Slovakia Quick Guide:

• Capital - Bratislava
• Currency - Slovak Koruna
• Language - Slovak
• Population - over 5 million
• Size - roughly 49,000 Sq Km (almost 19,000 Sq Miles)
• Bordering Countries – Czech Republic, Austria, Poland, Hungary and The Ukraine

Slovakia

Slovakia is a landlocked country that was once a part of Czechoslovakia, the leaders of Slovakia felt that the Czech and Slovak Federation did not provide for adequate autonomy and wasn't the best way for the Slovak people to develop culturally and economically, and on 1st January 1993 Czechoslovakia formally ceased to exist and instead became known as the Czech Republic and Slovakia. The separation of these two nations was done through peaceful means and became known as the ‘velvet divorce’, which was jovially named after the peaceful fall of communism in Czechoslovakia, referred to as the ‘Velvet Revolution’

The Slovak Republic or Slovakia as it is most commonly known as is located at the geographical centre of Europe and due to this it is often referred to as the ‘Country at the heart of Europe’ 

The Slovakian landscape is noted for its mountainous nature, with the Carpathian mountains extending across most of the northern half of the Country. Amongst these mountains are the high peaks of the Tatra mountain range, which form a natural border between Slovakia and Poland. The High Tatras alpine range houses Gerlachovsky stit, the highest peak at 8762 feet (2655 meters).

The Low Tatras are located south of the High Tatras and separated by the valley of the River Vah. The Certovica pass divides the range into 2 parts, the highest peaks are located in the western part of the mountain range. Dumbier is the highest mountain at 2042m, its neighbour Chopok, 2024m is accessible by a chair lift and is the most visited place in the Low Tatras 

Liptovský Mikuláš

Liptovský Mikuláš lies in the Liptov region, on the River Vah near to the Low Tatra mountains. It is one of the most famous tourist centres in Slovakia due to its rich cultural life. It is also a perfect starting point for tourists from where they can easily get to the Low Tatras, with well known caves, such as the Damanova Ice Cave and the Demanova Cave of Freedom. It is located near to Jasna which boasts many modern lifts and a variety of activities.