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Slovakia Cities with Hotels
 Slovakia, landlocked republic in central
Europe, bounded on the northwest by the
Czech Republic, on the north by
Poland,
on the east by Ukraine, on the south by
Hungary, and on the southwest by
Austria, Bratislava is its capital and largest city.
Slovakia existed as part of Hungary from the beginning of the
10th century until 1918, when it united with the Czech lands of Bohemia and
Moravia, in addition to a small part of Silesia, to form Czechoslovakia. In
1939, shortly before the start of World War II, Slovakia declared its
independence under pressure from German dictator Adolf Hitler, but in 1945 it
was reunited with the rest of Czechoslovakia. From 1948 until 1989
Czechoslovakia was ruled by a Soviet-style Communist regime. In 1993 the country
broke apart, and Slovakia and the Czech Republic became independent.
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Slovakia (Slovak Republic)
Land and Resources
Slovakia's total area is about 48,845 sq km (about 18,859 sq
mi). The country's maximum length from east to west is about 416 km (about
258 mi), and its maximum width from north to south is about 208 km (about
129 mi). The Danube River, located in the southwest, forms part of
Slovakia's border with
Hungary.
Natural Regions
Slovakia is known for its numerous and impressive mountain
ranges. Many of the country's mountains give way to rolling hills and river
valleys, where agriculture, winemaking, and livestock raising are practiced.
Slovakia's mountainous terrain has also influenced settlement patterns
within the country.
The Carpathian Mountains, a major mountain system of central
Europe, extend across much of northern and northwestern Slovakia and
encompass the Little Carpathians, the White Carpathians, and the Tatry,
which is the highest Carpathian range. The High Tatry mountains contain the
country's highest peak, Gerlachovský Štít, which rises to an elevation of
2655 m (8711 ft). The High Tatry also contain one of Slovakia's largest
national parks and are a popular place for skiing and hiking. Other
important mountains include the Low Tatry, in central Slovakia, and the
Lesser and Greater Fatra ranges, in central and western Slovakia. The Slovak
Ore Mountains, in eastern Slovakia, are named for their mineral deposits.
Southwestern Slovakia is dominated by the Danubian Lowlands, a fertile
region that extends to the Danube River on the Hungarian border. Much of the
country's agriculture is produced in this area; Bratislava is its main
industrial center.
Slovakia also contains a number of interesting and unusual
caves. Among them are the Demänovská caves, a series of caves linked by
underground lakes and waterfalls, located in central Slovakia; and the
Domica cave, known for its vaulted roof and colored stalactites, located
near the Hungarian border in eastern Slovakia.
Rivers and Lakes
The Danube is Slovakia's main navigable river. Other
important rivers include the Váh, Hron, Ipel' (Eipel), Nitra, Ondava,
Laborec, and Hornád. Many small glacial lakes are located in the High Tatry
Mountains.
Plants and Animal Life
Forty percent of Slovakia is forested. Species of fir and
spruce are common in most mountain areas. At lower elevations, oaks,
birches, and lindens predominate. Slovakia's forests are home to foxes,
rabbits, squirrels, weasels, and muskrats; wild boar and wolves are
occasionally seen in remote mountain areas. Wildlife stocks have been
diminishing in Slovakia, due to pollution, urbanization, and deforestation.
Natural Resources
Slovakia contains significant forest resources. The country's
main mineral resources are copper, lead, zinc, manganese, and iron. Lignite,
a type of coal, is found near the cities of Modrý Kameñ and Handlová.
Climate
Slovakia has a continental climate, with four distinct
seasons. Winters are typically cold and dry, while summers tend to be hot
and humid. The average daily temperature range in Bratislava is -3° to 2° C
(27° to 36° F) in January and 16° to 26° C (61° to 79° F) in July;
temperatures tend to be cooler in the mountains. Bratislava receives an
average of about 650 mm (about 26 in) of precipitation annually. In areas of
high altitude, snow is often present for as many as 130 days each year.
"Slovakia," Microsoft® Encarta® 97 Encyclopedia.
© 1993-1996 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
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May 24, 2007 05:38 PM. |
