Slovenia

Political system: democratic republic

Location: Central Europe

Capital city: Ljubljana

Population: approximately 2 million

Nationality: Slovenian

• Total area: 20,273 km²
• Land: 20,151 km²
• Water surfaces: 122 km² (+ ~180 km² Adriatic Sea)
• Forest coverage: ~58%
• Highest point: Triglav - 2,864 m
• Lowest point: Adriatic Sea - 0 m (-32 m)
• Coastline length: 43,157 m
• Longest river: Sava - 221 km in Slovenia
• Largest natural lake: Lake Bohinj - 3.18 km²
• Precipitation: 800-3,500 mm/year
• Annual temperature: from 0°C (Kredarica) to 13°C (Portorož)
• The average annual temperature in Slovenia ranges from approximately 0°C in the high mountains to 13°C- along the coast, with a national average around 9°C-10°C. In recent decades, it has noticeably increased due to climate change.

Physical Geography of Slovenia

Slovenia lies in a geologically and geomorphologically highly diverse area, where four major European natural units converge: the Alps, Dinaric Mountains, Pannonian Plain, and Adriatic Coastal Region. This location creates high landscape diversity, ecological richness, and complex climatic dynamics.

Relief units

• Alpine region (28°-): Julian Alps, Kamnik-Savinja Alps, Karawanks. Peaks above 2,000 m, glacial valleys, cirques, moraines. Highest peak: Triglav (2,864 m).
• Dinaric Karst (23°-): karst plateaus, poljes (Cerknica, Planina), sinking rivers, caves (Postojna, Škocjan - UNESCO).
• Pannonian region (22°-): plains and hills along the Mura, Drava, Krka; sedimentary basins, thermal springs.
• Coastal region (2°-): Slovenian Istria, cliffs, salt pans, karst edge; Adriatic coastline length: 43,157 m.

Geological structure

• Lithological zones: limestone and dolomite (karst), metamorphic rocks (Alps), Neogene sediments (Pannonian Plain).
• Tectonics: junction of the Eurasian and Adriatic microplates; main faults: Idrija, Sava, Labot. Seismic risk: moderate to high.
• Mineral heritage: Idrija - mercury mine (largest in Europe); mining areas in Mežica, Litija.

Climate

• Climate zones: alpine (>1,500 m), continental (interior), sub-Mediterranean (Primorska).
• Precipitation: from 800 mm (Prekmurje) to 3,500 mm (Julian Alps); highest values in the west.
• Temperatures: average annual temperature: Ljubljana ~10°, Kredarica ~0°, Portorož ~13°.
• Winds: bora (Vipava Valley), foehn (Alps), sirocco (coast), valley winds.

Hydrological system

• Watersheds: 81°- of the territory drains into the Danube (Sava, Drava, Mura), 19°- into the Adriatic (Soča, Vipava).
• Rivers: Sava (221 km), Drava (142 km), Mura (95 km), Soča (138 km), Krka (94 km).
• Lakes: Lake Bled (glacial), Lake Bohinj (largest natural), Lake Cerknica (intermittent), Lake Velenje (artificial).
• Groundwater: karst aquifers, thermal springs (Rogaška Slatina, Radenci, Čatež).
• Wetlands: Ljubljana Marshes, Škocjanski zatok, Mura floodplains.

Soils

• Rendzinas: on limestone and dolomite (karst).
• Brown forest soils: on silicate rocks (Alps, mid-altitudes).
• Fluvisols: along rivers (Sava, Drava, Mura).
• Peat soils: Ljubljana Marshes

Vegetation and biogeography

• Forests: cover ~58°- of the territory; dominated by beech, spruce, mixed forests.
• Alpine flora: dwarf pine, alpine grasses, endemics (Triglav rose).
• Sub-Mediterranean vegetation: maquis, holm oak, olive, laurel.
• Biogeographic regions: alpine, continental, Mediterranean - high species diversity.

Protected areas

• Triglav National Park: the only national park, 838 km².
• Regional parks: Kozjansko, Logar Valley(Logarska dolina), Ljubljana Marshes, Sečovlje Salt Pans.
• Natura 2000: ~37°- of the territory; habitat and species protection (lynx, bear, golden eagle).
• UNESCO: Škocjan Caves - World Natural Heritage Site.

Regions of Slovenia

• Gorenjska - Alpine region with Bled, Bohinj and Triglav (7.9°-)
• Primorska - coastal region with the Karst, Vipava Valley and Piran (8.1°-)
• Štajerska - wine-growing region with Maribor and Ptuj (12.3°-)
• Dolenjska - hilly landscape with the Krka River and Novo mesto (7.5°-)

About the project MojaSlovenija.si