Slovakia

{| border=1 align=right cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width=300 style="margin: 0 0 1em 1em; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaaaaa solid; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 95%;" |+Slovensk� republika |- | style=background:#efefef; align=center colspan=2 | {| border=0 cellpadding=2 cellspacing=0 | align=center width=140px | | align=center width=140px rowspan=2 height=140px | |- | align=center width=140px | (Flag of Slovakia) |} |- | align=center colspan=2 | ''National motto: None'' |- | align=center colspan=2 | |- | Official language | Slovak language |- | Capital | Bratislava |- | President of Slovakia | Ivan Gasparovic |- | Prime Minister of Slovakia | Mikulas Dzurinda |- | Area
- Total
- % water | List of countries by area
1 E10 m�
Negligible |- | Population
- Total (2004)
- Population density | List of countries by population
5,379,455
109/km� |- |Independence |January 1, 1993 (division of Czechoslovakia) |- | Currency | Slovak koruna |- | Time zone
- in European Summer Time | Central European Time (Coordinated Universal Time+1)
Central European Summer Time (Coordinated Universal Time+2) |- | National anthem | ''Nad Tatrou sa bl�ska'' |- | Top-level domain | .sk |- | List of country calling codes | 421 |} Slovakia (Slovak language: ''Slovensko'') is a landlocked republic in Central Europe. It borders the Czech Republic in the northwest, Poland in the north, Ukraine in the east, Hungary in the south, and Austria in the southwest. ==Name== Slovakia is officially also called the Slovak Republic (in Slovak: ''Slovensk� republika''). The short form is linguistically and historically as correct as the long one, just like with French Republic vs. France, Republic of Slovenia vs. Slovenia etc. The recent practice, especially in economic texts, of using the name ''Slovak Republic'' instead of ''Slovakia'', when the terms Hungary, Slovenia etc. are used in the same text, is therefore wrong. This wrong usage arose in analogy to the use of the term Czech Republic, but that is (partly) another problem (see Czech Republic, Czech lands). == History == ''Main article: History of Slovakia'' The original Slavic peoples population settled the general territory of Slovakia in the 5th century. Slovakia was part of the center of Samo's empire in the 7th century. The highest point of the 9th-century proto-Slovak state known as Great Moravia came with the arrival of Saint Cyril and Saint Methodius and the expansion under King Sv�topluk. Eventually, Slovakia became a part of the Kingdom of Hungary in the 11th-14th centuries. In the 10th century, the ethnic Slovak territory included the northern half of present-day Hungary, and in the 14th century it still extended to present-day northern central and northern eastern Hungary (down to present-day V�c (in Slovak ''Vacov''), Visegr�d (''Višegrad/Vyšehrad''), Miskolc (''Miškovec'')). Slovak origin noblemen represented a major share of nobility in the kingdom. After the Ottoman Empire started its expansion into present-day Hungary in the early 16th century, the center of the Kingdom of Hungary (renamed ''Royal Hungary'' now) shifted towards Slovakia, and Bratislava (known as ''Pressburg/Pressporek/Posonium/Posony'' at that time) became its capital in 1536. By the end of the 18th century Slovakia's influence decreased. In the 1848 Revolution the Slovaks joined the Austrians to separate from the Kingdom of Hungary within the Austrian monarchy, but finally they did not achieve this aim. During the time of Austria-Hungary, i.e. 1867 - 1918, the Slovaks experienced one of the worst oppressions in their history in the form of Hungarisation (Magyarisation) promoted by the government. In 1918, Slovakia joined with the regions of Bohemia and neighbouring Moravia to form Czechoslovakia. During the chaos following the breakup of Austria-Hungary, a Slovak Soviet Republic was created for a very short time. Czechoslovakia lasted until it was broken up by the Munich Agreement of 1938. Slovakia became a separate republic that would be tightly controlled by Nazi Germany. After World War II, Czechoslovakia was reassembled and came under the influence of the Soviet Union and its Warsaw Pact from 1945 onward. The end of communist rule in Czechoslovakia in 1989 during the peaceful Velvet Revolution was followed once again by the country's dissolution, this time into two successor states. Slovakia and the Czech Republic went their separate ways after January 1, 1993. (Velvet Divorce) Slovakia became a member of the European Union in May 2004. ''See also:'' Bratislava#History, and History of Bratislava == Politics == ''Main article: Politics of Slovakia'' Slovakia joined NATO on March 29, 2004 and the EU on May 1, 2004. There were Presidential election in Slovakia 2004 on April 3, 2004 and April 17, 2004. The Slovak head of state is the president, elected by direct popular vote for a five-year term. Most executive power lies with the head of government, the prime minister, who is usually the leader of the major party or a majority coalition in parliament and appointed by the president. The remainder of the cabinet (government) is appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister. Slovakia's highest legislative body is the 150-seat unicameral National Council of the Slovak Republic (''N�rodn� rada Slovenskej republiky''). Delegates are elected for 4-year terms on the basis of proportional representation. Slovakia highest judiciary is the Constitutional Court (''�stavn� s�d''), which rules on constitutional issues. The 13 members of this court are appointed by the president from a slate of candidates nominated by parliament. ''See also:'' List of rulers of Slovakia == Administrative divisions == ''Main article: Regions of Slovakia'' As for administrative division, Slovakia is subdivided into 8 ''kraje'' (singular - ''kraj'', usually translated as regions, but actually meaning rather county), each of which is named after their principal city. As for territorial division and the definition of self-governing entities, since 2002, Slovakia is divided into 8 Upper-Tier Territorial Units (sg. ''vyšš� �zemn� celok'', pl. ''vyššie �zemn� celky'', abbr. V�C) called ''samospr�vny kraj'' (Self-governing (or: autonomous) Region): # Bratislava Region (Bratislavsk� kraj) (see also Bratislava) # Trnava Region (Trnavsk� kraj) (see also Trnava) # Trencin Region (Trenčiansky kraj) (see also Trencin) # Nitra Region (Nitriansky kraj) (see also Nitra) # Zilina Region (Žilinsk� kraj) (see also Zilina) # Banska Bystrica Region (Banskobystrick� kraj) (see also Banska Bystrica) # Presov Region (Prešovsk� kraj) (see also Presov) # Kosice Region (Košick� kraj) (see also Kosice) (the word ''kraj'' can be replaced by ''samospr�vny kraj'' in each case) The "kraje" are subdivided into many ''okresy'' (sg. ''okres'', usually translated as districts). Slovakia currently has 79 districts. See also: *List of traditional regions of Slovakia *List of tourism regions of Slovakia == Geography == ''Main article: Geography of Slovakia'' The Slovak landscape is noted primarily for its mountainous nature, with the Carpathian Mountains extending across most of the northern half of the country. Amongst them are the high peaks of the Tatra mountains, which are a popular skiing destination and home to many scenic lakes and valleys as well as the highest point in Slovakia, the Gerlachovsky stit at 2,655 m. Lowlands are found in the southwestern (along the Danube) and southeastern parts of Slovakia. Major Slovak rivers, besides the Danube, are the Vah and the Hron. The Slovak climate is temperate climate, with relatively cool summers and cold, cloudy and humid winters. == Economy == ''Main article: Economy of Slovakia'' In a survey of the German Chamber of Commerce held in March 2004, as much as 50 percent of German enterpreneurs chose Slovakia as the best place for investment. Slovakia has mastered much of the difficult transition from a centrally planned economy to a modern market economy. The Slovak government made progress in 2001 in macroeconomic stabilisation and structural reform. Major privatisations are nearly complete, the banking sector is almost completely in foreign hands, and foreign investment has picked up. Slovakia's economy exceeded expectations in the early 2000s, despite recession in key export markets. Revival of domestic demand in 2002, partly due to a rise in real wages, offset slowing export growth to help drive the economy to its strongest expansion since 1998. Solid domestic demand boosted economic growth to 4.4 percent in 2002. Strong export growth, in turn, pushed economic growth to a still-strong 4.2 percent in 2003, despite a downturn in household consumption. Unemployment, rising from 14.9 percent at the end of 1998 to 19.2 percent at the end of 2001 (seasonally adjusted harmonised rate) during the radical reforms introduced by the Slovak government since 1999, decreased again to 12.7 percent (March 2005). Inflation dropped from an average annual rate of 12.0 percent in 2000 to just 3.3 percent in the election year 2002, but it rose again in 2003-2004 due to necessary increases in taxes and regulated prices. Nonetheless, Consumer price index fell below 3 percent in 2005. Slovakia would like to adopt the Euro currency in January 2009, although the public sector deficit needs to be cut in the draft budget from its current 3.8 percent of Gross domestic product to below 3 percent in order for this to be possible. == Demographics == ''Main article: Demographics of Slovakia'' The majority of the inhabitants of Slovakia are ethnically Slovaks (86 percent). Hungary are the largest ethnic minority (10 percent) and are concentrated in the southern and eastern regions of the country. Other ethnic groups include Roma (people), Czech peoples, Ruthenians, Ukrainians, ethnic Germans, and Poles. The percentage of Roma is 1.7% according to the last census (that is based on the own definition of the Roma), but around 5.6% based on interviews with municipality representatives and mayors (that is based on the definition of the remaining population). Note however that in the case of the 5.6%, the above percentages of Hungarians and Slovaks are lower by 4 percentage points in sum. The Slovak constitution guarantees freedom of religion. The majority of Slovak citizens (60.3 percent) practice Roman Catholicism; the second-largest group consider themselves atheists (9.7 percent). About 8.4 percent are Protestants, and 4.1 percent are Greek Catholic, i.e., Eastern Catholic and some 0.9 percent are Eastern Orthodox. About 2,300 Jews remain of the estimated pre-WWII population of 120,000. The official state language is Slovak language, a member of the Slavic languages, but Hungarian language is also widely spoken in the south and enjoys a co-official status in some regions. == Holidays == * National holidays in Slovakia * Remembrance days in Slovakia == Culture == ''Main article: Culture of Slovakia'' *Music of Slovakia *Slovak literature == Miscellaneous topics == * List of rulers of Slovakia * List of Slovaks * List of traditional regions of Slovakia * List of tourism regions of Slovakia * List of towns in Slovakia * List of national parks of Slovakia * List of rivers in Slovakia * History of ice hockey in Slovakia * Ski and winter sports in Slovakia * Communications in Slovakia * Transportation in Slovakia * Military of Slovakia * Foreign relations of Slovakia * Education in Slovakia * Slovak euro coins == External links == * [http://www.government.gov.sk/english The Slovak Republic Government Office] - Official governmental site * [http://www.prezident.sk Slovak president official website] * [http://www.nrsr.sk/default.aspx?lang=en N�rodn� Rada - Slovak parliament official website] * [http://www.statistics.sk/webdata/english/index2_a.htm Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic] * [http://www.settlement.org/cp/english/slovakia/ Cultural profile of Slovakia by Citizenship and Immigration Canada] * [http://www.slovensko.com Slovensko.com 3rd party guide to Slovakia with daily news] * [http://www.slovakia.org. Slovakia.org - guide to Slovakia] * [http://www.slovakia.com Slovakia.com - guide to Slovakia] Slovakia European Union member states bs:Slovačka fo:Slovakia hi:स्लोवाकिया la:Slovakia li:Slowakie� zh-min-nan:Slovensko nds:Slowakei simple:Slovakia th:ประเทศสโลวาเกีย vi:Slovakia

Slovakia

===Official Name=== Cut para claiming wrong use of Slovak Republic. Especially among ethnic minorities overuse of the informal Slovakia is seen as oppressive. User:Garryq 16:50, 9 May 2004 (UTC) The above sentence is so ridiculous in any aspect that I even hesitate to answer it. Slovakia is the official (not informal) short form for the long form Slovak Republic, just like France for the French Republic, Poland for the Republic of Poland, Romania and so on, regardless of whether there are ethnic minorities or not. There are not more ethnic minorities in Slovakia than in most other European countries.User:Juro 9 May 2004 (UTC) : I agree with User:Juro that name Slovakia is ok. For example the country information page of the Slovak government http://www.government.gov.sk/english/slovakia.html is titled Slovakia. However, I think the second paragraph of the article is too prominent place to explain some inappropriate use of the term Slovak republic by some authors of economic texts. Rather mention that Slovakia recently joined EU and NATO. One reason for using the long name Slovak republic may be to make it less similar to Slovenia. :: Sorry, forgot to sign the above. User:Brona 23:33, 9 May 2004 (UTC) : Without even seeing this, I edited this part of the article... should be reasonably okay now, the language should be fairly neutral and the position fairly acceptable. --User:Shallot 15:43, 10 Jun 2004 (UTC) I left here some solecism (xample: ehole) and link to Abov Turna instead of Abov and Turna (separated). Prešpork county was almost whole in Slovakia, but it�s impossible to edit this page now (I don�t know why). So I am sorry.--User:Kristian Slimak 22:08, 14 Oct 2004 (UTC) ===Historical regions=== Is it necessary to create new page for ''List of historical regions of Slovakia''? These regions are still ,,alive" between people, you can also buy books, maps or turistic handbooks about them although they aren�t oficial regions of Slovakia. Their names are much more used among people to call their homeland than present-day regions. In my opinion, it is better and more useful to display their names and map on main page about Slovakia. --User:Kristian Slimak 16:15, 20 Oct 2004 (UTC) ===Date of independence=== I recognize the independence of Slovakia as 1918 because simply put of the two nations comprising Czechoslavia Slovakia always remained the independent fragment. Vital Component.. That's what you do...This does not conform with the usual definition of independence of a state (the rise of the Byzantine Empire - if there was a particular date - is not the independence of Greece) and above all not the self-definition of Slovakia.User:Juro 17:17, 16 Feb 2005 (UTC) ===External links=== What about the newly added huge set of links...Is that OK? User:Juro 20:47, 21 Feb 2005 (UTC) ==History of Slovakia== Surely there should be something on the history of Slovakia? It followed a distinct path from the Czech Republic (different parts of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and has been independent for more than 12 years. User:Jackiespeel 17:34, 23 Feb 2005 (UTC) What are you referring to, i.e. what are you trying to suggest? There is a (bad) article on the History of Slovakia User:Juro 04:32, 24 Feb 2005 (UTC) I keep adding the indi. date as 1918 because every time Czechoslavia would fall Slovakia would re-emerge. We saw that in WWII. They have continous heritage. Syria and Egypt merged but Egypt's independence date is still 1920 somthing.. [user:Vital Component|Vital Component] But you are asking for an edit war. While I agree that creation of Czechoslovakia is worth mentioning, the date of Slovakia independence is indeed generally accepted as of 1993-1-1, while 1918-10-28 has more lukewarm reception. 'Division by Nazi Germany" should not be mentioned in the main floating table, since the existence of WWII Slovakia has been retroactively nullified by WWII victorious parties, and is therefore unofficial and current day Slovakia is not a continuation of WWII Slovakia (it certainly deserves mentioning in the article text, and there should be probably a separate article on WWII Slovakia). Anyway, the entries as written by you are les than clear when viewed by someone not already familiar with the matter - I tried to clarify it a bit and make a more acceptable compromise - though no doubt someone is going to revert the changes anyway :-) User:Rgrg 09:09, 28 Feb 2005 (UTC) I really cannot find a better word for this than "ridiculous". I mean, this is so obviuous that if you just switch on your brain for a second and look at the other country articles you cannot come to a conclusion that the independence of SK can be given in the table as 1918. The independence of SK is 1993, 1918 is the independence of CS which has a separare article; otherwise we would have to change articles on form. YU, Soviet etc. states + add the date independence of GB to the independence of USA etc. ... Most of the other country articles do not even mention the "division of Czechoslovakia" part. User:Juro 18:57, 28 Feb 2005 (UTC) WWII victorious parties? The same ones who in WWI for reasons unclear put Samoa under New Zealand's control do to them not being White enough to govern? The same allies that for reasons unclear forced Croatia back into a ethnically bias union with Yugoslavia? The same victorious allies that decided that even though SA believed in the concepts of White power it would be a pretty cool idea to give then Namibia for 45 years! The same allies that refused to stop Italy's invasion of Ethiopia but then subsequently took over Somalia in 1945 and then returned Somalia to 1950-1960 to Italy an axis power instead of all out independence? Rado I considor the ALLIES TO BE NULL! When you stop being naive perhaps the effects of the "cool-aid" will wear off.. Juro what is Gambia's independence? 1989 or 1965? Senegambia had no effect due to the fact that it was a UNION. Czechs withen Czechoslavakia insisted on trying to dominate the goverment. Ironically Slovakia continue to rise after Nazi Germany's annexation. Because of this that makes Slovakia the succesor to Czechoslavia sense SLOVAKIA was always the remaining independent half. Juro I suggest you cut the bullshit and give your newage-ism a rest. You probally were stupid enough to also think Kosovo and Somaliland would get independence through peaveful means.. Probally never lifted a fist in your life..a shame. -- V.C. V.C, yes, the same victorious parties - we might not like the ethics of WWII outcome, but we are living in their world and their heritage, and what they said was legal IS legal by definition (we may argue about it, we may disagree with it but it is all we can do - to translate Cimrman's famous saying). Anyway, this is far off topic - go to Alternative history (fiction) if you want to discuss this. AND, what was my main point, your entry IS NOT CLEAR. For a casual reader, (s)he has no idea what "division" and "unification" are you talking about - just read the text after yourself. But, I am not going to fix it, since juro is goint to revert the changes anyway :-) User:Rgrg 08:24, 2 Mar 2005 (UTC) Why would a casual ready be reading a history section? To better understand Slovakia you and others should look in to Jozef Tiso. Why cater to the type a guy who'd think in his mind that when you said Prussia you accidently really mean Russia?? The final disolution is clear but to make it clear Slovakia has always heald its weight. -V.C. Imagine a similar hypothetical entry about Egypt - if you mentioned "independence from UK", then "unification" and then "division" without further clarification, you would confuse readers to no end - not just an ordinary american idi^H^H^Hcitizen, but many other people just do not know about the United Arab Republic! (incidentaly, real article about Egypt mentions just "independence from UK" in the floating table, not the division of UAR). And I think I understand 'Slovakia' enough, thank you. User:Rgrg 10:14, 2 Mar 2005 (UTC) It would confuse them? Do you think Egypt cares about anyones opinions? Do you think these countries care? The UN you believe in causes them trouble to no end. Slovakia was always the last bit of resistance and should be counted as Czechoslavia itself just as Russia and not Estonia is considored the U.S.S.R. or Serbia-Montenegro id Yugoslavia. Give the liberal bullshit a rest already. Maybe it applys these days but the Slovakia I speak of lived in the age of when these (holds up fists) were used. Slovakia of the Axis predates these new age accords that try to set so many rules. Try to show some gotdamn respect for these people! --V.C. I thought I understood your position, but now I am not so sure anymore - a piece of incoherent rant against who know what, and your entry makes little sense - I am withdrawing and letting juro deal with you - even if I might not agree with him in some points, but at least it is possible to discuss things with him in a more intelligent matter. This should be an encyclop�dia, not a political message board. User:Rgrg 08:54, 4 Mar 2005 (UTC) If that were the case I'd say you should disregard your Internationlismistic/UN/League of Nations believe and except things for what they are. Slovakia and Czechoslovakia are 1 in the same due to Slovakia's history of retainted independence. Oh and do you think u r cool or something using that �?? It probally took you about ten minutes to find that character. --V.C. Strange is, I mostly agree with your opinions and (dis)belief - but obviously, we are into personal insults by now, and you obviously are not going to listen to (any) logic anymore. And yes, I think I am cool, unlike you (took me about 0.1 seconds... ae, in case you wonder, I am typing in under X11, and btw read an entry about Encyclopedia). Have a nice day. User:Rgrg 14:09, 5 Mar 2005 (UTC) Oh he pasted it. LOOKY LOOKY HES ONE SMART COOKIE... The point I stick by my beliefs that Czechosl. and Slovakia are the same. I believe my argument is suffient. Oh pardon me there is a whole list of characters under the window. How handy. Now if you believe there are any flaws in my continuation theories I really would like to hear them. --V.C. Pasted? No, I used the X11 compose mechanism. OK, now in your eagerness to offend me you revealed your cluelessness and ignorance. The morale: Don't feed the trolls. Have a good time. User:Rgrg 08:36, 7 Mar 2005 (UTC) == Revert war == There currently is a revert war going on on this article. Actually, it is not a reversion war according to that page, because there are more than just two individuals involved. It rather appears to be one individual () against the rest. I'm no expert on Slovakia, and I don't have an opinion on what ''should'' be the right version. However, there are some signs that make Vital Component suspect to me: * VC is clearly imposing his/her POV against the will of a majority. * In the above discussion he/she refuses to take the levelheaded attempts of other individuals seriously. * Several of his/her edits reintroduce typos or remove links to relevant articles – these appear to be collateral damage of rash reverting: ** 01:30, 2005 Mar 25: reintroduced typo ** 01:58, 2005 Mar 23: link to Candle demonstration in Bratislava removed ** 19:03, 2005 Mar 22: link to Candle demonstration in Bratislava removed ** 04:22, 2005 Mar 20: deleted several interwiki links; reintroduced typo User:SebastianHelm 10:24, 2005 Mar 26 (UTC) :Further, User:Vital Component's insults cannot be helpful. User:Maurreen 16:10, 26 Mar 2005 (UTC) I d not believe mu views are POV. I believe this rediculous UN rhetoric of you people must go. Why you might enjoy this age of the "international community" interfering in the rights of people on the pretext of evoiding wars which are unavoidable the case of Slovakia your cowardice and new age-ism is clearly trumped. If Russia is considored to be the former USSR THen I say Slovakia is t0o be considored the former CZECHOslovakia. Following CZ.'s fall to Nazi Germany in '38 Slovakia remained the only independent act. Now when it comes to countries invading others you ppl are all talk and not likely to do anything in defense. With that stated Slovakia's tendecy to remain sovereign clearly makes it the successor state in all regards. If anyone is bias it is to hippy/internet warriors. This is nothing mre then a mere case of realpolitik prevailing over your own naivity and ignorance and of course bias. With tha out of the way I'll address Sebastions points. He is probally right in regards to links being overedited. If everyone is happy with the current information I'll simply just changed the ind. date. V.C.-- == cvn == == cvn ==

Slovakia

European Union member states European countries Visegr�d group Slavic countries nds:Category:Slowakei

Slovakia

==Wikipedia:Welcome, newcomers to the Wikipedia== Here are some links I find useful *Wikipedia:Policy Library *Wikipedia:Utilities *Wikipedia:Cite your sources *Wikipedia:Verifiability *Wikipedia:Wikiquette *Wikipedia:Civility *Wikipedia:Conflict resolution *Wikipedia:Brilliant prose *Wikipedia:Neutral point of view *Wikipedia:Pages needing attention *Wikipedia:Peer review *Wikipedia:Bad jokes and other deleted nonsense *Wikipedia:Village pump *Wikipedia:Boilerplate text Feel free to ask me anything the links and talk pages don't answer. You can sign your name by typing 4 tildes, likes this: ~~~~. Cheers, User:Sam Spade http://en.wikipedia.org/w/wiki.phtml?title=User_talk:Sam_Spade&action=edit§ion=new Spade 18:24, 4 Jul 2004 (UTC)

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