Slovakia was a part of the former Czechoslovakia which was under Soviet rule until 1989. Slovakia itself became independent in 1993 when the Slovaks separated from the Czechs and the dissolution of Czechoslovakia took place. Slovakia became a member of the EU on 1 May 2004. Slovakia is a central European jewel that is still quite untouched by the hype of their more popular neighbors, making it a travel destination to experience tranquility.

BACKGROUND
Slovakia has a total population of 5,439,448 inhabitants. The ethnic make up of Slovakia consists of Slovak – 85.8%, Hungarian – 9.7%, Roma – 1.7%, Ukrainian – 1%, other and unspecified – 1.8%. Slovakia has many churches and the most followed religion is Christianity with the Roman Catholics being in the majority.

The religious composition of Slovakia is as follows: Roman Catholic – 68.9%, Protestant – 10.8%, Greek Catholic – 4.1%, other and unspecified – 3.2%, none – 13%. The official language in Slovakia is Slovak. Widely spoken also is Hungarian, and other spoken languages are Roma and Ukranian.

GEOGRAPHY
Slovakia is 48, 845 sq km in total size. Slovakia has five land borders and is a landlocked countries. Neighboring countries are Austria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Ukraine. Slovak climate is quite moderate with cool summers and winters are cold, cloudy and humid.

Slovakia’s terrain is made up of rugged mountains in the central and northern parts of the country and the southern part is made up of lowlands. Agricultural crops of Slovakia include wheat, rye, corn, potatoes, sugar beets and the poultry includes cattle, pigs, poultry, sheep and goats. Slovakia falls within the GMT+0100 time zone.