Southern Central Europe.

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

20,273 sq km (7827 sq miles).

2 million (UN, 2005).

98.6 per sq km.

Ljubljana. Population: 265,881 (2002).

This compact and strategically important country is dominated by mountains, rivers and major north–south and east–west transit routes. Slovenia borders Italy to the west, Austria to the north, Hungary to the northeast and Croatia to the southeast, with a 47km- (30 mile-) Adriatic Sea coastline, where the main port is Koper.

The constitution promulgated in December 1991 allows for the election of a new bicameral legislature. The first chamber is the 90-seat Drzavni Zbor (National Assembly) in which 50 seats are indirectly elected, 38 directly elected and two reserved for Slovenia’s Italian and Hungarian ethnic minorities. The upper house, known as the Drzavni Svet (National Council) has 22 directly elected members and 18 members chosen by an electoral college. The upper house has a mainly advisory role but retains powers of veto over decisions of the Drzavni Zbor. All those elected serve a four-year term. The State President, a largely ceremonial figure, is also elected, but for a five-year term.

Republic since 1991. Gained independence from Yugoslavia (now Serbia and Montenegro) in 1992. Head of State: President Janez Drnovšek since 2002. Head of Government: Prime Minister Janez Jansa since 2004. Recent history: Former leader of the centre-left Liberal Democrats, Prime Minister Janez Drnovsek won the second round of presidential elections in December 2002. As President, he oversaw Slovenia's entry into the EU and Nato in 2004. Janez Jansa, the leader of the centre-right Slovenian Democratic Party, became Prime Minister in October 2004 in which his party almost doubled its vote. The party forged a coalition with three other parties: New Slovenia and the People's Party - both centre-right - and the centre-left Democratic Party of Pensioners. Mr Jansa’s campaign was based on a promise to cut the costs of state administration and press ahead with privatisation in anticipation of Slovenia adopting the euro.

Slovene, which is closely related to Croat and Czech. Most Slovenes speak German, Hungarian or Italian, with English as a second language.

Most of the population is Roman Catholic (75 per cent), with small communities of other Christians including Eastern Orthodox; there are Muslim and Jewish minorities.

Shaking hands is the normal form of greeting. Usual European social conventions apply and informal dress is widely acceptable. Smoking is prohibited on public transport, in cinemas, theatres, public offices and in waiting rooms.

220 volts AC, 50Hz.