Background: After centuries under foreign rule, mainly by Hungary, the Slovaks joined with their neighbors to form the new nation of Czechoslovakia in 1918. Following the chaos of World War II, Czechoslovakia became a communist nation within Soviet-ruled Eastern Europe. Soviet influence collapsed in 1989, and Czechoslovakia once more was an independent country turning toward the West. The Slovaks and the Czechs agreed to separate peacefully on 1 January 1993. Slovakia has experienced more difficulty than the Czech Republic in developing a modern market economy.

Geographic coordinates: 48 40 N, 19 30 E

Map reference: Europe

Area
Total: 48,845 km²
Land: 48,800 km²
Water: 45 km²
Comparative: about twice the size of New Hampshire

Land boundaries
Total: 1,355 km
Border countries: (5) Austria 91 km; , Czech Republic 215 km; , Hungary 515 km; , Poland 444 km; , Ukraine 90 km

Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)

Maritime claims: none (landlocked)

Climate: temperate; cool summers; cold, cloudy, humid winters

Terrain: rugged mountains in the central and northern part and lowlands in the south

Elevation
Extremes lowest point: Bodrok River 94 m
Extremes highest point: Gerlachovka 2,655 m

Natural resources: brown coal and lignite; small amounts of iron ore, copper and manganese ore; salt

Land use
Arable land: 31%
Permanent crops: 3%
Permanent pastures: 17%
Forests and woodland: 41%
Other: 8% (1993 est.)

Irrigated land: 800 km² (1993 est.)

Natural hazards: NA

Geography
Note: landlocked

Population: 5,387,665 (July 1997 est.)
Growth rate: 0.12% (1997 est.)

Nationality
Noun: Slovak(s)
Adjective: Slovak

Ethnic groups: Slovak 85.7%, Hungarian 10.7%, Gypsy 1.5% (the 1992 census figures underreport the Gypsy/Romany community, which could reach 500,000 or more), Czech 1%, Ruthenian 0.3%, Ukrainian 0.3%, German 0.1%, Polish 0.1%, other 0.3%

Languages: Slovak (official), Hungarian

Religions: Roman Catholic 60.3%, atheist 9.7%, Protestant 8.4%, Orthodox 4.1%, other 17.5%

Age structure
0-14 years: 21% (male 588,511; female 563,090)
15-64 years: 68% (male 1,802,132; female 1,831,119)
65 years and over: 11% (male 233,476; female 369,337) (July 1997 est.)

Population growth rate: 0.12% (1997 est.)

Birth rate: 10.37 births/1000 population (1997 est.)

Death rate: 9.58 deaths/1000 population (1997 est.)

Net migration rate: 0.37 migrant(s)/1000 population (1997 est.)

Environment
Current issues: air pollution from metallurgical plants presents human health risks; acid rain damaging forests

Sex ratio
At birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
Under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.63 male(s)/female
Total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (1997 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 10 deaths/1000 live births (1997 est.)

Life expectancy at birth
Total population: 72.91 years
Male: 69.11 years
Female: 76.9 years (1997 est.)

Total fertility rate: 1.34 children born/woman (1997 est.)

Literacy: NA

Country name
Conventional long form: Slovak Republic
Conventional short form: Slovakia
Local long form: Slovenska Republika
Local short form: Slovensko

Government type: parliamentary democracy

Capital: Bratislava

Administrative divisions: 4 departments (kraje, singular - kraj) Bratislava, Zapadoslovensky, Stredoslovensky, Vychodoslovensky
Note: an article in the Slovakian press mentions there are 8 departments named Bratislava, Banska Bystrica, Kosice, Nitra, Presov, Trnava, Trencin, and Zilina

Independence: 1 January 1993 (from Czechoslovakia)

National holiday: Slovak Constitution Day, 1 September (1992; Anniversary of Slovak National Uprising, 29 August (1944)

Constitution: ratified 1 September 1992, fully effective 1 January 1993

Legal system: civil law system based on Austro-Hungarian codes; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; legal code modified to comply with the obligations of Organization on Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and to expunge Marxist-Leninist legal theory

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch
Chief of state: President Michal KOVAC (since 8 February 1993)
Head of government: Prime Minister Vladimir MECIAR (since 12 December 1994)
Cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister
Elections: president elected by National Council for a five-year term; election last held 8 February 1993 (next to be held March 1998); following National Council elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of a majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the president
Election results: Michal KOVAC elected president; percent of parliamentary vote - NA

Legislative branch: unicameral National Council of the Slovak Republic or Narodna Rada Slovensky Repubiky (150 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)
Elections: last held 30 September-1 October 1994 (next to be held by October 1998)
Election results: percent of vote by party - HZDS 35%, SDL 10.4%, Hungarian coalition (Hungarian Christian Democrats, Hungarian Civic Party, Coexistence) 10.2%, KDH 10.1%, DU 8.6%, ZRS 7.3%, SNS 5.4%; seats by party - governing coalition 83 (HZDS 61, ZRS 13, SNS 9), opposition 67 (SDL 18, Hungarian coalition 17, KDH 17, DU 15)

Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges are elected by the National Parliament

International organization participation: Australia Group, BIS, BSEC (observer), CCC, CE (guest), CEI, CERN, EBRD, ECE, EU (applicant), FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, NACC, NSG, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNAVEM III, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNTAES, UPU, WEU (associate partner), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC

Diplomatic representation
In the us chief of mission: Ambassador Branislav LICHARDUS
In the us chancery: (temporary) Suite 250, 2,201 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20,007
In the us telephone: [1] (202) 965-5,160
In the us FAX: [1] (202) 965-5,166
From the us chief of mission: Ambassador Ralph R. JOHNSON
From the us embassy: Hviezdoslavovo Namestie 4, 81,102 Bratislava
From the us mailing address: use embassy street address
From the us telephone: [42] (7) 533-0861, 533-3,338
From the us FAX: [42] (7) 533-5,439

Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of white (top), blue, and red superimposed with the Slovak cross in a shield centered on the hoist side; the cross is white centered on a background of red and blue

Economy overview: Since the establishment of the Slovak Republic on 1 January 1993, Slovakia has continued the difficult transformation from a centrally controlled economy to a modern market-oriented economy. Macroeconomic performance improved steadily in 1994-96, but privatization progressed only in fits and starts. Strong export performance boosted GDP growth to 4.8% in 1994 after a four-year decline. GDP surged to 7.4% growth in 1995 and should be only slightly less in 1996, the fastest growth in Central and Eastern Europe. Unemployment fell to about 12% in 1996 and inflation dropped from 26% in 1993 to 5.5% in 1996, the lowest in the region. Foreign debt of $4.6 billion also is the lowest in the region and the second lowest per capita. Private activity now makes up roughly two-thirds of GDP. Positive international financial performance has led Standard & Poor's to raise its rating of the National Bank of Slovakia's foreign currency debt to just one step below investment grade. Although Slovak economic performance continues to be impressive, many warning signs of possible danger ahead have been raised. Aggregate demand has surged in the form of increased personal and government consumption. At the same time that the budget deficit is growing, the money supply has been rapidly increasing, which could apply upward pressure on inflation. The trade and current account deficits both are mounting as imports soar and exports sag. Perhaps most troubling, Slovakia continues to have difficulty attracting foreign investment because of perceived political problems and halting progress on restructuring and privatization. The government projects 6.4% growth in 1997 and 5% in 1998. Continuing economic recovery in western Europe should boost exports and production, but Slovakia's image with foreign creditors and investors could suffer setbacks in 1997 if progress on privatization and restructuring stalls.

Real gdp growth rate: 7% (1996 est.)

Real gdp per capita: purchasing power parity - $8,000 (1996 est.)

Gdp composition by sector of origin
Agriculture: 5.4%
Industry: 39.9%
Services: 54.7% (1995 est.)

Agriculture products: grains, potatoes, sugar beets, hops, fruit; hogs, cattle, poultry; forest products

Industries: metal and metal products; food and beverages; electricity, gas, coke, oil, and nuclear fuel; chemicals and manmade fibers; machinery; paper and printing; earthenware and ceramics; transport vehicles; textiles; electrical and optical apparatus; rubber products

Industrial production growth rate: 2.8% (1996 est.)

Labor force
Total: 2.538 million
By occupation industry: 29.3%
By occupation agriculture: 8.9%
By occupation construction: 8.0%
By occupation transportandcommunication: 8.2%
By occupation services: 45.6% (1994)

Unemployment rate: 12% (1996 est.)

Budget
Revenues: $5.3 billion
Expenditures: $5.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $N/A (1995)

Fiscal year: calendar year

Exports
Total value: $8.1 billion (January-November 1996)
Commodities: machinery and transport equipment 18.7%; chemicals 13.4%; miscellaneous manufactured goods 13.1%; raw materials 5.0% (1995)
Partners: EU 37.4%, Central Europe Free Trade Agreement 44.3% (Czech Republic 35.2%), FSU 7.1% (1995)

Imports
Total value: $9.6 billion (f.o.b., January-November 1996)
Commodities: machinery and transport equipment 29.0%; fuels 18.0%; intermediate manufactured goods 17.6%; miscellaneous manufactured goods 8.0% (1995)
Partners: EU 34.7%, Central Europe Free Trade Agreement 32.9% (Czech Republic 27.5%), FSU 19.5% (1995)

Debt external: $4.6 billion hard currency indebtedness (1995 est.)

Exchange rates: koruny (Sk) per US$1 - 31.50 (January 1997), 30.654 (1996), 29.713 (1995), 32.045 (1994), 30.770 (1993), 28.26 (1992), 29.53 (1991; note - values before 1993 reflect Czechoslovak exchange rate

Electricity
Capacity: 7.12 million kW (1994)
Production: 23.6 billion kWh (1994)
Consumption per capita: 4,400 kWh (1995 est.)

Telephones: 1,362,178 (1992 est.)

Telephone system
Domestic: NA
International: NA

Military expenditures
Dollar figure: $423 million (1996)
Percent of gdp: 2.7% (1996)

Airports: 37 (1994 est.)
With paved runways total: 12
With paved runways over 3047 m: 1
With paved runways 2438 to 3047 m: 3
With paved runways 15-24 to 2437 m: 2
With paved runways 914 to 1523 m: 2
With paved runways under 914 m: 4 (1994 est.)
With unpaved runways total: 25
With unpaved runways 2438 to 3047 m: 2
With unpaved runways 15-24 to 2437 m: 2
With unpaved runways 914 to 1523 m: 10
With unpaved runways under 914 m: 11 (1994 est.)

Pipelines: petroleum products NA km; natural gas 2,700 km

Railways
Total: 3,660 km
Broad gauge: 102 km 1.520-m gauge
Standard gauge: 3,507 km 1.435-m gauge (1424 km electrified)
Narrow gauge: 51 km (46 km 1,000-m gauge; 5 km 0.750-m gauge) (1995)

Waterways: 172 km on the Danube

Merchant marine: total:4 cargo ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 17,010 GRT/22,039 DWT (1996 est.)

Disputes international: Gabcikovo Dam dispute with Hungary; unresolved property issues with Czech Republic over redistribution of former Czechoslovak federal property

Illicit drugs: minor transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin and hashish bound for Western Europe