Where to Go - Europe (exc UK)

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Slovakia

Population: 5,407,956

Literacy rate: NA

Life expectancy at birth: male – 69.71 yrs, female – 77.98 yrs

Infant mortality rate: 9.18 deaths/1,000 live births

Population growth rate: 0.12%

GDP growth rate: 1.9%

GDP per capita: £5,700

Unemployment: 20%

Inflation: 14%

TI index: 3.5

Climate: temperate; cool summers; cold, cloudy, humid winters

Time: GMT + 2 (GMT + 1 from last Sunday in October to last Saturday in March).

Electricity: Generally 220 volts AC, 50Hz. Lamp fittings are normally of the screw type.

Websites : Overview of Slovakia www.slovakia.org

Official tourism site www.sacr.sk

A local site featuring tours, cheap flights and budget hotel accommodation in addition to a more general country guide is at http://www.slovakiagreentours.com/

Since its separation from the Czech Republic, things have gone slowly and not always well. Most of the wealth stayed with the other half. The future does not look very good due to the government’s inability to address the economy’s problems, most of which are still hanging about from after the separation and even from the communist era. Two fifths of the country is covered by forest, one third of the land is cultivated, but agriculture only accounts for 10% of the economy. 60% of the country’s income comes from mining and manufacturing. There are important mineral deposits.

Wages are low, but then, so is the cost of living. If you like skiing, this is a good place to go. There is little crime and tourism is good. Food tends to the stodgy, but beer is excellent.

If the government can stop squabbling amongst itself and get its act together Slovakia may have a reasonable future.

Entry requirements

See: Czech Republic. You will also need to undergo a medical examination.

Vaccinations

Hepatitis A, Polio, Typhoid and Tetanus.

Tax and Insurance

No information on income tax. Get health insurance. UK nationals have access to hospital and other medical treatment.

Getting Around

Click here for further information on great value rail passes with an Eastern Europe Pass

Gap Year Programmes

Click here to find gap year programmes and placements in Slovakia

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