SLOVAKIA By Mgr Katarna Dulakov GENERAL INFORMATION is

SLOVAKIA By Mgr. Katarína Dulačková

GENERAL INFORMATION -is located in the central Europe -has population of about 5 million inhabitants -came into existence on 1 st January 1993 -borders with these countries

STATE SYMBOLS COAT OF ARMS p p Double white cross symbolizes the tradition of St. Cyril and St. Methodius Three mountains represented on the coat of arms are – Matra, Tatra and Fatra, Red Shield The coat of arms of Slovakia consists of a red shield with a white double cross. It stands on the middle peak of a dark blue mountain, which has three peaks: Tatra, Fatra and Mátra (the last one is in northern Hungary). These symbols are very close to the ones used in the Coat of arms of Hungary.

SLOVAK FLAG - consists of the Slovak tricolour and the Slovak coat of arms. - from the top to the bottom there are three equal horizontal bands of white, blue and red - Red, blue and white are the most used colours in flags and national emblems of Slavic countries.

SLOVAK ANTHEM The song Nad Tatrou sa blýska (Lightning over the Tatras) was composed in 1844. The text was written by Ján Matuška on the melody of Slovak folk song Kopala studienku (She was digging a well). p In 1920 the first strophe became a part of the Czechoslovak anthem. Since 1993 the Slovak anthem contains the first two strophes. p

THE HIGH TATRAS MOUNTAIN RANGE p p The High Tatras mountains are situated in the north of Slovakia, on the border with Poland Highest peak is Gerlachovský štít The area is well known for winter sports. Ski resorts include Štrbské Mountain Lake, Old Smokovec and Tatranská Lomnica From the above-mentioned centres you can start all day trips to Low Tatras, Slovak Paradise, Levoča, Spiš Castle etc.

UNIQUE ANIMALS AND PLANTS IN HIGH TATRAS MARMOT BOB CAT CHAMOIS EDELWEISS SAFFRON EAGLE

FOLK ARCHITECTURE Museum of Orava village - Zuberec Čičmany village also called „ginger bread“ village p p Slovakia has around 14 open air museums There are examples of traditional buildings and furnishings, and many offer demonstrations of traditional handicrafts.

THE WORLD HERITAGE - UNESCO The Spiš Castle The highest wooden altar in Europe - Levoča Historic Town of Banská Štiavnica Vlkolinec Caves in Slovak karst (The top 12 of the country’s 4, 000 caves can easily be toured

MINERAL SPRINGS AND SPA RESORTS Slovakia belongs to countries with the largest number of spas within the Central Europe.

BALNEOLOGICAL SPAS - treat illnesses by bathing in thermal water or mud The most known spas of this kind are in Pieštany, Bojnice, Bardejov, Bojnice, Brusno, Sliač, Trenčianske Teplice

CLIMATIC SPAS p are in areas with especially clean air and healthy climates (Nový Smokovec, Lúčivná). It helps people with respiratory problems

SLOVAK CUISINE p p p Traditional Slovakian food includes the unique dishes such as Bryndzove halushky - potato dumplings with sheep cheese (bryndza) and roasted bacon Zemiakové placky - potato pancakes fried in oil with garlic and flour Granadír - pasta with potato Fried cheese - cheese fried in bread crumbs Schnitzel - Wiener schnitzel Lokse - potato pancake

DID YOU KNOW? p Slovak women marry the youngest (average 24 years old) within the European Union, along with Lithuanian and Polish women. Slovaks have the 2 nd highest obesity rate in Europe (after the UK) and 4 th highest in the world. Over one in four Slovak woman is obese according to the OECD. The most famous American of Slovak descent is probably pop artist Andy Warhol (1928 -1987), whose parents immigrated from Miková in northeastern Slovakia.

Štefan Banič (1870 -1941) invented the first actively used parachute, patenting it in 1913. The hill known as Krahule near the town Kremnica, Slovakia, is the geographical center of Europe.

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