Slovenia

Slovenia is a relatively small country (20,300 square kilometers, 2.1 million inhabitants) in the Balkan Peninsula in southeastern Europe. Once a part of Yugoslavia, it is now independent and a member of the European Union. Its capital city is Ljubljana (280,000 inhabitants). The majority of the population is Slovenian (more than 80%) and from other Slavonic nations (Croatians and Serbians). There are also important minorities, Italians and Germans, in Slovenia. Given its location on the edge of the Balkan Peninsula, Slovenia has in the course of its history been influenced by many cultures and religions (Catholicism, Orthodox religion, and Islam). Slovenia was a part of the Habsburg Monarchy (since the 14th century). Due to the religious circumstances under Habsburg rule, the most important religion was ...