Slovenia
is located in Central Europe. It shares borders with Austria, Croatia,
Italy and Hungary. It has an area of 20,273 square kilometres. Its capital
city is Ljubljana.
Slovenia had a population of 20,011,473 in July 2004 with an estimated
growth rate of -0.01%. Slovenian is the national language. There is a
small Serb - Croatian-speaking minority. The main religion is Roman Catholic.
Slovenia’s climate varies from mediterranean on the coast to continental
with mild to hot summers and cold winters in the plateaus and valleys
to the east. The terrain consists of a short coastal strip on the Adriatic,
an alpine mountain region neighbouring Italy and Austria and mixed mountains
and valleys with numerous rivers to the east. The main natural resources
are lignite coal, lead, zinc, mercury, uranium, silver, hydropower and
forests.
Slovenia gained independence from Yugoslavia in June 1991 and is now
governed as a parliamentary democracy. The new constitution established
in December 1990 guarantees government by the rule of law, respect for
human and civil rights and the protection of minorities. The Slovene Parliament
consists of two chambers: the National Assembly and the National Council.
Slovenia, with its historical ties to Western Europe, enjoys a GDP per
capita substantially higher than that of the other transitioning economies
of Central Europe. In March 2004, Slovenia became the first transition
country to graduate from borrower status to donor partner at the World
Bank. Structural reforms to improve the business environment allow for
greater foreign participation in Slovenia's economy and help to lower
unemployment. The currency of Slovenia is the tolar.
Franchising is growing in Slovenia. The Slovenian Franchise Association
formed in June 1998 became full member of the European Franchise Federation
in 2000.
There is no specific franchise law in Slovenia.
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