GEOGRAPHY

1. GENERAL INFORMATION

Area: 20,273 km² Population: 2,0 million Capital city: Ljubljana Other largest cities: Maribor, Celje, Kranj Rivers: Sava, Drava, Mura, Soča Official languages: Slovenian, Italian, Hungarian

2. GEOGRAPHICAL POSITION

Slovenia lies in the centre of Europe. We have four neighbouring countries: Italy, Austria, Hungary and Croatia.

3. NATURAL REGIONS

Four big natural units meet in Slovenia: the Alps, the Dinaric Alps, the Pannonian Plain and the Adriatic Sea. This is why Slovenia is so diverse. In a small area you can find beaches, mountains, caves, forests, rivers and plains.

THE ALPINE REGION

It is in the north and north-west part of the country. There are a beautiful river valleys and high mountains. Some are over 2500 meters high. The highest is Triglav, which is also the symbol of Slovenia.

The highest Slovenian mountain - Triglav

One of the biggest Slovenian lake - Lake Bohinj

THE PANNONIAN REGION

It is in the east and north-east of Slovenia. Along the rivers there are a lot of farms. Very rich flora and fauna are common for this part of Slovenia.

Along the river Mura there nest a lot of rare birds

THE DINARIC-KARST REGION

It is in the south and south-east of the country. There is a lot of limestone, so there are many Karst caves, rivers, springs and lakes. Rivers and lakes can suddenly disappear under the surface and they come up in a completey different place.

Limestone

THE MEDITERRANEAN REGION

It is located in the south-west of the north of the Adriatic Sea. There it is warmer than in other parts of Slovenia.

The largest cliff in the Adriatic Sea - Strunjan Cliff

4. THE CLIMATE

Because of such differences in landscape, we have three basic climates in Slovenia.

ALPINE CLIMATE		CONTINENTAL CLIMATE		SUB-MEDITERRANEAN CLIMATE
It is the harshest climate. Temperatures are lower than elsewhere in Slovenia. Snow is common already in autumn. In the summer, it never gets too hot.		It is typical for the most part of Slovenia. The winters are quite cold and in the summer it is quite hot. The average temperatures of coldest month are lower than 0 degrees Celsius. In the summer the temperatures during the day are over 35 degrees.		It is the most warm and mild climate in Slovenia. Winters are relatively warm, but also very windy. In the summer it is hot and dry. This places have the most sunny days in Slovenia.