Slovakia and mainly Bratislava is becoming well known in Europe for its hospitality, good restaurants and clubs. Partyslava is new name for Bratislava as capital city of SVK that was advertised on MTV and CNN last year. But if you want to see other parts of SVK, you may enjoy your stay in one of new sport areas, one is situated in Poprad. It is a modern aqua park with disco and the biggest laser show in central Europe.
Slovaks maintain a typically Western distance (about three feet) when conversing. Greetings are expected, and consist of "good morning," "good day," and "good evening." "Good night" is reserved for the last leave taking of the evening. Both men and women shake right hands with acquaintances and newly introduced strangers, and men and women may kiss close friends and relatives on both cheeks during greeting and leave taking.
Religion
Roman Catholic 68.9%, Protestant 10.8%, Greek Catholic 4.1%, other or unspecified 3.2%, none 13%
Famous Slovaks:
Andy Warhol
Born in Pittsburgh, USA, in 1928, Andy Warhol was one of the most famous artists of the C20th. He introduced Pop Art to the world, and was the first artist to use a photographic silk-screen technique in his work.
The Slovakian government type is parliamentary democracy.
Constitution was ratified on the 1st September 1992, effective 1 January 1993; changed in September 1998 to allow direct election of the president; amended February 2001 to allow Slovakia to apply for NATO and EU membership
Legislative branch: unicameral National Council of the Slovak Republic or Narodna Rada Slovenskej Republiky (150 seats; members are elected on the basis of proportional representation to serve four-year terms).
According to archaeological findings, the first inhabitants were present in the territory of the present-day Slovak Republic in Early Palaeolithic. An imprint of a Neanderthal man’s skull was found in the village of Gánovce (in the north of Slovakia). A small statue of Venus made of a mammoth bone was found in the village of Moravany nad Váhom. In 179 A.D, the Roman legion inscribed the word "Laugaritio" on the rock of the Trenčín castle – the most northern point of their stay in Europe.
Slovakia has mastered much of the difficult transition from a centrally planned economy to a modern market economy. The DZURINDA government made excellent progress during 2001-04 in macroeconomic stabilization and structural reform. Major privatizations are nearly complete, the banking sector is mainly in foreign hands, and the government has helped facilitate a foreign investment boom with business friendly policies such as labor market liberalization and a 19% flat tax. Foreign investment in the automotive sector has been strong.
The Slovak landscape is noted primarily for its mountainous nature, with the Carpathian Mountains extending across most of the northern half of the country. Amongst these mountain ranges are the high peaks of the Tatry. To the north, close to the Polish border, are the High Tatry which are a popular skiing destination and home to many scenic lakes and valleys as well as the highest point in Slovakia, the Gerlachovský štít at 2,655 meters (8,711 ft), and the country’s highly symbolic mountain Kriváň.
Tourism is an important part of Austria’s services sector. In 1991 foreign tourists accounted for earnings of $192,4 billion, almost offsetting the negative trade balance and deficits in services or other accounts. Tourism is a principal industry and source of foreign exchange. In fact, Austria’s per capita tourist revenue is the highest in the world. Foreign overnight stays in Austria have risen consistently since World War II, from 50 million in 1950, to 59 million in 1970, and to 95 million in 1990.
