Before 1991, Slovenia was part of which country? Before 1991, Slovenia was part of which country? +1 vote posted Feb 19 by Dilbagh Share this question Your comment on this question: Email me at this address if a comment is added after mine:Email me if a comment is added after mine Privacy: Your email address will only be used for sending these notifications. Anti-spam verification: To avoid this verification in future, please log in or register . 1 Answer +1 vote In 1918, Slovenes joined Yugoslavia, while the west of the country was annexed to Italy. Between 1945 and 1990, Slovenia was under Yugoslav Communist regime. The country gained its independence from Yugoslavia in June 1991, and is today a member of the European Union and NATO. answer Feb 20 by A.k Your comment on this answer: Email me at this address if a comment is added after mine:Email me if a comment is added after mine Privacy: Your email address will only be used for sending these notifications. Anti-spam verification: To avoid this verification in future, please log in or register .

Your answer Thanks for contributing at QueryHome GK Please be sure to answer the question, share your working and research. If you are not sure about answer, use commenting option instead. Use ctrl+k to highlight, ctrl+b to make the text as bold. Preview Email me at this address if my answer is selected or commented on:Email me if my answer is selected or commented on Privacy: Your email address will only be used for sending these notifications. Anti-spam verification: History of the Former Country of Yugoslavia Share By Matt Rosenberg With the fall of the Austria-Hungary empire at the end of World War I, the victors threw together a new country which was composed of more than twenty ethnic groups - Yugoslavia. Just over seventy years later that piecemeal nation disintegrated and war broke out between seven new states. This overview should help clear up some confusion about what's in place of the former Yugoslavia now. Marshal Tito was able to keep Yugoslavia unified from the formation of the country from 1945 until his death in 1980. At the end of World War II, Tito ousted the Soviet Union and was then "excommunicated" by Josef Stalin.

Due to Soviet blockades and sanctions, Yugoslavia began developing trade and diplomatic relationships with western European governments, even though it was a communist country. After the death of Stalin, relations between the USSR and Yugoslavia improved. Following Tito's death in 1980, factions in Yugoslavia became agitated and demanded more autonomy. continue reading below our video 4 Tips for Improving Test Performance It was the fall of the USSR in 1991 that finally broke up the jigsaw puzzle of a state. About 250,000 were killed by wars and "ethnic cleansing" in the new countries of the former Yugoslavia. Serbia Austria blamed Serbia for the assassination of Archduke Francis Ferdinand in 1914 which led to the Austrian invasion of Serbia and World War I. Although a rogue state called the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia that was exiled from the United Nations in 1992, Serbia and Montenegro regained recognition on the world stage in 2001 after the arrest of Slobodan Milosevic. In 2003 the country was restructured into a loose federation of two republics called Serbia and Montenegro.

Montenegro Following a referendum, in June 2006, Montenegro and Serbia split to for two separate independent countries. The creation of Montenegro as an independent country resulted in Serbia losing their access to the Adriatic Sea. Kosovo The former Serbian province of Kosovo lies just south of Serbia. Past confrontations between ethnic Albanians in Kosovo and ethnic Serbs from Serbia drew world attention to the province, which is 80% Albanian. After many years of struggle, Kosovo unilaterally declared independence in February 2008. Unlike Montenegro, not all the countries of the world have accepted the independence of Kosovo, most notably Serbia and Russia. Slovenia Slovenia , the most homogenous and prosperous region of the Former Yugoslavia, was the first to secede. They have their own language, are mostly Roman Catholic, have compulsory education, and a capital city (Ljubljana) which is a primate city. With a current population of approximately two million, Slovenia avoided violence due to their homogeneity. Slovenia joined both NATO and the EU in the spring of 2004. Macedonia Macedonia's claim to fame is their rocky relationship with Greece due to the use of the name Macedonia.

While Macedonia was admitted to the United Nations, it was admitted under the name of "The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia" because Greece is strongly against the use of the ancient Greek region for any external territory. Of the two million people, about two-thirds are Macedonian and about 27% is Albanian. The capital is Skopje and key products include wheat, corn, tobacco, steel, and iron. Croatia In January 1998, Croatia finally assumed control of their entire territory, some of which had been under the control of Serbs. This also marked the end of a two-year United Nations peace keeping mission there. Croatia's declaration of independence in 1991 caused Serbia to declare war. Croatia is a boomerang-shaped country of four and a half million which has an extensive coastline on the Adriatic Sea, and it almost keeps Bosnia from having any coast at all. The capital of this Roman Catholic state is Zagreb. In 1995, Croatia, Bosnia, and Serbia signed a peace agreement.

Bosnia and Herzegovina The virtually landlocked "cauldron of conflict" of four million inhabitants is composed of about one-half Muslims, one-third Serbs, and just under one-fifth Croats. While the Winter Olympics of 1984 were held in Bosnia-Herzegovina's capital city of Sarajevo, the city and the rest of the country were devastated by war. The mountainous country is trying to rebuild infrastructure since their 1995 peace agreement; they rely on imports for food and materials. Before the war, Bosnia was home to five of Yugoslavia's largest corporations. The former Yugoslavia is a dynamic and interesting region of the world which is likely to continue to be the focus of geopolitical struggle and change as the countries work to gain recognition (and membership) in the European Union. Slovenia - Republic of Slovenia - Country Profile - Nations Online Project Flag of Slovenia Location map of Slovenia A virtual guide to Slovenia, a small country in southeastern Europe south of Austria . Formerly a constituent republic of Yugoslavia, it is also bordered by Croatia , Hungary , and Italy . The country is almost landlocked, it has a short (46 km) coastline at the Adriatic Sea between Italy and Croatia.

Slovenia occupies an area of 20,273 km², this is about half the size of Switzerland or slightly smaller than the U.S. state of New Jersey . The country has a population of 2,064,000 people (in 2016). Largest city and capital is Ljubljana with about 278,000 residents (in 2015). Spoken languages are Slovenian (official; 91%) and Serbo-Croatian (4.5%). The major religion is Christianity (about 60%). Slovenia's weather is influenced by the Alps and the Adriatic Sea, it has a Mediterranean climate on the coast, and a continental climate in the plateaus and valleys to the east. Capital City: Ljubljana (pop. 267 000) Other Cities: Maribor (110 668), Kranj (51 225), Celje (48 081), Koper (47 539). Government: Independence: 25 June 1991, Slovenia declared independence from Yugoslavia.

Constitution: 23 December 1991. Location: Central Europe, eastern Alps bordering the Adriatic Sea, between Austria and Croatia. Area : 20,273 km² (7,906 sq. mi.). Terrain: Alps mountains rising to more than 2 800 meters (8 200 ft.) in the north, wide plateaus over 1000 meters (3 280 ft.) high in the southeast, Karst limestone region of caves in the south-southwest, hills in the east, and approximately 50 kilometers (39 mi.) of coastline on the Adriatic Sea. Climate: Mixture of continental, Alpine and Mediterranean climate, with cold winters and warm summers. People: Nationality: Noun--Slovene(s). Adjective--Slovenian.

Population : 2 million (in 2016) Ethnic groups: Slovenes 83.06%, Croats 1.81%, Serbs 1.98%, Bosniaks 1.10%, Hungarians 0.32%, Montenegrins 0.14%, Macedonians 0.20%, Albanians 0.31%, Italians 0.11%, Roma 0.17%. Religions: Roman Catholic 57.8%, refused to reply 15.7%, atheist 10.1%, Orthodox Christian 2.3%, Muslim 2.4%. Languages : Slovene (official). Hungarian, Italian are spoken in the border regions, and German fluency is common near the Austrian border. Bosnian, Croatian, and Serbian are spoken by a minority (6%). English is widely understood by business people and students. Literacy: 99% Natural resources: Coal, mercury, timber. Agriculture products: Potatoes, hops, wheat, sugar beets, corn, grapes; cattle, sheep, poultry.

Industries: Ferrous metallurgy and aluminum products, lead and zinc smelting, electronics (including military electronics), trucks, electric power equipment, wood products, textiles, chemicals, machine tools. Exports - commodities: manufactured goods, machinery and transport equipment, chemicals, food Exports - partners: Germany 19.1%, Italy 10.6%, Austria 8%, Croatia 6.8%, Slovakia 4.7%, Hungary 4.4%, France 4.2% (2015) Imports - commodities: machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, chemicals, fuels and lubricants, food Imports - partners: Germany 16.5%, Italy 13.6%, Austria 10.2%, China 5.5%, Croatia 5.1%, Turkey 4% (2015) Currency: Euro since 1.1.2007. Key statistical data of Slovenia. Note: External links will open in a new browser window. Official Sites of Slovenia Slovenia is a republic with a parliamentary democracy and a multi-party system. The president is the head of state, he is elected by popular vote.

The Seven States of the Former Yugoslavia: An Evaluation » News & Publications » The Institute of World Politics The Seven States of the Former Yugoslavia: An Evaluation by J. Cushman Laurent and Amb. Thomas Melady | Fall 2011 | ARTICLES This article by IWP Senior Diplomat in Residence Thomas Melady and student J. Cushman Laurent was published in the Fall 2011 edition of The Ambassadors Review , a publication of The Council of American Ambassadors. Please click here to read the article on the website of the Council of American Ambassadors. The area formerly known as Yugoslavia, positioned at the crossroads of East and West, is a melting pot of ethnicities and religions. As one country, Yugoslavia's rich multi-culturalism was a source of contention, culminating in a series of bloody conflicts in the early 1990s. The Dayton Accords of 1995 brought peace to the region and created separate nations organized along ethnic and religious lines. Sixteen years after the signing of the Dayton Accords, we examine the geo-political situation in each of the seven independent states of the former Yugoslavia.

Bosnia and Herzegovina In the early 1990s, there was considerable ethnic-religious conflict in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Dayton Peace Accords had the immediate impact of bringing the inter-ethnic strife to an end. Bosnia and Herzegovina was confirmed as a sovereign state. Today, the country is slightly smaller than West Virginia and has a population of over four and a half million.1 However, the political solution that ended the war is complex. There are two tiers of government. The first tier is a national government, responsible for Bosnia-Herzegovina's economic, fiscal and foreign policies. The second tier of government administers the internal functions of two entities: the Bosniak Croat Federation and Republika Srpska (RS). The first entity---the Bosniak Croat Federation---is composed primarily of people of Bosniak and Croatian ethnic backgrounds. Republika Srpska---the second entity---is overwhelmingly Serb. An additional area, the Brčko District in northeastern Bosnia, was previously held by both entities. It is now a self-governing administrative unit under international supervision.

In addition to the tiered government, an Office of the High Representative (OHR) was created under the Dayton Accords with "the authority to impose legislation and remove officials."2 Created during the great rush to obtain an agreement to end the conflict, there was subsequently serious doubt about creating an external authority that could interfere in the internal matters of a sovereign state. In our opinion, Republika Srpska does not support the institution of the OHR because it feels that those aligned with the OHR are less willing to have open discussions and meaningful negotiations about matters of the state since they can always fall back on the OHR if they do not approve of the results. The situation remains complex, but there is overwhelming support for the continuation of peace. In Republika Srpska there is a positive sense of forward movement. Although, the majority of the citizens are from the Serb Orthodox culture, Catholic and Bosniak minority communities enjoy religious freedom. The Croatian minority and the Bosniak majority are developing a better understanding of life in a pluralistic society. There is, however, a level of pessimism about the future in the Croatian community that is resulting in a number of younger Croatians leaving the country.

The bilateral relationship with the United States is now favorable. While there has been some discussion about updating the Dayton Peace Accords, there is increasing hesitation about changing a system that, for the most part, is at least working. In a recent interview, the Minister of the Interior of Republika Srpska Stanislav Cado, stated, "The more time passes and the more I read, the more impressed I am with the wording of the Accord."3 Bosnia and Herzegovina aspires to become a European Union member state. The integration process will be one of negotiation and compromise. In the view of the authors, the goal of being a European Union member state can only be achieved by setting aside internal political strife. Croatia Croatia, a country slightly smaller than the state of West Virginia with a population of nearly 4.5 million people, has historic ties with central Europe.4 It was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire until the end of World War I and young Croatian men, known for their bravery, were frequently recruited to serve as soldiers in the armies of major European powers. The country has experienced several difficult periods in its history.

Following the breakup of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Croatia went through some of the same political transformations as her neighbors. During World War II, Croatia, under the control of Nazi Germany, declared its independence and allied itself with the Axis powers. Another difficult period in recent Croatian history was in the early 1990s when the Croats fought to expunge Serbs from areas they claimed were an intrinsic part of the Croatian state. These four years of struggle ended in 1995. In 1998, Croatia was able to occupy all of eastern Slovenia. With regard to the country's foreign policy, Croatia is a candidate country for membership in the European Union. It joined NATO in 2009 and enjoys a good bilateral relationship with the United States. Kosovo Kosovo was a highly disputed territory constituting around 15 percent of Serbia. Slightly larger than Delaware, Kosovo became the youngest independent state of the former Yugoslavia with its declaration of independence on February 17, 2008. Landlocked and with few natural resources, the country has benefited from the aid and assistance of the West, especially the United States.

While Kosovo is now a member of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, her neighbor, Serbia, continues to reject Kosovo's independence. The area is rich with Serbian history. The World Factbook states that "during the medieval period, Kosovo became the center of a Serbian Empire and saw the construction of many important Serb religious sites."5 It was also here that the Serbs suffered a major defeat by the Ottoman Turks in the Battle of Kosovo in 1389. The Albanian presence continued to grow and, by the end of the 19th century, Albanians had become the dominant ethnic group in Kosovo.6 The growth of the Albanian community led to increased demands for greater minority rights by ethnic Albanians, particularly during the 1980s. In 1990, Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic authorized a brutal counterinsurgency; many Albanians were killed or wounded. The severity of the counterinsurgency led to a three month NATO-led military operation against Serbia, which resulted in the withdrawal of Serbian military and police forces from Kosovo. Interim arrangements designed to ease tensions failed and the Kosovo Assembly declared the country's independence in 2008.

Macedonia Located in the southern part of the former Yugoslavia, Macedonia, an area slightly larger than Vermont, declared its independence in 1991.7 Greece objected to the name "Macedonia," due to its roots in classical history. For this reason, upon the country's independence, "Macedonia" was temporarily designated "the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia." Although the naming issue has not been fully resolved, most countries, including the United States, refer to the country as the "Republic of Macedonia" today. While Greece maintained a trade embargo for the first several years after Macedonia's declaration of independence, diplomatic relations have since been normalized. There are two primary ethnic groups in the Republic: Macedonians (64.2 percent of the population) and Albanians (25.2 percent of the population).8 In 2001, ethnic Albanians protested various inequities which resulted in the Ohrid Framework Agreement (2001). Brokered by the international community, Ohrid transformed Macedonia into a bi-cultural community in which the majority ethnic group determines the official language of that community. The rights of minorities were advanced.

While the United States remains concerned about some issues of corruption and human trafficking in Macedonia, the bilateral relationship is strong. Montenegro The co-authors recently visited Montenegro, a country slightly smaller than Connecticut, with a population of almost 662,000, located on the shores of the Adriatic Sea.9 The outlook, articulated by some Balkan specialists on the future of Montenegro was pessimistic, but in the few years since independence, Montenegro's stability has erased this pessimism and the country is now an example of a small but stable state in the West Balkans. Following the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia's dissolution in 1992, Montenegro entered into a federation with Serbia. It began transitioning to full independence despite a loose state union in 2003 known as "Serbia and Montenegro." The 14 years of transition passed peacefully and in June 2006, following a decade of negotiations, Montenegro became the 192nd member state of the United Nations. The United States played a significant role in the negotiations that led to Montenegrin independence in 2006, and the bilateral relationship remains favorable today.

Serbia Among the countries of the former Yugoslavia, Serbia, which is slightly smaller than South Carolina, is well-known for its involvement in international affairs for over 200 years.10 Appearing first as a sovereign state in 187811 when its independence from the Ottoman Empire was recognized by European powers, the region was known as the Kingdom of the Serbs, Croats and Slovenes upon its formation in 1918. Following World War I, the region emerged as a central power, changing its name to "Yugoslavia" in 1929. Josip "Tito" Broz, the leader of the Partisans in the struggle against Nazi Germany during World War II, emerged as the leader of Yugoslavia in 1945. Although regarded as a communist, he guided Yugoslavia via the Non-Aligned Movement. He led Yugoslavia until his death in 1980. After almost a decade of weak internal leadership, Slobodan Milosevic became President of Serbia in 1989. An ultra-nationalist, Milosevic advocated Serb domination which led to the violent breakup of Yugoslavia in 1991.

The result was a more intense ethnic division with Croatia, Slovenia and Macedonia in 1991 and Bosnia in 1992 declaring their independence as sovereign states. In April 1992, Milosevic became the leader of the Federal Yugoslav Republic, encompassing Serbia and Montenegro. He remained a strong promoter of "Greater Serbia," and the use of military force to unite Serbians of the neighboring republics. Ethnic-religious tensions became more serious in 1998 when Milosevic undertook a counter-insurgency campaign in response to civil disturbances by ethnic Albanians in Kosovo; many died. The Milosevic government also expelled large numbers of Albanians living in Kosovo. Milosevic was adamant in his refusal to discuss a solution to the problem in Kosovo; this led to the NATO bombing of Serbia. In 1999, both Serbian military and police forces were withdrawn from Kosovo and NATO forces entered the country to protect ethnic minorities. Kosovo declared its independence from Serbia in 2008, thereby ending the targeting of ethnic Serbs. The situation in Serbia has resulted in a residual atmosphere of national disappointment and aspirations for a "Greater Serbia" have faded.

The hope that Montenegro would remain in a political union with Serbia did not materialize and Kosovo, home of so many members of the Serb Orthodox faith, is now an independent state. Serbia has experienced a few difficult years. Fortunately, President Boris Tadic, who has led the country since 2004, is an internationally-respected leader. Slovenia With a population of slightly more than two million and an area slightly smaller than New Jersey, the country now called Slovenia was strongly influenced by its historic and cultural ties to Western Europe.12 It was a contingent of the Roman Empire, the Holy Roman Empire, and the Hapsburg Dynasty before becoming part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Following the dissolution of the Empire in 1919, the Slovenes joined their Croatian and Serb neighbors in 1929 in forming a multinational state named "Yugoslavia." Following World War II, Slovenia became a republic within the communist Yugoslavia. In 1991, driven by the goal of full freedom from the Serb majority, Slovenia declared its independence after a ten-day struggle.

Slovenia is the most flourishing of the former member states of Yugoslavia, enjoying strong economic benefits from a stable political system. The country is a member of NATO and the European Union. With its strong alliances, Slovenia will most likely continue to grow in influence during the 21st century. Currently, there is some debate concerning the land and maritime boundary agreement between Croatia and Slovenia. The agreement, "which would have ceded most of Piran Bay and maritime access to Slovenia and several villages to Croatia, remains ungratified and in dispute."13 There is also strife regarding a 2003 Croatian claim to an exclusive economic zone in the Adriatic Sea. Slovenia is also trying to improve cross-border cooperation with Croatia concerning the southern border. Summary Observations The birth of Yugoslavia is in some ways attributable to US President Woodrow Wilson who, at the Versailles Peace Conference in 1919, actively supported the formation of the Kingdom of the Slovenes, Croats, and Serbs---the predecessor of Yugoslavia.

During the Bosnian War of 1992-1995, the United States, under President Clinton, gave decisive leadership to ending that conflict in 1995 with the Dayton Peace Accords. The United States continues to have a special attachment to the seven states that were formerly part of Yugoslavia and enjoys close relations with these seven states. Today, like the United States, the area of Yugoslavia is multiculturally diverse and widely engaged with the international and regional communities in order to improve the lives of its citizens. In the opinion of the co-authors, the international community should refrain from imposing any new solutions on these states. Their sovereignty should be respected and they are at peace with one another. Their futures are in their hands. 1 "Bosnia and Herzegovina," The CIA World Factbook, 16 August 2011. 2 "Bosnia and Herzegovina," The CIA World Factbook, 16 August 2011. 3 J. Cushman Laurent, Personal Interview on 13 July 2011 with Minister of Interior (Republika Srpska) Stanislav Cado.

4 "Croatia," The CIA World Factbook, 16 August 2011. 5 "Kosovo," The CIA World Factbook, 16 August 2011. 6 Ibid. 7 "Macedonia," The CIA World Factbook, 16 August 2011. 8 Percentages from the 2002 census as reported in "Macedonia," The CIA World Factbook, 16 August 2011. 9 "Montenegro," The CIA World Factbook, 16 August 2011. 10 "Serbia," The CIA World Factbook, 16 August 2011. 11 This date, 1878, is largely accepted by the international community as the date when sovereignty was recognized. 12 "Slovenia," The CIA World Factbook, 16 August 2011. 13 Ibid. Slovenia: History Slovenia History In ancient times the region was inhabited by the Illyrian and Celtic tribes. In the 1st cent. B.C. they fell under the Roman provinces of Pannonia and Noricum.

The region was settled in the 6th cent. A.D. by the South Slavs, who set up the early Slav state of Samo, which in 788 passed to the Franks. At the division of Charlemagne's empire (843) the region passed to the dukes of Bavaria. In 1335, Carinthia and Carniola passed to the Hapsburgs. From that time until 1918 Slovenia was part of Austria and the region was largely comprised in the Austrian crownlands of Carinthia , Carniola , and Styria . In 1918, Slovenia was included in the kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes (called Yugoslavia after 1929), and in 1919 Austria formally ceded the region by the Treaty of Saint-Germain. In World War II Slovenia was divided (1941) among Germany, Italy, and Hungary. After the war, Slovenia was made (1945) a constituent republic of Yugoslavia and received part of the former Italian region of Venezia Giulia.

In early 1990, Slovenia elected a non-Communist government and stepped up its demands for greater autonomy with the threat of possible secession. In Feb., 1991, the Slovenian parliament ruled that Slovenian law took precedence over federal law. Slovenia declared independence on June 25, and federal troops moved in, but after some fighting withdrew by July. Slovenia, along with Croatia, was recognized as an independent country by the European Community and the United Nations in 1992. Milan Ku&ccaron;an was elected president of Slovenia in 1990 and continued as president of the independent republic; he was reelected in Nov., 1997. In 2002, Janez Drnovšek, a Liberal Democrat, was elected president after a runoff election; Drnovšek had been the country's prime minister. Slovenia became a member of NATO and the European Union in 2004, and adopted the euro as its currency three years later. Janez Janša became prime minister in Nov., 2004, heading a center-right coalition government.

A dispute over Slovenia's right to access to the Adriatic through waters that Croatia claims has been a source of tension between the two nations, and has led Slovenia to block some of the negotiations for Croatia's accession to the European Union. The countries agreed in Aug., 2007, to submit their boundary disputes to the International Court of Justice, and in Sept., 2009, Slovenia ended the freeze on Croatia's accession talks after an agreement stipulated that none of the documents associated with EU application would have any legal impact on the resolution of the border dispute. The agreement was ratified by parliament in Apr., 2010, and was approved in a June, 2010, referendum. In Nov., 2007, Danilo Türk, a former diplomat and left-of-center candidate, was elected to succeed Drnovšek as president. The opposition Social Democrats won a plurality in Sept., 2008, parliamentary elections, and in November party leader Borut Pahor became prime minister of the four-party coalition government. Pahor's government lost its majority in June, 2011, when one party left the coalition, and subsequently lost a confidence vote in September.

In the Dec., 2011, elections, Ljubljana's mayor Zoran Jankovi&cacute; led Positive Slovenia, a new center-left party, to a narrow plurality, but Jansa became prime minister in Jan., 2012, after forming a five-party center-right coalition. In the 2012 presidential election Pahor defeated Türk in a December runoff; Türk was hurt by the country's severe recession and voter apathy (only 42% of the electorate voted). In Jan., 2013, Jansa's coalition lost its majority after he was accused of corruption (he was convicted later in the year), and his minority government lost a confidence vote the following month. A center-left coalition government, with Alenka Bratušek of Positive Slovenia as prime minister, was formed in March. Sections in this article: Slovenia country profile - BBC News BBC News Read more about sharing. Close share panel Slovenia is a small country in Central Europe, but contains within its borders Alpine mountains, thick forests, historic cities and a short Adriatic coastline.

Slovenia was the first former Yugoslav republic to join the European Union, in May 2004 - shortly after joining Nato. Unlike Croatia or Bosnia-Herzegovina, Slovenia's independence from Yugoslavia was almost bloodless. The country also found the transition from a state economy to the free market easier than most. Long regarded as one of the best-performing new EU members, Slovenia was dragged into a deep recession by the European financial crisis in 2012. Slovenia's relations with Croatia have been strained on account of a rumbling dispute over sea and land borders dating back to the break-up of Yugoslavia. Area 20,273 sq km (7,827 sq miles) Major language Slovene Life expectancy 76 years (men), 83 years (women) Currency euro President: Borut Pahor Image copyright Getty Images The prime minister of a centre-left government between 2008-12, Borut Pahor was elected president in December 2012, beating incumbent Danilo Turk by a thumping margin of 34% of the vote.

However, the low turnout - only one in three eligible voters made it to the polls - was seen as a sign of widespread disenchantment with Slovenia's political class. The election took place against a background of popular discontent at the centre-right government's austerity measures, with many Slovenes taking to the streets to call for the resignation of the political elite. The role of president is largely ceremonial, but carries authority in defence and foreign affairs. Prime minister: Miro Cerar Image copyright Getty Images Miro Cerar was appointed prime minister in August 2014, after month-long coalition negotiations in the aftermath of parliamentary elections. Originally a lawyer and an academic, he acted as a legal advisor to parliament and expressed opinions on various constitutional matters for years. His SMC party won 34.5% of the vote and secured 36 seats in parliament as the leading faction even though it was established only a month before the elections. Mr Cerar faced the tough task of putting the eurozone country's finances back in order after the past two governments fell after little more than a year after being hit by corruption trials and political infighting. MEDIA Slovenia's media scene is diverse and free. The main papers are privately-owned.

The broadcasting sector is a mix of public and private ownership. Many households are connected to cable, satellite, or internet protocol TV (IPTV). There is an advanced digital terrestrial TV (DTT) network. By the end of 2015 almost 73% of the population was online. Some key dates in Slovenia's history: Image copyright Getty Images Image caption Slovenia used to be part of Yugoslavia and broke away with relatively little conflict 1918 - After the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian empire, Slovenia joins the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes. The kingdom later becomes known as Yugoslavia. 1941 - Slovenia is occupied by Nazi Germany and Italy during the Second World War. 1945 - At the end of the war, Slovenia becomes a constituent republic of socialist Yugoslavia. 1991 - Slovenia, along with Croatia, declares its independence. The Yugoslav federal army intervenes. Slovene forces defend the country. About 100 people killed. The EU brokers a ceasefire. The Yugoslav army withdraws. 2004 - Slovenia joins the EU. 2013 - Ratings agency Moody's cuts Slovenia's credit rating to junk status.

Economy recovers over subsequent years. Slovenia: country overview — EUbusiness.com | EU news, business and politics Listen to the official EU language: Slovenian Country overview Previously one of Yugoslavia’s six constituent republics, present-day Slovenia became independent in 1991 as Yugoslavia fell apart. It is bordered by Italy, Austria, Hungary and Croatia. Four major European geographic regions meet in Slovenia: the Alps, the Dinaric area, the Pannonian plain and the Mediterranean. The country is mountainous, and Slovenes are keen skiers and hikers. The national flag depicts the three-peaked Triglav, Slovenia’s highest mountain at 2 864 metres. The country was once part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The capital, Ljubljana, was founded in Roman times. Its university, with more than 50 000 students, contributes to the city’s busy cultural life. The main industries are car parts, chemicals, electronics, electrical appliances, metal goods, textiles and furniture. Tourist attractions include the famous caves at Postojna, with their decor of stalactites and stalagmites.

Graffiti in the caves shows that the first tourists came here in 1213. Slovenian cuisine is strongly influenced by that of its neighbours. From Austria comes Strudel and Wiener Schnitzel . Italy has contributed risotto and ravioli and Hungary goulash. The potica is a traditional Slovenian cake made by rolling up a layer of dough covered with walnuts. Among the most famous Slovenes are the physicistJožef Stefan, the linguist Franc Miklošič and the architect Jože Plečnik. Economy Overview With excellent infrastructure, a well-educated work force, and a strategic location between the Balkans and Western Europe, Slovenia has one of the highest per capita GDPs in Central Europe. Slovenia became the first 2004 European Union entrant to adopt the euro (on 1 January 2007) and has experienced one of the most stable political transitions in Central and Southeastern Europe. In March 2004, Slovenia became the first transition country to graduate from borrower status to donor partner at the World Bank.

In 2007, Slovenia was invited to begin the process for joining the OECD; it became a member in 2012. However, long-delayed privatizations, particularly within Slovenia’s largely state-owned and increasingly indebted banking sector, have fueled investor concerns since 2012 that the country would need EU-IMF financial assistance. In 2013, the European Commission granted Slovenia permission to begin recapitalizing ailing lenders and transferring their nonperforming assets into a “bad bank” established to restore bank balance sheets. Yield-seeking bond investors’ strong demand for Slovenian debt helped the government in 2013 to continue to finance itself independently on international markets. The government has embarked on a program of state asset sales intended to bolster investor confidence in the economy, which in 2014 is poised to contract 1%, its third-year of recession. Useful links Timeline: The Former Yugoslavia Timeline: The Former Yugoslavia From World War I to the splintering of the country by Borgna Brunner and David Johnson 2006 1918 As an outcome of World War I, the Kingdom of the Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes is formed.

Croatia, Slovenia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina had been part of the fallen Austro-Hungarian empire ; Serbia and Montenegro existed as an independent state (Macedonia was then part of Serbia). 1929 The monarchy's name is changed to Yugoslavia. 1945 After World War II , the monarchy becomes a communist republic under Prime Minister Tito , now called the Federal People's Republic of Yugoslavia. It was composed of six republics: Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia, Slovenia, and Montenegro, as well as two provinces, Kosovo and Vojvodina . 1980 Tito's tight rein on Yugoslavia keeps ethnic tensions in check until his death in 1980. Without his pan-Slavic influence, ethnic and nationalist differences begin to flare. 1991 June Slovenia and Croatia each declare independence. With 90% of its population ethnic Slovenians, Slovenia is able to break away with only a brief period of fighting. Because 12% of Croatia's population is Serbian, however, rump Yugoslavia fights hard against its secession for the next four years. As Croatia moves towards independence, it evicts most of its Serbian population.

1992 Macedonia declares independence. April Bosnia and Herzegovina declares independence. The most ethnically diverse of the Yugoslav republics, Bosnia is 43% Muslim, 31% Serbian, and 17% Croatian (according to the 1991 Yugoslavian census). Ethnic tensions strain to the breaking point, and Bosnia erupts into war. Thousands die and more than a million are displaced. By the time a tenuous peace is achieved in 1995, the country has been partitioned into three areas, with each region governed by one of the three ethnic groups. Each enclave is now made up of roughly 90% of its own ethnic group. April Serbia and Montenegro form the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, with Slobodan Milosevic as its leader. This new government, however, is not recognized by the United States as the successor state to the former Yugoslavia. 1995 Milosevic is arrested by Yugoslavian authorities and charged with corruption and abuse of power. June Milosevic is turned over to the United Nations International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia in The Hague .

September The UN Security Council lifts its arms embargo against Yugoslavia, abolishing the last remaining sanction by the international community. 2002 February Slobodan Milosevic begin his trial at the UN International Criminal Tribunal on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Bosnia, Croatia, and Kosovo, as well as for committing genocide in Bosnia. He is the first head of state to face an international war-crimes court. 2003 February The nation agrees to form a new state, replacing Yugoslavia with a loose federation called Serbia and Montenegro. The new arrangement was made to placate Montenegro's restive stirrings for independence, and allows for a referendum on independence to occur in three years' time. 2003 March 12 The prime minister of Serbia, Zoran Djindjic, a reformer who helped bring about the fall of Slobodan Milosevic, is assassinated. A period of deep national mourning follows. Extreme nationalists, organized crime, and Serbia's own police and security services were implicated. 2003 December 28 Parliamentary elections saw a resurgence of ultra-nationalists.

Slobodan Milosevic 's Socialist party received 7% of the vote, and the Radical party, whose leader, like Milosevic, is an indicted war criminal jailed in the Hague, received 27% of the vote. 2004 March 17 Mitrovica, in Kosovo, experiences the worst ethnic violence in the regions since the 1999 war. At least 22 people are killed, and another 500 are injured. NATO sends in an extra 1,000 troops to restore order. The violence began after Serbs claimed a Serb teenager was the victim of a drive-by shooting and ethnic Albanians blamed Serbs for the drowning of several Albanian children. 2006 May In May, Montenegro held a referendum on independence, which narrowly passed. On June 4 the federal president of Serbia and Montenegro, Svetozar Marovic, announced the dissolution of his office, and the following day Serbia acknowledged the end of the union. The EU and the United States recognized Montenegro on June 12, and it became the 192nd member of the UN on June 26.

Map of Iron Curtain and Ex-U.S.S.R. (former Soviet Union) Countries Free Maps, Map Puzzles and Educational Software: Owl and Mouse Educational Software In December of 1991 the Soviet Union (the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, or U.S.S.R.) was officially dissolved. From it emerged Russia (the Russian Federation) and a number of independent countries in Central Asia and Eastern Europe (shown in greens in the map). In addition the countries of Eastern Europe were freed from Soviet military domination (shown in yellows in the map). In Central Asia 8 new (or newly independent) countries emerged: Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan. In Eastern Europe the 6 new (or restored) countries are Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Belarus, Ukraine and Moldova. The Eastern European countries freed from Soviet domination but not part of the U.S.S.R. are Poland, East Germany, Czechoslovakia, Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary, Albania and Yugoslavia. East Germany has reunited with West Germany. Czechoslovakia has split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

Yugoslavia disintegrated violently creating Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia, Montenegro, Macedonia and most recently Kosovo; leaving the remainder as Serbia. Russia supports the separatist movements of Transnistria in Moldova and Abkhazia and South Ossetia in Georgia but these have no international recognition. We welcome all comments on your experience with our maps and software. E-Mail us at: "Owl and Mouse" <owlmouse at yourchildlearns dot com> All Material Copyright 1998-2015 Owl and Mouse Educational Software except as noted. All pages and downloadable software may be freely used for individual and classroom instruction but may not be sold, redistributed or reposted without permission. Javascript and CSS coding by Ashton Shapcott.

Question: Before 1991, Slovenia was part of which country?
Answer: Yugoslavia