Slovakia

Slovakia is a somewhat densely populated Central European country. The official language is Slovak, which is fairly close to Czech, and minority languages include Rusyn. There is one of the highest rates of Roma Gypsy peoples in all the countries of the worls, nearly 2%. The terrain includes forests, waterways, caves, and above all mountains. Slovakia’s climate falls between the temperate and continental zones. Native animal species include the European mink, the Hucul horse, and the noctule bat. As the economy became market-driven, Slovakia was dubbed the Tatra Tiger. Main sectors include finances, tourism, car manufacturing, and electrical engineering, among others. This diversification seems to have helped form a base to build on for greater future success.

There is an abundance of beautiful hiking areas in Slovakia. Check out the Low Tatras National Park, or the Slovensk├¢ Raj National Park a few hours to the East. The large Spi┼í Castle complex will give you a different viewing experience, including panoramas from the top of the central tower. The Cathedral of St Elizabeth in Ko┼íice has the distinction of being Europe’s easternmost Gothic cathedral. It also has a crypt, a 14th-century chapel, and a high tower you can climb.

Wheat and potatoes are popular starchy staples. Typical vegetables include mushrooms and cabbage, often fermented into sauerkraut. Chicken, pork, and game are very popular. Dairy products and beer are also highly important in the Slovak diet. Bryndzov├® halu┼íky is a representative traditional Slovak dish composed of potato dumplings and sheep’s milk cheese. Try soups like the beany fazu─¥oví or kapustnica, which is made of sauerkraut.

If you’re lucky, you may be able to taste some skalick├¢ trdelnik, a traditional cake baked on a rotating spit over open fire. You can hunt down some organic macrobiotic or vegan raw restaurants, and there are some natural foods markets here and there. Wines of many types are produced around here, and a glass or two would be a nice way to wind up one’s day.