Central Europe.

GMT + 2 (GMT + 1 from last Sunday in October to last Sunday in March).

49,033 sq km (18,932 sq miles).

5.4 million (official estimate 2005).

110.1 per sq km.

Bratislava. Population: 617,000 (2000).

The Slovak Republic is situated in Central Europe, sharing frontiers with the Czech Republic, Austria, Poland, Hungary and Ukraine. Mountains, lowlands, canyons, lakes, cave formations, forests and meadows provide many examples of the Slovak Republic’s year-round natural beauty. The Slovak Republic is a small country but its terrain varies impressively from lowlands to mountain ranges. Almost half of the country is taken up by the Carpathian Arc, a range of mountains stretching across the north. The smaller ranges include the Lesser Carpathians, White Carpathians, Malá (Lesser) Fatra, Vel’ká (Greater) Fatra, High and Low Tatras and the Slovenské rudohorie Mountains (Slovak Ore Mountains).

The Slovak Republic ratified its first national constitution in September 1992, having agreed to all of the existing treaties and obligations of the former republic. Under its terms, executive power lies with the Prime Minister and ministers, the first being appointed by the President, who in turn is selected by the National Council. This is the country’s supreme legislative body, which has 150 seats and is directly elected for a four-year term. The President is elected for a five-year term.

Republic since 1993. Head of State: President Ivan Gasparovic since 2004. Head of Government: Prime Minister Mikulás Dzurinda since 1998 (caretaker Prime Minister). Recent history: Dzurinda's centre-right Slovak Democratic and Christian Union party was defeated in the June 2006 general elections. The left-wing Smer party, led by Robert Fico, won nearly 30 per cent of the vote. Fico will need to form a coalition government, as his party does not have an outright majority. Tough negotiations are expected and it may be some time before a new government is created.

The official language is Slovak. Hungarian, Ruthenian, Ukrainian and German are spoken by ethnic minorities. English is also spoken.

The majority is Roman Catholic. Protestant churches comprise the remainder with Reformed, Lutheran, Methodist and Baptist denominations. There is also a Jewish minority. There is a Greek Orthodox minority in Eastern Slovak Republic.

Shaking hands is the customary form of greeting. Punctuality is appreciated on social occasions. The minimum drinking age is 18.

Generally 230 volts AC, 50Hz. Round two-pin plugs are in use. Lamp fittings are normally of the screw type.