[sloh-vee-nee-uh, -veen-yuh] 
| a republic in SE Europe: formerly part of Yugoslavia. 1,945,998; 7819 sq. mi. (20,250 sq. km). Capital: Ljubljana. |
Slo·ve·ni·a (slō-vē'nē-ə, -vēn'yə)  (click for larger image in new window) A country of central Europe. In ancient times Illyrian and Celtic peoples inhabited the area, which was ruled by Rome after the first century B.C. and settled by Slavs in the sixth century A.D. Slovenia came under Austrian control after 1335 and joined the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes (later Yugoslavia) in 1918. During World War II Slovenia was divided among Germany, Italy, and Hungary, but returned to Yugoslavia after the war. Slovenia declared its independence from Yugoslavia in June 1991. Ljubljana is the capital and largest city. Population: 2,010,000. |
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