Located in southeastern Europe, bounded on the north by Austria, on the northeast by Hungary, on the southeast and south by Croatia, and on the west by Italy and the Adriatic Sea, Slovenia has an area of 20,253 square kilometers (7,820 square miles), slightly smaller comparatively than New Jersey, and a coastline of 46.6 kilometers (29 miles). The capital city, Ljubljana, is situated on the Sava River in the central part of the country; the second major city is Maribor on the Drava River in the northeast.

Government type: Parliamentary Republic

Capital: Ljubljana

Administrative divisions:

210 municipalities (obcine, singular - obcina) including 11 urban municipalities* (mestne obcine, singular - mestna obcina) Ajdovscina, Apace, Beltinci, Benedikt, Bistrica ob Sotli, Bled, Bloke, Bohinj, Borovnica, Bovec, Braslovce, Brda, Brezice, Brezovica, Cankova, Celje*, Cerklje na Gorenjskem, Cerknica, Cerkno, Cerkvenjak, Cirkulane, Crensovci, Crna na Koroskem, Crnomelj, Destrnik, Divaca, Dobje, Dobrepolje, Dobrna, Dobrova-Polhov Gradec, Dobrovnik/Dobronak, Dolenjske Toplice, Dol pri Ljubljani, Domzale, Dornava, Dravograd, Duplek, Gorenja Vas-Poljane, Gorisnica, Gorje, Gornja Radgona, Gornji Grad, Gornji Petrovci, Grad, Grosuplje, Hajdina, Hoce-Slivnica, Hodos, Horjul, Hrastnik, Hrpelje-Kozina, Idrija, Ig, Ilirska Bistrica, Ivancna Gorica, Izola/Isola, Jesenice, Jezersko, Jursinci, Kamnik, Kanal, Kidricevo, Kobarid, Kobilje, Kocevje, Komen, Komenda, Koper-Capodistria*, Kosanjevica na Krki, Kostel, Kozje, Kranj*, Kranjska Gora, Krizevci, Krsko, Kungota, Kuzma, Lasko, Lenart, Lendava/Lendva, Litija, Ljubljana*, Ljubno, Ljutomer, Log-Dragomer, Logatec, Loska Dolina, Loski Potok, Lovrenc na Pohorju, Luce, Lukovica, Majsperk, Makole, Maribor*, Markovci, Medvode, Menges, Metlika, Mezica, Miklavz na Dravskem Polju, Miren-Kostanjevica, Mirna Pec, Mislinja, Mokronog-Trebelno, Moravce, Moravske Toplice, Mozirje, Murska Sobota*, Muta, Naklo, Nazarje, Nova Gorica*, Novo Mesto*, Odranci, Oplotnica, Ormoz, Osilnica, Pesnica, Piran/Pirano, Pivka, Podcetrtek, Podlehnik, Podvelka, Poljcane, Polzela, Postojna, Prebold, Preddvor, Prevalje, Ptuj*, Puconci, Race-Fram, Radece, Radenci, Radlje ob Dravi, Radovljica, Ravne na Koroskem, Razkrizje, Recica ob Savinji, Rence-Vogrsko, Ribnica, Ribnica na Pohorju, Rogaska Slatina, Rogasovci, Rogatec, Ruse, Selnica ob Dravi, Semic, Sevnica, Sezana, Slovenj Gradec*, Slovenska Bistrica, Slovenske Konjice, Sodrazica, Solcava, Sredisce ob Dravi, Starse, Straza, Sveta Ana, Sveta Trojica v Slovenskih Goricah, Sveti Andraz v Slovenskih Goricah, Sveti Jurij, Sveti Jurij v Slovenskih Goricah, Sveti Tomaz, Salovci, Sempeter-Vrtojba, Sencur, Sentilj, Sentjernej, Sentjur, Sentrupert, Skocjan, Skofja Loka, Skofljica, Smarje pri Jelsah, Smarjeske Toplice, Smartno ob Paki, Smartno pri Litiji, Sostanj, Store, Tabor, Tisina, Tolmin, Trbovlje, Trebnje, Trnovska Vas, Trzic, Trzin, Turnisce, Velenje*, Velika Polana, Velike Lasce, Verzej, Videm, Vipava, Vitanje, Vodice, Vojnik, Vransko, Vrhnika, Vuzenica, Zagorje ob Savi, Zalec, Zavrc, Zelezniki, Zetale, Ziri, Zirovnica, Zrece, Zuzemberk.

Executive Branch:
Chief of state: President
Head of government: Prime Minister
Cabinet: Council of Ministers nominated by the prime minister and elected by the National Assembly

Legal System: based on civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Population: 2,003,136 (July 2010 est.)
Country comparison to the world: 145

Ethnic Origin: Slovene 83.1%, Serb 2%, Croat 1.8%, Bosniak 1.1%, other or unspecified 12% (2002 census)

Area total: 20,273 sq km
Country comparison to the world: 154
Land: 20,151 sq km
Water: 122 sq km

Natural Resources:lignite coal, lead, zinc, building stone, hydropower, forests

There are three climatic influences in the country. Continental climate is in the northeast, Alpine climate in the mountain regions, and a sub-Mediterranean in the coastal region. Average temperature in the mountain region in January is below 0°C, in the interior from 0°C -2°C, and along the coast from 2°C -4°C; in July, average temperature in the interior is 20°C -22°C, along the coast 22°C -24°C.

Slovenia is within the European Union. If you are travelling from the UK, you are entitled to buy fragance, skincare, cosmetics, Champagne, wine, selected spirits, fashion accessories, gifts and souvenirs - all at tax-free equivalent prices. There are no longer any allowance restrictions on these tax-free items.

If you are arriving from a non-EU country, the following goods may be imported into Slovenia by persons over 17 years of age without incurring customs duty:

• 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 100 cigarillos or 250g of tobacco.
• 2l of wine and 1l of spirits.
• 50g perfume and 250ml of eau de toilette.
• Listed items to not exceed €175 in value.

Note: An export licence is required for articles of archaeological, ethnographic, artistic, scientific or cultural value; or for articles over 100 years old.

1 Jan - 2 Jan New Year.
8 Feb Preseren Day (Slovenian Cultural Holiday).
5 Apr Easter Monday.
27 Apr Resistance Day.
2 May Labour Day Holiday.
23 May Pentecost.
25 Jun National Day.
15 Aug Assumption.
17 Aug Slovenians Incorporated into the Mother Nation.
15 Sep Restoration Day.
31 Oct Reformation Day.
1 Nov All Saints' Day.
23 Nov Rudolph Maister Day.
25 Dec Christmas Day.
26 Dec Independence Day

There are no major health risks in Slovenia. Meat and poultry, water and milk are considered safe for consumption.

Slovenia is one of the safest countries in Europe, but travellers must maintain caution. Petty crimes like theft have been reported; travellers must avoid carrying valuables. it is not advisable to visit the park after dark. Discotheques and crowded bars are other places where travellers should be careful as the crowds can get a bit aggressive.