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Geographical information
Slovenia occupies about 2% of central Europe. Slovenia borders Austria in the north, Hungary in the east, Croatia in the south and Italy in the west. Slovenia is predominantly hilly with more than 90% of its surface over 300m above sea level. Forest covers almost half of the country, making Slovenia one of the world its greenest countries. Agricultural covers a further 43%. There are six main regions within the country: the Alps; the hills; the Dinaric karst (a limestone region of caves and underground rivers) below the hills; the Slovenian Littoral; 47km of Adriatic coastline; and the lowlands.
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Nature
| Flora and Fauna | There are many woods and forests in Slovenia - covering 54 % of the country and numerous preserved and protected plant and animal species. Slovenia's nature preservation programme will gradually ensure that nearly a third of the territory of Slovenia will be protected. Slovenia is preserving the special features of its land by combining the natural heritage with new incentives. Because of its diversity, accessibility and the preservation of its traditions, Slovenia is an attractive destination for almost 1 million tourists a year who come to enjoy the unspoilt nature, its wonderful spas, seaside resorts, and mountains, its countryside and Slovenia's towns with their rich antique and medieval heritage. | | National Parks | The first nature park in Slovenia was the Triglav National Park , established in 1924; the present area was protected in 1981 (84.000 ha). Skocjanske jame Regional Park was established in 1996 and it coveres an area of 400 ha. The Caves of Skocjan are listed in the UNESCO's World Heritage. |
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Climate
The northwest of Slovenia has an Alpine climate and temperatures in the Alpine valleys are moderate in the summer but cold in winter. The Adriatic coast has a Mediterranean climate with warm summers and mild winters. Most of eastern Slovenia has a Continental climate with hot summers and cold winters. January is the coldest month when the average daytime temperature is minus 2 degrees Celsius and July is the warmest with an average of 21 degrees Celsius.
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