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|pm         =Peter Pellegrini

|pm         =Igor Matovič

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|area         =18,932 sq mi

|area         =18,932 sq mi

|tld            =.sk

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'''Slovakia'''<ref>The official full name in Slovak ''Slovenská republika'' (in English the '''Slovak Republic''') abbreviation in Slovak ''SR''.</ref> is a country in [[Central Europe]] that became independent in 1993, after the [[Velvet Divorce]], in which [[Czechoslovakia]] split into the [[Czech Republic]] and Slovakia.  Its capital is [[Bratislava]]. It has been a member state of the [[European Union]] and the [[North Atlantic Treaty Organization]] since 2004. By 2018, Slovakia's economy was performing very well, with low taxes and high productivity.<ref>Williams, Thomas D. (June 21, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/06/21/low-taxes-high-productivity-slovakia-sets-pace-europe/ With Low Taxes and High Productivity, Slovakia Sets Pace for Europe]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved June 22, 2018.</ref>

'''Slovakia''' (Slovak: ''Slovensko''), officially the '''Slovak Republic'''<ref>The official name of the country comes from the article 1, paragraph 4 of the Constitutional Law No. 143/1968 Coll. on the Czechoslovak Federation (see in [https://www.zakonypreludi.sk/zz/1968-143/znenie-19690101#cl1-4 Slovak]) which established the name of the Slovak part of the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic as the Slovak Socialist Republic (Slovak: ''Slovenská socialistická republika''). After the Velvet Revolution (which ended the communist regime in Czechoslovakia), effective March 1, 1990, the word "Socialist" was omitted from the name.</ref> (Slovak: ''Slovenská republika'', abbreviation ''SR'') is a landlocked country in [[Central Europe]] that became independent in 1993, after the [[Velvet Divorce]], in which [[Czechoslovakia]] split into the [[Czech Republic]] and Slovakia.  Its capital is [[Bratislava]]. It has been a member state of the [[European Union]] and the [[North Atlantic Treaty Organization]] since 2004. By 2018, Slovakia's economy was performing very well, with low taxes and high productivity.<ref>Williams, Thomas D. (June 21, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/06/21/low-taxes-high-productivity-slovakia-sets-pace-europe/ With Low Taxes and High Productivity, Slovakia Sets Pace for Europe]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved June 22, 2018.</ref>

==People==

== People ==

The majority of the Slovak Republic's 5.4 million inhabitants are Slovak (85.8%). Hungarians are the largest ethnic minority (9.7%) and are concentrated in the southern and eastern regions of Slovakia. Other ethnic groups include Roma, Czechs, Ruthenians, Ukrainians, Germans, and Poles. The Slovak constitution guarantees freedom of religion. The majority of Slovak citizens (69%) practice Roman Catholicism; the second-largest group is Protestants (9%). About 3, 000 Jews remain of the estimated pre-WWII population of 120,000. The official state language is Slovak, and Hungarian is widely spoken in the southern region.  

The majority of the Slovak Republic's 5.4 million inhabitants are Slovak (85.8%). Hungarians are the largest ethnic minority (9.7%) and are concentrated in the southern and eastern regions of Slovakia. Other ethnic groups include Roma, Czechs, Ruthenians, Ukrainians, Germans, and Poles. The Slovak constitution guarantees freedom of religion. The majority of Slovak citizens (69%) practice Roman Catholicism; the second-largest group is Protestants (9%). About 3, 000 Jews remain of the estimated pre-WWII population of 120,000. The official state language is Slovak, and Hungarian is widely spoken in the southern region.  

*Population (May 2001 census*): 5,379,455. Bratislava (428,672), Košice (236,093), Žilina (156,361), Nitra (163,540), Prešov (161,782), Banská Bystrica (111,984).

* Population (May 2001 census*): 5,379,455. Bratislava (428,672), Košice (236,093), Žilina (156,361), Nitra (163,540), Prešov (161,782), Banská Bystrica (111,984).

*Annual population growth rate (2001 est.): 0.13%.

* Annual population growth rate (2001 est.): 0.13%.

*Ethnic groups (2001): Slovaks 85.8%, Hungarians 9.7%, Roma 1.7%, Czechs 0.8%, Ruthenians 0.4%, Ukrainians 0.2%, other 1.4%. Unofficial estimates place the Roma population between 6%-10%.  

* Ethnic groups (2001): Slovaks 85.8%, Hungarians 9.7%, Roma 1.7%, Czechs 0.8%, Ruthenians 0.4%, Ukrainians 0.2%, other 1.4%. Unofficial estimates place the Roma population between 6%-10%.  

*Religions (2001): Roman Catholic 69%, Protestant 9%, Greek Catholic 4%, Orthodox 0.9%, other 0.6%, unknown 3.5%, 13% report no affiliation.  

* Religions (2001): Roman Catholic 69%, Protestant 9%, Greek Catholic 4%, Orthodox 0.9%, other 0.6%, unknown 3.5%, 13% report no affiliation.  

*Languages: Slovak (official), Hungarian, Ruthenian, Romany, and Ukrainian. Education: Literacy—99%.  

* Languages: Slovak (official), Hungarian, Ruthenian, Romany, and Ukrainian. Education: Literacy—99%.  

*Health: Life expectancy (2001)--78 yrs. females; 70 yrs. males.  

* Health: Life expectancy (2001)--78 yrs. females; 70 yrs. males.  

*Work force (2.1 million in 2001): Industry, construction, commerce—61%; financial, commercial, health services—18%; government and education—15%; agriculture—6%.  

* Work force (2.1 million in 2001): Industry, construction, commerce—61%; financial, commercial, health services—18%; government and education—15%; agriculture—6%.  

Despite its modern European economy and society, Slovakia has a significant [[rural]] element. About 45% of Slovaks live in villages of less than 5,000 people, and 14% in villages of less than 1,000.  

Despite its modern European economy and society, Slovakia has a significant [[rural]] element. About 45% of Slovaks live in villages of less than 5,000 people, and 14% in villages of less than 1,000.  

==Government and Political Conditions==

== Government and Political Conditions ==

Slovakia's highest legislative body is the 150-seat unicameral National Council of the Slovak Republic. Delegates are elected for 4-year terms on the basis of proportional representation. The Slovak political scene supports a wide spectrum of political parties, including several social democratic parties and the nationalistic Slovak National Party.  

Slovakia's highest legislative body is the 150-seat unicameral National Council of the Slovak Republic. Delegates are elected for 4-year terms on the basis of proportional representation. The Slovak political scene supports a wide spectrum of political parties, including several social democratic parties and the nationalistic Slovak National Party.  

In 2002, Parliament passed legislation that created a Judicial Council. This 18-member council, composed of judges, law professors, and other legal experts, is now responsible for the nomination of judges. All judges, except those of the Constitutional Court, are appointed by the president from a list proposed by the Judicial Council. The Council also is responsible for appointing Disciplinary Senates in cases of judicial misconduct.  

In 2002, Parliament passed legislation that created a Judicial Council. This 18-member council, composed of judges, law professors, and other legal experts, is now responsible for the nomination of judges. All judges, except those of the Constitutional Court, are appointed by the president from a list proposed by the Judicial Council. The Council also is responsible for appointing Disciplinary Senates in cases of judicial misconduct.  

===Principal Government Officials===

=== Principal Government Officials ===

*President—Andrej Kiska

* President: [[Zuzana Čaputová]]

*Prime Minister—Róbert Fico

* Prime Minister: [[Igor Matovič]]

*Minister of Foreign Affairs—Miroslav Lajčák

* Minister of Foreign Affairs: [[Ivan Korčok]]

*Ambassador to the United Nations—Peter Burian

* Ambassador to the United Nations: Michal Mlynár<ref>''[https://www.mzv.sk/web/unnewyork-en/about_us/embassy_staff Embassy staff]'' [online]. New York, NY : The Permanent Mission of the Slovak Republic to the United Nations, [s. a.], cited 2020-06-14</ref>

*Ambassador to NATO—Igor Slobodnik

* Ambassador to NATO: Radovan Javorčík<ref>''[https://www.mzv.sk/web/sdnato-en/about_us/ambassador Ambassador]'' [online]. Brussels : Permanent Delegation of the Slovak Republic to NATO, 2013-04-16, updated 2017-04-13, cited 2020-06-14</ref>

*Ambassador to the European Union—Maros Sefcovic

* Ambassador to the European Union: Peter Javorčík<ref>''[https://www.mzv.sk/web/szbrusel-en/about_us/ambassador Ambassador]'' [online]. Brussels : Permanent Representation of the Slovak Republic to the EU, [s. a.], cited 2020-06-14</ref>

===Foreign Relations===

=== Foreign Relations ===

Slovakia officially became a member of the [[NATO]] on March 29, 2004 and joined the EU in May 2004. Slovakia has been an active participant in U.S. and NATO-led military actions and a partner in the war on terrorism. A military engineering brigade on the ground in Iraq from August 2003 departed in February 2007. A 57-man military engineering brigade is present at Kadahar airbase in Afghanistan. Slovakia participates in a joint Czech-Slovak peacekeeping force in Kosovo.  

Slovakia officially became a member of the [[NATO]] on March 29, 2004 and joined the EU in May 2004. Slovakia has been an active participant in U.S. and NATO-led military actions and a partner in the war on terrorism. A military engineering brigade on the ground in Iraq from August 2003 departed in February 2007. A 57-man military engineering brigade is present at Kadahar airbase in Afghanistan. Slovakia participates in a joint Czech-Slovak peacekeeping force in Kosovo.  

Slovakia's ambitious roadmap for defense reform is the Force 2015 Long-Term Plan, which strikes a well-reasoned balance between requirements and resources and envisions a professionalized, combat-capable force of 18,000 uniformed personnel. Slovakia has about 530 personnel deployed to coalition and NATO-led operations in [[Afghanistan]], [[Iraq]] and [[Kosovo]], as well as UN-led peace support operations (PSOs) worldwide. Defense spending was 1.6% of GDP in 2006.

Slovakia's ambitious roadmap for defense reform is the Force 2015 Long-Term Plan, which strikes a well-reasoned balance between requirements and resources and envisions a professionalized, combat-capable force of 18,000 uniformed personnel. Slovakia has about 530 personnel deployed to coalition and NATO-led operations in [[Afghanistan]], [[Iraq]] and [[Kosovo]], as well as UN-led peace support operations (PSOs) worldwide. Defense spending was 1.6% of GDP in 2006.

==Economy==

== Economy ==

Since the establishment of the Slovak Republic in January 1993, Slovakia has continued the difficult transformation from a centrally-planned to a modern market-oriented economy. This reform slowed in the 1994-98 period due to the crony capitalism and irresponsible fiscal policies of Prime Minister Vladimir Meciar's government. While economic growth and other fundamentals improved steadily during Meciar's term, public and private debt and trade deficits soared, and privatization, often tarnished by corrupt insider deals, progressed only in fits and starts. Real annual GDP growth peaked at 6.5% in 1995 but declined to 1.3% in 1999. Much of the growth in the Meciar era, however, was attributable to high government spending and over-borrowing rather than productive economic activity.  

Since the establishment of the Slovak Republic in January 1993, Slovakia has continued the difficult transformation from a centrally-planned to a modern market-oriented economy. This reform slowed in the 1994-98 period due to the crony capitalism and irresponsible fiscal policies of Prime Minister Vladimir Meciar's government. While economic growth and other fundamentals improved steadily during Meciar's term, public and private debt and trade deficits soared, and privatization, often tarnished by corrupt insider deals, progressed only in fits and starts. Real annual GDP growth peaked at 6.5% in 1995 but declined to 1.3% in 1999. Much of the growth in the Meciar era, however, was attributable to high government spending and over-borrowing rather than productive economic activity.  

*Foreign investment (1989-2006, OECD data): Cumulative-$17.3 billion USD, FDI inflow $4.2 billion USD in 2006 (highest-ever FDI inflows). Sources of direct foreign investment-Netherlands 19.5%, Germany 18.2%, Austria14.8%, Italy 12.4%, Hungary 6.1%, UK 5.3%, Czech Republic 4.1%, Republic of Korea 3.6%, USA 3.3% (9th largest investor)**, Cyprus 2.7%.. Sectors of direct foreign investment - industrial production, financial services, energy production and distribution, wholesale and retail trade, transportation and telecommunications.

*Foreign investment (1989-2006, OECD data): Cumulative-$17.3 billion USD, FDI inflow $4.2 billion USD in 2006 (highest-ever FDI inflows). Sources of direct foreign investment-Netherlands 19.5%, Germany 18.2%, Austria14.8%, Italy 12.4%, Hungary 6.1%, UK 5.3%, Czech Republic 4.1%, Republic of Korea 3.6%, USA 3.3% (9th largest investor)**, Cyprus 2.7%.. Sectors of direct foreign investment - industrial production, financial services, energy production and distribution, wholesale and retail trade, transportation and telecommunications.

==History==

== History ==

Slovak history can find its roots in the Great Moravian Empire, founded in the early ninth century. The territory of Great Moravia included all of present western and central Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and parts of neighboring Poland, Hungary, and Germany. Saint Cyril and Methodius, known for the creation of a Cyrillic alphabet, came to Great Moravia in the early tenth century as missionaries to spread Christianity upon the invitation of the king. The empire collapsed after only eighty years as a result of the political intrigues and external pressures from invading forces. Slovaks then became part of the Hungarian Kingdom, where they remained for the next 1,000 years. Bratislava became the Hungarian capital for nearly two and a half centuries when the Turks overran Hungary in the early 16th century.

Slovak history can find its roots in the Great Moravian Empire, founded in the early ninth century. The territory of Great Moravia included all of present western and central Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and parts of neighboring Poland, Hungary, and Germany. Saint Cyril and Methodius, known for the creation of a Cyrillic alphabet, came to Great Moravia in the early tenth century as missionaries to spread Christianity upon the invitation of the king. The empire collapsed after only eighty years as a result of the political intrigues and external pressures from invading forces. Slovaks then became part of the Hungarian Kingdom, where they remained for the next 1,000 years. Bratislava became the Hungarian capital for nearly two and a half centuries when the Turks overran Hungary in the early 16th century.