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<div id="propertymenu"><img src="img/greyicon.gif" width="9" height="14"> <span class="titlepage">About Slovakia </span></div>
<a href="pinewoodvalley.htm" target="_top" class="text1">< Back to Pinewood Valley </a> | <a href="slovakiabuyersguide.htm" target="_top" class="text1">Slovakia Buyers Guide</a>
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<p>Slovakia has a strategic location in the geographical centre of Europe. With it's population of 5,5 million, it covers 49,035 sq. km and is bordered by Hungary, Poland, Austria, the Czech Republic and Ukraine.</p>
<p>Bratislava, the nation's capital and largest city (population of approx. 500 000) is located on the banks of the Danube River. </p>
<p>Vienna International airport is only 40 km from Bratislava, giving excellent air connections to all of Europe as well as other continents. There are also low cost airlines flying to Bratislava International airport and the opening of Poprad Airport gives another route in to Slovakia. </p>
<p>The central and northern part of the country is mountainous, with lowlands in the south. The Tatra Mountains in the north are a popular tourism and winter sport destination with many ski resorts, scenic lakes, valleys, caves and waterfalls. Slovakia is also renowned for its health spas.</p>
<p>Many UK low cost airlines offer direct flights to Bratislava with connections to Kosice starting from as little as GBP£17.00. Easy Jet flies from Luton, Air Slovakia from Birmingham, Ryan Air and Sky Europe from Stanstead, with additional Manchester and Dublin flights now operating. Sky Europe fly from Stanstead to Poprad, the main airport of the High Tatras Region with Ryan Air also potentially flying in from Spring 2006 thus opening up Slovakia’s world class ski resorts to British travellers for the very first time. </p>
<p>Flights from the UK to Bratislava and Poprad take around 2½ hours. Travel within Slovakia is relatively easy and inexpensive with excellent motorway and major road networks. All major car hire companies offer collection and drop off at Slovakia’s airports. Rail travel offers an excellent alternative mode of travel, easily comparable with other major European countries. The extensive network provides trouble free journeys with most intercity routes offering dining car facilities and boasting exceptional time keeping. Bratislava to Poprad takes less than 4 hours costing 16 euros for a first class reservation. </p>
<p>Slovakia has mastered the transition from a centrally planned economy to a modern market economy. Most major privatizations are complete, the banking sector is almost completely in foreign hands, foreign direct investment (FDI) has increased dramatically. The creation of an investor-friendly business environment is brining a significant inflow of FDI, exports are expanding steadily and private domestic demand is solid. </p>
<p>The country's economic boom has exceeded all expectations, with 2005 growth well above the already strong 2003 and 2004 figures. The Slovak economy has expanded by 6.2% y/o/y in 3Q, which should bring this year's GDP growth to approx. 5.6% - the fastest since 1998 and, as in previous years, and the highest in Central Europe.</p>
<p>The currency is the Slovak koruna (crown) (SKK). It is forecast to gradually appreciate against the euro. </p>
<p>In November 2005 Slovakia joined ERM II (EU's exchange rate mechanism; a 2 year stay in ERM II is condition for euro adoption) ahead of the expected June 2006 entry. This supports government's plans to adopt euro in January 2009. Slovakia will be the first country in Central Europe to join the single currency. </p>
<p>In acknowledgement of Slovakia's success, the world's main rating agencies have been increasing the country's ratings that are now the best in Central Europe. (Just recently Standard & Poor's raised Slovakia's Long Term rating from A- to A.)</p>
<p><img src="img/slovakiatourism.gif" width="89" height="77"><span class="text1">Useful Website - Slovakia Tourist Board <a href="http://www.slovakiatourism.sk/" target="_blank" class="text1">www.slovakiatourism.sk</a></span></p>
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