IF THE REST OF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN FINDING OUT ABOUT SLOVENIA READ ON... ... ...
As of a few months ago I had never heard of Slovenia. I just read that are celebrating their 20th year of independence, this year. So for those of you who have NO IDEA where or what Slovenia is I have gleaned a little information from the internet (http://www.slovenia.info/):
"Slovenia lies in the heart of Europe, where the Alps meet the Mediterranean and the Pannonian Plain meets the Karst. This small green country measures 20,273 km2 in area, and is home to sincere, hospitable people of great diligence. It has an exceptional number of top athletes, and a wealth of cultural creativity. In Slovenia it is not difficult to compare the value of goods and services, as they are priced in one of the world’s major currencies, the euro.Slovenia has a population of two million, of whom the vast majority are ethnic Slovenes. People hailing from the other former Yugoslav republics make up a significant minority, albeit less than 10% of the total population. The Italian and Hungarian ethnic communities have protected minority status, despite their small size.
The majority of people live in towns and cities, but a significant number live in the countryside. Agriculture accounts for only a small proportion of the workforce, while the majority work in services and manufacturing.
Slovenes are renowned as a diligent, hard-working nation, part of the reason that Slovenia is the wealthiest of the new EU members. They constantly aim to prove themselves and to progress. Their toil and persistence has allowed many Slovenes to achieve at the global level. A very good example is the country’s athletes, particularly those involved in extreme sports, from mountaineering and extreme skiing to ultramarathon biking and swimming exploits.
Slovenes are also very thorough in learning foreign languages to make themselves understood. Even primary school students can speak foreign languages. The majority of people can speak good English, while most have a good grasp of German. A large share of the population can communicate in the languages of the old Yugoslavia, while there are many fluent Italian speakers in the areas bordering Italy."
There are 15 natural spas (thermal springs), more churches per capita than any other European city and 80 ski areas. It is the 3rd most forested country in Europe, 1% is covered in vineyards, 100 castles still stand, and it is one of the richest countries in Europe in terms of water. There are 10,000 kilometers of marked hiking trails, 9,000 karst caves and the oldest grapevine in the world. Also, my beloved, Lipizzaner horses have been bread there for 430 years. There are over 3,000 churches and numerous chapels dedicated to saints. They even have a 900 year old monastery.
And, I just recently learned they have their own BIG BROTHER show on television.
WOW WHAT A COUNTRY!
kt2011
