Slovenia
Republic of Slovenia
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Political system: democratic republic
Location: Central Europe
Capital city: Ljubljana
Population: approximately 2 million
Nationality: Slovenian
- Total area: 20,273 km2
- Land: 20,151 km2
- Water surfaces: 122 km2 (+ ~180 km2 Adriatic Sea)
- Forest coverage: ~58%
- Highest point: Triglav - 2,864 m
- Lowest point: Adriatic Sea - 0 m (-32 m)
- Coastline length: 43,157 m
- Longest river: Sava - 221 km in Slovenia
- Largest natural lake: Lake Bohinj - 3.18 km2
- Precipitation: 800-3,500 mm/year
- Annual temperature: from 0°C (Kredarica) to 13°C (Portorož)
- The average annual temperature in Slovenia ranges from approximately 0°C in the high mountains to 13°C- along the coast, with a national average around 9°C-10°C. In recent decades, it has noticeably increased due to climate change.
Slovenia in the European context
Physical Geography of Slovenia
Slovenia lies in a geologically and geomorphologically highly diverse area, where four major European natural units converge: the Alps, Dinaric Mountains, Pannonian Plain, and Adriatic Coastal Region. This location creates high landscape diversity, ecological richness, and complex climatic dynamics.
Relief units
- Alpine region (28°-): Julian Alps, Kamnik-Savinja Alps, Karawanks. Peaks above 2,000 m, glacial valleys, cirques, moraines. Highest peak: Triglav (2,864 m).
- Dinaric Karst (23°-): karst plateaus, poljes (Cerknica, Planina), sinking rivers, caves (Postojna, Škocjan - UNESCO).
- Pannonian region (22°-): plains and hills along the Mura, Drava, Krka; sedimentary basins, thermal springs.
- Coastal region (2°-): Slovenian Istria, cliffs, salt pans, karst edge; Adriatic coastline length: 43,157 m.
Geological structure
- Lithological zones: limestone and dolomite (karst), metamorphic rocks (Alps), Neogene sediments (Pannonian Plain).
- Tectonics: junction of the Eurasian and Adriatic microplates; main faults: Idrija, Sava, Labot. Seismic risk: moderate to high.
- Mineral heritage: Idrija - mercury mine (largest in Europe); mining areas in Mežica, Litija.
Climate
- Climate zones: alpine (>1,500 m), continental (interior), sub-Mediterranean (Primorska).
- Precipitation: from 800 mm (Prekmurje) to 3,500 mm (Julian Alps); highest values in the west.
- Temperatures: average annual temperature: Ljubljana ~10°, Kredarica ~0°, Portorož ~13°.
- Winds: bora (Vipava Valley), foehn (Alps), sirocco (coast), valley winds.
Hydrological system
- Watersheds: 81°- of the territory drains into the Danube (Sava, Drava, Mura), 19°- into the Adriatic (Soča, Vipava).
- Rivers: Sava (221 km), Drava (142 km), Mura (95 km), Soča (138 km), Krka (94 km).
- Lakes: Lake Bled (glacial), Lake Bohinj (largest natural), Lake Cerknica (intermittent), Lake Velenje (artificial).
- Groundwater: karst aquifers, thermal springs (Rogaška Slatina, Radenci, Čatež).
- Wetlands: Ljubljana Marshes, Škocjanski zatok, Mura floodplains.
Soils
- Rendzinas: on limestone and dolomite (karst).
- Brown forest soils: on silicate rocks (Alps, mid-altitudes).
- Fluvisols: along rivers (Sava, Drava, Mura).
- Peat soils: Ljubljana Marshes
Vegetation and biogeography
- Forests: cover ~58°- of the territory; dominated by beech, spruce, mixed forests.
- Alpine flora: dwarf pine, alpine grasses, endemics (Triglav rose).
- Sub-Mediterranean vegetation: maquis, holm oak, olive, laurel.
- Biogeographic regions: alpine, continental, Mediterranean - high species diversity.
Protected areas
- Triglav National Park : the only national park, 838 km2.
- Regional parks: Kozjansko, Logar Valley(Logarska dolina), Ljubljana Marshes, Sečovlje Salt Pans.
- Natura 2000: ~37°- of the territory; habitat and species protection (lynx, bear, golden eagle).
- UNESCO: Škocjan Caves - World Natural Heritage Site.
Regions of Slovenia
- Gorenjska - Alpine region with Bled, Bohinj and Triglav (7.9°-)
- Primorska - coastal region with the Karst, Vipava Valley and Piran (8.1°-)
- Štajerska - wine-growing region with Maribor and Ptuj (12.3°-)
- Dolenjska - hilly landscape with the Krka River and Novo mesto (7.5°-)