[Ljubljana Marshes]].

The most picturesque church is the medieval and Baroque building on [[Lake Bled#Bled Island|Bled Island]]. The castle above the lake is a museum and restaurant with a view. Near [[Postojna]] there is an interesting fortress called the [[Predjama Castle]], half hidden in a cave.  Museums in Ljubljana and elsewhere feature unique items such as the [[Divje Babe Flute]] and the [[Ljubljana Marshes Wheel|oldest wheel in the world]]. Ljubljana has medieval, Baroque, Art Nouveau, and modern architecture. [[Plečnik]]'s architecture and his innovative paths and bridges along the Ljubljanica are notable.

=== Comedy ===
Comedians historically included the pioneer of Slovene comedy plays Anton Tomaž Linhart and much later [[singer-songwriter]] [[Frane Milčinski]] (1914-1988), the socialist period comedian and journalist [[Tone Fornezzi]], the Italian-style comedians [[Nataša Tič Raljan]] with her [[Mona Liza]] character, [[Gojmir Lešnjak]], and [[Boris Kobal]] with the characters from the legendary [[TV Poper Show]],<ref name="TV_Poper_Show">Golob, Katja (2011)[http://www.siol.net/scena/estrada/svet_slavnih/2011/11/tv_poper__alora_pridem_vec_ksno.aspx TV Poper - Alora pridem več k'sno], Siol.net, 18 November.</ref> and the leading Slovene impersonator [[Sašo Hribar]] with his [[Radio Ga-Ga Show]].

The new generation of comedians include [[stand up comedy|stand up comedians]], such as [[Tin Vodopivec]], who co-founded the [[Punch Festival]], the radio host and impersonator [[Denis Avdić]], and [[The Elephant and a Fruit]] group.<ref name="Slon_in_Sadez_History">[http://www.sloninsadez.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=54&catid=34&Itemid=62 History of the Elephant and a Fruit group] {{wayback|url=http://www.sloninsadez.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=54&catid=34&Itemid=62 |date=20130208095133 |df=y }}</ref>

=== Cuisine ===
{{Main|Slovenian cuisine|Slovenian wine}}
[[File:PrekmurskaGibanica1.JPG|thumb|[[Prekmurska gibanica]] is a typical pastry of the [[Prekmurje]] region.]]
[[File:Velika noč - jedila hren šunka pirhi potica.jpg|left|thumb|150px|Potica as part of traditional Slovenian Easter breakfast]]
Slovenian cuisine is a mixture of the Central European cuisine (especially [[Austrian cuisine|Austrian]] and [[Hungarian cuisine|Hungarian]]), the [[Mediterranean cuisine]] and the [[Balkan cuisine]]. Historically, Slovenian cuisine was divided into town, farmhouse, cottage, castle, parsonage and monastic cuisine. Due to the variety of Slovenian cultural and natural landscapes, there are more than 40 distinct regional cuisines.

[[Ethnology|Ethnologically]] most characteristic Slovene dishes were one-pot dishes, such as ''[[ričet]]'', [[Istrian stew]] ({{lang|sl|''jota''}}), [[minestrone]] ({{lang|sl|''mineštra''}}), and ''[[žganci]]''buckwheat spoonbread; in the [[Prekmurje]] region there is also ''[[bujta repa]]'', and ''[[prekmurska gibanica]]'' pastry. Pršut [[prosciutto]] is known ({{lang|sl|''pršut''}}) in the [[Slovene Littoral]]. The [[nut roll]] ({{lang|sl|''potica''}}) has become a trademark and symbol of Slovenia especially among [[American Slovenes|Slovene diaspora in America]]. [[Soup]]s were added to the traditional one-pot meals and various kinds of porridge and stew only in relatively recent history.

Each year since 2000, the [[Festival of Roasted Potatoes]] is organized by the ''Society for the Recognition of Roasted Potatoes as a Distinct Dish'', attracting thousands of visitors. The roasted potatoes, which have been traditionally served in most Slovenian families only on Sundays—preceded by a meat-based soup, such as beef or chicken soup—have been depicted on a special edition of [[post mark]]s by the [[Post of Slovenia]] on 23 November 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.webcitation.org/6CrAZ4Nqs|title=WebCite query result|publisher=|accessdate=1 March 2015}}</ref> The best known sausage is ''[[kranjska klobasa]]''.

=== Dance ===
;Ballet
[[Pino Mlakar]] and [[Pia Mlakar]] were the most notable ballet dancers and members of the [[Ljubljana Opera and Ballet Company]] from 1946-1960. Pino Mlakar was also a full professor at the [[Academy for Theatre, Radio, Film and Television]] (AGRFT) of the [[University of Ljubljana]].

;Modern dance
In the 1930s in Ljubljana was founded a [[Mary Wigman]] [[modern dance]] school by her student [[Meta Vidmar]].

;Folk Dance
Numerous folk dances along with colorful costumes distinguishing between single and married women are found throughout Slovenia. Pueblo, Colorado, home to numerous Slovenian families who emigrated around 1900, has an annual Slovenian Folklore festival.

=== Festivals, book fairs, and other events ===
A number of music, theater, film, book, and children's festivals take place in Slovenia each year, including the music festivals [[Ljubljana Summer Festival]] and [[Lent Festival]], the stand up comedy [[Punch Festival]], the children's [[Pippi Longstocking Festival]], and the book festivals [[Slovene book fair]] and [[Frankfurt after the Frankfurt]].

In 2012, Maribor was the [[European Capital of Culture]].

The most notable music festival of Slovene music was historically the [[Slovenska popevka]] festival. Between 1981 and 2000 the [[Novi Rock]] festival was notable for bringing rock music across [[Iron curtain]] from the West to the Slovenian and then Yugoslav audience. In [[Titoism|Titoist]] Yugoslavia, [[Jazz festival Ljubljana]] right after the World War II begun the long tradition of Jazz festivals in Slovenia.<ref>[http://en.ljubljanajazz.si/home/ Ljubljana Jazz Festival], an official site (in English)</ref>

=== Film ===
;Film actors
Slovene film actors and actresses historically include [[Ida Kravanja]], who played her roles as ''Ita Rina'' in the early European films, and [[Metka Bučar]].<ref>[http://www.muzejdivaca.si/o_muzeju/zgodovina/ Museum of Slovene Film Actors], [[Divača]], official website.</ref> After the WW II, one of the most notable film actors was [[Polde Bibič]], who played a number of roles in many films that were well received in Slovenia, including ''[[Don't Cry, Peter]]'' (1964), ''[[On Wings of Paper]]'' (1968), ''[[Kekec's Tricks]]'' (1968), ''[[Flowers in Autumn]]'' (1973), ''[[The Widowhood of Karolina Žašler]]'' (1976), ''[[Dediščina|Heritage]]'' (1986), ''[[Primož Trubar (film)|Primož Trubar]]'' (1985), and ''[[My Dad, The Socialist Kulak]]'' (1987). Many of these were directed by [[Matjaž Klopčič]]. He also performed in television and radio drama.<ref name="Bibic_in_memoriam">{{cite news |url=http://www.rtvslo.si/kultura/oder/umrl-je-polde-bibic-starosta-slovenskega-igralskega-ceha/287328 |title=Umrl je Polde Bibič, starosta slovenskega igralskega ceha  |language=Slovenian|date=13 July 2012 |newspaper=Prvi interaktivni multimedijski portal, MMC RTV Slovenija}}</ref> Altogether, Bibič played over 150 theatre and over 30 film roles.<ref name="Bibic_in_memoriam"/>

;Film directors
[[Feature film]] and [[short film]] production in Slovenia historically includes [[Karol Grossmann]], [[František Čap]], [[France Štiglic]], [[Igor Pretnar]], [[Jože Pogačnik]], [[Peter Zobec]], [[Matjaž Klopčič]], [[Boštjan Hladnik]], [[Dušan Jovanović (theatre director)|Dušan Jovanović]], [[Vitan Mal]], [[Franci Slak]], and [[Karpo Godina]] as its most established filmmakers. Contemporary film directors [[Filip Robar - Dorin]], [[Jan Cvitkovič]], [[Damjan Kozole]], [[Janez Lapajne]], [[Marko Okorn]], and [[Marko Naberšnik]] are among the representatives of the so-called "Renaissance of Slovenian cinema". Slovene screenwriters, who are not film directors, include [[Saša Vuga]] and [[Miha Mazzini]]. Women film directors include [[Polona Sepe]], [[Hanna A. W. Slak]], and [[Maja Weiss]].<ref>Furlan, S. (1994) ''Filmografija slovenskih celovečernih filmov: 1931 - 1993''. Slovenski gledališki in filmski muzej. Ljubljana.</ref>

;Documentaries
Most notable documentaries made by Slovenian directors include the humanitarian films by [[Tomo Križnar]] on the Nuba people.

;Film criticism
Slovene film critics include [[Silvan Furlan]], the founder of the ''[[Slovenian Cinematheque]]'',<ref>[http://www.filmarchives-online.eu/partners/slovenian-cinematheque filmarchives-online.eu] on Slovenian Cinematheque</ref> [[Zdenko Vrdlovec]], [[Marcel Štefančič Jr.]], and [[Simon Popek]].

=== Literature ===
;Authors
Today internationally most notable authors include [[Boris Pahor]], a German Nazi concentration camps survivor, who opposed [[Italian Fascism]] and [[Titoism|Titoist]] Communism, as well.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rtvslo.si/kultura/drugo/boris-pahor-je-ime-leta-po-izboru-vala-202/157607 |title=Boris Pahor je ime leta po izboru Vala 202 :: Prvi interaktivni multimedijski portal, MMC RTV Slovenija |publisher=Rtvslo.si |accessdate=9 March 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mladinska.com/boris_pahor/iz_medijev |title=Mladinska knjiga - Iz medijev |publisher=Mladinska.com |date=26 August 2009 |accessdate=9 March 2012}}</ref>

;Literary history
{{Multiple image
 | align     = right
 | direction = vertical
 | width     = 
 | image1    = Prešern-Goldenstein.jpg
 | width1    = 130
 | alt1      = [[France Prešeren]], most known Slovenian poet
 | caption1  = [[France Prešeren]], most known Slovenian poet
 | image2    = Prečrtana kitica Zdravljice.jpg
 | width2    = 130
 | alt2      = Zdravljica
 | caption2  = "[[Zdravljica]]" (''A Toast''; part) with refusion mark from [[Austrian Empire|Austrian]] censorship (due to potential revolutionary content; Zdravljica in music is now Slovenian [[anthem]].
}}
History of [[Slovene literature]] began in the 16th century with [[Primož Trubar]] and [[Protestant Reformation in the Slovene Lands|other Protestant Reformers]]. Poetry in the [[Slovene language]] achieved its highest level with the [[Romantic poetry|Romantic]] poet [[France Prešeren]] (1800–1849). In the 20th century, the Slovene literary fiction went through several periods: the beginning of the century was marked by the authors of the [[Slovene Modernism]], with the most influential Slovene writer and playwright, [[Ivan Cankar]]; it was then followed by [[expressionism]] ([[Srečko Kosovel]]), avantgardism ([[Anton Podbevšek]], [[Ferdo Delak]]) and [[social realism]] ([[Ciril Kosmač]], [[Prežihov Voranc]]) before World War II, the [[poetry of resistance and revolution]] ([[Karel Destovnik Kajuh]], [[Matej Bor]]) during the war, and [[intimism (Slovene poetry)|intimism]] ([[Poems of the Four]], 1953), [[Slovenian post-war modernism|post-war modernism]] ([[Edvard Kocbek]]), and [[existentialism]] ([[Dane Zajc]]) after the war.

[[Postmodernism|Postmodernist]] authors include [[Boris A. Novak]], [[Marko Kravos]], [[Drago Jančar]], [[Evald Flisar]], [[Tomaž Šalamun]], and [[Brina Svit]]. Among the post-1990 authors best known are [[Aleš Debeljak]], [[Miha Mazzini]], and [[Alojz Ihan]]. There are several [[literary magazines]] that publish Slovene prose, poetry, essays, and local literary criticism.

;Book reviews
In the [[Bukla Magazine]], issued free of charge, both fiction and non-fiction Slovene books published in the previous month are reviewed since 2005.

=== Music ===
{{main|Music of Slovenia}}
The [[Slovenian Philharmonics]], established in 1701 as part of [[Academia operosorum Labacensis]], is among the oldest such institutions in Europe. [[Music of Slovenia]] historically includes numerous musicians and composers, such as the [[Renaissance]] composer [[Jacobus Gallus]] (1550–1591), who greatly influenced Central European classical music, the Baroque composer [[Janez Krstnik Dolar]] (ca. 1620–1673), and the violin virtuoso [[Giuseppe Tartini]].

During the medieval era, secular music was as popular as church music, including wandering [[minnesinger]]s. By the time of [[Protestant Reformation]] in the 16th century, music was used to proselytize. The first Slovenian hymnal, ''[[Eni Psalmi]]'', was published in 1567. This period saw the rise of musicians like [[Jacobus Gallus]] and [[Jurij Slatkonja]].<ref>Oto Luthar ''The land between: a history of Slovenia''</ref>

In 1701, [[Johann Berthold von Höffer]] (1667–1718), a nobleman and amateur composer from Ljubljana, founded the [[Slovenian Philharmonics|Academia Philharmonicorum Labacensis]], as one of the oldest such institutions in Europe, based on Italian models.<ref>George J. Buelow (2004) ''A History of Baroque Music'', p. 701.</ref>

Composers of Slovenian [[Lieder]] and [[art song]]s include [[Emil Adamič]] (1877–1936), [[Fran Gerbič]] (1840–1917), [[Alojz Geržinič]] (1915–2008), [[Benjamin Ipavec]] (1829–1908), [[Davorin Jenko]] (1835–1914), [[Anton Lajovic]] (1878–1960), [[Kamilo Mašek]] (1831–1859), [[Josip Pavčič]] (1870–1949), [[Zorko Prelovec]] (1887–1939), and [[Lucijan Marija Škerjanc]] (1900–1973).

In the early 20th century, [[impressionism]] was spreading across Slovenia, which soon produced composers [[Marij Kogoj]] and [[Slavko Osterc]]. Avant-garde [[european classical music|classical music]] arose in Slovenia in the 1960s, largely due to the work of [[Uroš Krek]], [[Dane Skerl|Dane Škerl]], [[Primoz Ramovs|Primož Ramovš]] and [[Ivo Petric|Ivo Petrić]], who also conducted the [[Slavko Osterc Ensemble]]. [[Jakob Jez|Jakob Jež]], [[Darijan Božič]], [[Lojze Lebic|Lojze Lebič]] and [[Vinko Globokar]] have since composed enduring works, especially Globokar's ''[[L'Armonia (opera)|L'Armonia]]'', an opera.

Modern composers include [[Uros Rojko|Uroš Rojko]], [[Tomaz Svete|Tomaž Svete]], [[Brina Jez-Brezavscek|Brina Jež-Brezavšček]], [[Božidar Kantušer]] and [[Aldo Kumar]]. Kumar's ''Sonata z igro 12'' (''A sonata with a play 12''), a set of variations on a rising [[chromatic scale]], is particularly notable.

The [[Slovene National Opera and Ballet Theatre]] serves as the national opera and ballet house.

The composer of [[film score]]s for 170 films was [[Bojan Adamič]] (1912–1995).<ref name="DSS2005">{{cite book |url=http://www.dss.si/skladateljske-sledi.pdf |title=Skladateljske sledi po letu 1900 |trans_title=Composers' Traces After 1900 |language=Slovenian, English|publisher=Society of Slovene Composers |edition=2nd |year=2005 |first=Črt |last=Sojar Voglar |isbn=961-91080-2-7 |pages=6–7}}</ref>

;Traditional folk music
[[Harmony|Harmony singing]] is a deep rooted tradition in Slovenia, and is at least three-part singing (four voices), while in some regions even up to eight-part singing (nine voices). Slovenian folk songs, thus, usually resounds soft and harmonious, and are very seldom in minor. Traditional Slovenian folk music is performed on Styrian harmonica (the oldest type of accordion), fiddle, clarinet, [[zither]]s, flute, and by brass bands of alpine type. In [[Prekmurje|eastern Slovenia]], fiddle and cimbalon bands are called [[velike goslarije]].

;Modern folk (Slovenian country) music
[[File:Slak lojze.jpg|thumbnail|right|Folk musician [[Lojze Slak]]]]
From 1952 on, the [[Slavko Avsenik]]'s band began to appear in broadcasts, movies, and concerts all over the [[West Germany]], inventing the original "[[Gorenjska|Oberkrainer]]" country sound that has become the primary vehicle of ethnic musical expression not only in Slovenia, but also in Germany, [[Austria]], [[Switzerland]], and in the [[Benelux]], spawning hundreds of [[Alps|Alpine]] orchestras in the process. The band produced nearly 1000 original compositions, an integral part of the [[Slovenian-style polka]] legacy. Many musicians followed Avsenik's steps, one of the most famous being [[Lojze Slak]].

;Slovenska popevka
A similarly high standing in Slovene culture, like the [[Sanremo Music Festival]] has had in Italian culture, was attributed to the [[Slovenska popevka]], a specific genre of popular Slovene music.<ref>[http://www.delo.si/kultura/glasba/slovenska-popevka-velik-poudarek-na-pevcih-in-skladateljih-pesniki-bolj-v-oklepaju.html Slovenska popevka: velik poudarek na pevcih in skladateljih, pesniki bolj v oklepaju. Enkrat še zapoj: 50 let Slovenske popevke Vladimirja Frantarja pri celjski Mohorjevi družbi.], [[Delo]], 5. September 2012.</ref>

;Popular music 
Among pop, rock, industrial, and indie musicians the most popular in Slovenia include [[Laibach (band)|Laibach]], an early 1980s [[industrial music]] group.
[[File:LAIBACH Press Photo 2011.jpg|thumb|The [[Industrial music|industrial]] group [[Laibach (band)|Laibach]]]]

With more than 15 million views for the official [[a capella]] "[[Africa (Toto song)|Africa]]" performance video since its publishing on [[YouTube]] in May 2009 until September 2013<ref name="youtube_africa">{{YouTube|yjbpwlqp5Qw|Perpetuum Jazzile: Africa}}. Accessed on 9 September 2013.</ref> that earned them kudos from the song's co-writer, [[David Paich]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.perpetuumjazzile.si/en/|title=Perpetuum Jazzile Official Web Site |date=7 July 2009 |accessdate=17 July 2009}}</ref> [[Perpetuum Jazzile]] is the group from Slovenia that is internationally most listened online. Other Slovenian bands include a historically [[progressive rock]] ones that were also popular in [[Titoist|Titoism]] Yugoslavia, such as [[Buldožer]] and [[Lačni Franz]], which inspired later [[comedy rock]] bands including [[Zmelkoow]], [[Slon in Sadež]] and [[Mi2 (rock band)|Mi2]].<ref>[http://www.delo.si/kultura/15-let-mi2.html 15 years of Mi2 band], [[Delo]], 26 October 2010</ref> With exception of [[Terrafolk]] that made appearances worldwide, other bands, such as [[Zaklonišče Prepeva]], [[Šank Rock]], [[Big Foot Mama]], [[Dan D]], and [[Zablujena generacija]], are mostly unknown outside the country. Slovenian metal bands include [[Negligence (band)|Negligence]] ([[thrash metal]]), [[Naio Ssaion]] ([[Gothic metal]]), and [[Devil Doll (band)|Devil Doll]] ([[experimental rock]]).
[[File:2009 Lent Festival - Vlado Kreslin (4).jpg|thumb|The [[folk rock]] [[singer-songwriter]] [[Vlado Kreslin]] during a concert at the [[Lent Festival]] in [[Maribor]], 2009]]
;Singer-songwriters
Slovenian post-WWII [[singer-songwriter]]s include [[Frane Milčinski]] (1914-1988), [[Tomaž Pengov]] whose 1973 album ''Odpotovanja'' is considered to be the first [[singer-songwriter]] album in [[former Yugoslavia]],<ref>[http://www.mladina.si/tednik/200709/clanek/kul--glasba-miha_stamcar_deja_crnovic Pripotovanje hrepenenca — Tomaž Pengov, kantavtor], [[Mladina]], 3 March 2007</ref> [[Tomaž Domicelj]], [[Marko Brecelj]], [[Andrej Šifrer]], [[Eva Sršen]], [[Neca Falk]], and [[Jani Kovačič]]. After 1990, [[Adi Smolar]], [[Iztok Mlakar]], [[Vita Mavrič]], [[Vlado Kreslin]], [[Zoran Predin]], [[Peter Lovšin]], and [[Magnifico (musician)|Magnifico]] have been popular in Slovenia, as well.

;World music
The 1970s [[Bratko Bibič]]'s band [[Begnagrad]] is considered one of the direct influences on modern [[world music]]. Bibič's unique [[accordion]] style, often solo, with no accompaniment, has also made him a solo star.

;Punk rock
Slovenia was the center for [[punk rock]] in the [[Titoism|Titoist]] Yugoslavia. The most famous representatives of this genre were [[Pankrti]], [[Niet]], [[Lublanski Psi]], [[Čao Pičke]], [[Via Ofenziva]], [[Tožibabe]], and [[Otroci Socializma]].

;Techno and tech-house
Slovenia has also produced two renowned DJs: [[DJ Umek]] and [[Valentino Kanzyani]]. Specialising in a frantic brand of party techno and tech-house, the pair co-founded the label [[Recycled Loops]] as well as having releases on labels such as Novamute, Primate, Intec and Bassethound Records.

=== Theatre ===
In addition to the main houses, which include [[Slovene National Theatre, Ljubljana]] and [[Maribor National Drama Theatre]], a number of small producers are active in Slovenia, including [[physical theatre]] (e.g. [[Betontanc]]), [[street theatre]] (e.g. [[Ana Monró Theatre]]), [[theatresports]] championship [[Impro League]], and [[improvisational theatre]] (e.g. [[IGLU Theatre]]). A popular form is [[puppetry]], mainly performed in the [[Ljubljana Puppet Theatre]]. Theater has a rich tradition in Slovenia, starting with the 1867 first ever Slovene-language drama performance.

=== Visual arts, architecture and design ===
Slovenia's [[visual arts]], architecture, and design are shaped by a number of architects, designers, painters, sculptors, photographers, graphics artists, as well as comics, illustration and conceptual artists. The most prestigious institutions exhibiting works of Slovene visual artists are the [[National Gallery of Slovenia]] and the [[Museum of Modern Art, Ljubljana|Museum of Modern Art]].

;Architecture 
[[Modern architecture]] in Slovenia was introduced by [[Max Fabiani]], and in the mid-war period, [[Jože Plečnik]] and [[Ivan Vurnik]].<ref name="Štravs2011">{{cite news |url=http://www.delo.si/clanek/147475 |title=Vurnikova hiša na Miklošičevi: najlepša hiša v Ljubljani |language=Slovenian |trans_title=Vurnik House at Miklošič Street: The Most Beautiful House in Ljubljana |newspaper=Delo.si |first=Smilja |last=Štravs |publisher=Delo, d. d. |date=8 April 2011 |issn=1854-6544}}</ref> In the second half of the 20th century, the national and universal style were merged by the architects [[Edvard Ravnikar]] and first generation of his students: Milan Mihelič, Stanko Kristl, Savin Sever. Next generation is mainly still active  [[Marko Mušič]], [[Vojteh Ravnikar]], [[Jurij Kobe]] and groups of younger architects.

;Comics and animation 
[[Milko Bambič]] is known for the first [[Slovenes|Slovene]] [[comic strip]] ''[[Little Negro Bu-ci-bu]]'',<ref name="WIA2001-10-08">{{cite news |url=http://www.wieninternational.at/en/content/slovenia%E2%80%99s-comic-scene-looks-backward-time-en |title=Slovenia's comic scene looks backward in time... |date=8 October 2011  |newspaper=Wieninternational.at |publisher=Compress VerlagsgesmbH & Co KG |location=Vienna}}</ref> an allegory of [[Benito Mussolini|Mussolini]]'s career,<ref name="WIA2001-10-08"/> and as the creator of the ''Three Hearts'' ({{lang|sl|''Tri srca''}}) brand, still used today by [[Radenska]].
After the WW II, both the comics and animated advertisements drawn by [[Miki Muster]] gained popularity in Slovenia.

The first Slovenian [[animation|animated]] [[feature film]] was the 1998 ''[[Socialization of a Bull]]'', made by [[Zvonko Čoh]] and [[Milan Erič]] who together drew fifty thousand frames during the ten years of its making. The first entirely [[computer made animation]]s are the 2003 ''[[Perkmandeljc]]'' and the 2008 ''[[Čikorja an' kafe]]'', both made by [[Dušan Kastelic]].

;Conceptual art 
A number of [[conceptual art|conceptual visual art]] groups formed, including [[OHO (art group)|OHO]], [[Group 69]], and [[IRWIN]]. Nowadays, the Slovene visual arts are diverse, based on tradition, reflect the influence of neighboring nations and are intertwinned with modern European movements.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nlb.si/razstava-uznlb-v-bruslju |title=Razstava UZNLB v Bruslju - NLB |publisher=Nlb.si |accessdate=2 June 2012}}</ref>

;Design 
Internationally most notable Slovenian design items include the 1952 [[Rex (chair)|Rex]] chair, a [[Scandinavian design]]-inspired wooden chair, by [[interior design]]er [[Niko Kralj]] that was given in 2012 a permanent place in [[Designmuseum]], [[Denmark]], the largest museum of design in Scandinavia, and is included in the collection of the [[Museum of Modern Art, New York|Museum of Modern Art]] [[MOMA]] in [[New York City|New York]], as well.

An [[industrial design]] item that has changed the international ski industry is [[Elan SCX]] by [[Elan (company)|Elan]] company. Even before the Elan SCX, Elan skis were depicted in two films, the 1985 [[James Bond]] film series part [[A View to a Kill]] with Roger Moore, and [[Working Girl]] where ''Katharine Parker'' ([[Sigourney Weaver]]) was depicted as skiing on the ''RC ELAN'' model skis and poles.

;Sculpture 
[[File:The first Slovene national monument (created in 1889 by Alojz Gangl).jpg|thumb|150px|vertical|The sculpture of the poet [[Valentin Vodnik]] (1758-1819) was created by Alojz Gangl in 1889 as part of [[Vodnik Monument]], the first Slovene national monument.]]
The renewal of Slovene sculpture begun with [[Alojz Gangl]] (1859–1935) who created sculptures for the public monuments of the [[Carniola]]n polymath [[Johann Weikhard von Valvasor]] and [[Valentin Vodnik]], the first Slovene poet and journalist, as well as ''The Genius of the Theatre'' and other statues for the [[Slovenian National Opera and Ballet Theatre]] building.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ng-slo.si/default.asp?id=30&prikaz=opis&p=1|title=Kiparstvo 19. in 20. stoletja|publisher=|accessdate=1 March 2015}}</ref> The development of sculpture after World War II was led by a number of artists, including brothers [[Boris Kalin|Boris]] and [[Zdenko Kalin]], [[Jakob Savinšek]] stayed with figural art. Younger sculptors, for example [[Janez Boljka]], [[Drago Tršar]] and particularly [[Slavko Tihec]], moved towards [[abstract sculpture|abstract]] forms. [[Jakov Brdar]] and [[Mirsad Begić]] returned to human figures.

;Graphics 
During World War II, numerous graphics were created by [[Božidar Jakac]], who helped establish the post-war [[Academy of Visual Arts and Design, Ljubljana|Academy of Visual Arts]] in Ljubljana.

[[File:Hinko Smrekar - Ilustracija za knjigo Martin Krpan.jpg|thumb|left|[[Hinko Smrekar|Smrekar]]'s illustration of ''[[Martin Krpan]]'']]
In 1917 [[Hinko Smrekar]] illustrated [[Fran Levstik]]'s book about the famous Slovene folk hero, [[Martin Krpan]]. The [[Children's literature|children's books]] illustrators include a number of women illustrators, such as [[Marlenka Stupica]], [[Marija Lucija Stupica]], [[Ančka Gošnik Godec]], [[Marjanca Jemec Božič]], and [[Jelka Reichman]].

Many generations of children have been educated by the technical and science illustrations created by [[Božo Kos]] and published in Slovenian children's magazines, such as [[Ciciban]].

Recently, [[Lila Prap]]'s illustrations gained popularity in Japan where children's' cartoons based on her illustrations have been televised.

;Painting
Historically, [[painting]] and [[sculpture]] in Slovenia was in the late 18th and the 19th century marked by [[Neoclassicism]] ([[Matevž Langus]]), [[Biedermeier#Visual arts|Biedermeier]] ([[Giuseppe Tominz]]) and [[Romantic visual arts|Romanticism]] ([[Mihael Stroj]]). The first art exhibition in Slovenia was organized in the late 19th century by [[Ivana Kobilica]], a woman-painter who worked in [[Naturalism (visual art)|realistic]] tradition. [[impressionism (arts)|Impressionist]] artists include [[Matej Sternen]], [[Matija Jama]], [[Rihard Jakopič]], [[Ivan Grohar]] whose ''The Sower'' (Slovene: Sejalec) was depicted on the €0.05 [[Slovenian euro coins]], and [[Franc Berneker]], who introduced the impressionism to Slovenia. [[Expressionism|Espressionist]] painters include [[Veno Pilon]] and [[Tone Kralj]] whose picture book, reprinted thirteen times, is now the most recognisable image of the folk hero [[Martin Krpan]].<ref>[http://www.posta.si/Namizje.aspx?tabid=397&artikelid=7550 ] {{wayback|url=http://www.posta.si/Namizje.aspx?tabid=397&artikelid=7550 |date=20040723081925 |df=y }}</ref>
Some of the best known painters in the second half of the 20th century were [[Zoran Mušič]], [[Gabrijel Stupica]] and [[Marij Pregelj]].

;Photography
In 1841, [[Janez Puhar]] (1814–1864) invented a process for photography on glass, recognized on 17 June 1852 in Paris by the Académie Nationale Agricole, Manufacturière et Commerciale.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.puhar.si/?J=202000004 | title=Life and work of Janez Puhar &#124; (accessed December 13, 2009)}}</ref> [[Gojmir Anton Kos]] was a notable [[Realism (arts)|realist]] painter and photographer between First World War and WW II.

The first photographer from Slovenia whose work was published by [[National Geographic (magazine)|National Geographic]] magazine is [[Arne Hodalič]].<ref>[http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2007/01/slovenia-river-excavation/kaufmann-text Slovenia River Excavation], [[National Geographic Society|National Geographic]], January 2007.</ref>

=== Sports ===
{{Main|Sport in Slovenia}}
[[File:Tina Maze with Olympic silver medal 2010.jpg|thumb|upright|Alpine skier [[Tina Maze]], a double Olympic gold medalist and the overall winner of the 2012–13 World Cup season]]
Slovenia is a natural sports venue, with many Slovenians actively practicing sports.<ref name="SportSLO.SI">{{cite web |url=http://www.slovenia.si/en/slovenia/society/sport/ |title=Sport |work=Slovenia.si |series=I Feel Slovenia |year=2010 |publisher=Government Communication Office, Republic of Slovenia |accessdate=9 March 2012}}</ref> A variety of sports are played in Slovenia on a professional level,<ref name="medjugorac4">{{cite book |url=http://www.ukom.gov.si/fileadmin/ukom.gov.si/pageuploads/dokumenti/Publikacije/SLOVENIA_SportsAndChampions_OI.pdf |chapter=Sports: The Competitive Gene |title=Sports&Champions: Magical Challenges, Inspiring Winners |pages=4–5 |publisher=Government Communication Office, Republic of Slovenia |date=November 2009 |first=Igor |last=Medjugorac |series=I Feel Slovenia |id={{COBISS|ID=7023646}}}}</ref> with top international successes in [[team handball|handball]], [[basketball]], [[volleyball]], [[association football]], [[ice hockey]], [[rowing (sport)|rowing]], [[swimming (sport)|swimming]], [[tennis]], [[boxing]] and [[athletics (sport)|athletics]]. Prior to World War II, [[gymnastics]] and [[fencing]] used to be the most popular sports in Slovenia, with champions like [[Leon Štukelj]] and [[Miroslav Cerar]] gaining Olympic medals for Slovenia. Association football gained popularity in the interwar period. After 1945, basketball, handball and volleyball have become popular among Slovenians, and from the mid-1970s onward, [[winter sports]] have, as well. Since 1992, Slovenian sportspeople have won [[Slovenia at the Olympics|22 Olympic medals]], including three gold medals, and [[Slovenia at the Paralympics|19 Paralympic medals]], also with three golds.

Individual sports are also very popular in Slovenia, including tennis and [[mountaineering]], which are two of the most widespread sporting activities in Slovenia. Several Slovenian [[extreme sport|extreme]] and [[endurance sports]]men have gained an international reputation, including the mountaineer [[Tomaž Humar]], the mountain skier [[Davo Karničar]], the ultramaraton swimmer [[Martin Strel]] and the ultracyclist [[Jure Robič]].  Past and current winter sports Slovenian champions include [[Alpine skiing|Alpine skiers]], such as [[Mateja Svet]], [[Bojan Križaj]], and 2014 Olympic Alpine Downhill gold medalist [[Tina Maze]], the [[cross-country skiing|cross-country skier]] [[Petra Majdič]], and [[Ski jumping|ski jumpers]], such as [[Primož Peterka]] and  [[Peter Prevc]].  Boxing has gained popularity since [[Dejan Zavec]] won the [[International Boxing Federation|IBF]] [[List of welterweight boxing champions|Welterweight World Champion]] title in 2009.

The most successful football club in Slovenia is [[NK Maribor]] which reached the [[UEFA Champions League]] two times and [[UEFA Europa League]] three times. Since the major international success of the [[Slovenia national football team|national football team]], qualifying for two [[FIFA World Cup]]s and one [[UEFA European Football Championship]], association football has become increasingly popular, as well. Slovenian past and current football stars include [[Branko Oblak]], [[Zlatko Zahovič]], [[Samir Handanović]], [[Jan Oblak]] and [[Kevin Kampl]]. The [[Slovenian national basketball team|national basketball team]] has qualified for 12 [[Eurobasket]]s, including a 4th-place finish in 2009, and three [[FIBA World Championship]] appearances. Notable Slovenian basketball players include [[Goran Dragić]], [[Jure Zdovc]], [[Peter Vilfan]], [[Ivo Daneu]] and [[Boris Kristančič]].<ref name="Boris Kristančič">{{cite web |url=http://www.dnevnik.si/ljudje/boris-kristancic |title=Boris Kristancic |work=dnevnik.si |series=dnevnik.si |year=2013 |publisher=dnevnik.si |accessdate=11 November 2013}}</ref> Slovenia was the host of [[FIBA EuroBasket 2013|European basketball championship in 2013]], having previously hosted the final round of [[1970 FIBA World Championship]]. The [[Slovenia men's national ice hockey team|national ice hockey team]] has qualified for eight [[Ice Hockey World Championships]]. [[Anže Kopitar]] is the most notable Slovene ice hockey player, and is one of the best players in the world, having helped the [[Los Angeles Kings]] to the [[Stanley Cup]] Championship in 2012 and 2014. The national team qualified for the [[2014 Winter Olympics]] in [[Sochi]], the first time it has qualified for the Olympics in its history. [[Slovenia national handball team|Slovenian national handball team]] has qualified for eight IHF [[IHF World Men's Handball Championship|World Men's Handball Championships]], including their fourth place in 2013 and for 10 [[European Men's Handball Championship]]s. They were hosts of that championships in 2004, when they finish as runners-up. Slovenia's most prominent handball team, [[RK Celje]], won the [[EHF Champions League]] in 2003-04.

== See also ==
* [[Outline of Slovenia]]
* {{Books-inline|Slovenia}}

== Notes ==
{{Reflist|group=Note}}

== References ==
{{reflist|30em}}

== Further reading ==
* Stanić, Stane, ''Slovenia'' (London, Flint River Press, 1994).
* Oto Luthar (ed), ''The Land Between: A history of Slovenia.  With contributions by Oto Luthar, Igor Grdina, Marjeta Šašel Kos, Petra Svoljšak, Peter Kos, Dušan Kos, Peter Štih, Alja Brglez and Martin Pogačar'' (Frankfurt am Main etc., Peter Lang, 2008).

== External links ==
{{Sister project links|Slovenia|voy=Slovenia|b = no|v = no}}
*[http://ucblibraries.colorado.edu/govpubs/for/slovenia.htm Slovenia] from ''UCB Libraries GovPubs''
*{{dmoz|Regional/Europe/Slovenia}}
*{{wikiatlas|Slovenia}}
*[http://www.ukom.gov.si/en/promotion_of_slovenia/publications/facts_about_slovenia/ "Facts About Slovenia"], publication from the Slovenian Government Communication Office. pdf. In English, Spanish, French, German and Russian.
*[http://www.mojaslovenija.si/ Slovenia – Landmarks]. Virtual reality panoramas of various spots in the country.
*[http://zgs.zrc-sazu.si/Publications/Sloveniaageographicaloverview/tabid/470/language/en-US/Default.aspx Slovenia: a geographical overview]. Association of the Geographical Societies of Slovenia.

;Government 
*[http://www.slovenia.si/ Slovenia.si] The main national access point to information about Slovenia.
*[http://www.gov.si/ The Republic of Slovenia]. Official institutions.
*[http://www.stat.si/eng/ Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia]
*[http://www.meteo.si/met/en/ National Meteorological Service of Slovenia]

;Travel 
*[http://www.slovenia.info/ The Slovenian Tourist portal]. Slovenian Tourist Board.
*{{osmrelation-inline|218657}}

;News
*[http://www.sta.si/en/index.php?s=a Slovenian Press Agency]. News in English.

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