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{{Short description|none}}
[[Slovenia]] is situated at the meeting of central [[Europe]], the [[Mediterranean]], and the [[Alps]]. The [[Alps]]--including the [[Julian Alps]], the [[Kamnik-Savinja Alps]] and the [[Karawanken]] chain, as well as the [[Pohorje]] -- dominate northern Slovenia near[[Austria]]. Slovenia's [[Adriatic sea|Adriatic]] coastline extends for approximately 50 kilometers (39 mi.) from [[Italy]] to [[Croatia]]. The term "[[karst]]" -- a limestone region of underground rivers, gorges, and caves -- originated in Slovenia's Karst plateau between [[Ljubljana]] and the Italian border. On the [[Pannonian plain]] to the east and northeast, toward the Croatian and [[Hungary|Hungarian]] borders, the landscape is essentially flat. However, the majority of Slovenian terrain is hilly or mountainous, with around 90% of the surface 200 meters or more above sea level.
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2022}}
{{More citations needed|date=November 2012}}
[[Slovenia]] is situated at the crossroads of [[Central Europe|central]] and [[southeast Europe]], touching the [[Alps]] and bordering the [[Adriatic Sea]]. The Alps—including the [[Julian Alps]], the [[Kamnik–Savinja Alps]] and the [[Karawanks|Karawank]] chain, as well as the [[Pohorje]] massif—dominate northern Slovenia along its long border to [[Austria]]. Slovenia's [[Adriatic]] coastline stretches approximately {{convert|47|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} from [[Italy]] to [[Croatia]]. Its part south of Sava river belongs to Balkan peninsula – [[Balkans]].


The term ''[[karst]]'' originated in southwestern Slovenia's [[Karst Plateau]] ({{langx|sl|Kras}}), a [[limestone]] region of underground rivers, gorges, and caves, between [[Ljubljana]] and the [[Mediterranean]].
<b>Location:</b>
Southeastern or [[Central Europe]], eastern [[Alps]] bordering the Adriatic Sea, between [[Austria]] and [[Croatia]]


On the [[Pannonian plain]] to the east and northeast, toward the [[Croatia]]n and [[Hungary|Hungarian]] borders, the landscape is essentially flat. However, the majority of Slovenian terrain is hilly or mountainous, with around 90% of the surface 200 meters or more above sea level.
[[Image:Si-map.jpg]]


[[Image:General map of slovenia.svg|right|thumb|500px|Map of Slovenia]]
<p><b>[[Geographic coordinate]]s:</b>
46 00 N, 15 00 E
<p><b>Map references:</b>
[[Europe]]
<p><b>Area:</b>
<br><i>total:</i>
20,253 sq [[kilometre|km]]
<br><i>land:</i>
20,253 sq km
<br><i>water:</i>
0 sq km
<p><b>Area - comparative:</b>
slightly smaller than [[New Jersey]]
<p><b>Land boundaries:</b>
<br><i>total:</i>
1,334 km
<br><i>border countries:</i>
[[Austria]] 330 km, [[Croatia]] 670 km, [[Italy]] 232 km, [[Hungary]] 102 km
<p><b>Coastline:</b>
46.6 km
<p><b>Maritime claims:</b>
NA
<p><b>Climate:</b>
Mediterranean climate on the coast, continental climate with mild to hot summers and cold winters in the plateaus and valleys to the east
<p><b>Terrain:</b>
a short coastal strip on the Adriatic, an alpine mountain region adjacent to Italy and Austria, mixed mountain and valleys with numerous rivers to the east
<p><b>Elevation extremes:</b>
<br><i>lowest point:</i>
Adriatic Sea 0 m
<br><i>highest point:</i>
[[Triglav]] 2,864 m
<p><b>Natural resources:</b>
lignite [[coal]], [[lead]], [[zinc]], [[Mercury (element)|mercury]], [[uranium]], [[silver]], [[hydropower]]
<p><b>Land use:</b>
<br><i>arable land:</i>
12%
<br><i>permanent crops:</i>
3%
<br><i>permanent pastures:</i>
24%
<br><i>forests and woodland:</i>
54%
<br><i>other:</i>
7% (1996 est.)
<p><b>Irrigated land:</b>
20 sq km (1993 est.)
<p><b>Natural hazards:</b>
[[flooding]] and [[earthquake]]s
<p><b>Environment - current issues:</b>
The [[Sava|Sava River]] polluted with domestic and industrial waste; pollution of coastal waters with heavy metals and toxic chemicals; forest damage near [[Koper]] from air pollution (originating at metallurgical and chemical plants) and resulting [[acid rain]]
<p><b>Environment - international agreements:</b>
<br><i>party to:</i>
[[Air Pollution]], [[Air Pollution-Sulphur 94]], [[Biodiversity]], [[Climate Change]], [[Endangered Species]], [[Hazardous Wastes]], [[Law of the Sea]], [[Marine Dumping]], [[Nuclear Test Ban]], [[Ozone Layer Protection]], [[Ship Pollution]], [[Wetlands]]
<br><i>signed, but not ratified:</i>
[[Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants]], [[Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol]]


==Location==
:''See also :'' [[Slovenia]]
Slovenia's location is where southeastern and [[Central Europe]] meet, where the [[Eastern Alps]] border the Adriatic Sea between [[Austria]] and [[Croatia]]. The [[15th meridian east]] almost corresponds to the middle line of the country in the direction west–east.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.geodetski-vestnik.com/49/4/gv49-4_637-638.pdf |title=O pomenu meridiana 15° vzhodno od Greenwicha |trans-title=About the Significance of the 15th Degree to the East of Greenwich Meridian |language=sl |first=Marjan |last=Jenko |year=2005 |journal=Geodetski Vestnik |volume=49 |issue=4 |pages=637–638 |access-date=5 January 2010}}</ref>

==Geographic coordinates==
[[Image:Blejsko jezero.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Aerial view of [[Lake Bled]]]]
Extreme [[geographic coordinate system|geographical points]] of Slovenia:
* North: {{coord|46|52|36|N|16|13|59|E|}}, [[Budinci]], [[Municipality of Šalovci|Šalovci]],
* South: {{coord|45|25|19|N|15|10|0|E|}}, [[Kot pri Damlju]], [[Municipality of Črnomelj]],
* East: {{coord|46|28|11|N|16|36|38|E|}}, [[Pince–Marof]], [[Municipality of Lendava]],
* West: {{coord|46|17|53|N|13|22|32|E|}}, [[Robidišče]], [[Municipality of Kobarid]].

The maximum north–south distance is 1°28' or {{convert|163|km|mi|abbr=on}}.<br />
The maximum east–west distance is 3°13' or {{convert|248|km|mi|abbr=on}}.

The [[Geometric Centre of the Republic of Slovenia|geometric centre of Slovenia]] (GEOSS) is located at {{coord|46|07|11.8|N|14|48|55.2|E|}}.

Since 2016, the geodetic system of Slovenia with the elevation benchmark of 0 m has its origin at the [[Koper]] tide gauge station. Until then, it referred to the Sartorio mole in Trieste (see [[metres above the Adriatic]]).<ref name="Slovenian Environment Agency">{{cite news |url=http://www.arso.gov.si/o%20agenciji/novice/ |title=S pomočjo mareografske postaje v Kopru do novega geodetskega izhodišča za Slovenijo |language=sl|trans-title=With the Help of a Tide Gauge Station in Koper to A New Geodetic Origin Point for Slovenia |publisher=Slovenian Environment Agency |date=23 November 2016}}</ref>

== Area ==
[[Image:Triglav.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Mount [[Triglav]]]]
* '''Total''': 20,271&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.stat.si/StatWeb/File/DocSysFile/10033/Spremembe_povrsine_Slovenije.pdf |title=Spremembe v površini Slovenije |language=sl |trans-title=Changes in the Surface of Slovenia |date=1 July 2018 |publisher=Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia |access-date=27 February 2023 |archive-date=26 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326022543/https://www.stat.si/StatWeb/File/DocSysFile/10033/Spremembe_povrsine_Slovenije.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* '''Land''': 20,149&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>
* '''Water''': 122&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>
* Comparison: slightly smaller than [[New Jersey]]

== Borders ==
* '''Land boundaries'''
** '''Total''': 1,086&nbsp;km
** '''Border countries''': [[Croatia]] 670&nbsp;km, [[Austria]] 330&nbsp;km, [[Italy]] 280&nbsp;km, [[Hungary]] 102&nbsp;km
* '''Coastline''': 47&nbsp;km
* '''Maritime claims''': <!-- To come -->

The entire Slovenian coastline is located on the [[Gulf of Trieste]]. Towns along the coastline include:
* [[Koper]]
* [[Izola]]
* [[Portorož]]
* [[Piran]]

== Regions ==

=== Historical regions ===
[[Image:Slo regions marked3.png|thumb|right|250px|Slovenia is traditionally divided into eight regions.]]
The traditional Slovenian [[region]]s, based on the former division of Slovenia into the four [[Habsburg]] [[crown land]]s ([[Carniola]], [[Duchy of Carinthia|Carinthia]], [[Styria (duchy)|Styria]], and the [[Slovenian Littoral|Littoral]]) and their parts, are:

* [[Upper Carniola]] (''Gorenjska'') (denoted on the map by U.C.)
* [[Lower Styria|Styria]] (''Štajerska'') (S)
* [[Prekmurje]] (P)
* [[Carinthia (province)|Carinthia]] (''Koroška'') (C)
* [[Inner Carniola]] (''Notranjska'') (I.C.)
* [[Lower Carniola]] (''Dolenjska'') (L.C.)
* [[Goriška|Gorizia]] (''Goriška'') (G)
* [[Slovenian Istria]] (''Slovenska Istra'') (L)

The last two are usually considered together as the [[Slovenian Littoral|Littoral Region]] (''Primorska''). [[White Carniola]] (''Bela krajina''), otherwise part of Lower Carniola, is usually considered a separate region, as is the Central Sava Valley (''Zasavje''), which is otherwise a part of Upper and Lower Carniola and Styria.

Slovenian Littoral has no natural island, but there is a plan on building an artificial one.

==Climate==
[[File:Koppen-Geiger Map SVN present.svg|thumb|[[Köppen climate classification]] types of Slovenia]]
Humid subtropical climate (Cfa) on the coast, oceanic climate (Cfb) in most of Slovenia, continental climate with mild to hot summers and cold winters (Dfb) in the plateaus and mountains on the north, subpolar (Dfc) and tundra (ET) climate above the treeline on the highest mountain peaks. Precipitation is high away from the coast, with the spring being particularly prone to rainfall. Slovenia's Alps have frequent snowfalls during the winter.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.geckogo.com/Guide/Slovenia/Natural-Environment/Climate/ |title=Slovenia Natural Environment |publisher=Geckogo.com |access-date=2012-11-17 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100305004052/http://www.geckogo.com/Guide/Slovenia/Natural-Environment/Climate |archive-date=5 March 2010 }}</ref><ref>[[:File:Slovenia K%C3%B6ppen.svg]]</ref>

{{Weather box
| width = auto
| location = Ljubljana
| metric first = Yes
| single line = Yes
| collapsed = Yes
| Jan record high C = 15.8
| Feb record high C = 22.3
| Mar record high C = 24.3
| Apr record high C = 27.8
| May record high C = 32.4
| Jun record high C = 35.6
| Jul record high C = 37.1
| Aug record high C = 40.2
| Sep record high C = 30.3
| Oct record high C = 25.8
| Nov record high C = 20.9
| Dec record high C = 16.7
| year record high C = 40.2
| Jan high C = 3.4
| Feb high C = 6.4
| Mar high C = 11.4
| Apr high C = 16.1
| May high C = 21.4
| Jun high C = 24.6
| Jul high C = 27.3
| Aug high C = 26.7
| Sep high C = 21.6
| Oct high C = 15.9
| Nov high C = 8.8
| Dec high C = 3.8
| year high C = 15.6
| Jan mean C = 0.3
| Feb mean C = 1.9
| Mar mean C = 6.5
| Apr mean C = 10.8
| May mean C = 15.8
| Jun mean C = 19.1
| Jul mean C = 21.3
| Aug mean C = 20.6
| Sep mean C = 16.0
| Oct mean C = 11.2
| Nov mean C = 5.6
| Dec mean C = 1.2
| year mean C = 10.9
| Jan low C = -2.5
| Feb low C = -2.0
| Mar low C = 1.7
| Apr low C = 5.8
| May low C = 10.3
| Jun low C = 13.7
| Jul low C = 15.5
| Aug low C = 15.2
| Sep low C = 11.5
| Oct low C = 7.7
| Nov low C = 2.8
| Dec low C = -1.1
| year low C = 6.6
| Jan record low C = -20.3
| Feb record low C = -23.3
| Mar record low C = -14.1
| Apr record low C = -3.2
| May record low C = 0.2
| Jun record low C = 3.8
| Jul record low C = 7.4
| Aug record low C = 5.8
| Sep record low C = 3.1
| Oct record low C = -5.2
| Nov record low C = -14.5
| Dec record low C = -14.5
| year record low C = -23.3
| precipitation colour = green
| Jan precipitation mm = 69
| Feb precipitation mm = 70
| Mar precipitation mm = 88
| Apr precipitation mm = 99
| May precipitation mm = 109
| Jun precipitation mm = 144
| Jul precipitation mm = 115
| Aug precipitation mm = 137
| Sep precipitation mm = 147
| Oct precipitation mm = 147
| Nov precipitation mm = 129
| Dec precipitation mm = 107
| year precipitation mm = 1362
| unit precipitation days = 0.1 mm
| Jan precipitation days = 11
| Feb precipitation days = 9
| Mar precipitation days = 11
| Apr precipitation days = 14
| May precipitation days = 14
| Jun precipitation days = 15
| Jul precipitation days = 12
| Aug precipitation days = 12
| Sep precipitation days = 12
| Oct precipitation days = 13
| Nov precipitation days = 14
| Dec precipitation days = 14
| year precipitation days = 153
| Jan sun = 71
| Feb sun = 114
| Mar sun = 149
| Apr sun = 178
| May sun = 235
| Jun sun = 246
| Jul sun = 293
| Aug sun = 264
| Sep sun = 183
| Oct sun = 120
| Nov sun = 66
| Dec sun = 56
| year sun = 1974
| source 1 = Slovenian Environment Agency (ARSO)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.meteo.si/uploads/probase/www/climate/table/en/by_location/ljubljana/climate-normals_81-10_Ljubljana_eng.pdf |title=Climate normals 1981–2010 |publisher=ARSO |access-date=2 December 2014 }}</ref> (data for 1981–2010)
| source 2 = Slovenian Environment Agency (ARSO)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.meteo.si/met/en/climate/diagrams/ljubljana/ |title=Extreme values of measured yearly, monthly and daily values of chosen meteorological parameters in 1948–2011 |publisher=ARSO |access-date=2 December 2014 }}</ref> OGIMET<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ogimet.com/cgi-bin/gsynres?ind=14015&ano=2021&mes=2&day=27&hora=6&min=0&ndays=30 |title=14015: Ljubljana / Bezigrad (Slovenia) |publisher=OGIMET |access-date=27 February 2021 |date=27 February 2021}}</ref> (some extreme values for 1948–2013)
}}

{{Weather box
|width = auto
|collapsed = Yes
|location=Maribor
|metric first=Yes
|single line=Yes
|Jan record high C=17.4
|Feb record high C=21.5
|Mar record high C=26.0
|Apr record high C=28.0
|May record high C=30.9
|Jun record high C=34.7
|Jul record high C=35.8
|Aug record high C=40.6
|Sep record high C=31.4
|Oct record high C=27.2
|Nov record high C=21.5
|Dec record high C=20.7
|year record high C=40.6
|Jan high C=3.9
|Feb high C=6.6
|Mar high C=11.4
|Apr high C=16.2
|May high C=21.3
|Jun high C=24.4
|Jul high C=26.6
|Aug high C=26.1
|Sep high C=21.4
|Oct high C=16.0
|Nov high C=9.2
|Dec high C=4.4
|year high C=15.6
|Jan mean C=-0.2
|Feb mean C=1.7
|Mar mean C=6.0
|Apr mean C=10.8
|May mean C=15.8
|Jun mean C=19.0
|Jul mean C=21.0
|Aug mean C=20.3
|Sep mean C=15.7
|Oct mean C=10.7
|Nov mean C=5.1
|Dec mean C=0.9
|year mean C=10.8
|Jan low C=-3.6
|Feb low C=-2.3
|Mar low C=1.6
|Apr low C=5.9
|May low C=10.5
|Jun low C=13.7
|Jul low C=15.6
|Aug low C=15.4
|Sep low C=11.3
|Oct low C=6.8
|Nov low C=1.8
|Dec low C=-2.0
|year low C=6.2
|Jan record low C=-21.0
|Feb record low C=-20.2
|Mar record low C=-15.2
|Apr record low C=-5.1
|May record low C=-1.1
|Jun record low C=3.6
|Jul record low C=6.3
|Aug record low C=5.5
|Sep record low C=-1.0
|Oct record low C=-5.9
|Nov record low C=-12.7
|Dec record low C=-17.6
|year record low C=-21.0
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm=35
|Feb precipitation mm=38
|Mar precipitation mm=57
|Apr precipitation mm=60
|May precipitation mm=83
|Jun precipitation mm=107
|Jul precipitation mm=94
|Aug precipitation mm=112
|Sep precipitation mm=99
|Oct precipitation mm=78
|Nov precipitation mm=69
|Dec precipitation mm=61
|year precipitation mm=893
|unit precipitation days=0.1 mm
|Jan precipitation days=9.0
|Feb precipitation days=8.0
|Mar precipitation days=10.0
|Apr precipitation days=13.0
|May precipitation days=14.0
|Jun precipitation days=15.0
|Jul precipitation days=13.0
|Aug precipitation days=12.0
|Sep precipitation days=11.0
|Oct precipitation days=10.0
|Nov precipitation days=11.0
|Dec precipitation days=11.0
|year precipitation days=137.0
|Jan sun=86
|Feb sun=118
|Mar sun=148
|Apr sun=185
|May sun=237
|Jun sun=242
|Jul sun=277
|Aug sun=253
|Sep sun=191
|Oct sun=143
|Nov sun=90
|Dec sun=67
|year sun=2037
|source 1=Slovenian Environment Agency (ARSO), sunshine hours are for: Maribor Edvard Rusjan Airport 1981–2010<ref name= MariborSEA>{{cite web |url=http://meteo.arso.gov.si/uploads/probase/www/climate/table/sl/by_location/maribor/climate-normals_81-10_Maribor.pdf
|title=Maribor Climate normals 1981–2010
|publisher=ARSO
|access-date=15 March 2015}}</ref> (data for 1981–2010)
|date=March 2015}}

==Terrain==

The northern part of the country is mountainous and consists of the [[Julian Alps]], [[Karawanks]], [[Kamnik–Savinja Alps]] and the Pohorje massif.

Further east lies the [[Pannonian Basin|Pannonian plain]], which dominates the region of [[Prekmurje]].

Central Slovenia is largely hilly and forested, with the exception of the [[Ljubljana Basin]] and the encompassed [[Ljubljana Marsh]], a large wetlands region which was largely drained in the time of the [[Habsburg monarchy]], but still remains a flood zone.

To the southeast of the Ljubljana Basin lies the [[Karst Plateau|Karst plateau]], a hilly region containing various [[List of caves in Slovenia|caves]], sinkholes, intermittent lakes and other features of [[Karst|Karst topography]].

Southern Slovenia is home to the [[Javornik Hills]], the beginning of the [[Dinaric Alps]]. In the southeast is a short coastal strip on the [[Adriatic Sea]].

There is only one natural island in Slovenia: Bled Island in [[Lake Bled]] in the country's northwest. Lake Bled and Bled Island are Slovenia's most popular tourist destination.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2017-12/22/c_136845962.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222142646/http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2017-12/22/c_136845962.htm | url-status=dead | archive-date=22 December 2017 | title=Slovenia to re-direct tourism at country's most popular tourist site | date = 22 December 2017}}</ref>

=== Elevation extremes ===
* '''Lowest point''': [[Adriatic Sea]] 0 m (tide gauge station in [[Koper]])<ref name="Slovenian Environment Agency"/>
* '''Highest point''': [[Triglav]] {{convert|2864|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}, located in the Julian Alps

== Natural resources ==

More than half of Slovenia, which is {{convert|11823|km2|sqmi|0|abbr=on|disp=or}}, is forested;<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.stat.si/StatWeb/News/Index/6963|title=In 2016, forest covered 58.3% of Slovenia|date=27 September 2017|publisher=Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia|access-date=2 October 2017|archive-date=26 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210226070254/https://www.stat.si/StatWeb/News/Index/6963|url-status=dead}}</ref> ranking it third in Europe, [[European countries by forest area|by percentage of area forested]], after [[Finland]] and [[Sweden]]. The areas are covered mostly by [[beech]], [[fir]]-beech and beech-[[oak]] forests and have a relatively high production capacity.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.zgs.gov.si/eng/slovenian-forests/forests-in-slovenia/forestation-and-variety-of-forests/index.html |title=Forestation and variety of forests |publisher=Slovenia Forest Service |year=2009 |access-date=2 February 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110410123608/http://www.zgs.gov.si/eng/slovenian-forests/forests-in-slovenia/forestation-and-variety-of-forests/index.html |archive-date=10 April 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Remnants of primeval forests are still to be found, the largest in the [[Kočevje]] area. Grassland covers {{cvt|5,593|km2|sqmi|0}} and fields and gardens ({{cvt|954|km2|sqmi|0|disp=or}}). There are {{cvt|363|km2|sqmi|0}} of orchards and {{cvt|216|km2|sqmi}} of vineyards.

Slovenia's terrain and abundance of rivers makes it ideal for hydropower, which is responsible for around a third of the country's electricity production.

Various building stones, most notably marble and limestone have been quarried in the country for centuries. The Podpeč quarry has been used to extract marble since the Roman times.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.mojaobcina.si/brezovica/novice/podpeski-kamnolom.html | title=Podpeški kamnolom &#124; Občina Brezovica &#124; MojaObčina.si | date=16 July 2020 }}</ref>

===Mining===
Slovenia is not known for large mining operations, but still has some notable deposits:
Lignite [[coal]] is found primarily in the northeastern part of the country. The country has been extracting this resource for power generation, most notably for use in the [[Šoštanj Power Plant]], however it does not produce enough lignite to be self-sufficient and still largely relies on imports.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://euracoal.eu/library/archive/slovenia-6/ | title=Slovenia (6th ed.) | date=November 2014 }}</ref> In 2022, Slovenia produced 2.4 million tonnes of lignite.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://euracoal.eu/info/coal-industry-across-europe/ | title=Coal industry across Europe | date=15 February 2020 }}</ref>

The country has deposits of heavy metals, primarily [[Mercury (element)|Mercury]], [[Lead]] and [[Zinc]]. Mercury was historically mined in the town of [[Idrija]], which is one of the rare regions in the world where it appears both in its elemental form and as cinnabar ore. Lead and Zinc were mined in the [[Mežica Mine|Mežica mine]]. Both have since closed and have been converted into tourist attractions.

Uranium was also discovered near [[Žirovski Vrh, Žiri|Žirovski Vrh]] in the 1960s and a mine operated for a short time, but falling Uranium prices made the mine close in 1990 after only 8 years of operation.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.rtvslo.si/news-in-english/slovenia-revealed/slovenia-s-uranium-adventure-was-short-lived/352987 | title=Slovenia's uranium adventure was short-lived }}</ref>

===Land use===
* '''Arable land''': 8.53%
* '''Permanent crops''': 1.43%
* '''Other''': 90.04% (2005)
* '''Irrigated land''': 100&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup> (2003)
* '''Natural hazards''': minor [[flood]]ing and [[earthquake]]s

==Environment==

===Current issues===
The [[Sava|Sava River]] polluted with domestic and industrial waste; pollution of coastal waters with [[heavy metals]] and toxic chemicals; forest damage near [[Koper]] from air pollution (originating at metallurgical and chemical plants) and resulting [[acid rain]].

===International agreements===
* '''Party to''': [[Air Pollution]], [[Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants]], [[Air Pollution-Sulphur 94]], [[Biodiversity]], [[United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change|Climate Change]], [[Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol]], [[Endangered Species]], [[Hazardous Wastes]], [[Law of the Sea]], [[Marine Dumping]], [[Nuclear Test Ban]], [[Ozone Layer Protection]], Ship Pollution ([[MARPOL 73/78]]), [[Wetland]]s, [[Whaling]]
* '''Signed, but not ratified''':

== See also ==
* [[List of mountains in Slovenia]]
* [[Online map services of Slovenia]]
* [[Protected areas of Slovenia]]
* [[Slovene Riviera]] (''Slovenska obala'')

==References==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{commons category}}
* [http://www.geopedia.si/ – Geodesic Institute of Slovenia – Detailed Topographic and Orthophoto maps of Slovenia] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170729183600/http://www.geopedia.si/ |date=29 July 2017 }}

{{Slovenia topics}}
{{Geography of Europe}}
{{Europe topic|Climate of}}

[[Category:Geography of Slovenia| ]]

Latest revision as of 06:14, 11 December 2024

Slovenia is situated at the crossroads of central and southeast Europe, touching the Alps and bordering the Adriatic Sea. The Alps—including the Julian Alps, the Kamnik–Savinja Alps and the Karawank chain, as well as the Pohorje massif—dominate northern Slovenia along its long border to Austria. Slovenia's Adriatic coastline stretches approximately 47 km (29 mi) from Italy to Croatia. Its part south of Sava river belongs to Balkan peninsula – Balkans.

The term karst originated in southwestern Slovenia's Karst Plateau (Slovene: Kras), a limestone region of underground rivers, gorges, and caves, between Ljubljana and the Mediterranean.

On the Pannonian plain to the east and northeast, toward the Croatian and Hungarian borders, the landscape is essentially flat. However, the majority of Slovenian terrain is hilly or mountainous, with around 90% of the surface 200 meters or more above sea level.

Map of Slovenia

Location

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Slovenia's location is where southeastern and Central Europe meet, where the Eastern Alps border the Adriatic Sea between Austria and Croatia. The 15th meridian east almost corresponds to the middle line of the country in the direction west–east.[1]

Geographic coordinates

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Aerial view of Lake Bled

Extreme geographical points of Slovenia:

The maximum north–south distance is 1°28' or 163 km (101 mi).
The maximum east–west distance is 3°13' or 248 km (154 mi).

The geometric centre of Slovenia (GEOSS) is located at 46°07′11.8″N 14°48′55.2″E / 46.119944°N 14.815333°E / 46.119944; 14.815333.

Since 2016, the geodetic system of Slovenia with the elevation benchmark of 0 m has its origin at the Koper tide gauge station. Until then, it referred to the Sartorio mole in Trieste (see metres above the Adriatic).[2]

Area

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Mount Triglav
  • Total: 20,271 km2[3]
  • Land: 20,149 km2
  • Water: 122 km2
  • Comparison: slightly smaller than New Jersey

Borders

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  • Land boundaries
  • Coastline: 47 km
  • Maritime claims:

The entire Slovenian coastline is located on the Gulf of Trieste. Towns along the coastline include:

Regions

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Historical regions

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Slovenia is traditionally divided into eight regions.

The traditional Slovenian regions, based on the former division of Slovenia into the four Habsburg crown lands (Carniola, Carinthia, Styria, and the Littoral) and their parts, are:

The last two are usually considered together as the Littoral Region (Primorska). White Carniola (Bela krajina), otherwise part of Lower Carniola, is usually considered a separate region, as is the Central Sava Valley (Zasavje), which is otherwise a part of Upper and Lower Carniola and Styria.

Slovenian Littoral has no natural island, but there is a plan on building an artificial one.

Climate

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Köppen climate classification types of Slovenia

Humid subtropical climate (Cfa) on the coast, oceanic climate (Cfb) in most of Slovenia, continental climate with mild to hot summers and cold winters (Dfb) in the plateaus and mountains on the north, subpolar (Dfc) and tundra (ET) climate above the treeline on the highest mountain peaks. Precipitation is high away from the coast, with the spring being particularly prone to rainfall. Slovenia's Alps have frequent snowfalls during the winter.[4][5]

Climate data for Ljubljana
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 15.8
(60.4) 		22.3
(72.1) 		24.3
(75.7) 		27.8
(82.0) 		32.4
(90.3) 		35.6
(96.1) 		37.1
(98.8) 		40.2
(104.4) 		30.3
(86.5) 		25.8
(78.4) 		20.9
(69.6) 		16.7
(62.1) 		40.2
(104.4)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 3.4
(38.1) 		6.4
(43.5) 		11.4
(52.5) 		16.1
(61.0) 		21.4
(70.5) 		24.6
(76.3) 		27.3
(81.1) 		26.7
(80.1) 		21.6
(70.9) 		15.9
(60.6) 		8.8
(47.8) 		3.8
(38.8) 		15.6
(60.1)
Daily mean °C (°F) 0.3
(32.5) 		1.9
(35.4) 		6.5
(43.7) 		10.8
(51.4) 		15.8
(60.4) 		19.1
(66.4) 		21.3
(70.3) 		20.6
(69.1) 		16.0
(60.8) 		11.2
(52.2) 		5.6
(42.1) 		1.2
(34.2) 		10.9
(51.6)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) −2.5
(27.5) 		−2.0
(28.4) 		1.7
(35.1) 		5.8
(42.4) 		10.3
(50.5) 		13.7
(56.7) 		15.5
(59.9) 		15.2
(59.4) 		11.5
(52.7) 		7.7
(45.9) 		2.8
(37.0) 		−1.1
(30.0) 		6.6
(43.9)
Record low °C (°F) −20.3
(−4.5) 		−23.3
(−9.9) 		−14.1
(6.6) 		−3.2
(26.2) 		0.2
(32.4) 		3.8
(38.8) 		7.4
(45.3) 		5.8
(42.4) 		3.1
(37.6) 		−5.2
(22.6) 		−14.5
(5.9) 		−14.5
(5.9) 		−23.3
(−9.9)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 69
(2.7) 		70
(2.8) 		88
(3.5) 		99
(3.9) 		109
(4.3) 		144
(5.7) 		115
(4.5) 		137
(5.4) 		147
(5.8) 		147
(5.8) 		129
(5.1) 		107
(4.2) 		1,362
(53.6)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.1 mm) 11 9 11 14 14 15 12 12 12 13 14 14 153
Mean monthly sunshine hours 71 114 149 178 235 246 293 264 183 120 66 56 1,974
Source 1: Slovenian Environment Agency (ARSO)[6] (data for 1981–2010)
Source 2: Slovenian Environment Agency (ARSO)[7] OGIMET[8] (some extreme values for 1948–2013)
Climate data for Maribor
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 17.4
(63.3) 		21.5
(70.7) 		26.0
(78.8) 		28.0
(82.4) 		30.9
(87.6) 		34.7
(94.5) 		35.8
(96.4) 		40.6
(105.1) 		31.4
(88.5) 		27.2
(81.0) 		21.5
(70.7) 		20.7
(69.3) 		40.6
(105.1)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 3.9
(39.0) 		6.6
(43.9) 		11.4
(52.5) 		16.2
(61.2) 		21.3
(70.3) 		24.4
(75.9) 		26.6
(79.9) 		26.1
(79.0) 		21.4
(70.5) 		16.0
(60.8) 		9.2
(48.6) 		4.4
(39.9) 		15.6
(60.1)
Daily mean °C (°F) −0.2
(31.6) 		1.7
(35.1) 		6.0
(42.8) 		10.8
(51.4) 		15.8
(60.4) 		19.0
(66.2) 		21.0
(69.8) 		20.3
(68.5) 		15.7
(60.3) 		10.7
(51.3) 		5.1
(41.2) 		0.9
(33.6) 		10.8
(51.4)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) −3.6
(25.5) 		−2.3
(27.9) 		1.6
(34.9) 		5.9
(42.6) 		10.5
(50.9) 		13.7
(56.7) 		15.6
(60.1) 		15.4
(59.7) 		11.3
(52.3) 		6.8
(44.2) 		1.8
(35.2) 		−2.0
(28.4) 		6.2
(43.2)
Record low °C (°F) −21.0
(−5.8) 		−20.2
(−4.4) 		−15.2
(4.6) 		−5.1
(22.8) 		−1.1
(30.0) 		3.6
(38.5) 		6.3
(43.3) 		5.5
(41.9) 		−1.0
(30.2) 		−5.9
(21.4) 		−12.7
(9.1) 		−17.6
(0.3) 		−21.0
(−5.8)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 35
(1.4) 		38
(1.5) 		57
(2.2) 		60
(2.4) 		83
(3.3) 		107
(4.2) 		94
(3.7) 		112
(4.4) 		99
(3.9) 		78
(3.1) 		69
(2.7) 		61
(2.4) 		893
(35.2)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.1 mm) 9.0 8.0 10.0 13.0 14.0 15.0 13.0 12.0 11.0 10.0 11.0 11.0 137.0
Mean monthly sunshine hours 86 118 148 185 237 242 277 253 191 143 90 67 2,037
Source: Slovenian Environment Agency (ARSO), sunshine hours are for: Maribor Edvard Rusjan Airport 1981–2010[9] (data for 1981–2010)

Terrain

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The northern part of the country is mountainous and consists of the Julian Alps, Karawanks, Kamnik–Savinja Alps and the Pohorje massif.

Further east lies the Pannonian plain, which dominates the region of Prekmurje.

Central Slovenia is largely hilly and forested, with the exception of the Ljubljana Basin and the encompassed Ljubljana Marsh, a large wetlands region which was largely drained in the time of the Habsburg monarchy, but still remains a flood zone.

To the southeast of the Ljubljana Basin lies the Karst plateau, a hilly region containing various caves, sinkholes, intermittent lakes and other features of Karst topography.

Southern Slovenia is home to the Javornik Hills, the beginning of the Dinaric Alps. In the southeast is a short coastal strip on the Adriatic Sea.

There is only one natural island in Slovenia: Bled Island in Lake Bled in the country's northwest. Lake Bled and Bled Island are Slovenia's most popular tourist destination.[10]

Elevation extremes

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  • Lowest point: Adriatic Sea 0 m (tide gauge station in Koper)[2]
  • Highest point: Triglav 2,864 m (9,396 ft), located in the Julian Alps

Natural resources

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More than half of Slovenia, which is 11,823 km2 or 4,565 sq mi, is forested;[11] ranking it third in Europe, by percentage of area forested, after Finland and Sweden. The areas are covered mostly by beech, fir-beech and beech-oak forests and have a relatively high production capacity.[12] Remnants of primeval forests are still to be found, the largest in the Kočevje area. Grassland covers 5,593 km2 (2,159 sq mi) and fields and gardens (954 km2 or 368 sq mi). There are 363 km2 (140 sq mi) of orchards and 216 km2 (83 sq mi) of vineyards.

Slovenia's terrain and abundance of rivers makes it ideal for hydropower, which is responsible for around a third of the country's electricity production.

Various building stones, most notably marble and limestone have been quarried in the country for centuries. The Podpeč quarry has been used to extract marble since the Roman times.[13]

Mining

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Slovenia is not known for large mining operations, but still has some notable deposits:

Lignite coal is found primarily in the northeastern part of the country. The country has been extracting this resource for power generation, most notably for use in the Šoštanj Power Plant, however it does not produce enough lignite to be self-sufficient and still largely relies on imports.[14] In 2022, Slovenia produced 2.4 million tonnes of lignite.[15]

The country has deposits of heavy metals, primarily Mercury, Lead and Zinc. Mercury was historically mined in the town of Idrija, which is one of the rare regions in the world where it appears both in its elemental form and as cinnabar ore. Lead and Zinc were mined in the Mežica mine. Both have since closed and have been converted into tourist attractions.

Uranium was also discovered near Žirovski Vrh in the 1960s and a mine operated for a short time, but falling Uranium prices made the mine close in 1990 after only 8 years of operation.[16]

Land use

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  • Arable land: 8.53%
  • Permanent crops: 1.43%
  • Other: 90.04% (2005)
  • Irrigated land: 100 km2 (2003)
  • Natural hazards: minor flooding and earthquakes

Environment

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Current issues

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The Sava River polluted with domestic and industrial waste; pollution of coastal waters with heavy metals and toxic chemicals; forest damage near Koper from air pollution (originating at metallurgical and chemical plants) and resulting acid rain.

International agreements

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ Jenko, Marjan (2005). "O pomenu meridiana 15° vzhodno od Greenwicha" [About the Significance of the 15th Degree to the East of Greenwich Meridian] (PDF). Geodetski Vestnik (in Slovenian). Vol. 49, no. 4. pp. 637–638. Retrieved 5 January 2010.
  2. ^ a b "S pomočjo mareografske postaje v Kopru do novega geodetskega izhodišča za Slovenijo" [With the Help of a Tide Gauge Station in Koper to A New Geodetic Origin Point for Slovenia] (in Slovenian). Slovenian Environment Agency. 23 November 2016.
  3. ^ "Spremembe v površini Slovenije" [Changes in the Surface of Slovenia] (PDF) (in Slovenian). Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia. 1 July 2018. Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 March 2023. Retrieved 27 February 2023.
  4. ^ "Slovenia Natural Environment". Geckogo.com. Archived from the original on 5 March 2010. Retrieved 17 November 2012.
  5. ^ File:Slovenia Köppen.svg
  6. ^ "Climate normals 1981–2010" (PDF). ARSO. Retrieved 2 December 2014.
  7. ^ "Extreme values of measured yearly, monthly and daily values of chosen meteorological parameters in 1948–2011". ARSO. Retrieved 2 December 2014.
  8. ^ "14015: Ljubljana / Bezigrad (Slovenia)". OGIMET. 27 February 2021. Retrieved 27 February 2021.
  9. ^ "Maribor Climate normals 1981–2010" (PDF). ARSO. Retrieved 15 March 2015.
  10. ^ "Slovenia to re-direct tourism at country's most popular tourist site". 22 December 2017. Archived from the original on 22 December 2017.
  11. ^ "In 2016, forest covered 58.3% of Slovenia". Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia. 27 September 2017. Archived from the original on 26 February 2021. Retrieved 2 October 2017.
  12. ^ "Forestation and variety of forests". Slovenia Forest Service. 2009. Archived from the original on 10 April 2011. Retrieved 2 February 2011.
  13. ^ "Podpeški kamnolom | Občina Brezovica | MojaObčina.si". 16 July 2020.
  14. ^ "Slovenia (6th ed.)". November 2014.
  15. ^ "Coal industry across Europe". 15 February 2020.
  16. ^ "Slovenia's uranium adventure was short-lived".
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