Slovakia

Located at the heart of Europe, Slovakia shares borders with Poland to the north, the Czech Republic in the northwest, Austria int he soutwest, Hungary to the south, and the Ukraine to the east. It is a mountainous country with almost 80 percent of its total area above 750 meters. The Slovak landscape is crowned by the Carpathian Mountains extending across most of the northern half of the country. The most notable range is the Tatras, home to scenic lakes and valley as well at the highest peak, the Gerlachkovský štít ( 2, 655 meters). South of the Low Tatras the land drops to a fertile plain stretching to the Danube River. Forests cover 40 percent of the country. Wildlife is abundand int he valleys of the High Tatra and includes bears, wolves, deers, lynxes as well. The Danube, Váh and Hron are the largest rivers. The climate is temperate, with warm summers and cold, cloudy winters.

Bratislava is the capital and the cultural and economic centre of Slovakia. Today the country has become increasingly infiltrated by modern industrial infrastructure, buti t is still offers breathtaking views of wine-growing valleys, pisturesque castles, and historical cities. The old town of the capital is very charming with small houses, squares, paved streets and lanes very beuutiful buildings.

More than 300 castles can be found in Slovakia. There are two words for castle in Slovak language: hrad, which connotes defensive, fortified structures, and zámok, signifying palaces, chateaux or manor houses. Many of them were changed through the centuries to combine both types.