Local name: Republika Slovenija
Capital city: Ljubljana
Language: Slovenian (91%), Serbian and Croatian (7%)
International codes: SI, SLO, SVN
Time zone: GMT+1 (CET)
Area: 20,273 sq km
Population: 2,000,000 (2002 estimates)
Government type: republic
Independence: since 1991
National holiday: June 25 (1991)
Ethnic groups: Slovenian 88%, Croat 3%, Serb 2%
Currency: Slovenian tolar (SIT)
GDP: USD 31 billion; USD 16,000 per capita (2001 estimates)
Religion: Roman Catholic 71%, atheist 4%
Border countries: Austria, Croatia, Italy, Hungary

Description:
Slovenia is one of the youngest European countries, becoming an independent state in 1991 after the collapse of the Yugoslav federation. It became the 176th member of the UN and an associate member of the EU. The large freight port in Koper (on the Adriatic) is an important gateway into Central Europe. Tourism is also on the increase. The Slovenian lands were part of the Holy Roman Empire and Austria until 1918 when the Slovenians joined the Serbs and Croats in forming a new nation, renamed Yugoslavia in 1929. After World War II, Slovenia became a republic of the renewed Yugoslavia, which though Communist, distanced itself from Moscow's rule. Dissatisfied with the exercise of power of the majority Serbs, the Slovenians succeeded in establishing their independence in 1991. Historical ties to Western Europe, a strong economy, and a stable democracy make Slovenia a leading candidate for future membership in the European Union (EU) and NATO. Slovenia will join both in 2004.
Over 40% of the land is mountainous with the Julian Alps in the north on the borders with Austria and Italy. The balance of land is mixed high hills and valleys, covered by green forests, with numerous rivers in the east, including the Drava and Sava. There is a Mediterranean climate on the coast, continental climate with mild to hot summers and cold winters in the plateaus and valleys to the east.

GLBT:
Slovenia has a very rich GLBT tradition. Homosexuality was decriminalised in 1976, and in 1984 MAGNUS section at ŠKUC-Forum started operating. The organisation united gays and some lesbians. A fairly prosperous period of newspapers, film festivals, meeting, and conference period begins, supported by the alternative scene. Lesbian group LL at Lilit section was constituted in 1987. The groups have always been active but failed to achieve greater media attention and integration into society. With the independence of Slovenia in 1991, these aspirations became more obvious. In 1998, Legebitra - the first Slovenian youth GLBT group - was founded, in 2001 march against homophobia (the first Gay and Lesbian Pride) takes place, Lesbian library opens, and other important events occur. In 2002, with the group Sestre (Sisters) winning the national selection for Eurosong contest, the public shows a lot of homophobia, but things started changing for the better. A law on registering same-sex partnerships is expected to be passed soon.
Legal age of consent for sexual intercourse - heterosexual, gay and lesbian - is 15.

Links and sources:
http://www.ljudmila.org/sgs/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=168
http://www.ljudmila.org/siqrd/
http://www.ilga.info/Information/legal_survey/europe/slovenia.htm
http://www.matkurja.com
http://www.slovenia-tourism.si
http://www.burger.si
http://www.odci.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/si.html