Slovakia

Slovakia is a landlocked country in Central Europe, bordered by the Czech Republic, Austria, Hungary, Poland, and Ukraine. Its physical geography is dominated by the Carpathian Mountain system, which extends across much of the northern and central regions of the country. The High Tatras, forming part of the Carpathians, contain Slovakia's highest peaks, including Gerlachovský štít (2,655 m), the highest mountain in the country. South of the mountains, the landscape gradually changes into fertile lowlands, particularly the Danubian Lowland, which is an important agricultural region. The country's major rivers include the Danube, Váh, Hron, and Hornád, providing water resources, transportation routes, and hydroelectric power. Slovakia has a temperate continental climate, with warm summers, cold winters, and significant climatic variation between the lowlands and mountainous areas.

The history of Slovakia has been shaped by its location at the heart of Europe. During ancient times, the territory was inhabited by Celtic and Germanic tribes before becoming part of the Roman frontier. In the early Middle Ages, Slavic peoples settled in the region, which later formed part of the Great Moravian Empire, one of the earliest Slavic states. After the collapse of Great Moravia in the 10th century, Slovakia became incorporated into the Kingdom of Hungary, where it remained for nearly one thousand years. Following the First World War and the dissolution of Austria-Hungary in 1918, Slovakia united with the Czech lands to form Czechoslovakia. During the Second World War, Slovakia existed as a separate state under strong German influence. After the war, Czechoslovakia was re-established and later became a communist state within the Soviet sphere of influence. The peaceful Velvet Revolution of 1989 ended communist rule, and on 1 January 1993, Czechoslovakia peacefully dissolved into the independent states of the Czech Republic and Slovakia, an event known as the Velvet Divorce. Since then, Slovakia has become a democratic republic, joining NATO and the European Union in 2004.

Agriculture in Slovakia is concentrated mainly in the fertile lowlands of the south and southwest, where favourable soils and climate support intensive farming. Major crops include wheat, maize, barley, sugar beet, potatoes, rapeseed, and sunflowers. Vineyards are found in the warmer southern regions, producing wines of increasing international recognition. Livestock farming is also important, with cattle, pigs, sheep, and poultry raised for meat and dairy production. Although agriculture contributes a smaller share to the national economy than industry and services, it remains an essential component of rural livelihoods and food production.

Forestry is an important economic and environmental sector, with forests covering more than 40% of Slovakia's land area. The mountainous regions are dominated by spruce, fir, beech, and oak forests, which provide timber for the construction, furniture, and paper industries. Sustainable forest management aims to balance commercial timber production with biodiversity conservation, soil protection, and recreation. Slovakia's forests also support diverse wildlife, including brown bears, wolves, lynx, deer, and numerous bird species.
As a landlocked country, Slovakia has no marine fishing industry. Freshwater fisheries are based on rivers, reservoirs, and fish ponds, where species such as carp, trout, pike, perch, and catfish are harvested. Aquaculture has expanded in recent decades, particularly carp farming, to supplement natural fish stocks and meet domestic demand. Overall, Slovakia's economy benefits from productive agriculture, extensive forest resources, and a well-developed industrial sector, while its central European location has made it an important transportation and manufacturing hub.

In 2007 Gerold drove from Lake Neu-Siedler to Bratislava for the first time. See the city. The big EU is already exciting. Slovakia has been there for 3 years and still has a lot of catching up to do. Spent an evening in Bratislava, a nice city centre with a lot of pubs. Via Bratislava to Prague (Czech Republic) back home. 2015 once again Gerold and Klaudia were a day in Slovakia, this time again on the same journey, and to make agricultural pictures.