Slovakia. Government Capital: Bratislava

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1 Slovakia Introduction Official Name: Slovak Republic Nationality: Slovak Area: 48,845 square kilometers (18,859 square miles) Languages: Slovak (official), Hungarian, Roma, Ukranian Currency: Slovak koruna (SKK) Location: Central Europe, bordered by Austria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and Ukraine Statistical Information Population 5.5 million 0-14 years 16.4 percent years 71.5 percent 65+ years 12.2 percent Birth rate 11 births/1,000 Death rate 9 deaths/1,000 Fertility rate 1.3 children/woman Pop. growth rate percent Life expectancy 75 years Literacy 99.6 percent Below poverty line 21 percent Ethnic groups 85.8 percent Slovak 9.7 percent Hungarian 1.7 percent Roma 1.0 percent Ruthenian/Ukrainian 1.8 percent other Religion 68.9 percent Roman Catholic 10.8 percent Lutheran, Reformed, and Methodist 4.1 percent Greek Catholic 3.2 percent other 13 percent none Economy Slovakia has a rapidly developing economy. It has successfully transitioned from a centrally planned economy to a modern market economy, and is currently working on privatizing various economic sectors. The banking sector is almost entirely in foreign hands, and the Slovakian government has attracted foreign investors with business-friendly policies such as labor market liberalization and a 19 percent flat tax. Despite the general European economic slowdown from 2001 through 2006, Slovakia s economy continued to grow at a rate exceeding expectations. A lingering problem for Slovakia is a high rate of unemployment. Unemployment was down to 10.2 percent in 2006 from 18 percent in Slovakia joined the European Union in May Government Capital: Bratislava Slovakia is a parliamentary democracy. The president is elected by popular vote to serve a five-year term. He is eligible to run for a second term. The president then appoints the prime minister, usually the leader of the majority party or coalition. The legislature consists of the 150-seat National Council of the Slovak Republic, or Narodna Rada Slovenskej Republiky, whose members are elected on the basis of proportional representation to serve four-year terms. Climate Slovakia has a temperate climate, with four distinct seasons. Summers tend to be cool, while winters are cold, cloudy, and wet. The coldest month of the year is January, and the warmest months are July and August. Environmental Concerns One of the biggest environmental problems in Slovakia is air pollution from metallurgical plants. This pollution poses serious human health risks. Slovakia has also begun to experience acid rain. History From around 450 B.C., Slovakia was settled by the Celts, who built powerful oppida (settlements) in the regions of Bratislava and Havránok. Silver coins with the names of Celtic kings, called biatecs, represent

2 the first known use of writing in Slovakia. Celtic dominance disappeared with the invasion of Germanic tribes and the expansion of the Roman Empire. In 6 A.D., Roman legions entered what is now Slovakia, beginning a war with the Marcomanni and Quadi tribes. The Romans occupied only a small strip of the right bank of the Danube River and a very small part of southwestern Slovakia until 174, when the armies of Emperor Marcus Aurelius penetrated deeper into the region. A Roman inscription in the wall of the Trenčín Castle in western Slovakia, dated 179, marks the farthest northern point of Roman presence in the region of Slovakia. Most historians believe that Slavic tribes first settled the area in the fifth and sixth centuries A.D. The tribes remained independently governed until the ninth century A.D., when they joined together as part of the Great Moravian Empire. Under Moravian rule, Greek missionaries Cyril and Methodius brought Christianity to Slovakia in 863. Moravian prince Rostislav invited the brothers to Moravia to preach in the Slavic vernacular, hoping to halt Germanic influence in the empire. Methodius translated the Bible and other ecclesiastical literature into the Slavonic language. Early in the 10th century, the Great Moravian Empire fell apart. The Magyars, or ethnic Hungarians, began to annex Slovakian territories. By 1100, most of Slovakia was ruled by the Kingdom of Hungary. The Magyars settled in the region of Slovakia, bringing their own culture, which came to dominate the region. During the Middle Ages, populations of Jews and Germans settled in Slovakia. The Magyars constructed many stone castles and cultivated art; the Slavic peoples generally remained peasants in the countryside. Slovakia resisted Ottoman Turkish invasion and instead became part of the Hapsburg, or Austro- Hungarian, Empire. In 1536, Pozsony, which is now Bratislava, was made the capital city of the Kingdom of Hungary. Slovakia was ruled by the great Hungarian nobles, who owned most of the land and tended to treat the landless ethnic Slovaks with contempt. When war erupted between the Austrian and Hungarian halves of the empire in 1848, the Slovaks backed the Austrians, hoping to rid themselves of Hungarian tyranny. By August of 1849, the Austrians had defeated the Hungarians, but Hungarian influence in Slovakia remained. From 1900 to 1910, waves of ethnic Slovaks immigrated to the United States. Many United Church of Christ and Presbyterian Church (USA) congregations in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Wisconsin were founded by Slovak immigrants to the United States. During World War I, the Slovak population in the United States spoke up for freedom from Hungary. At the end of World War I, after the dissolution of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Slovak and Czech representatives signed a declaration in May 1918 which created a unified Czechoslovakian state. Slovaks retained broad autonomy, with their own institutions and language. Problems abounded within the new state. Nearly one million ethnic Hungarians resided within the newly drawn boundaries of Czechoslovakia, and Hungary continued to claim a large portion of the region. The large Slovak People s Party, led by Andrej Hlinka, accused the Czechoslovak government, dominated by Czechs, of denying Slovakia the autonomy it was promised. From 1918 until 1938, Slovakia held the status of a province within Czechoslovakia, even though by agreement it was supposed to be an autonomous region. In addition to being an ethnic minority within the country, Slovaks were a religious minority. Most Slovaks were Catholic, and objected to what they saw as an anticlerical bias on the part of the Czech government in Prague. Father Jozef Tiso succeeded Hlinka as leader of the Slovak People s Party, and demanded full autonomy for Slovakia on the basis of equality between Czechs and Slovaks. In 1938, major European powers signed the Munich Pact. The agreement not only allowed Nazi Germany to annex the Sudetenland, in what is now the western portion of the Czech Republic, but it also allowed Slovaks to seize control of their land. Czechoslovakia was effectively disbanded, and Slovakia became a nominally autonomous region under de facto German control. Tiso took the office of prime minister of Slovakia. In March of 1939, the Czech government in Prague dismissed Tiso, intending to reassert control over Slovakia. Tiso appealed to Hitler for help. With support from Germany, the First Slovak Republic declared its independence from Czechoslovakia. Tiso allowed German troops to occupy Slovakia in August of 1939, and his fascist, one-party state gradually became a puppet regime of Nazi Germany. During the years of Slovakia s alliance with Nazi Germany, most Slovak Jews were deported from the country and sent to concentration camps.

3 In 1944, a strong anti-nazi underground movement launched an armed insurrection known as the Slovak National Uprising. They aided Soviet troops, who drove the Nazis out of Slovakia by late At the end of World War II, the Allies returned Slovakia to its pre-munich state within Czechoslovakia. The Slovakian constitution of 1948 established separate government organizations for the territory of Slovakia. In 1948, the accession of a Communist government in Czechoslovakia revived old Czech-Slovak tensions. The Catholic clergy in Slovakia was vigorously persecuted for opposing the Communist regime. In 1960, a new Czechoslovak constitution curtailed the autonomy of Slovakia. In 1967, Alexander Dubček came to power in Czechoslovakia. He tried to soothe Slovak discontent by promising federalization of Czechoslovakia. Dubček liberalized the government, increasing freedom of the press, emphasizing consumer goods, and opening the possibility of a multiparty government. Alarmed, the Soviet government intervened in August 1968, ostensibly at the request of conservative communists in Prague. The Soviets allowed Dubček to remain briefly in power. Dubček announced the formation of the Socialist Federal Republic of Czechoslovakia. Under the new republic, the governments of the Czech Socialist Republic and the Slovak Socialist Republic had complete autonomy over domestic affairs. The federal government remained responsible for foreign affairs, defense, and finance. When demonstrations for increased reform continued, the Soviets removed Dubček from office, replacing him with Gustáv Husák. Husák reversed Dubček s reforms and purged the Communist party of its more liberal members. The Soviet-imposed Communist regime remained in power until 1989, though it liberalized several times after During the peaceful Velvet Revolution of 1989, which consisted of demonstrations and street protests, the Communist government of Slovakia agreed to relinquish control of the country and institute a new, non-communist government. Slovak nationalism was revived, as once again they found themselves the minority within the new government. By 1992, free-market reforms had led to economic problems and increasing levels of unemployment. A Slovak nationalist government led by Vladimír Mečiar came to power in the Slovak part of Czechoslovakia, and Slovakia declared its independence on the first day of January, Rising inflation and high levels of unemployment created huge problems for the new republic. Mečiar s authoritative and corrupt leadership made it difficult for Slovakia to gain acceptance in the Western world. Since 1999, when Mečiar had to give up power following an election defeat, Slovakia has worked to attract foreign investors and steer a pro-european course. The economy has since experienced steady growth. Slovakia joined NATO in March 2004 and the European Union in May of the same year. Ethnic Groups The vast majority of the inhabitants of Slovakia are ethnic Slovaks (85.8 percent). Ethnic Slovaks are descendants of ancient Slavic tribes which settled in the Danube River basin before the time of Christ. They were ruled and influenced by ethnic Hungarians for hundreds of years, and have faced discrimination and minority status both from Hungarians and from Czechs. Ethnic Hungarians comprise 9.8 percent of the inhabitants of Slovakia. They are descendants of the Magyar peoples who controlled Slovakia for hundreds of years, from around the 10th century until the end of World War I. Around 76,000 ethnic Hungarians were forced to leave Slovakia by the Allies after World War II in a series of population transfers. Ethnic Hungarians remaining in Slovakia have faced Slovakization promoted by the government. The Roma people, comprising 1.7 percent of the population of Slovakia, are commonly known as Gypsies. The term Gypsy comes from a mistaken belief that their origins are from Egypt; actually, the Roma people originated in India. They are still thought of as wandering nomads, although today most live in permanent housing. The Roma have been a severely persecuted people throughout history; during the Holocaust, Nazis enacted a campaign of genocide against them, and in some occupied countries initiated a program of forced sterilization of Roma women. To this day, it is difficult to obtain an accurate census of the Roma population because many, afraid of persecution, refuse to identify themselves as Roma. The Roma people have their own distinct traditions and language, separate from Slovak customs. Traditionally, Roma marry young; this has caused controversy in the modern world over the issue of child marriage. The Roma have their own distinct concepts of taboos and the role of the supernatural in everyday life. They are very concerned with physical purity, which extends to

4 actions, people, and objects. Things which cause temporary impurity in Roma culture include childbirth, menstruation, and death. Slovakia also has small populations of Ruthenians, Ukrainians, and Czechs. At one time, Slovakia had a significant population of Jews, estimated around 90,000, but since World War II only 2,300 remain. Religion The Slovak constitution guarantees freedom of religion for all citizens. The majority of Slovaks identify themselves as Roman Catholic, although many are nominal Catholics only; church attendance is lower than the number of professed Catholics. There are also small populations of Eastern Orthodox and Greek Catholic Christians. Slovakia also has a significant Protestant population. Slovak Protestants are mainly Lutheran, although the Reformed Church also claims two percent of the population. 85 percent of Reformed Christians in Slovakia are of Hungarian ethnicity. Around 13 percent of Slovaks do not claim any religion, identifying themselves as atheists. There is a very small population of Slovak Muslims (around 5,000 adherents). Culture Food There is a lot of regional variation among Slovak food. It is generally based on soups, stewed and boiled vegetables, stewed fruits, smoked and roasted meats, gruels, and dairy. Bryndzové halušky, sheep cheese with potato dumplings, is a common dish. In traditional peasant households, Slovaks would eat five meals a day: early in the morning, a snack around 10 a.m., noon, another snack around 4 p.m., then supper after evening chores were finished. Now it is more common to eat three meals a day. Tea with sugar is one of the most popular drinks in Slovakia. Bread is served with every meal, and hot soup is usually the first course of the noon meal. The evening meal is lighter, usually consisting of bread, cheese, and vegetables. Slivovica (plum brandy) and boroviča (gin) are popular alcoholic beverages. Social status Slovakia s socioeconomic classes are divided along educational and occupational lines. Income is not always an accurate indicator of class, since some professions which require advanced learning have depressed pay scales. Symbols of social status include car ownership, stylish clothes, the size of one s home or apartment, furnishings and location of the home, and speech. It is not uncommon for Slovaks to receive financial assistance from relatives working in the West. Marriage Slovak culture assumes people marry out of love, but in many areas Slovaks are expected to marry within their religion. Through the end of the Communist era in 1989, it was expected that nearly everyone would marry, but in modern Slovakia it has become increasingly acceptable to remain unmarried. Couples gain some economic advantages through marriage, especially if they have children; in many instances employers give parents a cash bonus when a child is born and mothers receive ample maternity leave. Divorce and remarriage have become much more common since the 1980s. Same-sex marriages will likely become legal in Slovakia during the rule of the present government; they are legal in the Czech Republic. Children Slovak children were traditionally expected to behave like miniature adults. They had to be quiet, attentive, respectful, and were given substantial chores. Today, especially in Bratislava and in families which tend to identify with Europe, children are permitted to be loud, inattentive, and choreless, though their parents may still hope they will be respectful. Education Education is compulsory through the 12th grade. Slovaks value higher education, and many parents encourage their children to attend an academic high school to prepare for college. Unfortunately, there are many more students eligible for university than there are places for them. Etiquette Slovaks maintain a typically Western distance when conversing. Brief greetings are expected, and consist of good morning, good afternoon, or good evening. As in American culture, good night is reserved for the final leave-taking of the day. Both men and women shake hands with newly introduced acquaintances. In the church and among friends it is common to exchange kisses on both cheeks. It is customary to bring flowers, food, or a drink when visiting a home. During a visit to a home, the hostess immediately serves food and drink. Refreshments should be accepted graciously. Alcohol will usually be offered. It is acceptable to politely refuse and opt for tea, a soft drink, or water.

5 Dress Urban Slovaks wear modern styles of clothing. In Bratislava, it is easy to find designer boutiques and high-end name brands such as Gucci. In the business sector, women are still expected to wear skirts and blouses or suits with skirts slacks are not considered appropriate for businesswomen. In rural areas, many Slovak citizens still wear colorful folk dress with elaborate embroidery. Slovak folk dress can also be seen at some tourist attractions, including some specialty restaurants in Bratislava. Travel/Transportation Roads in Slovakia are typically safe and wellmaintained. Highways around Bratislava have four lanes, although most roads outside urban areas are two lanes only, and hazards are posed by drivers attempting to pass at unsafe speeds. Driving at night outside urban areas is not recommended due to poor lighting and narrow, winding roads. Winter conditions may render some rural roads impassable after heavy snowfall, since many rural roads are not adequately cleared. Driving in certain mountainous regions during the winter requires chains, and winter tires are recommended in the northern areas of Slovakia. Headlights must be used at all times, day and night, from October 15 through March 15. The highway speed limit is 130 kilometers per hour (78 miles per hour), the limit on smaller roads is 90 kph (54 mph), and the limit on city roads is 60 kph (36 mph). All cars must carry safety reflection vests and first aid kits. The use of cell phones while driving is strictly prohibited, and the blood alcohol tolerance level is zero percent. If you wish to drive on major roads outside Bratislava, you must purchase a highway user decal. Drivers must yield the road to all vehicles with flashing blue lights, while vehicles with flashing orange or yellow lights mean that traffic must slow down. However, many slowly moving vehicles are not marked. Most gas stations will accept credit cards, although mechanics generally expect cash payment. Gas stations are often closed on Sundays, especially in rural areas. Taxis are generally reliable and safe, although you should avoid independent cabs which do not prominently display a company name. Sometimes taxi drivers will attempt to overcharge foreigners. When using public transportation it is necessary to get a time-ticket validated after entering the vehicle. Passengers without a ticket are subject to being fined. North American visitors to Slovakia may drive with an American or Canadian driver s license. Illness/Injury The quality and availability of medical facilities varies throughout the Slovak Republic. Slovak ambulances are only a means of transportation to a hospital; they are usually not equipped with life support stabilization equipment. Young doctors tend to speak English; nurses and older doctors speak very little English. Doctors and hospitals expect cash payment for services, unless the patient can produce an insurance number from the Slovak National Insurance Company. Medical prescriptions issued in the U.S. are not supposed to be valid in the Slovak Republic, but are often accepted. Almost all North American medications are available in the Slovak Republic. Some medications prescribed in the United States may not be recognized as suitable treatments in the Slovak Republic, and vice versa. Crime Slovakia has a high rate of crime. Police forces are understaffed and lack adequate equipment, and most police officers do not speak English. Western visitors, especially short-term visitors, are occasionally targets of pickpocketing, purse- or cell phone-snatching, armed robbery, mugging, and drugging and robbing. Most reported thefts occur in crowded tourist areas such as the Old Town area of Bratislava or on public transportation. Thieves often work in groups, with one attracting the victim s attention while the other perpetrates the theft. Groups of street children have been known to divert tourists attention while another member of their group pickpockets the tourists. Racially motivated crimes may occur against foreigners and minorities, most often against those of Roma, African, or South Asian descent. These minorities may be subject to verbal harassment or assault. In recent times there have been reports of skinheads targeting people of Roma descent. Safety and Security Do not leave items of value unattended. Be aware of what is happening around you, and keep a close eye on purses and wallets.

6 Taking photographs of buildings of security or military interest (military bases, government buildings, nuclear power plants) may result in confiscation of film and a reprimand or fine. Entry/Exit Requirements A passport is required. U.S. citizens do not need a visa for tourism or business visits of up to 90 days. As of December 21, 2007, Slovakia became a member a group of countries known as the Schengen zone. Americans with a passport may enter and remain within the entire Schengen zone without a visa for no more than 90 days in any six-month period. During those 90 days, a North American visitor is permitted to travel freely within the zone. Persons wishing to remain in Slovakia for more than 90 days or for purposes other than tourism or business may apply for temporary residency or work permits after arrival in the country. However, it is best to review the requirements and prepare applications and official documents prior to travel, since it is difficult to obtain some of the required documents in Slovakia. For instance, U.S. citizens who desire temporary residency or a work permit must submit a certificate showing the results of a fingerprint check not more than 90 days old. Authorities in Slovakia may not take fingerprints for this purpose, so it is extremely difficult to obtain this certificate after arrival in the country. staying at hotels and church conference centers are registered automatically. According to EU regulations, non-eu visitors must obtain a stamp in their passport upon initial entry into a Schengen country, but in reality many borders are not staffed with officers carrying out this function. American citizens should ensure that their passport is stamped properly; it may be necessary to request a stamp at the official point of entry. Slovak border police have the right to request evidence of adequate finances for a visitor s stay in Slovakia, in the amount of $50 per person per day. Electricity Slovakia uses 230V/50Hz power, so a power converter is necessary to use American appliances in Slovakia (American appliances are designed to run on 120V/60Hz). A set of adapter plugs will also be necessary, since Slovakia uses type E plugs, which have two round prongs and a hole for a male grounding pin, which is located in the receptacle. Immunizations There are no immunizations required for entry into Slovakia. Slovakia is considered an intermediate risk area for both hepatitis A and B; travelers should consider being vaccinated. Typhoid vaccine is also recommended for all people traveling in Eastern Europe, especially if they will be visiting rural areas. Foreigners who plan to spend time in forested areas should be aware that tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is a risk in Eastern Europe. There is no vaccine for TBE available in the states, although there are two acceptable vaccines offered in Europe. Travelers can reduce their risk of contracting TBE by wearing long pants and covering exposed skin when in forested areas, and using bug repellant with DEET. Visitors who remain in urban areas are not at risk for contracting TBE. Special Circumstances All persons in Slovakia over the age of 15 must carry official identification with them at all times. American citizens staying in private homes in Slovakia are asked to register with the local Border and Aliens Police within three working days. Visitors