SLOVAKIASLOVAKIA

Slovakia is Slovakia is republic republic

in in East Central East Central

Europe. Europe. The area is The area is

50,000 square 50,000 square km and population is 5 million. km and population is 5 million.

The borders are with the Czech rep., The borders are with the Czech rep., Austria, Poland , Hungary and Ukraine.Austria, Poland , Hungary and Ukraine.

The Slovak flag is in national colours, white, blue and The Slovak flag is in national colours, white, blue and red. It is derived from the Russian flag from the 19th red. It is derived from the Russian flag from the 19th

century. century.

Coat of arms is medieval shield of Hungarian kingdomCoat of arms is medieval shield of Hungarian kingdomused since the 11th century. Later, it was used as used since the 11th century. Later, it was used as

a shield of Upper Hungary- Slovakia. Double cross is a shield of Upper Hungary- Slovakia. Double cross is an old Christian symbol from Great Moravia an old Christian symbol from Great Moravia

from the 9th century.from the 9th century.

Double cross was brought by Double cross was brought by St.Constantine and MetodiusSt.Constantine and Metodius

Three hills symbolize three Three hills symbolize three historical mountain ranges of historical mountain ranges of Slovakia- Tatras, Fatras and Matra Slovakia- Tatras, Fatras and Matra (nowadays in Hungary)(nowadays in Hungary)

Slovakia was always the Slovakia was always the crossroads of Europe. crossroads of Europe. In ancient times, this area was In ancient times, this area was settled by Celts, Germanic tribes settled by Celts, Germanic tribes and Romans. and Romans. Slovaks are descendants of Slovaks are descendants of Slavs who settled this area Slavs who settled this area in the 5th century AD. in the 5th century AD. There were important slavicThere were important slavickingdoms, the Samo´s State kingdoms, the Samo´s State and Great Moravian Empire. and Great Moravian Empire. Since the 11th century until 1918, Slovakia was a part of Since the 11th century until 1918, Slovakia was a part of Hungarian Kingdom and the Habsburg Monarchy. This period Hungarian Kingdom and the Habsburg Monarchy. This period was very difficult for Slovaks because of attemps to assimilate was very difficult for Slovaks because of attemps to assimilate them.them.

National leaders of SlovaksNational leaders of Slovaks

•M.R.Štefánik M.R.Štefánik •French general in WW I French general in WW I

•member of exile member of exile Czechoslovak government Czechoslovak government •died in an airplane crash died in an airplane crash

in 1919 in 1919

•Ľudovít ŠtúrĽudovít Štúr •leader of national movement in leader of national movement in

1848 revolution 1848 revolution •established first Slovak assembly established first Slovak assembly •codified official Slovak languagecodified official Slovak language

From 1918 to 1993, Slovakia was a part of From 1918 to 1993, Slovakia was a part of Czechoslovakia which became world famous country. Czechoslovakia which became world famous country.

Despite of the fascist and socialist period, Slovakia was Despite of the fascist and socialist period, Slovakia was successful and quickly developing country. successful and quickly developing country.

In 1993, Slovakia seized independence after peaceful In 1993, Slovakia seized independence after peaceful split up with Czechs. Today, Slovakia is a member of split up with Czechs. Today, Slovakia is a member of

the European Union with Euro currency.the European Union with Euro currency.

There are plains in the south with agriculture and the river There are plains in the south with agriculture and the river Danube, the biggest european river. Danube, the biggest european river.

Slovakia is a mountainous country. There are the High and Slovakia is a mountainous country. There are the High and Low Tatras, the Big and Small Fatra, the Slovak Ore Low Tatras, the Big and Small Fatra, the Slovak Ore

Mountains, the Štiavnické mountains, etc. Mountains, the Štiavnické mountains, etc. These parts are perfect for hiking in summer and skiing These parts are perfect for hiking in summer and skiing

in winter.in winter.

There are big cities with industry and small historical towns with nice scenery. There are a lot of spas, thermal parks, caves

and mineral springs in Slovakia.

The capital of The capital of Slovakia is Slovakia is Bratislava. Bratislava. The population The population is half million is half million and it is the and it is the seat of Slovak seat of Slovak president, government president, government and parliament. and parliament. The city is cultural, economical and political center of The city is cultural, economical and political center of Slovakia. Slovakia.

St.Martin Cathedral

The Bratislava Castle

Danube

Petržalka

Slovak folklore is music, dances, clothing and traditions Slovak folklore is music, dances, clothing and traditions of various Slovak regions. It is significant for Slovak of various Slovak regions. It is significant for Slovak

culture and attractive for foreign visitors.culture and attractive for foreign visitors.

Every Slovak would tell you that our national Every Slovak would tell you that our national dish is halušky, dumplings with sheep cheese dish is halušky, dumplings with sheep cheese

and fried bacon,...and fried bacon,...

...but in fact, Slovak national food is codfish ...but in fact, Slovak national food is codfish salad, breadrolls and draught beersalad, breadrolls and draught beer

Slovaks are really proud of their highest mountains, the Slovaks are really proud of their highest mountains, the High Tatras. Beautiful, national peak Kriváň is one of High Tatras. Beautiful, national peak Kriváň is one of the symbols of the country. It is on euro cents coins.the symbols of the country. It is on euro cents coins.

Gerlachovský štít Gerlachovský štít with 2655 metres with 2655 metres is the highest peak is the highest peak

in Slovakia in Slovakia and in the Carpathians. and in the Carpathians.

Folklore in Skalnaté Folklore in Skalnaté pleso winter resort.pleso winter resort.

There are more than 3,000 caves in Slovakia, but There are more than 3,000 caves in Slovakia, but only 13 of them are open for public. Many havenonly 13 of them are open for public. Many haven

´t been discovered yet. ´t been discovered yet.

DomicaDomica

Dobšinská ice caveDobšinská ice cave

Two most popular sports in Slovakia. Ice-hockey has Two most popular sports in Slovakia. Ice-hockey has been more successful so far. Slovak national team was been more successful so far. Slovak national team was

the world champion in 2002. the world champion in 2002.

Ice-hockeyIce-hockey

Football match Football match Czech rep.vs.Slovakia 1:2Czech rep.vs.Slovakia 1:2

Slovakia is the country of fairytales. There were Slovakia is the country of fairytales. There were about 1,000 castles in the past.about 1,000 castles in the past.

TrenčínTrenčín

BojniceBojnice

The Spiš CastleThe Spiš Castle

Sites written in the list of world cultural heritage Sites written in the list of world cultural heritage UNESCOUNESCO

Town of BardejovTown of Bardejov

The Spiš CastleThe Spiš Castle

Village VlkolínecVillage Vlkolínec

...and Banská Štiavnica....and Banská Štiavnica.See next ppt presentationSee next ppt presentation