Editing Slovakia

{{Short description|Country in Central Europe}}
{{Infobox country
| conventional_long_name = Slovak Republic
| native_name = Slovenská republika
| common_name = Slovakia
| capital = [[Bratislava]]
| largest_city = capital
| official_languages = [[Slovak language|Slovak]]
| demonym = Slovak
| government_type = Unitary parliamentary republic
| legislature = National Council
| sovereignty_type = Formation
| established_event1 = Czechoslovakia established
| established_date1 = 28 October 1918
| established_event2 = Slovak Republic proclaimed
| established_date2 = 1 January 1993
| currency = Euro
| currency_code = EUR
| time_zone = CET
| utc_offset = +1
| time_zone_DST = CEST
| utc_offset_DST = +2
| calling_code = +421
| cctld = .sk
}}

'''Slovakia''', officially the '''Slovak Republic''', is a landlocked country in [[Central Europe]]. It borders [[Czechia]], [[Poland]], [[Ukraine]], [[Hungary]], and [[Austria]]. Its capital and largest city is [[Bratislava]].

Slovakia occupies part of the western Carpathian region and the Danube basin. Its position connects Central Europe with Ukraine, Hungary, Austria, and the wider road and railway routes of the region.<ref name="ukraine-border"/><ref name="austria-border"/>

== Geography ==
Slovakia contains mountains, river valleys, lowlands, forests, and agricultural regions. The Carpathian Mountains dominate much of the north and centre, while the Danube lowlands lie in the southwest near Bratislava.

The Danube forms part of Slovakia's southern border and connects the country with Austria and Hungary. The river enters Hungary from Slovakia and forms part of the border between the two countries before continuing south through Budapest.<ref name="hungary-danube"/>

Eastern Slovakia borders western Ukraine. [[Uzhhorod]] lies near this border, and the Uzhhorod-Vyšné Nemecké checkpoint connects Zakarpattia Oblast with Slovakia.<ref name="uzhhorod-border"/>

== History ==
The territory of modern Slovakia formed part of several Central European political structures, including Great Moravia, the Kingdom of Hungary, the Habsburg monarchy, and Austria-Hungary.

After the First World War, Slovakia became part of Czechoslovakia. The new state joined Czech lands with Slovakia and Subcarpathian Ruthenia. Uzhhorod became an administrative centre of Subcarpathian Ruthenia after Transcarpathia joined Czechoslovakia in 1919.<ref name="uzhhorod-history"/>

During the Second World War, Slovakia was affected by German occupation policy, regional warfare, and the movement of armed formations through Central Europe. The [[Dirlewanger Brigade]] operated in occupied Slovakia, and [[Oskar Dirlewanger]] commanded the unit during the [[Battle of Ipolyság]] on 15 December 1944.<ref name="dirlewanger-slovakia"/>

After the war, Czechoslovakia was restored, while Transcarpathia was transferred to Soviet Ukraine in 1945.<ref name="uzhhorod-history"/>

Czechoslovakia came under communist rule after the Second World War. The communist period ended in 1989 during the wider collapse of one-party rule in Central and Eastern Europe.

The Slovak Republic became independent on 1 January 1993 after the peaceful dissolution of Czechoslovakia. Slovakia later entered deeper European and transatlantic institutions.

== Government and economy ==
Slovakia is a unitary parliamentary republic. The president serves as head of state, while executive authority is exercised by the government led by the prime minister. Legislative authority belongs to the unicameral National Council.

The country is divided into regions and municipalities. Bratislava is the national capital and the main political, economic, and administrative centre.

Slovakia's economy includes vehicle manufacturing, machinery, electronics, steel, chemicals, agriculture, transport, tourism, banking, and public services. Industrial activity is concentrated around Bratislava, western Slovakia, the Váh valley, and several eastern cities.

Road and railway routes connect Slovakia with Austria, Czechia, Poland, Hungary, and Ukraine. The eastern border crossings with Ukraine make Slovakia one of Ukraine's western gateways into central Europe.<ref name="uzhhorod-transport"/>

== Society and culture ==
Slovak is the official language. Hungarian, Romani, Czech, Ruthenian, Ukrainian, and other languages are used by minority communities.

Slovak culture developed from Central European, Carpathian, Slavic, Hungarian, and Austrian influences. Folk music, mountain regions, Catholic and Protestant traditions, literature, theatre, and local crafts remain important parts of cultural life.

Major cities include Bratislava, Košice, Prešov, Žilina, Nitra, Banská Bystrica, Trnava, and Trenčín.

== See also ==
* [[Ukraine]]
* [[Uzhhorod]]
* [[Hungary]]
* [[Austria]]
* [[Danube]]
* [[Oskar Dirlewanger]]
* [[Second World War]]

== References ==
{{Reflist|refs=
<ref name="ukraine-border">"[[Ukraine#Geography and population|Geography and population]]". ''Ukraine''. ''Vrienden Universe Wiki''. Section stating that Ukraine borders Slovakia to the west and describing western Ukrainian border regions. Accessed 20 June 2026.</ref>

<ref name="austria-border">"[[Austria|Austria]]". ''Vrienden Universe Wiki''. Page identifying Slovakia as one of Austria's neighbouring states. Accessed 20 June 2026.</ref>

<ref name="hungary-danube">"[[Hungary#Geography|Geography]]". ''Hungary''. ''Vrienden Universe Wiki''. Section describing the Danube entering Hungary from Slovakia and forming part of the Hungary-Slovakia border. Accessed 20 June 2026.</ref>

<ref name="uzhhorod-border">"[[Uzhhorod#Geography|Geography]]". ''Uzhhorod''. ''Vrienden Universe Wiki''. Section describing Uzhhorod's location near Slovakia and the Uzhhorod-Vyšné Nemecké checkpoint. Accessed 20 June 2026.</ref>

<ref name="uzhhorod-history">"[[Uzhhorod#History|History]]". ''Uzhhorod''. ''Vrienden Universe Wiki''. Section covering Transcarpathia's entry into Czechoslovakia in 1919 and its transfer to Soviet Ukraine in 1945. Accessed 20 June 2026.</ref>

<ref name="dirlewanger-slovakia">"[[Oskar Dirlewanger#Second World War|Second World War]]". ''Oskar Dirlewanger''. ''Vrienden Universe Wiki''. Section stating that the Dirlewanger Brigade operated in occupied Slovakia and that Dirlewanger commanded the unit during the Battle of Ipolyság on 15 December 1944. Accessed 20 June 2026.</ref>

<ref name="uzhhorod-transport">"[[Uzhhorod#Transport|Transport]]". ''Uzhhorod''. ''Vrienden Universe Wiki''. Section describing transport routes from Uzhhorod to Slovakia through the Uzhhorod-Vyšné Nemecké checkpoint. Accessed 20 June 2026.</ref>
}}

[[Category:Countries]]
[[Category:Europe]]
[[Category:Central Europe]]
[[Category:Slovakia]]
[[Category:Locations]]