Descriptions:

Right at the heart of Europe and with a history intertwined with that of its neighbours, Slovakia has proudly preserved its own language and distinct cultural traditions.

It was part of Czechoslovakia until the “velvet divorce” in January 1993.

Having uncoupled itself from its western neighbour, Slovakia at first struggled to prove itself as an independent democracy, but by the time of the twentieth anniversary of the “velvet divorce” in January 2013, it had come to be seen as one of Europe’s biggest success stories.

Slovakia joined the EU in 2004 and the eurozone in 2009. Its forces have taken part in the Nato-led operation in Afghanistan, and in peacekeeping duties in Kosovo.

Slovakia has a significant Romany population which suffers disproportionately high levels of poverty and social deprivation.

• Slovak Republic
• Capital: Bratislava
• Population 5.5 million
• Area 49,033 sq km (18,932 sq miles)
• Major language Slovak
• Major religion Christianity
• Life expectancy 72 years (men), 80 years (women)
• Currency euro