The Slovak Republic ("Slovakia") came into existence in 1993 when the former Czechoslovakia agreed peacefully to separate. Czechoslovakia had been formed in 1918; after the Second World War it became a communist nation but Soviet influence collapsed in 1989 and Czechoslovakia regained its independence. Slovakia joined both the European Union and NATO in 2004. It has a population of approximately 5.4 million.

Slovakia is a land-locked state located in central Europe, south of Poland, with whom it shares a border of approximately 450km. Its other borders are shared with Austria (90km), the Czech Republic (215km), Hungary (675km) and Ukraine (100km). The capital Bratislava is located near Slovakia's border with Austria.

The country adopted the euro currency on 1 January 2009 and  is a parliamentary democracy with a unicameral National Council of the Slovak Republic which has 150 members elected by proportional representation to serve a four-year term. 

Slovakia has largely succeeded in transforming its economy from one of central control to being market orientated and has been pursuing a policy of encouraging foreign investment. Slovakia is an attractive country for foreign investors mainly because of its low wages, low tax rates and well educated labour force.

Slovakia has a mining history dating to at least Celtic times and major production of metals (primarily copper and silver) occurred during the medieval period.  Base metal and coal production was substantial during the Soviet Era with coal, gold, silver, magnesite, limestone, dolomite and gravel being mined today. The second oldest mining institute in the world is located at Banská Štiavnica and the population is proud of their mining heritage.

For further information on the Slovak Republic, see:

• Wikipedia - Slovakia
• BBC Country Profiles - Slovakia
• CIA World Factbook - Slovakia