Slovakia : The Slovak Republic
Ranked #3,979 in Travel & Places, #121,345 overall
Slovakia joined both NATO and the EU in the Spring of 2004
Slovakia aka the Slovak Republic was originally the eastern portion of Czechoslovakia. It is a small landlocked republic in Central Europe bordering the Czech Republic and Austria in the west, Poland in the north, Ukraine in the east and Hungary in the south.
With a population of over five million, Slovakia is a member of the European Union. The capital is Bratislava.
In this lens I hope to give you a good overview of everything Slovakia including the history, steps to freedom, politics, people, and geography. Since I first created this lens, I've found so many excellent YouTube videos which I've selected to showcase to give you a better feel for The Slovak Republic. Some videos that really "touched" me include the "Hidden History" of Slovakia and many showing the Roma or gypsies. I hope you enjoy what I've presented here!
By the way, the significance of this page to Squidoo lensmasters? Oh, simple! This is one of my first instances of writing in a series of related topics! In March 2006 I initiated the "Made in" series of lenses to celebrate all that is Eastern European. I initially wrote about Made in Hungary and Made in Romania to celebrate my Eastern European heritage. And, then I expanded that niche or series to include MORE about Eastern European subjects ... you know, like Slovakia, the Slovak Republic!
With a population of over five million, Slovakia is a member of the European Union. The capital is Bratislava.
In this lens I hope to give you a good overview of everything Slovakia including the history, steps to freedom, politics, people, and geography. Since I first created this lens, I've found so many excellent YouTube videos which I've selected to showcase to give you a better feel for The Slovak Republic. Some videos that really "touched" me include the "Hidden History" of Slovakia and many showing the Roma or gypsies. I hope you enjoy what I've presented here!
By the way, the significance of this page to Squidoo lensmasters? Oh, simple! This is one of my first instances of writing in a series of related topics! In March 2006 I initiated the "Made in" series of lenses to celebrate all that is Eastern European. I initially wrote about Made in Hungary and Made in Romania to celebrate my Eastern European heritage. And, then I expanded that niche or series to include MORE about Eastern European subjects ... you know, like Slovakia, the Slovak Republic!
Slovakia : The Slovak Republic was originally created on April 21, 2006.
Contents at a Glance
Slovakia Steps to Freedom
Without freedom there would be NO Slovak Superstar!
- In 1918, the Slovaks joined the closely related Czechs to form Czechoslovakia.
- Following the chaos of World War II, Czechoslovakia became a Communist nation within Soviet-ruled Eastern Europe.
- In 1989, Soviet influence collapsed and Czechoslovakia once more became free.
- On January 1, 1993, the Slovaks and the Czechs agreed to separate peacefully.
- In the Spring of 2004, Slovakia joined both NATO and the EU.
Hidden History of Slovakia 1942 - Part I
Viewing this video gave me chills and made me feel a bit sad ...
curated content from YouTube
Hidden History of Slovakia 1942 - Part II
The Slovak Republic Flag
The Slovak Republic flag has three equal horizontal bands of white (top), blue, and red superimposed with the coat of arms of Slovakia (consisting of a red shield bordered in white and bearing a white Cross of Lorraine surmounting three blue hills); the coat of arms is centered vertically and offset slightly to the hoist side. Slovakia videos
I've selected several videos to give you a glimpse of Slovakia!
curated content from YouTube
Slavic People
The "Slavic" people, Slavs, are the Slovaks, Czechs, Poles, Ruthenians, Croatians, and Servians.
Slovakia Gypsy videos
Slovakia Facts
From the CIA World Factbook.
- Land Area: Total: 48,845 sq km; land: 48,800; sq km; water: 45 sq km. About twice the size of New Hampshire.
- Borders: Total: 1,524 km. Border countries: Austria 91 km, Czech Republic 215 km, Hungary 677 km, Poland 444 km, Ukraine 97 km.
- Population: 5,439,448 (July 2006 est.)
- Ethnic Groups: Slovak 85.8%, Hungarian 9.7%, Roma 1.7%, Ruthenian/Ukrainian 1%, other and unspecified 1.8% (2001 census).
- Languages: Slovak (official) 83.9%, Hungarian 10.7%, Roma 1.8%, Ukrainian 1%, other or unspecified 2.6% (2001 census).
- Religions: Roman Catholic 68.9%, Protestant 10.8%, Greek Catholic 4.1%, other or unspecified 3.2%, none 13% (2001 census).
- Government: Parliamentary democracy.
- Independence: January 1, 1993 -- Czechoslovakia split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia [Slovak Republic].
- Capital: Bratislava.
- Agriculture: Grains, potatoes, sugar beets, hops, fruit; pigs, cattle, poultry; forest products.
- Natural Resources: Brown coal and lignite; small amounts of iron ore, copper and manganese ore; salt; arable land.
- GDP (purchasing power parity): $85.56 billion (2005 est.).
- Industries: Metal and metal products; food and beverages; electricity, gas, coke, oil, nuclear fuel; chemicals and manmade fibers; machinery; paper and printing; earthenware and ceramics; transport vehicles; textiles; electrical and optical apparatus; rubber products.
Made in Slovakia ~ many designer labels
Some of the designer brands "made in Slovakia" include Armani, Dries Van Noten, Ecco, Ermengildo Zegna, Georg Roth, J.D. Christopher, Lacoste, Lowa, Mexx, Puma, Ralph Lauren Polo, and Tailors Row.The "made in Slovakia" [Slovacchia] label shown here is from an item recently spotted on eBay. It's an EMPORIO ARMANI Sweater (with a small Emporio Armani sign on the chest). Purchased at an Emporio Armani Store in Switzerland. Comes with shopping bag. Retail: 255 USD. Reserve is less than 80 USD. Condition: New. Never worn and never washed. Fabric: 100% Virgin Wool. Handwash only. It was being sold by a seller located in Allschwil, Switzerland. BTW, I've also written a lens on Giorgio Armani, so I found this particular designer item of interest as I've also seen Armani "made in Poland."
My "Made in" Eastern European Lenses
Made in Slovakia men's clothing
Made in Slovakia women's clothing
Made in Slovakia women's shoes
Check out this award-nominated/winning Slovak film!
In 2004, it was nominated for an Oscar as a Best Foreign Language Film. In the same year, it won the Czech Lion Award for Best Actress and Best Sound and was nominated for Best Actor, Best Art Direction, Best Cinematography, Best Director, Best Editing, Best Film, Best Music, Best Screenplay, and Best Supporting Actress.
In 2004, it also won the Undine Award for Best Young Actress in the New European Union Countries.
In 2005, it won the Golden Kinnaree Award for Best Actress Anna Geislerova tieing with Annette Bening for Being Julia. And, in the same year it was nominated for the Golden Kinnaree Award Best Film.
In 2004, it also won the Undine Award for Best Young Actress in the New European Union Countries.
In 2005, it won the Golden Kinnaree Award for Best Actress Anna Geislerova tieing with Annette Bening for Being Julia. And, in the same year it was nominated for the Golden Kinnaree Award Best Film.
Slovak Republc: the High Tatras videos
Slovakia Gravestone Inscriptions Project
What a wonderful project !!!
The aim of this project, which has been managed by the SGHS since 1991, is to collect gravestone inscriptions from all of the cemeteries from the territory of Slovakia, create a computer database from these data and this way make them more accessible to researchers.Those, who take part in the project, are volunteers. Thanks to more than 30 volunteers the SGHS was able to collect transcripts from following, more than 70 cemeteries.
Slovakia Cemetery Headstone
Kovács Gyula
Kovács Gyula cemetery headstone courtesy of Cemetaries of Slovakia.dátum pohrebu-kremácie: 01.03.1908
miesto pochovania: Kosice - Verejný cintorín
Slovakia Cemetary
Kovacs Listings
A select listing of Kovács from the Cemeteries of Slovakia.
Kosice - Verejný cintorín:
Kovács Anna 0 yrs. - June 22, 1916
Kovács Anna 0 yrs. - September 16, 1890
Kovács Anna 20 yrs. - May 24, 1903
Kovács Anna 33 yrs. - September 4, 1916
Kovács Béla 1 yrs. - October 2, 1897
Kovács Gusztáv 1 yrs. - October 12, 1894
Kovács Gyula 0 yrs. - May 1, 1893
Kovács Julia 22 yrs. - November 6, 1904
Kovács Júlia 0 yrs. - January 7, 1897
Kovács Júlia 0 yrs. - September 14, 1895
Kovács Júlia 1 yrs. - January 3, 1920
Kovács Margit 0 yrs. - September 20, 1895
Kovács Mihály 0 yrs. - August 10, 1892
Kovács Mihály 1 yrs. - November 12, 1890
Kovács Mihály 2 yrs. - June 29, 1900
Kovács Mihály 12 yrs. - September 6, 1897
Kovács Mihály 22 yrs. - May 10, 1941
Kovács Mihály 30 yrs. - February 22, 1890
Kovács Mihály 42 yrs. - December 29, 1943
Kosice - Vojenský cintorín
Kovács Mihály 0 yrs. - October 9, 1914
Kovács Mihály 0 yrs. - November 7, 1914
Kovács Mihály 0 yrs. - October 30, 1916
Kosice - Verejný cintorín:
Kovács Anna 0 yrs. - June 22, 1916
Kovács Anna 0 yrs. - September 16, 1890
Kovács Anna 20 yrs. - May 24, 1903
Kovács Anna 33 yrs. - September 4, 1916
Kovács Béla 1 yrs. - October 2, 1897
Kovács Gusztáv 1 yrs. - October 12, 1894
Kovács Gyula 0 yrs. - May 1, 1893
Kovács Julia 22 yrs. - November 6, 1904
Kovács Júlia 0 yrs. - January 7, 1897
Kovács Júlia 0 yrs. - September 14, 1895
Kovács Júlia 1 yrs. - January 3, 1920
Kovács Margit 0 yrs. - September 20, 1895
Kovács Mihály 0 yrs. - August 10, 1892
Kovács Mihály 1 yrs. - November 12, 1890
Kovács Mihály 2 yrs. - June 29, 1900
Kovács Mihály 12 yrs. - September 6, 1897
Kovács Mihály 22 yrs. - May 10, 1941
Kovács Mihály 30 yrs. - February 22, 1890
Kovács Mihály 42 yrs. - December 29, 1943
Kosice - Vojenský cintorín
Kovács Mihály 0 yrs. - October 9, 1914
Kovács Mihály 0 yrs. - November 7, 1914
Kovács Mihály 0 yrs. - October 30, 1916
Slovakia items from Amazon
Slovakia items found on eBay
Bratislava, Slovakia video ...
This video makes you want to visit Bratislava, Slovakia! Hmmm, maybe my next Eastern European vacation will be there.
curated content from YouTube
Slovakia Pictures on Flickr
Slovakia in the news
- Where were the Slovaks? But frankly, who cares…
- By Eurosport | Simon Reed ? 4 hours ago It may have been a strangely indifferent display from Slovakia...
- Slovakia's Daniela Hantuchova wins Pattaya Open again, beating Russia's Maria ...
- PATTAYA, Thailand ? Slovakia's Daniela Hantuchova won her second straight Pattaya Open title Sunday,...
- Slovakia - Factors To Watch on February 13
- HIGHER TAXES Income, property tax in Slovakia could rise after March election. The strongest oppositionparty...
- Slovakia deficit cut realistic despite downgrade: minister
- Slovakia's Finance Minister Ivan Miklos said Tuesday that cutting the public deficit to less than...
Slovakia Info Links
- Slovak Republic
- Guide to the Slovak Republic. Has a good chronology of the major events in Slovakia's history.
- Slovak Pictures
- Bill Tarkulich amassed over 800 pictures of his trip to various Slovak villages.
- Yahoo Groups: Slovak Roots
- A great group to join for genealogy research, queries and assistance in locating information on ancestors who were from areas of the former Austria-Hungary.
- Slovensko.com
- Another guide with helpful information about what you need to know to visit.
- Slovak Republic Government Office
- The official website of the Slovak Republic Government Office.
- National Bank of Slovakia
- Lots of interesting financial information from the NBS.
- Slovak Republic Statistics
- Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic provides some good detailed information.
Slovak Genealogy Links
- Czechoslovak Genealogical Society International
- Promoting Czechoslovak genealogical research and interest among people with ancestry in the Czechoslovak region as it was in 1918.
- Slovak Genealogical-Heraldic Society
- The SGHS consists of more than 500 members from Slovakia (mainly), Czech Republic and other countries (Hungary, USA, France).
- Slovenian Genealogy
- A great compilation of resources and links for Slovenian genealogy.
- Eastern Slovakia Genealogy Research
- Bill Tarkulich, a wizard in Slovakian genealogy research, created this "Toolbox" web page.
- Slovak Settlement Names
- Download a 31-page PDF of Slovak Settlement names.
- CentroConsult Home Page
- Genealogical research in Slovakia.
- CentroConsult - Land
- Genealogical research with land plots.
- Slovak Roots
- A Yahoo group for genealogy research, queries and assistance in locating information on ancestors who were from areas of the former Austria-Hungary.
- It's All Relative
- The It's All Relative Genealogical Research Pages offers tools, resources, and information to help you search your Czech, Bohemian, Moravian, Slovak, Lemko, or Carpatho-Rusyn family history and ancestry.
- Kataster Portal
- According to Peter Nagy: The plot register is the largest free public database in Slovakia. Any owner of a real estate (plot, house, flat) is registered there with his date of birth and address. It is a perfect tool for looking for lost relatives in Slovakia. He plans to develop an English guide in the future.
P.S. Check out A Slovak's Night before Christmas!
A Slovak's Night Before Vianoce [Christmas]
By an Anonymous Slovak author
Twas the night before Vianoce, and all through the house
The Slovaks had gathered To eat sauerkraut.
The kolach was nestled all snug in its dish.
Bobalki was cooking, and so was some fish.
Babushkaed women and men in their caps
Had all settled down with food in their laps.
When out in the lawn there arose such a clatter
We all went to see what was the matter.
Away to the window Baba flew like a flash,
Screaming "Lock all the doors and hide all the cash".
When what to our wondering eyes should appear
But a pagach shaped sleigh complete with reindeer.
With a little old Slovak so lively and quick,
We knew in a moment it was Janosik.
Faster than Novenas his reindeer all came
As he shouted "On Stefan" and each reindeer's name.
"On Stefan, on Boris, on Janos, and Olga,
On Jasko, on Cyril, on Sandor and Volga".
Then out to the smokehouse the reindeer all flew
With a sleigh full of Kolbasa and Janosik too.
Into the smoke vent he lept with a bound,
Dancing the czardas and twirling around.
He did a quick polka, then went to his work.
He gave us Oplatki then turned with a jerk.
We gave him Kapusta and Dzedo's old clothes,
Then sang Ticha Noc as up the vent he rose.
But we heard him exclaim as we took off our coats,
"Vesele Vianoce to all and to all dobre noc". --iarelative.com.
What do you know about Slovakia?
Drop me a note -- LOVE Slovakia?
Have you visited Slovakia? Are you of Slovakian heritage? Are you into genealogy?
We were so close to crossing into Slovakia from the Czech Republic, but that particular day was a wine-tasting day--so we thought we'd better stay off the country roads!
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Paroshep
Dec 18, 2011 @ 12:48 pm | delete
- A very complete lens. Thanks for the effort. I just spent two days in Bratislavia and want to see more of Slovakia. My wife and I were very impressed with how friendly the people were.
Cheers,
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Valdacious
Nov 15, 2011 @ 5:35 pm | delete
- I am 1/4 Slovak! :-)
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traveller27
Aug 17, 2011 @ 4:14 pm | delete
- I'm hoping to visit Bratislava some day. Beautiful lens!
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ksenova
Nov 27, 2010 @ 3:13 pm | delete
- It is a wonderful lens, well done. I have realised that Slovakia has a lot to offer to me as a tourist.
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slovakiaisthenicest
Jun 19, 2010 @ 8:40 am | delete
- wow i am from slovakia and i am happy that i see something about our country on this page :). Slovakia is really nice coutry. We are not in eastern europe but we are heart of europe really :).
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Eastern European Topics
Welcome to the directory of Eastern European Topics ... it's the Everything Eastern European Directory ... It's a celebration of all things Eastern European! I've so enjoyed writing about European topics for many years. At first, it started with a natural curiosity about historical topics, including the world wars and the effect on the countries and its peoples. Next, it developed into a stronger yearning to conduct genealogical research into the family tree. I began researching the family history online quite a few years ago. Then, we topped off that online research with a couple of actual vacations to Eastern Europe.Oh my, you can well imagine that was a remarkable time for us. The only thing that I think my hubby would change? Oh, that would be all those cemeteries that we just had to visit! Got some cool pictures of grave markers, statues, and gravestones. Hubby loved every minute of it.
Well, thanks for dropping by. I hope you enjoy exploring the Eastern European Topics that I have presented for your pleasure! Hugs.
Everything Eastern European Directory
It's a celebration of all things Eastern European!
About the Author Jaguar Julie
Celebrating my heritage to Slovakia aka The Slovak Republic
Creative Commons License
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Plagiarism is the unauthorized use or close imitation of the language and thoughts of another author and the representation of them as one's own original work ... it is just NOT cool so don't do it!
Slovakia : The Slovak Republic was originally created on April 21, 2006.
Highest lensrank ever achieved: #1,182 overall.
Lens #21 in the quest for Giant Squid 100 Club Charter Member 2007.
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