General information about Slovakia
- Total Area:
- 49.035 km2
- Official Language:
- The Slovak language
- Time Zone:
- Central European
- Capital City:
- Bratislava (number of inhabitants: 428.672)
- International phone area code:
- + 421
- National currency:
- Slovak crown (SKK) = 100 cents
- Date of the Republic's Establishment:
- January 1, 1993
- Territorial division:
- 8 regions
Slovakia is a parliamentary democracy.
The sole constitution-amending and law-making body of Slovakia is the National Council of the Slovak Republic, NR SR (Slovak Parliament), which, as an elected body, represents the sovereignty of the state and of its peoples. Parliamentary deputies are elected in general, equal and direct elections by secret ballot. The number of deputies is 150 and their term is 4 years long.
The Slovak government is the highest executive body. It consists of the prime minister, of deputy prime ministers and of ministers. The government is appointed by the Slovak president upon a proposal of the prime minister. The government is responsible for the execution of its role to the Slovak Parliament. The formal chief representative of Slovakia is its president. He/she is elected in a direct election by secret ballot for a five-year term. Voters who have the right to vote in the general election have the right to vote for the president, too.
State symbols of Slovakia
The Slovak national emblem is an Early Gothic coat of arms with a silver Lorraine cross on top of a blue mount composed of three hills on a red background.
The Slovak national flag consists of three bands - white, blue and red - and the Slovak national emblem in the upper hoist.
The Slovak national seal includes the Slovak national emblem, around which the text 'SLOVENSKÁ REPUBLIKA' is inscribed.
The Slovak national anthem consists of the first two stanzas of a song 'Nad Tatrou sa blýska' (It Is Lighting Above the Tatra).
Slovakia is a member of the United Nations Organisation, of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, of the Council of Europe, of The Visegrád Four and of other international organisations. You can find more details on the website of the Slovak Ministry of Foreign Affairs at www.mzv.sk.
State and Church Holidays
- January 1 - Establishment of the Slovak Republic
- January 6 - Epiphany (Twelfth Night, Christmas in Orthodox Church)
- March/April - Good Friday and Easter Monday
- May 1 - Labour Day
- May 8 - V-E Day, Liberation Day
- July 5 - St. Cyril and Methodius Day
- August 29 - Slovak National Uprising
- September 1 - Slovak Constitution Day
- September 15 - The Seven-Pain Virgin Maryis Day
- November 1 - All Saints Day
- December 24 - Christmas Eve
- December 25 - 1st Christmas Eve
- December 26 - 2nd Christmas Eve