History of Slovakia
 
The independent Slovak State was established in Slovakia in 1939 as an outcome of international events, however, the end of the Second World War brought about restoration of Czechoslovakia. The communist party gradually seized power in the country and the communist dictatorship was overthrown only through the Velvet Revolution in 1989. The democratic process exposed several problems, which resulted in the break-up of the common state of the Czechs and Slovaks and the establishment of the independent Slovak Republic (1 January 1993).
Slovakia is a member of the European Union from May 2004. In December 2007, it became part of the Schengen Area and from 1/1/2009, upon the adoption of the single European currency EURO, Slovakia also became one of the countries of the European Monetary Union.

Nature of Slovakia

Blue eyes of the Slovak mountains
 
The Tatra lakes are called tarns. They are the “eyes” of the Tatras and together with the Tatra peaks create a picturesque scenery. Each of the tarns will fascinate the visitors with their specific colour resulting from their location and the shade of the surrounding mountain background.
 
Health resources
 
Owing to the extraordinary curing effects of thermal waters Slovakia shall remain carved in the memory of many people as a country that returned their health to them. Healing springs, but also the health supporting mineral waters, spring from the bowels of the ground almost in each valley.
 
Specialities of the Slovak meadows and forests
 
Slovak nature is a big attraction for visitors from close and far away countries as well. Not only because more than the third of its territory is occupied by forests, but also because in a relatively small area you can find many different species of plants and vestures, out of which many of them are world unique.
 
Symbol of the Tatras and other mobile treasures
 
Each tourist, who is wandering along the paths of the High Tatras, deep inside his heart believes that he shall see it - as the reflection of his silhouette waves on the clear surface of the tarn, or as it merrily jumps on the sharp cliffs. You are asking of whom? Of course of the Tatra chamois considered as the symbol of the Slovak high mountains.
 
Work of nature and man
 
Rivers rise here and drain to neighbouring countries. Part of the main European watershed cross the territory of Slovakia, which divides the sea-drainage area of the Baltic and Black Sea, and the second biggest river in Europe – the Danube also flows across the country.
 
Climate and weather
 
Slovakia lies in the moderate climatic zone on the divide of the Atlantic and Continental parts of Europe. There are different climates in the lowlands and the mountains.
 

Surface
 
The dominant feature in the surface of Slovakia is the mountain range High Tatras. The Tatras are considered the gem of the West Carpathian Arch, which occupies a great part of the Slovak territory. They consist of the Western and Eastern parts and their most visited and most popular range is that of the High Tatras.