The most popular souvenirs among tourists are ceramics, wooden figurines, toys and dishes, as well as ancient folk musical instruments of the Slovak people.

Among the Slovak souvenirs, there is a “chrpak”, a special wooden mug decorated with carvings and national ornaments, which was once used for the first sample of sheep’s milk. IN mountainous areas country's most useful souvenir is the “valashka”, a kind of hatchet-staff that makes it easier to move along mountain paths. And the unique Slovak “fujara” (wind instrument) was even included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. A large selection of Slovak souvenirs is presented in the ULUV chain of stores located in the most important tourist cities Slovakia.

Antique shops in Slovakia (Starozitnosti) will delight their customers with a large selection of beautiful furniture, antique jewelry, paintings and all sorts of interesting trinkets.

An excellent gift brought from Slovakia would be a bottle of delicious wine produced at a small winery, or local brandy of the brands Hradne Brandy, Old Herold Vinjak, Karpatske Brandy O.X. and etc.

Transport

The largest airport in Slovakia is located in Bratislava (Bratislava Milan Rastislav Stefanik Airport), with regular flights to most European capitals(Paris, London, Rome, Copenhagen, Prague, Moscow, etc.), other large cities (Milan, Antalya, Barcelona, ​​Kurgada, etc.). There is one domestic flight Bratislava – Kosice costing 40–60 €.

The country is very well developed railway transport In addition to international trains, there are many high-speed trains running to neighboring countries (Austria, Hungary, Poland, Czech Republic).

Bus transport is used, as a rule, for traveling short distances. The cost of 50 km of travel is approximately 1 €.

When traveling around Slovakia with your own vehicle, you must comply with pan-European traffic rules, including speed limits (no more than 50 km/h in the city, 90 km/h outside populated areas and 130 km/h on motorways), constant use of low beams in any time of day and any weather. There are large fines for violating traffic rules in the country, for example, 1000 € for drunk driving.

City transport is represented by buses, trams and trolleybuses. Travel tickets can be purchased at bus stops (orange machines) and from drivers. The cost of the trip depends on the travel time (the schedule is published at the stops). There are taxis in every city in Slovakia; they are not expensive, but due to the short distances they are not popular among tourists.

Connection

Mobile communications in Slovakia are provided by 3 operators: T-Mobile, Orange, Telefonica O2. All mobile operators also offer the service of connecting to the Internet via a mobile phone or via a 3G modem (from 8 € per 1 MB of traffic). The cost of a 3G modem is about 50 €, and the modem is passwordless, i.e. it can be used to access the Internet from SIM cards of other operators. Free Wi-Fi is provided by most hotels, guest houses and hostels.

To make calls abroad, you can use a pay phone by purchasing a card at a newsstand or post office.

Safety

Due to the absence of religious, territorial and national conflicts, Slovakia is considered a quiet and peaceful country, but basic precautions should always and everywhere be observed on the roads, in very crowded places and at night. In city transport, pickpocketing is rare, but possible. At ski resorts, you need to be careful about the safety of your sports equipment, especially expensive models.

There is a paid mountain rescue service in the mountains.

Upon request of the police, the foreigner must present an identification document and health insurance.

Business climate

According to World Bank research, registration of a foreign company in Slovakia consists of 8 procedures and lasts 18 days, which is much simpler and faster than in other EU countries.

Enterprises operating in Slovakia are required to pay net profit tax (19%), value added tax (20%), as well as taxes on income from dividends (15%), rent (25%), royalties (25%) .

Tourism is considered the most profitable area of ​​business in Slovakia.

Real estate

In Slovakia there are no restrictions for foreigners buying residential or commercial property, the purchase of which automatically acquires land ownership. Company registration is also not required when purchasing real estate by foreign investors.

The cost of real estate in the major cities of Slovakia and the High Tatras is comparable to the cost of real estate in the best Mediterranean resorts. The high cost is explained by the economic prospects, safety and environmental situation in the country. For 1 m2 in Bratislava today on average you will have to pay about 1700 €, in Kosice - 950 €, in Presov - 800 €, etc. The monthly rent of a one-room apartment in Bratislava will be from 350 to 500 €, in Kosice - from 300 to 450 €.

Property owners in Slovakia pay a property tax, the rate of which differs in different regions of the country, on average it is 0.2 € per 1 m2. When selling or renting out real estate, you must pay income tax (19%).

When planning a trip or excursion to national parks Slovakia, you should always think about places to stay overnight in advance, since the number of hotels and campsites here is very limited, and you should set up your own camping strictly prohibited.

At ski resorts, it is more profitable to use the lifts with special weekly ski-pass tickets (approximately 2 €).

It is usually more profitable to exchange currency in banks rather than in exchange offices.

You should not plan your trip to Slovakia in July-August, as at this time the resorts will be crowded with Slovaks themselves who have come on vacation from their cities, and problems with accommodation may arise. The optimal time of year for traveling around Slovakia (except for ski resorts) is considered to be the second half of spring, the beginning of summer and the beginning of autumn.

Visa information

Visiting Slovakia is possible with a Schengen visa. A visa is issued upon presentation of a number of documents: a passport valid for more than 3 months from the date of expiration of the visa, with two or more blank pages, a standard application form, 2 color photographs, a document confirming the applicant’s solvency (minimum 56 € per day), international insurance sample, etc.

A visa is issued within approximately 10 days upon payment of a consular fee of 35 €, within 3 days - 70 €. When submitting documents, the person receiving the visa must be present in person.

Embassy of the Slovak Republic in Moscow - st. Yu. Fuchika, 17/19, tel. 956-49-23.

Economy

Slovakia has overcome much of the difficult transition from a centrally planned economy to a modern market economy. The country's government made significant progress in macroeconomic stabilization and structural reforms in 2001. Privatization has largely been completed, the banking sector is almost entirely in foreign hands, and foreign investment is growing. The Slovak economy has exceeded expectations of the early 2000s, with the exception of a decline in exports. A rebound in domestic demand in 2002, thanks in part to rising incomes, offset slowing export growth, helping the economy move toward its strongest growth since 1998. Unemployment, which reached 19.8% at the end of 2001, fell significantly by 2003.

According to a study by the German Chamber of Commerce in March 2004, about half of German investors view Slovakia as the best place for investment.

Policy

The head of state in Slovakia is the president, elected by direct universal suffrage for a 5-year term. Most executive power is vested in the head of government, the prime minister, who is usually the leader of the party or coalition that wins the majority in parliamentary elections and is appointed by the president. The remainder of the cabinet is appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister.

The highest legislative body of Slovakia is the 150-seat unicameral People's Rada of the Slovak Republic (Národná Rada Slovenskej Republiky). Delegates are elected for a 4-year term on the basis of proportional representation.

Parliament can dismiss the president if three-fifths of the total number of deputies votes for it. The president can dissolve parliament if he does not approve the government's policy statement three times within a month after the elections.

The highest judicial body is the Constitutional Court (Ústavný súd), which has jurisdiction over constitutional issues. The 13 members of this court are approved by the president from several candidates nominated by parliament.

Story

The first settlements on the territory of modern Slovakia appeared already in the Paleolithic era. This very long era is characterized by alternating glaciations and interglacials. There are traces of various cultures: from Olduvai to Swider. A fragment of the skull of Homo erectus was found in Spišské Podhradie (this part was lost during the Second World War), then the earliest information is that of Heidelberg man. The oldest finds of skeletons are Neanderthals, and the most famous are from the Ganovce site.

The Mesolithic era is characterized by a noticeable retreat of the glacier, the border of which at that time ran along the north of the territory of modern Slovakia. People settled on sandy hills.

There is more information about the Neolithic, when agriculture arose. It is assumed that the people of the Linear Band Ware culture came to the territory of Slovakia around 5000 BC. Remains of settlements, burial grounds (for example, in Nitra and Šturovo), remains of ceramics, votive gifts or cult objects, such as female figurines (“Paleolithic Venuses”) from Nitra Castle or Moravan nad Váhom, have been found. In that era, the culture of linear-band ceramics, the Zhelezovka culture, the Bukovogorsk culture was represented mainly on the territory of Slovakia, and the development of the Lengyel and Polgar cultures began.

The Chalcolithic era is characterized primarily by the beginning of the use of metals (copper and gold; the oldest copper objects found belong to the Neolithic), the division of society into layers (artisans, farmers, cattle breeders, traders) and the beginning of barter trade. Later, agriculture was improved by using animal power (arable tools appeared); The role of men in society has increased (patriarchy). In those days, first of all, the development of the Lengyel and Polgar cultures continued, and later the Baden culture appeared.

In the Bronze Age, characterized by the expansion of the use of bronze, many different archaeological cultures were represented on the territory of Slovakia (Unetice, Magyar, Otoman, single barrow cultures, single urn field cultures, including the Lusatian culture). Bronze sickles and remains of wooden buildings without the use of nails date back to this era.

The Iron Age and its technology came to Slovakia around 800 BC, probably from the Anatolia and/or Italy region. During the Hallstatt era in Slovakia, thanks to favorable climatic conditions, mining of iron, tin, gold and salt is developing. A potter's wheel appeared. Social differentiation continues. At that time, the Hallstatt (namely Kalenderberg) culture, Kushtanovic (Thracians) and Wekertzug (probably Scythians) cultures were represented on the territory of Slovakia; the Lusatian culture still existed in the north. Perhaps the Cimmerians also lived on the territory of Slovakia at that time.

In those days (about the 5th century BC), the Celts came to Slovakia, who can be considered the first known ethnic group on the territory of Slovakia. The Celts came to the Carpathian Basin from the territory of Germany, France and the Alps. Upon arrival, they subjugated the local population. By the end of the La Tène era, they built several fortifications - oppidums, for example, Bratislava. Most of them lived in small fortified structures made of wood and used iron locks. The Celts were skilled artisans - blacksmiths, potters, farmers and traders; they maintained close contacts with the Greek and Roman civilizations, which retained great influence on their culture. At the end of the 2nd century. BC. The Dacians, who lived on the territory of modern Romania, also came to Slovakia. During the time of the first Dacian king Burebista, the Dacians settled and actually annexed the southern part of Slovakia to Dacia, from where they expelled part of the Celts. In 10 BC, however, the Romans defeated the Dacians and extended the borders of the Roman Empire into the Middle Danube. The Romans also founded several settlements in western Slovakia. The Dacian population disappeared from Slovakia around the 1st century. AD, it lingered longest in the east. The liquidation of most of the Celts was completed by the attack of the Germans from the north-west at the beginning of the 1st century. AD However, the Celts remained in the north of Slovakia even until the 2nd century. AD (cats). During the Great Migration in the 4th century, tribes of the Visigoths, Ostrogoths, Lombards and Gepids passed through the territory of Slovakia.

In the 5th century the Slavs came here. In the 6th century, the territory fell under the rule of the Avar Khaganate, and in the 7th century the Samo Empire was formed here; a century later, the Nitra Principality arose here, which became part of Great Moravia in 833. In 906, Great Moravia was attacked by Hungarian tribes and Great Moravia gradually disintegrated. In 1018, the gradual annexation of Slovak lands to Hungary began. In 1029, the Principality of Nitra fell and by the end of the century the entire territory was annexed to Hungary.

In 1241, the territory of Slovakia was subjected to a Mongol-Tatar invasion. The Mongol-Tatar invasion weakened the power of the king in the territory of Slovakia and so the territory was ruled by oligarchs like Matus Csak. Only Charles Robert, who defeated the oligarchs in the Battle of Rozganovtsy, was able to strengthen the strong royal power. Charles Robert's son, Louis I the Great, did a lot to strengthen the country and during his reign, Hungary became a strong European power. During the time of Sigismund, Hungary again plunged into a series of battles with the Turks and Hussites. The region most affected by the Hussites was Slovakia, on whose territory in 1467, near Velki Kostolyany, Matthias Hunyadi eventually defeated the Hussite troops of the “brothers”. After the defeat from the Turks near Mohács in 1526 and the death of King Lajos II, most of the territory of Hungary, with the exception of western Hungary, Slovakia and Croatia, became part of the Ottoman Empire, and lands not subject to the Turks, including Slovakia, became part of the possessions of the Austrian Habsburgs.

After the defeat at Mohács in 1526, two kings were crowned on the Hungarian throne at once - the Turkish ally Janos Zapolyai and the Austrian Ferdinand I of Habsburg. A war broke out between the two sides, which ended in peace in Orada in 1538. In 1536, Bratislava became the capital of Hungary, and the Archbishopric of Esztergom was moved to Trnava. At the same time, the Turks also captured southern Slovakia. The 17th century passed under the banner of the struggle of nobles from Slovakia with the Austrian emperor. In 1605, István Bocskai captured almost all of Slovakia, and a truce was signed in 1606. In 1618, Bethlen captured eastern Slovakia, and in 1619, western Slovakia. In 1622, a truce was signed. In 1643-1645, battles took place on the territory of Slovakia between the Habsburg troops and the rebel Ferenc I Rakoczi. In 1678-1687 Slovakia again became the scene of battles, this time with Imre Thököly, and in 1703-1711 the last uprising took place - Ferenc II Rakoczi.

In the 18th century, Slovakia, devastated by the centuries-long war between the nobles and the emperor, began to rebuild. The first manufactories appeared in Shashtin and Golic, and mining began again. The reforms of Maria Theresa and her son Joseph II had a positive impact on the economy. At the same time, the Slovak revival began - in 1783, the first book written in Slovak by the priest Ignac Bajza appeared. In 1790 Bernolak compiled the first grammar of the Slovak language. The first awakeners (mainly Lutherans) adhered to the view that Czechs and Slovaks were one people. In 1847, Stuhr codified a version of the Slovak language close to the modern one, which was approved by both camps - both Catholics and Lutherans. During the Hungarian Revolution of 1848-49, the Slovak People's Council called on the Slovaks to take up arms against the Hungarians and support the Austrians. In 1867, the Austrian Empire was transformed into Austria-Hungary and the Slovak lands became part of the Hungarian Transleithania, as a result of which the pressure of the Hungarian authorities on the Slovaks increased. In 1875, the Slovak Matica was dissolved, and later other national organizations. In the 1890s, the concept of Czechoslovakism arose and the Slovaks began to receive help from the Czechs. In 1906, the first Slovak party arose - the moderate-nationalist Hlinka Slovak People's Party. The emergence of Slovak organizations increased pressure from the Hungarians and prompted attempts at increased Hungarianization of the Slovaks, which continued until the collapse of Austria-Hungary in November 1918.

By the beginning of the First World War, Czech and Slovak politicians had developed a fairly clear concept of the future state of the Czechs and Slovaks. This idea was proposed to the Russian Tsar at the beginning of the war and he approved the creation of the Czechoslovak Legions. On the Czech side, the main representatives were Tomas Masaryk and Eduard Beneš, and on the Slovak side, Milan Stefanik. In 1915, Masaryk officially presented the plan for the creation of Czechoslovakia in Geneva. In October of the same year, emigrant organizations of Czechs and Slovaks in Cleveland signed a joint declaration. The final agreement was signed on May 31, 1918 in Pittsburgh. The first provisional government met in Paris. On October 28, 1918, independent Czechoslovakia was proclaimed. On October 30, 1918, the Slovak People's Council in Martin signed a declaration of entry into Czechoslovakia. On November 14, 1918, Tomas Masaryk became president of the Czechoslovakia.

The first Slovak government met in Skalice, then in Žilina. On February 4, 1919, Bratislava became the capital of Slovakia.

The entry of Slovakia into Czechoslovakia had a number of positive factors. Education in the Slovak language was introduced, in 1919 the Comenius University in Bratislava was created, in 1922 compulsory 8-year education, an 8-hour working day were introduced, Slovak political parties and cultural institutions like the Slovak Matica were allowed, in 1926 it was Slovak Radio was founded, citizens over 18 years of age were given the opportunity to vote, and so on. However, the entry also had a number of negative factors. Thus, many enterprises in Slovakia could not withstand competition with Czech enterprises and in Slovakia, especially in the east, unemployment increased, which caused mass emigration to the USA and Canada (104 thousand people emigrated before 1937), the promised autonomy was not granted, and the concept also caused rejection Czechoslovakism, which argued that Czechs and Slovaks are a single people, and their languages ​​are only dialects of the “Czechoslovak language”. This strengthened the position of nationalist parties, in particular Glinka’s People’s Party.

On September 28, 1938, the Munich Agreement of 1938 was signed in Munich; on October 6, 1938, Slovak politicians in Zilina proclaimed the autonomy of Slovakia within Czechoslovakia. The Czechoslovakia government was forced to approve this and appointed Josef Tiso as prime minister of the autonomous government. On November 2, 1938, as a result of the Vienna Arbitration, Hungary and the Third Reich tore away its southern part from Slovakia. On March 13, 1939, Hitler, at a meeting with Tiso, invited him to proclaim the independence of Slovakia, otherwise Slovakia would be divided between Poland and Hungary. On March 14, 1939, the First Slovak Republic was proclaimed, and the next day German troops occupied the Czech Republic, Moravia and Czech Silesia.

The First Slovak Republic was a puppet state that was completely dependent on Germany. This fact caused discontent among the Slovaks; on the eastern front, many Slovak soldiers went over to the Soviet side. So on November 30, 1943, 2,000 soldiers crossed over to the Soviet side near Melitopol. As the Red Army approached Slovakia's borders in 1944, the Slovak National Uprising broke out and ended unsuccessfully. On September 21, 1944, the Red Army crossed the border of Slovakia at Medzilaborec. On January 19, 1945, Bratislava was liberated - the First Slovak Republic fell and Slovakia again became part of the Czechoslovakia.

The first elections took place in 1946. In Slovakia, the Democratic Party won them, with the Communist Party in second place. In February 1948, a political crisis erupted, democratic ministers resigned, and President Benes, under pressure from communist demonstrations, created a government dominated by communists. On May 9, 1948, a constitution was adopted and after the death of Benes, Klement Gottwald became president, under which Czechoslovakia became a socialist state.

On January 1, 1969, after the federalization law, Slovakia became a federal republic within Czechoslovakia, which was called the Slovak Socialist Republic.

In 1989, the communist regime fell (see Velvet Revolution), nevertheless, contradictions between the Czech Republic and Slovakia increased in the Czechoslovakia. In the summer of 1992, the leaders of the republics agreed to divide the country.

Not all tourists know that Slovakia is a country of castles, which means that there is a lot to see. Let us introduce you to interesting features and facts about the country, with general information, with sights and interesting places, we will show you where Slovakia is located on the world map, what language and currency it is, what to try from the national Slovak cuisine.

Slovakia is a small and colorful country in central Europe. More than two decades ago, after the collapse of Czechoslovakia, Slovakia became an independent and self-sufficient country.

Large cities: Kosice, Nitra, Presov, Zilina

Climate

The climate in Slovakia is moderate continental. If you are visiting Slovakia during the summer months it can get quite hot, so bring light clothing sunscreen and sunglasses. In winter it can be very cold, you need to take warm clothes and shoes. Autumn can be quite rainy, so it's worth taking an umbrella with you.

Population

About 5.5 million people live in Slovakia. The main part of the population are Slovaks, Hungarians, Ukrainians, Roma, Germans, Poles, Czechs and Rusyns.

Language

The official language is Slovak. Also popular languages ​​in the country are: Hungarian, Gypsy, Ruthenian.

Form of government

Parliamentary republic. The head of state is the president.

Religion

The majority of Slovak citizens are Catholics (69%).

Currency

The national currency of Slovakia is the euro.

Telephone code

Emergency numbers

Traditional cuisine

To truly learn the culture of a country, you need to try its cuisine! Historically, Slovakia was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and was later united with the Czech Republic, as Czechoslovakia. Thanks to Slovakia's central location and complex history, many Slovak dishes also exist in neighboring countries. Of course, you can taste dumplings in other countries Central Europe, but real dumplings with Brindzin sheep cheese can only be found in Slovakia.

Slovak national cuisine contains quite a lot of meat (especially pork, poultry), potatoes, cheese and thick sauces. Although rice does not grow in Slovakia, it is widely used in Slovak homes and restaurants. As a rule, there are not very many vegetables, well, except for huge portions of sauerkraut.

Most Slovak people have breakfast very early, with the main course for breakfast being various types of bread with butter, cheese, ham, fried or boiled eggs, sausages, vegetables, jam or honey. The main meal of the day is considered to be lunch. A typical Slovak lunch consists of soup and a main course. The main course is meat, pasta or a sweet dish.

The Slovak people have several favorite drinks, naturally these are beer, wine and the traditional Slovak slivovitz.

In Slovakia, it is customary to bring a bottle of wine or other alcoholic drink as a gift if you are invited to visit

Conclusion

Today, Slovakia is not as popular a destination among Russians as, for example, the neighboring Czech Republic, but completely undeservedly. On the territory of Slovakia there are so many beautiful places and attractions that you will definitely want to visit while in this hospitable country.

The content of the article

SLOVAKIA, The Slovak Republic is a state in Central Europe, formed on January 1, 1993 after the collapse of the Czech and Slovak Federal Republic (CSFR). From 1918 to 1992 inclusive - an integral part of Czechoslovakia; until 1918 – for almost nine centuries – part of Hungary. The country's area is 49,035 square meters. km, population – 5.34 million people (1995). It borders in the north with Poland, in the east with Ukraine, in the south with Hungary, and in the west with Austria and the Czech Republic. The capital is the city of Bratislava. see also CZECHOSLOVAKIA.

ECONOMY

Since 1990, Slovakia, which was part of the Czech and Slovak Federal Republic, began the transition from a centrally planned economic system to a market economy.

In 1990–1992, 9,500 small businesses, mostly retail and service industries, were sold at auction. By the beginning of 1993 there were approx. 16 thousand private enterprises, of which approximately 2 thousand were joint stock enterprises, and 800 were owned by foreign companies. The privatization of large and medium-sized state-owned enterprises in 1993 was carried out through the issuance and sale of vouchers.

In 1991, there was a slowdown in the rate of economic development of the Slovak economy as a result of a sharp decrease in foreign trade, the transition to market relations and the almost complete absence of the influx of foreign investment. In 1992, Slovakia's gross domestic product (GDP) fell by 30%, and by 1993 the unemployment rate exceeded 10%. Both agriculture and industry suffered. Agriculture suffered significant losses due to high costs and decreased demand for food products associated with rising retail prices and declining household incomes, as well as the termination of government subsidies. In industry, the decline in output was especially large in the manufacturing industries.

A very serious problem for the Slovak economy was the conversion of the military industry. 35 engineering enterprises that were engaged in the production of military equipment for the Warsaw Pact countries found themselves in a difficult situation. Since 1993, after the collapse of the CSFR, Slovakia continued the process of economic reform, revising the reform scenario towards strengthening social support and government regulation.

In 1993, GDP amounted to 367.3 billion crowns, in 1994 – 385.0, in 1995 – 414.7 billion crowns. In terms of growth rates, the country was among the leaders in the transition economies of Central Europe, and in terms of the depth of economic reform, it came in fourth place after Hungary, Poland and the Czech Republic, based on the sum of points scored in assessing the market measures taken. In 1996, the country achieved high GDP growth rates (6.9%), a further increase in production volumes in industry (2.5%), construction (3.7%), and agriculture (2.3%). There was a decrease in inflation (to 5.9%), unemployment decreased slightly (to 12.6%). The share of the private sector in GDP creation has increased noticeably (76% versus 63% in 1995). The main source of economic growth was the increase in domestic consumption: while the share of exports in GDP decreased to 57.5%, the share of imports, on the contrary, increased to 68.1%.

Positive macroeconomic results, expressed in GDP growth for several years now, have not led to a noticeable increase in the living standards of the majority of the country's population.

Foreign trade and investment.

In 1989, 67% of Slovakia's exports went to the USSR and other Eastern European countries and 27% to the countries of the European Union and other Western European countries. In the same year, 50% of all imports came from Eastern Europe and 32% from Western Europe. By 1993, the picture had changed: 53% of Slovakia's exports went to Western Europe and 35% to Eastern Europe, while 46% of all imports came from Western Europe and 42% from Eastern Europe. The main items of Slovak export are semi-finished products for the manufacturing industry, machinery and chemical products. The main import items are cars and various types of fuel.

Foreign investment since 1990 has been less than might have been expected. By 1993 they reached only 234 million dollars. The main investors are Germany, Austria and the USA. Already in 1996, there was a noticeable deterioration in the situation in the financial and budgetary sphere and in the field of foreign trade. The state budget deficit of Slovakia increased to 4.4% of GDP (versus 1.6% in 1995). The volume of mutual non-payments in the economic sphere, which decreased in 1995 by 32% compared to the previous year, in 1996 increased by 16 billion crowns and reached 102 billion crowns.

If in 1995 the trade balance was reduced to a small positive balance (1.79 billion crowns), then in 1996, in conditions of predominant growth in imports, a huge trade deficit emerged on a national scale in the amount of 64.5 billion crowns. To limit the growth of the negative balance of trade and payments, the Slovak government introduced a 7% import surcharge in July 1997, covering more than 75% of all imported goods, and also took a number of other measures to reduce imports. In 1997, exports increased by 9.9%, and imports by only 4.5%.

In 1996, Slovakia's foreign debt increased from 5.8 to 7.8 billion dollars, and by the end of 1997 it amounted to about 10.27 billion dollars; its growth trend did not stop in 1999. At the same time, its main part was the debt of enterprises and commercial banks.

Monetary system.

The monetary unit is the freely convertible Slovak koruna. Inflation during this period ranged from 10 to 15% per year. By 1993, Slovakia's external debt amounted to $3.3 billion. In 1997, inflation in the country, despite a slowdown in imports and an increase in some regulated prices, amounted to only 6.5–6.7%, slightly exceeding the previous year's figure (5.8%). ).

In 1996, the country's foreign exchange reserves increased, but their growth was significantly lower than the growth of Slovakia's external debt, which increased by $2 billion and by the end of 1996 reached $7.2 billion (of which public debt was $1.7 billion .). At the same time, Slovakia in terms of external debt per capita ($1,360) differs markedly from other Central European countries (for the Czech Republic this figure is $2,300, for Hungary – $3,000).

STORY

The history of Slovakia is divided into four major periods: the period preceding the Hungarian conquest in the 10th century; era of Hungarian rule until 1918; the Czechoslovak period (1918–1992) and the period of the independent Slovak Republic (from January 1, 1993). The ancestors of modern Slovaks inhabited the southern slopes of the Carpathians from about the 5th century. In the 9th century The Great Moravian State was created, which included both the Slovaks and their neighbors, the Czechs. Apostles of the Slavs Cyril and Methodius in the 9th century. converted the Slovaks to Christianity. At the beginning of the 10th century. During the Hungarian invasion, the Great Moravian Empire was destroyed. Slovakia, having separated from the Czech and Moravian lands, came under the rule of the Hungarians.

Hungarian rule.

The country conquered by Hungary was populated mainly by peasants. Hungary behaved towards the Slovaks as if they were a defeated people. In the 13th century The territory of Slovakia was subjected to a devastating invasion by the Mongols who invaded Hungary. Later, with the arrival of settlers (mainly from Germany), the economic development of the Slovak lands began. Cities grew, and a class of Slovak burghers emerged. In the 13th–14th centuries. ties between the Slovaks and Czechs were restored. The Hussite movement in the Czech Republic also affected Slovakia.

The result of the Turkish victory at Mohács in 1526 was the division of the Kingdom of Hungary into three regions: the central one under the rule of the Turks, Transylvania under the control of local princes, and the so-called. Royal Hungary under Habsburg rule; Slovakia was also included in the latter. Slovakia occupied a central position in the Kingdom of Hungary, and Bratislava was the capital of the Habsburgs until the final expulsion of the Turks and the liberation of all of Hungary at the end of the 17th century. Protestantism became widespread in the region, but under the Habsburgs the forces of the Catholic Counter-Reformation became more active.

The period of enlightened absolutism under Emperor Joseph II (reigned 1765–1790) was particularly important for the development of Slovakia. Although social reforms and religious tolerance had a beneficial effect on Slovakia, the introduction German language in Hungary caused outrage among the local population, which in turn affected the Slovaks. The growth of Hungarian national consciousness contributed to the Slovak national revival; a similar movement occurred among the Czechs. Slovak writers such as Jan Kollar and Josef Safarik played equally important roles in both the Czech and Slovak revivals. Both wrote in classical Czech. Some writers began to use the Slovak dialect as a literary language. This was a reaction to the policy of Hungary, which in 1836 declared only Hungarian as the official language. In 1845, the Slovak writer and patriot Ludovit Štur began publishing the first periodical in the Slovak language, the Slovak People's Newspaper.

The patriotic upsurge and spread of revolutionary ideas in Hungary continued to have a stimulating effect on the Slovak patriotic movement. During the revolution of 1848, the “Demands of the Slovak People” program was developed - the first expression of the political demands of the Slovaks. The program called for the use of the Slovak language in schools, courts, local government, and for the election of the Slovak parliament on the basis of universal suffrage. This led to confrontation between the Slovaks and the Hungarians; some Slovak revolutionaries moved to Prague. The defeat of the Hungarian revolution and the victory of the Austrian reaction did not improve the situation of the Slovaks. In 1861, the “Memorandum of the Slovak People” was adopted, which contained a demand for local autonomy. The cultural and educational society "Matica Slovak" was founded.

The creation of the Austro-Hungarian Empire (1867) increased the Slovaks' dependence on Budapest. The Hungarians, inspired by the idea of ​​unifying their part of the empire, pursued the policy of Magyarization with great zeal. Matica Slovakskaya and Slovak higher education institutions were closed, and the Slovak language was allowed only in primary schools. Political discrimination against Slovaks continued; Slovak deputies were extremely rarely elected to the Hungarian parliament. There were no mechanisms for the formation of the Slovak elite; The role of political leader was often assumed by the clergy. On the eve of the First World War, Slovak patriots collaborated closely with other peoples of the Austro-Hungarian Empire; It was at this time that the idea of ​​​​creating a Czechoslovak state began to take clear shape.

During the First World War, Czechs and Slovaks demanded a unified state. Slovak General Milan Stefanik, along with Czech leaders Tomas Masaryk and Eduard Benes, spent the war years in the West, seeking support from France and Great Britain. In Slovakia itself towards the creation new country priest Andrei Glinka and Vavro Shrobar called; Milan Goggia became the spokesman for Czechoslovak and Slovak interests in Vienna. As soon as the independence movement gained momentum within Slovakia and abroad, Slovaks in the United States took the initiative to sign an agreement with the Czechs, which contained plans for the creation of a Czechoslovak state. The Pittsburgh Declaration of May 30, 1918, signed in the presence of Masaryk, did not have the status of an official document; it stated that Slovakia should become an autonomous part of the new state with its own parliament, administration, judicial system, and the Slovak language was supposed to be used as the official language.

Education of Czechoslovakia.

On October 28, 1918, the Czech National Council proclaimed the independence of Czechoslovakia in Prague, and on October 30, the Slovak National Council in Turčanský Sveti Martin (modern Martin) announced the separation of Slovakia from Hungary and the creation of a Czechoslovak state (the so-called Martin Declaration). The joint state was recreated on the basis of the unification of two peoples after ten centuries of separation, but the question of a clear relationship between them remained open. In the constitutional debate, the centralist tendency won, receiving the support of the majority of Czechs. Czechoslovakia was proclaimed a single and indivisible republic. The idea of ​​one nation using mutual language, found support both in Prague and among part of the Slovak population. And yet, the centralist nature of the new republic did not suit many citizens of Slovakia, primarily supporters of Hlinka’s People’s Party, as well as Josef Tiso, who demanded complete autonomy for this part of the country and received 32% of the Slovak votes in the elections of 1925. Some of the votes in Slovakia received also more moderate parties that opposed autonomy. Catholics played a leading role in the more extremist movements.

As a result, the Slovak question became the central problem of the new state, and antagonism and tension between Czechs and Slovaks often obscured genuine achievements in Slovak development. Some of its more moderate leaders held high positions in the Czechoslovak government.

In 1938, after the Munich Agreement, many Slovaks from among the extremist wing of the autonomists came out with demands for complete separation from the Czechoslovak state. As a result of this agreement, the line towards the dismemberment of Czechoslovakia prevailed; Hungary and Poland annexed parts of the territory of Slovakia. When Hitler captured Prague in March 1939, German and Slovak Nazis created a separate Slovak state. His government was a Nazi dictatorship led by President Tiso. Later, Slovak troops were sent to the Soviet-German front to demonstrate support for the German invasion of the USSR.

During the war years, some Slovak leaders (Stefan Osuski, Juraj Slavik, etc.) collaborated with the exile government of Czechoslovakia, headed by Benes; a group of Slovak communists, who did not have much influence in Slovakia, began active activities in Moscow. In December 1943, the Slovak National Council was created, which became the head of the underground resistance movement, in which communist and non-communist forces participated. The Council opposed the Tiso regime, recognized the need to restore Czechoslovakia on the basis of an equal partnership between Czechs and Slovaks, and began preparing an armed uprising. It began in August 1944 in the area of ​​​​Banska Bystrica under the leadership of communist partisans. Despite assistance provided by the Soviet advance from Poland, the Slovak partisans were routed by superior German forces.

At the end of the war, the Slovak National Council took control of all of Slovakia. Using the slogans of Slovak nationalism, the communists sought to retain power, but in the 1946 elections, non-communist parties received 63% of the seats in the council. Then the communists changed their tactics, relying not on persuasion, but on violence; Mass arrests began in the country. After the communists seized power in 1948, Slovakia for the first time received broad autonomy, which was subsequently largely curtailed. The sovereignty of Slovakia became one of the main goals of the 1968 liberation movement in Czechoslovakia. Despite the invasion of Czechoslovakia by the armed forces of the Warsaw Pact countries in August 1968, a constitutional law was adopted on October 30, 1968, establishing a federal state in Czechoslovakia. The new law, which came into force on January 1, 1969, granted broad powers to the Czech and Slovak regional administrations and established a bicameral national assembly, in one of the chambers of which Czechs and Slovaks had equal representation.

Demonstrations in November 1989 brought an end to communist rule. In the Czech Republic, the Civil Forum (CF) movement arose, and in Slovakia, the Public Against Violence (OPV). The country received a new name - the Czech and Slovak Federal Republic. In the 1990 elections, the OPN and the Christian Democratic Movement (CDM) received the largest number of votes.

On the way to independence.

At the end of 1990, the federal parliament granted Slovakia the right to manage its budget, without resolving the issue of guarantees of its sovereignty. In 1991, federal, Czech and Slovak government circles held a series of meetings at which issues of granting autonomy to Slovakia were considered, but no agreement was reached. The OPN movement split, particularly on the issue of separatism, and in the 1992 elections a new organization of patriotic forces - the Movement for a Democratic Slovakia (MZDS, founded in 1991) - received a majority of seats in the Slovak legislature. In June 1992, the leaders of the federal, Czech and Slovak governments agreed on the peaceful division of Czechoslovakia. On January 1, 1993, two independent states emerged: Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic.

SLOVAK REPUBLIC AFTER 1993

After the establishment of Slovakia as a sovereign political entity, the development of its political system was characterized by processes of regrouping and polarization of forces. The initial period of the political history of the Slovak Republic is associated with the name of Prime Minister Vladimir Meciar. During his first term as Prime Minister (January 1993 - March 1994), Meciar advocated gradualism in privatization. In addition, holding the post of prime minister twice, as well as important economic positions in the government, Meciar had a great influence on foreign policy, which led to strained relations with Hungary. Josef Moravcsik, who had previously been Minister of Foreign Affairs in Meciar's government, made accusations against him and in early March 1994 Meciar did not receive support in the Slovak National Council when discussing the issue of a vote of confidence.

On 16 March, Moravcsik was elected head of a provisional coalition government, which included representatives of the following opposition parties: the Democratic Union (DU), the Democratic Left Party (PLD), the Christian Democratic Movement (CDM) and the National Democratic Party (NDP). However, the victory of Meciar's opponents turned out to be short-lived: the opposition did not have enough time to create a real alternative to Meciar. In September 1994, early parliamentary elections were planned.

The first national elections in Slovakia after its independence were held from September 30 to October 1, 1994. 18 parties and movements and 76% of all registered voters took part in them. The Movement for a Democratic Slovakia by V. Mečiar received a predominant number of votes. The Common Choice bloc (PLD, Social Democratic Party of Slovakia, Green Party, Agrarian Movement) received 10.41% of the votes (18 mandates), Hungarian Coalition (Hungarian Christian Democratic Movement, Coexistence Movement and Hungarian Civic Party) – 10.18% (17 mandates), CDA – 10.08% (17 mandates), Democratic Union – 8.57% (15 mandates), Union of Workers of Slovakia – 7.34% (13 mandates), Slovak National Party – 5.4% (9 seats).

The DZDS originates from the Public Against Violence (OPV) movement, which arose after the Velvet Revolution. Mečiar was one of the founders of the OPN and served as Minister of the Interior in the Slovak government from January–June 1990. During the debate about the future of Czechoslovakia in March 1991, Mečiar suffered his first political defeat and was forced to resign as Prime Minister of Slovakia because he was accused of damaging Czech-Slovak relations with his position on full autonomy for Slovakia. Meciar left the ranks of the OPN and organized the DZDS.

Meciar remained in power from 1994 to 1998. During this time, he became involved in a protracted struggle with President Michal Kovac, his former associate in creating the DZDS and rival in the presidential elections. On September 25–26, 1998, parliamentary elections were held in the country, in which 17 parties took part. Meciar was opposed in the struggle for power by the opposition - the Slovak Democratic Coalition (SDC), which united five parties, including Christian conservatives, the Green Party and Socialists; it was headed by Mikulas Dzurinda. KFOR received approx. 23% of the vote, and parties in opposition to Meciar won about two-thirds of the seats in the national assembly (93 out of 150).

In addition, the National Assembly was represented by the Civil Accord Party (CCP), led by Rudolf Schuster; the center-right Christian Democratic Party (CDP); the Party of Left Democrats (PLD), successor to the Communist Party of Slovakia led by Josef Migaš, which received 15% of the vote in the elections; the three-party Coalition of Hungarian Parties (CHP). Although the DZDS, led by Meciar, achieved the support of 27% of the votes, i.e. More than any other party, it has lost almost a quarter of its former electorate. The DZDS coalition partner, the Slovak Workers' Party (SWP), received only 1% of the votes, failing to cross the 5% threshold required for representation in parliament. The Slovak National Party (SNP), another member of the DZDS coalition, received 9% of the vote. Having received 57 seats in the national assembly (jointly with the SNP), Meciar was not re-elected as prime minister.

In the spring of 1999, the political crisis associated with the absence (since March 2, 1998) of the country's president was resolved in Slovakia: Michal Kovac, elected by the parliamentary majority in 1993, came into conflict with the country's Prime Minister V. Meciar, and left his post. Having been defeated in the parliamentary elections in September 1998, Mečiar announced his retirement from the political scene, but after the Slovak parliament adopted a decision in January 1999 to hold direct popular elections for the presidency, he announced his candidacy. Its support was the parliamentary opposition, mainly the DZDS, which received the largest number of votes (about 500 thousand out of 3 million voters). The opponent was the mayor of Kosice, 65-year-old Rudolf Schuster, former chairman of the Slovak parliament in the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic, member of the central committee of the Communist Party of Slovakia. Shuster, the candidate of the government coalition, received 57% of the votes in the second round of elections (May 30, 1999), while Meciar received 32%. The presidential elections strengthened the position of the parliamentary majority, and also strengthened the country's pro-Western course in foreign policy: the desire to join NATO as quickly as possible was declared (in the spring-summer of 1999, the government supported NATO during the military operation against Yugoslavia, providing airfields and transport communications to Western countries and refusing to provide air corridors to Russian aircraft) and to the European Union (tightening the monetarist course and curtailing trade ties with Russia and neighboring countries).

Slovakia is a state in Central Europe. It borders with the Czech Republic, Poland, Ukraine, Hungary and Austria. It has no access to the sea.

Most of the country is mountainous ( highest point countries - Gerlachovski-Štit, 2655 m). A third of the country is occupied by the fertile South Slovak and East Slovak lowlands in the southeast and the Danube lowlands east of Bratislava.

State

State structure

Parliamentary democratic republic. The head of the country is the president. The highest legislative body is the National Council (People's Rada).

Language

Official language: Slovak

Czech, Hungarian, German, English and, in their places of residence, the languages ​​of ethnic groups are widely spoken.

Religion

Catholics (60%), Protestants (8%), Orthodox (4%), others.

Currency

International name: SKK

The Slovak koruna is equal to 100 hellers. In circulation there are coins in denominations of 10, 20 and 50 hellers and 1, 2, 5 and 10 kroner (Sk) and banknotes in denominations of 20, 50, 100, 500, 1000 and 5000 kroner. Czechoslovakian coins and banknotes are not valid.

EuroCard and MasterCard credit cards are accepted in almost all banks, as well as VISA, American Express and Eurocheque. They are accepted in most large hotels, gas stations, and less commonly in restaurants and stores. ATMs are becoming increasingly common in Slovakia, although outside major cities It’s better not to count on them. Slovak ATMs are usually connected to the international payment systems MasterCard, VISA, Plus, Maestro, Cirrus.

Map of Slovakia

Popular attractions

Tourism in Slovakia

Where to stay

Slovakia provides tourists with not only modern luxury hotels, but also accommodation for every taste - small cozy boarding houses, private apartments, guest houses. At the same time, decent and affordable housing can be found both in big cities and in rural areas.

Hotels of international chains are usually located in large resort towns. In Slovakia you can stay in one of the hotels of the Hilton, Sheraton, Holiday Inn and others. The cost of living here is quite consistent with the level of service offered in hotels.

In contrast, living in hostels is considered the cheapest and, accordingly, the least comfortable. As a rule, these are former workers' dormitories that have been converted into hotels. For a small fee you get a bed and a shared bathroom. But in student dormitories, which are open to tourists during summer holidays(June to August), you can find a quite cozy room and a private bathroom.

In small mountain villages in the Tatras, Low Tatras, Lesser and Greater Fatra mountains you will find not only cheap accommodation, but also quite modern mountain hotels of varying levels of service. Here you will be offered comfortable stay, home comfort and excellent food.

Also works in Slovakia a large number of private boarding houses and apartments. In rural areas, these are buildings that are practically no different from traditional peasant houses. In the city, these can be boarding houses with their own restaurant.

In the summer, about 100 campsites and summer camps open in Slovakia with developed infrastructure - showers, laundry, toilets, some with restaurants, cafes, shops.

IN last years Agritourism, which involves accommodation in historic estates, mills or farms, is becoming increasingly popular.

Popular hotels

Excursions and attractions in Slovakia

Despite its modest size, Slovakia is famous for its huge number of natural, historical, cultural and architectural attractions. Slovakia is home to majestic mountains and famous ski resorts, vast forests and picturesque plains, numerous mineral springs, stunningly beautiful caves and, of course, ancient castles and fortresses.

The main attraction of Slovakia is, of course, its natural resources. A significant part of the country is occupied mountain ranges– Small Carpathians, White Carpathians, High Tatras, Low Tatras, Slovak Rudogorye, Javorniki, Mala Fatra, etc. It is not surprising that Slovakia is considered one of the most popular European ski centers. The most famous and visited ski resorts are Strbske Pleso, Jasna, Tatranska Lomnica, Donovaly, Smokovec, Podbanske and Ruzomberok.

The country is also famous for its balneological resorts. Slovakia's numerous thermal springs and healing mineral waters are known throughout the world. Among the most famous hydropathic establishments, it is worth highlighting Piestany, Bojnice, Vyšné Ružbachy, Bardejov, Dudnice and Bardejovo Baths. The climatic resort of Slovakia Novy Smokovec is also famous - one of the best in Europe for the treatment of respiratory diseases (located in the High Tatras at an altitude of 1018 m above sea level).

Among the natural attractions of Slovakia, a special place is occupied by numerous caves, of which there are about 4,000 in the country. This is a real paradise for speleologists. The most interesting are the Demanovskaya cave system (Freedom Cave and Ice Cave), Belyanskaya Cave, Vazhetskaya Cave, Domitsa, Drina Cave, Jasovskaya Cave, Gombasetskaya Cave, Okhtinskaya Aragonite Cave, and Dobshinskaya Ice Cave.

Lovers of history and architecture should definitely visit the capital of Slovakia, Bratislava, one of the oldest cities in the country. Among the abundance of various attractions of the capital, it is worth noting Bratislava Castle, the Grassalkovich Palace, Cathedral St. Martin, Old Town Hall, New Bridge, St. Elizabeth's Church (Blue Church), St. Nicholas Church, Slovak National Gallery, St. Michael's Gate and Bratislava Zoo. In the vicinity of Bratislava there are the ruins of Devin Castle.

On the territory of Slovakia, many magnificent medieval castles and fortresses have survived to this day. Bojnice Castle, Spiš Castle, Orava Castle, Krasna Horka, Cherveny Kamen, Trenčiansky Castle, Kezmar Castle, Beckov Castle, Smolenice Castle, the ruins of the Levin Fortress and the Castle in Kremnica are very popular among tourists.

The charming cities of Slovakia such as Kosice, Banska Bystrica, Banska Stiavnica, Nitra, Presov, Trencin, Levoca, Trnava, Komárno and Liptovsky Mikulas are also worth a visit. Here you will find many interesting sights and a lot of impressions.

SLOVAKIA

(The Slovak Republic)

General information

Geographical position. Slovakia is a Central European state. The state borders Poland, Ukraine, Hungary, Austria and the Czech Republic. Square. The territory of Slovakia covers 49,035 km. sq.

Main cities Administrative division. The capital of Slovakia is Bratislava. The largest cities: Bratislava (443 thousand people), Kosice (235 thousand people), Nitrat (90 thousand people), Presov (88 thousand people). Administratively, Slovakia is divided into 3 regions and a capital equivalent to them.

Political system

Slovakia-republic. The head of state is the president. The head of government is the prime minister. The legislative body is the unicameral National Council.

Relief. Most of Slovakia is located in the Western Carpathians, which are low and medium-high mountains with soft, rounded relief shapes. Only the highest massif of the country - the High Tatras - has rocky mountains with traces of glaciation. The lowlands occupy a small area in the southwest.

Geological structure and minerals. On the territory of Slovakia there are deposits of iron ore, antimony, magnesite, and manganese.

Climate. Slovakia has hot summers and cold winters. The sunniest and warmest region of the country is located in the Danube Valley east of Bratislava. The average temperature in January is -2°C, in July +21°C. Summers in the mountains are cooler, and in winter there is a lot of snow. In autumn it rains all over the country.

Inland waters. The rivers mainly belong to the Danube basin. The border between Slovakia and the Czech Republic runs along the Morava River.

Soils and vegetation. Large tracts of deciduous (oak, beech) and coniferous forests cover the mountain slopes.

Animal world. In Slovakia, wolves, lynx, hare, fox, bear, deer, roe deer, and hedgehogs are common.

Population and language

The total number of inhabitants of Slovakia is about 5.5 million people. The average population density is 110 people per 1 sq. km. 77% of Slovaks live in cities. The most densely populated areas are located in the east of the country. There are also about 570 thousand Hungarians currently living in Slovakia, which is 10% of the total population. On the territory of the republic there is the largest Roma diaspora in Europe, amounting to 300 thousand people. Poles, Jews, Russians and Ukrainians also live in Slovakia.

The official language of Slovakia is Slovak.

Religion

About 60% of the population is Catholic. Of the Protestants, the majority are Calvinists and Lutherans, and a small percentage of the population professes the Orthodox religion. The Catholic Church plays a fairly prominent role in the political life of the country.

Brief historical sketch

BIV century n. e. Slavic tribes appeared on the territory of modern Slovakia.

In the VI century. the Slavs had to defend their territory from Arab invasions. During this period, the independent Nitra principality emerged.

19th century Czech princes annexed the lands of the Slovaks to the Great Moravian Empire. The first ruler of this ancient Slavic state was Moimir I. The closest neighbor of his power was the Frankish Empire, from where Christian missionaries came to the Czechs, trying not only to convert the pagan tribes to a new faith, but also to strengthen Frankish influence in the lands of the Slavs. Moymir did not want to submit to his formidable neighbor and, in order to strengthen his own independence, sought to enlist the support of another powerful state of that time - the Byzantine Empire.

Continuing his policy, the next ruler of Great Moravia, Rostislav (846-870), invited two missionaries from Constantinople - Cyril and Methodius. Thanks to the labors of the brothers, Byzantium soon granted the Moravians the privilege of worshiping in Old Church Slavonic and using the Glagolitic script developed by Cyril. Old Church Slavonic became the third world language in Europe, along with Latin and Greek.

During the reign of Rostislav's nephew Svatopluk (871-894), the Slavic state again fell under the influence of Catholicism, the Moravian independent church organization was established not from Constantinople, but from Rome.

In 896, the Magyars began to invade the Czech lands. The Great Moravian Empire practically ceased to exist.

At the beginning of the 11th century. part of the territory of Slovakia was captured by the Hungarian princes, and by 1018 almost its entire territory became part of the Kingdom of Hungary.

In the 13th century Hungary entered a period of feudal fragmentation. For this reason, its rulers were unable to repel the invasion of the Tatars in 1241, after which the southwestern and southeastern regions of the Slovak lands suffered especially; they were completely devastated.

In 1298, the major Hungarian feudal lord Matus Csaka, with the support of the minor nobility, took possession of the territory of western and central Slovakia and helped the Czech king Wenceslas II gain a foothold on the Hungarian throne for several years.

In the middle of the 15th century. The Ottoman Empire began invading Hungarian territory.

In 1526, the Turks inflicted a decisive defeat on the Hungarian-Slovak army at the Battle of Mohács. The capital of the Kingdom of Hungary was moved from Buda to Bratislava.

In the middle of the 16th century. The Habsburgs took possession of the Hungarian crown, and Slovakia became part of the vast Austrian Empire.

In the middle of the 19th century. Ludovit Štur (1815-1856), son of a pastor, created the Slovak literary language.

In 1918, the Slovaks recognized the provisional government of Tomas Masaryk, as a result of which Czechoslovakia was formed.

In 1918, the President of the Republic, Tomas Masaryk, while signing the law on Slovak immigrants to the United States, promised the imminent formation of an independent Slovak parliament.

In 1920, the constitution of a united Czechoslovakia was adopted, the official language of which was declared Czech.

In the 1935 parliamentary elections, the majority of Slovaks gave their votes to political organizations that advocated autonomy.

In 1938, under strong public pressure, the autonomy of Slovakia within Czechoslovakia was proclaimed.

In 1939, after the capture of Czechoslovakia by German troops, a protectorate regime was established in Slovakia, and it formally gained independence. The country was led by the pro-fascist leader J. Tiso.

In August 1944, Slovak partisans organized a national uprising, which was brutally suppressed in October of the same year.

In April 1945, Soviet troops began the liberation of Slovakia; by May 1945, Bratislava was liberated.

In 1947, due to the deterioration of the economic situation in the country, the Communists began to lose the support of broad sections of the population.

In 1948, the so-called February victory of the communists took place, when, after twelve non-communist ministers resigned, Gottwald achieved the approval of a new government, in which there were no longer representatives of other parties.

In the 90s, serious reforms were carried out in the post-communist republic to transfer the national economy to market principles, in particular, the privatization of state property.

In April 1990, the Federal Assembly announced the new name of the state: the Czech and Slovak Federal Republic.

Market reforms in Slovakia were much more difficult than in the more economically developed Czech Republic.

In 1992, in a referendum, the majority of the population of Slovakia voted to secede from Czechoslovakia.

Brief Economic Sketch

Slovakia is an industrial-agrarian country. Ferrous and non-ferrous metallurgy, engineering, oil refining, petrochemical, chemical, forestry, woodworking, textile, food industries. Agriculture is dominated by farming (cereals, sugar beets, etc.). Gardening, viticulture. Meat and dairy cattle breeding. Export: machinery and equipment, products of the oil refining, chemical and woodworking industries, agriculture, etc.

The monetary unit is the Slovak koruna.

Brief sketch of culture

Art and architecture. Monuments of primitive art, as well as ancient Roman buildings from the first centuries of our era, have been preserved on the territory of Slovakia. Since the Middle Ages, the development of Slovak art took place in the context of a centuries-old struggle for the preservation of national culture.

First architectural monuments date back to the early Middle Ages. Romanesque buildings of the 11th-12th centuries: a single-hall church in Drazovce, a basilica in Djakovce, as well as a number of castles. In the XIII-XV centuries. Gothic architecture is developing in Slovakia, in its own way architectural features close to the Czech architectural tradition. Cathedrals in Bratislava, churches in Kremnica and Presov have survived to this day. In the 16th century Secular architecture took the leading place. During this period, town halls and residential buildings were built in the spirit of the Renaissance, and castles were rebuilt. In the XVII-XVIII centuries. Baroque art spreads in Slovakia (Trinity Church in Bratislava). IN THE HEH century. Slovak architecture was characterized by classicism.

Bratislava. Stary Grad, St. Martin's Cathedral (XIV century), church of the XIII century, old town hall (XIV century). Kosice. Cathedral of St. Elizabeth (XV century). Nitra. Castle (XIII century), Basilica of St. Emeram (XIII century).

Numerous medieval castles countrywide.

Literature. J. Kollar (1793-1852) was a figure of the Slovak and Czech national Renaissance, poet, scientist, in poems (“Daughter of Glory”) and articles he spoke with a program for the cultural rapprochement of the Slavs.

Music. By the second half of the 19th century. refers to the activities of a galaxy of talented composers who laid the foundations of modern Slovak music. The largest of them is YAL. Bella (1843-1936).