Slovakia: Background & Geography
| Introduction | Slovakia |
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Background:
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In 1918 the Slovaks joined the closely related Czechs to form Czechoslovakia. Following the chaos of World War II, Czechoslovakia became a Communist nation within Soviet-ruled Eastern Europe. Soviet influence collapsed in 1989 and Czechoslovakia once more became free. The Slovaks and the Czechs agreed to separate peacefully on 1 January 1993. Slovakia was invited to join NATO and the EU in 2002. |
| Geography | Slovakia |
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Location:
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Central Europe, south of Poland |
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Geographic coordinates:
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48 40 N, 19 30 E |
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Map references:
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Europe |
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Area:
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total: 48,845 sq km
water: 45 sq km land: 48,800 sq km |
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Area - comparative:
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about twice the size of New Hampshire |
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Land boundaries:
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total: 1,524 km
border countries: Austria 91 km, Czech Republic 215 km, Hungary 677 km, Poland 444 km, Ukraine 97 km |
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Coastline:
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0 km (landlocked) |
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Maritime claims - as described in UNCLOS 1982 (see Notes and Definitions):
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none (landlocked) |
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Climate:
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temperate; cool summers; cold, cloudy, humid winters |
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Terrain:
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rugged mountains in the central and northern part and lowlands in the south |
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Elevation extremes:
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lowest point: Bodrok River 94 m
highest point: Gerlachovsky Stit 2,655 m |
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Natural resources:
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brown coal and lignite; small amounts of iron ore, copper and manganese ore; salt; arable land |
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Land use:
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arable land: 30.74%
permanent crops: 2.64% other: 66.62% (1998 est.) |
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Irrigated land:
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1,740 sq km (1998 est.) |
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Natural hazards:
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NA |
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Environment - current issues:
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air pollution from metallurgical plants presents human health risks; acid rain damaging forests |
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Environment - international agreements:
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party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants |
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Geography - note:
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landlocked; most of the country is rugged and mountainous; the Tatra Mountains in the north are interspersed with many scenic lakes and valleys |