FACTS

Location: Central Europe, south of Poland

Area (only Total) total: 48,845 sq km

Climate: temperate; cool summers; cold, cloudy, humid winters

Terrain: rugged mountains in the central and northern part and lowlands in the south

Population: 5,455,407 (July 2008 est.)

Main Language (only first): Slovak

Government type: parliamentary democracy

Capital (Name): Bratislava

Capital (Time Difference): UTC+1

Independence: 1 January 1993 (Czechoslovakia split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia)

National holiday: Constitution Day, 1 September (1992)

HOLIDAYS

January 1 New Year's Day

January 1 Origin of the Slovak Republic

January 6 Catholic Epiphany

March 21 Good Friday

March 23 Easter Day

March 24 Easter Monday

May 1 Labour Day

May 8 Liberation of the Republic/Victory Day

July 5 Saint Cyril and Saint Methodius

August 29 Anniversary of the Slovak National Uprising

September 1 Constitution of the Slovak Republic

September 15 Our Lady of the Seven Sorrows

November 1 All Saints Day

November 17 Day of the Fight for Freedom and Democracy

December 24 Christmas Eve

December 25 Christmas Day

December 26 St. Stephen's Day

Weekend - Saturday, Sunday