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The Republic of Slovenia lies at the heart of Europe – it is a meeting point of four major European natural units: where the Alps and the Mediterranean meet the Pannonian plains and the mysterious Karst. That’s what makes Slovenia a special country.
The climate is continental with cold winters and warm summers, but at the coastal areas there is pleasant submediterranean climate. The average temperatures are -2° in January and 21° in July. The average rainfall is 1000 mm for the coast, up to 3500 mm for the Alps, 800 for SE and 1400 mm for central Slovenia. And there is plenty of snow in winter. In Slovenia, the sun shines approximately 2,000 hours per year.
Slovenia is situated in Central Europe and shares borders with Italy, Austria, Croatia and Hungary, only a couple hours from Venice or Vienna. Slovenia's Eastern Alpine location and easily accessible transit routes have been crucial since ancient days. It is very easy to get here as the country is connected with the rest of the world by a modern highway network, railway system, international airport and seaports.
The Country is mostly elevated. Outside the coastal area, its terrain consists largely of karstic plateaus and ridges, magnificently precipitous Alpine peaks, basins and valleys. The highest Alpine peak in Slovenia is Triglav (2.864 m) - the name meaning "three-heads". The mountain is a true national symbol. In a valley beneath Triglav lie idyllic Lake Bohinj and, north-eastward, Lake Bled.
Green is the dominant colour. There are many woods and forests in Slovenia that cover more then half the territory, as much as 10.124 km2. Slovenia is homeland to more than 50.000 animal species and 3.000 plant species. The remnants of primeval forests could also be found, especially in the Kočevje area. European brown bear still lives in these forests, and it is possible to encounter the wolf or the lynx, the wild boar, the chamois, roe deer as well as standard varieties of small game.
Slovenia has 46,6 km of coastline- one inch per inhabitant, 26.000 kilometres of rivers and streams and some 7.500 springs of drinking water, including several hundred of first class therapeutic mineral springs. Approximately 8% of the Slovenia's territory is protected nature area. The caves of Škocjan were inscribed on the world heritage List at UNESCO in 1986 and the Sečovlje Soline (Sečovlje saltpans) is included in the List of Wetlands of International Importance.
As a small, beautiful and picturesque country, Slovenia makes a great tourist destination. You can ski in the morning and surrender yourself to the luxury of the Adriatic Sea in the afternoon.
The Škocjan Caves.
photo Škocjan Caves Archives
Sečovlje saltpans at sunset.
photo J. Skok/STB