SLOVENIA (Europe)

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Rich in resources, naturally good looking and persistently peaceful, Slovenia has been doing just fine since its break from the former Yugoslavia in 1991. No longer the undiscovered, bargain gem that it was, Slovenia still remains a wonderful antidote to much of Europe's crowds and high prices.

Slovenia was the first of the former Yugoslavian states to declare its independence from the Federal Republic. It was formally recognised as a sovereign country by the EC in January 1992 and by the UN in May of the same year. It is a country the size of Wales but with a population of just 2 million. Almost exactly half the population lives in the countryside. The capital, Ljubljana, is home to a little over a quarter of a million people.

Approximately 90% of Slovenia lies at an altitude of 300 m or more, and over half of this land area is forested. First time visitors to Slovenia will probably need to change their preconceptions. Forget the images of the Balkan states or of other former Eastern-Bloc countries that you have seen in recent years; they do not apply to Slovenia. The principle reasons for this are both geographical and historical. Slovenia borders Italy, Austria, Hungary and the also newly independent Croatia. Western-European influence was, and is, strong. Also, until WW1, Slovenia was part of the rich and powerful Austro-Hungarian Empire under the Hapsburg monarchy.

Slovenia is fast climbing the popular holiday destination list, with some fantastic scenery (natural landscapes and vast number of explorable caves), it's cost effective living and some of the finest golf courses in Europe are making it a serious contender for 'best newcomer' in the holiday category.