Slovakia is an inland country in the Middle Europe. It has area of 49 036 km2 and 5,43 milions of residents. Neighbou countries of Slovakia are Czech Republic, Poland, Ukraine, Hungary and Austria. Capital and populous city here is Bratislava followed by Košice, Prešov, Žilina, Nitra, Banská Bystrica a Trnava.
Slovakia is situated in mild climate area with alternating four seasons.Average temperature in winter is -2 °C (28°F) and 21 °C (70°F) in summer. Coldest month is January and hottest are July and August. Climate can be divided in 3 zones: lowlands (Podunajská lowland, Záhorská lowland, East-Slovakian lowland), basins (Košická basin), mountains (High Tatras, Low Tatras).
Rivers in Slovakia mostly stemming and they are little watery. All of rivers are most-watery in spring, when ice is melting. Only one exception is river Danube, which is most-watery in summer, when ice is melting in Alps. Waters of Slovakia are divided into drainage area of Baltic sea (Poprad, Dunajec) and Black sea (Morava, Dunaj, Tisa). Most of dams has been builded on river Váh and they creating Vážska cascade, for example Liptovská Mara, Sĺňava, Kráľová, Nosice. Biggest dam is Oravská dam. Slovakia is rich country in mineral and thermal waters. Their favorable effects are used to cure various diseases. Geology
Most beautiful places in Slovakia are the High and Low Tatras, Large and Small Fatra, Small Carpathians. The High Tatras are our mountains with lots of peaks, the second highest mountain range are the Low Tatras. Large and Small Fatra are known ski resorts. Little Carpathians mountain range falls within the Carpathian arc that passes through the Small Carpathians from Slovakia to the east of Slovakia. Preserving the beauties of the Slovak mountains were declared as protected area, some (TANAP - Tatra National Park, NAPANT - National Park Low Tatras, PIENAP - Pieniny National Park).
Slovakia is acractive for its national beauties, especially mountains, caves as well as cultural and historic attractions such as medieval castles and towns, folk architecture, spas and ski resorts.
Given that Slovakia is located in the temperate climate zone, it is possible to perform sports with summer and winter focus. Among the popular sports in Slovakia include: football, hockey, tennis, athletics, handball, basketball, volleyball, canoe slalom, skiing, cycling, floorball, hockey and more. Higher mountain ranges attract climbers, hanggliders, paragliding, under mountain river rafting enthusiasts.