55 Facts About Slovenia

Slovenia is a Central European country known for its mountains, ski resorts, and lakes.

The town of Bled is located on Lake Bled, a glacial lake fed by hot springs, and features a church-topped islet and a cliffside mediaeval castle.

In Slovenia's capital, Ljubljana, baroque facades coexist with the 20th-century architecture of native Joe Plenik, whose iconic Tromostovje (Triple Bridge) spans the Ljubljanica River.

Slovenia's War of Independence, also known as the Ten-Day War, claimed the lives of 76 people in 1991. It was also Europe's first war since World War II.

Archaeologists discovered the Divje Babe Flute, a flute made of a bear's femur, in 1995. Yes, that was how enthusiastic the early Slovenians were about music. It is thought to be 55,000 years old.

Despite being a monarchy, Slovenia (then part of Yugoslavia) held its first free election in 1925.

Everyone was pleased with the results of the 1925 elections, except the king, who staged a coup to re-establish his rule. The coup, known as the 6 January coup, resulted in the assassination of King Alexander I two years later.

Slovenia was an important part of the larger Yugoslavia. During the cold war, it was a hotspot of spying and backchannel diplomacy for both the US and the USSR.

Slovenians are deeply invested in politics. Stjepan Radi, the president of the Croatian People's Peasant Party, was assassinated in the middle of the country's parliament.

Slovenia is the only country in modern Europe that has been occupied by both Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy. Slovenia, on the other hand, had seen worse.

Slovenia established democracy for the first time since World War I in 1990.

During its independence from Yugoslavia, Slovenia had to face the wrath of the Yugoslav military. The short 10-day war quickly escalated, engulfing the entire Balkan region in a war frenzy.

Croatia was the first country to recognise Slovenia as a country. Slovenia, incidentally, was the first country to recognise Croatia as a country.

Slovenia is home to the oldest wheel ever discovered, the Ljubljana Marshes Wheel. Radiocarbon dating indicates that it is at least 5000 years old.

The pen is more powerful than the sword. Through a single article published in the popular newspaper Nova revija in 1887, a group of liberal-minded people forced the country's Communist leadership to adopt democracy.

Nova revija is a vehicle for change, not just an institution. It represents the people's free will and holds a special place in Slovene hearts and contemporary culture.

Hayracks are a distinctive cultural symbol of Slovenia, which is also known as the Land of Hayracks. Farmers in Slovenia are very proud of their hayracks, so never mess with the hack rays.

The linden tree is a Slovenian national symbol. The tree can live for centuries and is associated with love, friendship, and loyalty in Slovenia.

Slovenia's oldest linden tree is actually older than Modern Europe itself. The 700-year-old Najevnik Linden tree in Slovenia's Koroška region has a circumference of 10 metres (over 30 feet).

According to local legend, the Najevnik Linden tree was planted by Turks atop a massive loot of treasure so that they could collect it later.

Slovenia is well-known for its own patented brand of stunning white show horses. Lipica Horse Farm, located in Slovenia, has been breeding its own unique white horse for 425 years.

Consider having your wedding in a prehistoric church where the Slavic goddess of love Ziva once married. Add to that the allure of a remote island, and you have the Bled Church of the Assumption in Slovenia. The only stipulation is that the groom carry the bride 99 steps up into the church.

A potica a day keeps the blues at bay. Potica, a popular Slovenian pastry, is a favourite of many Slovenians.

Slovenian tourism is fueled by unusual and offbeat destinations. Its numerous hidden caves, beautiful forest canopy, amazing network of waterways, and daring people make it a major tourist draw in Europe.

In 2012, tourism in the country increased by a whopping 65%.

The city of Ljubljana is pronounced lub-lee-yana.

The country's capital city's (Ljubljana) name translates as "the loved one".

Ljubljana is Slovenia's capital.

There are 12 museums in the city, all of which are close to one another.

Ljubljana is the 2016 European Green Capital of the World.

Slovenia's national symbols are the linden tree and the chamois.

Slovenia is a beautiful country full of natural wonders. It has the most caves (more than 10,000) in the world, and forests cover more than half of the country.

Postojna is the longest (20,570 m) and most well-known cave system in the world.

Slovenia is a biodiversity hotspot. On 0.004% of the Earth's surface area, it supports 1% of the world's organisms.

Slovenia has a total coastline length of 46.6 kilometres.

According to some estimates, Slovenia has one winery for every 70 people.

During the prehistoric and Neolithic ages, Slovenia was home to the mysterious pile dwellers of the Alps.

The Etruscan shrew is the world's lightest mammal, weighing only 2 grammes. This little-known but fascinating creature is native to Slovenia.

Martin Strel swam the Mississippi River (2,414 miles), the Yangtze River (2,487 miles), the Amazon River (3,273 miles), and the Danube River (1,780 mi). He is the very first to do so.

Consider skiing down Mount Everest, the world's most difficult and highest peak. Except for Slovene alpinist Davorin Karničar, who became a record holder for his daring stunt, no one dared to entertain such thoughts. He is also the first person in history to ski the highest peaks on each of the world's seven continents.

Ljubljana is a city from a fairy tale. According to legend, a powerful dragon was harassing the townspeople. Jason, Prince of Ancient Greece, happened to be passing by and decided to assist. The young prince defeated the dragon in a classic battle.

Regrettably, the dragon, rather than Prince Jason of ancient Greece, became the de facto symbol of Ljubljana.

The green statue of the "martyr" dragon can be found at the magnificent Dragon Bridge. It represents strength, bravery, and greatness. Ljubljana truly is that cool. This bridge is also the best example of Secession-style architecture in Vienna.

Slovenia has one of Central Europe's highest per capita GDPs.

It is also said that when a virgin lady crosses the Dragon Bridge, the dragon wags its tail.

The Trbovlje power station chimney is the grandmother of all European chimneys. It is the tallest structure in Europe, standing at 1,180 feet (360 metres).

Every year, the Vilenica international literary prize is held inside a cave.

Slovenia is well-known for its water-based tourism. It's a water lover's paradise, with 27,000 kilometres of rivers and streams.

The country is teeming with bears and forests.

Slovenia is so small that you can see two countries from where you are. Italy is visible on the right, while Croatia is visible on the left.

The Old Vine in Maribor, Slovenia, is at least 400 years old and is thought to be the world's oldest vine.

Slovenia's "Lake Cerknica" is an intermittent lake. An intermittent lake is one that appears and disappears seasonally.

Slovenia also has one of the world's oldest stud farms, the Lipica stud farm. 

A 400-meter-long race known as "the hill of death" and "the vertical marathon" is held in Slovenia. The race, on the other hand, is a sheer vertical climb. The thrilling race is officially known as "The Red Bull 400."

According to the CIA, there are an estimated 477,782 refugee and migrant arrivals in Slovenia (2015 – April 2016).