31 maps on its geography, history, climate, economy, etc.
These maps will be of interest to anyone interested in Slovenia, or will help you prepare your holiday by providing a better understanding of the workings and particular geography of this small country. The first map could help you reduce the cost of your trip.
Geography of Slovenia
Slovenia’s place in Europe and the world
Surprising : Slovenia is nestled in the heart of Europe. It is only 1:30 hours from Venice by car (145 km)! Tourists who know this take low-cost flights to Venice to substantially reduce the cost of their journey to Slovenia.
Neighbouring countries (Austria, Hungary, Italy, Croatia)
Good to know: Slovenia shares its largest border with Croatia and then with Austria. These four neighbouring countries, with their very distinct characters, influence Slovenia’s neighbouring regions, helping to create varied Slovenian regions that are very different from one another (in culinary terms, for example). When you’re there, you’ll be struck by the diversity of Slovenia’s landscapes.
Slovenia is at the other end of the Alps
Good to know: Slovenia is located at the far end of the Alps. You can even reach it on a long-distance trek by following the European paths that cross the Alps (such as the Via Alpina, which passes through 8 countries). It will take you six months to cover all 161 stages!
The size of Slovenia
Worth knowing : Slovenia is 20,273 km2. So it’s 27 times smaller than mainland France and the size of Picardy. This is an important fact to bear in mind when planning your holiday itinerary.
Slovenia’s topography
Worth knowing: The highest mountains are to be found in the north-west of Slovenia. Slovenia’s highest point is Triglav (2,864m), a “three-headed” mountain that features symbolically on the Slovenian flag and in many Slovenian brand logos.
The risk of earthquakes
Worth knowing: An earthquake destroyed part of Ljubljana in 1895. The city was rebuilt in the 15 years following the disaster. This has given Ljubljana a very uniform architectural style. At the time of the reconstruction, Art Nouveau was in vogue in Europe and Ljubljana adopted the style of the time, Viennese Secession.
Waterways in Slovenia
Worthknowing: Due to the geological nature of the soil, there are many more rivers in the east than in the Karst (the region of the magnificent Postojna caves).
The relief of the Slovenian coast
Worth knowing: The two most beautiful towns on the Slovenian coast are Piran and Izola. Slovenia only has 43 kilometres of coastline. For an off-season trip, note that the weather is better here than in the rest of the country.
Julian and Kamnic Alps
Worth knowing : Slovenia’s Alps are known as the Julian Alps (zone 58 on the map) and the Kamnic Alps (zone 60), which include the beautiful Velika Planina. Zone 59, a long barrier of mountains that forms the border with Austria, is called Karavanke.
The history of Slovenia
Slovenia was once part of the Roman Empire
Worth knowing: Before Ljubljana, there was a Roman town, Emona. That was just 2,000 years ago. To the south of the centre of Ljubljana, you can still see the great southern wall of Emona. It is complete and Slovenians use it to practise their climbing skills by walking sideways along it. You may see them on the wall during your trip.
Slavic migrations between the 5th and 7th centuries
Worth knowing: Slovenia is at an astonishing crossroads of civilisations. All you have to do is cross the border into Italy for a complete change of atmosphere (go to Muggia or Trieste). The difference between the two sides of the border is striking: in just one kilometre you go from Slavic countries to Latin ones.
The word Pivo means beer and shows the countries linked by history
Good to know: There are two major beer brands in Slovenia, Union and Lasko. You’ll have to choose which one you prefer on your holiday! To order one, say Pivo! If you don’t specify, they’ll bring you a 0.5l, the local standard. It costs around €3.50.
The Austro-Hungarian Empire
Worth knowing: Probably because of its former membership of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and its high GDP, Slovenia often feels closer to Austria than to the Balkan countries, but their influence is very much present in the country. This influence can be felt in the music and food, for example.
Yugoslavia
Good toknow: Yugoslavia, founded after the First World War as the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes, was renamed the Kingdom of Yugoslavia in 1929. After the Second World War, it became a federal socialist republic under the leadership of Josip Broz Tito, who succeeded in unifying the territory’s various nationalities and religions. Independent of Soviet influence (the non-aligned movement), Yugoslavia was a bridge between East and West during the Cold War. When Tito died in 1980, ethnic and political tensions escalated, eventually leading to the violent dissolution of the country in the 1990s.
Worth knowing: Slovenia was Yugoslavia’s richest territory. It took advantage of its proximity to wealthier countries such as Austria and Italy to trade.
Evolution of the Balkans over the years
The history of the Balkans is marked by its cultural diversity. We are at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, and this region that I love has been dominated successively by the Byzantine, Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian empires. All these influences can be seen on a trip to the countries of the region. In the 19th century, the peoples of the Balkans fought against the Ottoman Empire, leading to the formation of new nation states. The twentieth century saw the Balkan Wars and the First World War (triggered by the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo). Then came the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes.
Weather maps of Slovenia
Annual rainfall
Good to know: it rains more in summer than in winter! You’ve been warned, but don’t worry, you’ll still have a great holiday. It’s very rare that rain really bothers me in Slovenia.
Wind speed
Good to know: The wind often blows very hard in the Vipava wine valley, which is located between the Postojna and Nova Gorica caves. A delicious smoked ham is made here thanks to the wind. By contrast, there is very little wind in Ljubljana.
The number of hours of sunshine in autumn
Note: There is a big difference in the amount of sunshine between Ljubljana and the Slovenian coast. Because of the persistent fog in autumn, it’s common for the weather to be fine everywhere in Slovenia except Ljubljana, and unfortunately that’s where I live all year round.
The temperature in January in Slovenia
Good to know: On the Slovenian coast, it very rarely snows. In January and throughout the winter, you’ll gain several degrees by organising holiday days on the Slovenian coast. From Ljubljana, just an hour’s drive and you’re there. Like the Slovenians, I often do it. You can easily gain 5 to 8 degrees.
The arrival of Spring in the Slovenian countryside and mountains
Good to know: The weather starts to improve in mid-March. By mid-April, the weather is already fine and the terraces in Ljubljana are full.
Snowfall in Slovenia
Good to know: It snows much more in north-west Slovenia than elsewhere. This is something to bear in mind if you go skiing in Slovenia.
The Slovenian ski resort where it snows the most is often Kanin – Sellea Nevea, in the north-west. The mountain range catches every low-pressure system and usually finds itself with impressive amounts of snow at the end of winter, which means it can be open until mid-May.
It is warmer on the Slovenian coast and around Nova Gorica than in the rest of the country. The coolest region is in the valley around Lake Bohinj.
The way Slovenia’s major cities are linked to their neighbours in other countries.
Worthknowing: From Ljubljana, if you take the motorway, you will always reach a border in just over an hour
Transport in Slovenia
Motorways enable you to cross the country very quickly
Good to know: The motorways are new, fast and inexpensive thanks to a vignette system. For several years now, you have been able to cross Slovenia without leaving the motorway. Make the most of it – Slovenia’s landscapes are beautiful when seen from the motorway!
A major route for heavy goods traffic in Europe
Good to know: On Slovenia’s motorways, you’ll see that many lorries from Eastern Europe cross Slovenia. It’s a very important route in Europe.
Slovenia’s wine regions
Worth knowing: Slovenia has a large number of wineries located in the east and west of the country. Slovenia produces some excellent, award-winning wines, but also some very bad wine served ice-cold. If you buy wine, opt for bottles costing more than €10, as anything less is rarely worthwhile.
Tourist map of Slovenia
Things to know: There are things to see everywhere in Slovenia. There’s no need to concentrate all your holidays on Bled, Bohinj, Piran… You can find pretty places and nice walks just about everywhere.
Slovenia has more casinos per capita than any other country in the world
Did you know ? With this map, each country becomes the first in something. For Slovenia, it’s casinos! Not that Slovenians are particularly gamblers. The country makes the most of its geographical proximity to its neighbours, particularly the Italians who come to gamble in Slovenia. Slovenia is the “Las Vegas of Europe”!
The geology of Slovenia
Interesting facts: The Kras region, where the Postojna and Skocjan caves are located, is the origin of the only French word of Slovenian origin: karst, which is found in the expression”karst landscapes”, as it was in Slovenia that this type of soil was first studied.
Slovenia is like a hen
Worthknowing: Unlike the rest of Slovenia, the hen’s head region is flat. It’s a beautiful, peaceful region where you can enjoy cycling.
Bears in Slovenia
Good to know: An estimated 800 bears live in Slovenia, in the south of the country. Cohabitation with humans goes well and they are well tolerated by the population.
The minimum wage in Slovenia is around €800 gross
Worthknowing: In 2024, the average net salary was €1,495. After taking the full brunt of the crisis, Slovenia has bounced back strongly from the subprime crisis. The latest figures can be found here, on the official government website.
The lowest rate of teenage mothers
Immigration to Slovenia is low. The majority of immigrants come from Bosnia.
Good to know: Ljubljana is probably the least multicultural capital in Europe.
Slovenia, a country with little inequality
Good to know : Slovenia’s Gini coefficient is 0.25, well below that of France or the UK. It is used to measure inequalities within a society. The closer it is to zero, the more egalitarian the society. This helps to create a more peaceful society.
The Gini coefficient lies between 0 and 1:
- 0 represents perfect equality, where every individual or household has exactly the same income or wealth.
- 1 corresponds to maximum inequality, where one person has all the income or wealth, while the others have nothing.
The Gini coefficient is often expressed as a percentage (multiplied by 100), where 0% means total equality and 100% represents absolute inequality. In practice, the higher the Gini coefficient, the greater the inequality in the country or population measured. This measure is commonly used in economics to compare levels of inequality between different countries or to observe changes in inequality over time.
Terrorism: Slovenia is one of the safest countries in the world
