1. REPUBLIC OF SLOVENIA Area - total 20,273 km² Capital Ljubljana (and the largest city) 46º03’N 14º30’E Elevation extremes - lowest point Adriatic Sea 0 m - highest point Mount Triglav 2,864 m Population - June 200 9 estimate 2 . 0 45. 516 - 2002 census 1 . 964 . 036 Official language Slovenian Monetary unit Euro Major religion Christianity Indipendence from Yugoslavia - declared June 25, 1991 - recognised 1992 Accession to EU May 1, 2004

2. SLOVENIA Austria Croatia Hungary Italy

3. Ljubljana Ljubljana is the capital city of Slovenia and its largest city. It is located in the centre of the country and is a mid-sized city of about 270,000 inhabitants. It is the cultural, scientific, economic, political and administrative centre of Slovenia. The city´s symbol is the Ljubljana Dragon. It symbolises power, courage and greatness.

4. Ljubljana Castle

5. Ljubljana, the Ljubljanica River

6. Ljubljana, Prešeren Square France Prešeren was a Slovene Romantic poet . He is considered the Slovene national poet .Although he was not a particularly prolific author, he inspired virtually all Slovene literature thereafter.

7. Ljubljana, the National and University Library

8. The National and University Library, reading room

9. Ljubljana, the Triple Bridge

10. Ljubljana, the Ljubljanica River and the Market Place Arcade

11. The Sports Park Stožice combines a football stadium and a multi-purpose sports hall, one of the venues to host the 2013 European Basketball Championship for men.

12. Kranj Kranj is the third largest municipality and the fourth largest city in Slovenia, with a population of 54,500. The city is known for its wide choice of indoor and outdoor sports facilities. Near Kranj, there is also the largest international airport in Slovenia, called Jože Pučnik Airport.

13. Ptuj Ptuj is the oldest city in Slovenia. There is evidence that the area was settled in the Stone Age. Ptuj is the centre of a ten-day long Shrovetide carnival in early spring, called Kurentovanje. Kurenti are figures dressed in sheepskin coats, wearing masks, a long red tongue and cow bells. Organised in groups, they go through town from house to house, making noise with their huge bells.

14. Kurents in Planica Ski Jumping Stadium

15. Maribor Maribor is the second largest city in Slovenia with 95,787 inhabitants. Maribor lies on the Drava River. It is the gateway to Maribor Pohorje, a hilly recreational area. Maribor airport is the second international airport in Slovenia. There is also the oldest grapevine in the world. It is the symbol of Maribor.

16. The Old Vine , a Guinness record holder, is over 400 years old. It still bears grapes which are harvested for wine.

17. Piran , our Mediterranean jewel

18. Sečovlje salt evaporation ponds

19. Štanjel , a picturesque village that attracts many artists

20. Škofja Loka

21. Rihenberk Castle

22. A traditional Slovenian farmhouse

23. The kozolec, a wooden hay drying rack

24. Beautiful Alpine countryside

25. Daffodils on Golica

27. The Alps The Julian Alps are a mountain range that stretches from north-eastern Italy to Slovenia. They are named after Julius Caesar.

28. Mount Triglav Triglav is the highest mountain in Slovenia and the highest peak of the Julian Alps.

29. The Soča River is a 140 km long river that flows through western Slovenia. Its source lies in the Julian Alps. It is also known as ˝The Emerald Beauty˝ due to its almost unreal emerald green colour.

30. T he stone bridge over the Soča River

31. Lake Bled

32. Vineyards

33. Predjama Castle Predjama castle is a Renaissance castle built within a cave mouth in southwestern Slovenia. It is located about 11km from Postojna. The castle became known as the seat of Knight Erazem Lueger, the owner of the castle in the 15th century, and a renowned robber baron . The castle was built under a natural rocky arch.

34. Postojna Cave Postojna Cave is a 20km long karst cave system. It is home to a blind amphibian olm that lives in underground waters of the Dinaric Karst.

35. Olm , Proteus anguinus

36. Potica, a traditional Slovenian treat is made from pastry dough rolled into very thin layers and filled with walnuts. It is very delicious. The potica is a traditional Slovenian pastry. It

37. Rogaška Slatina