--- title: Slovakia — English Wikipedia · full text with trees · page 4 description: Wikipedia's «Slovakia», whole, every sentence with its dependency tree and pragmatics, CC BY-SA 4.0. It begins: Slovakia, officially the Slovak Republic, is a landlocked country in Central Europe. --- [Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Slovakia/page/4/) [home](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [corpora](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/) / [wikipedia](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/) / [en](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/) / Slovakia # Slovakia · page 4 From Wikipedia, [«Slovakia»](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slovakia), revision of the 2026-09-01 dump, [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). The trees and pragmatics of these pages, Mova's parse of that text, are CC BY-SA 4.0 too. [1](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Slovakia/) [2](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Slovakia/page/2/) [3](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Slovakia/page/3/) **4** [5](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Slovakia/page/5/) [6](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Slovakia/page/6/) [7](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Slovakia/page/7/) #### 2010s Between 2010–2012, Slovak government was led by first female prime minister [Iveta Radičová](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iveta_Radičová).[\[113\]](../../page/7/#ref-113 "note 113")[253](../../253/ "tree and pragmatics") Her government lasted only two years, Radičová combined the vote on the strengthening of the [European Financial Stability Facility](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Financial_Stability_Facility) – a key anti-crisis mechanism in the [eurozone](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eurozone) – with a vote of confidence for her cabinet.[254](../../254/ "tree and pragmatics") Slovak parliament rejected the EFSF, which led to the collapse of the government.[\[114\]](../../page/7/#ref-114 "note 114")[255](../../255/ "tree and pragmatics") In 2012, Robert Fico became second time Prime Minister when his political party [Direction – Social Democracy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Direction_–_Social_Democracy) won [election](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012_Slovak_parliamentary_election) and collected 83 of 150 seats in [National Council](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Council_of_Slovakia), becoming the first single party to win a [clear majority](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Majority_government) in the Slovak parliament since the fall of communism.[\[115\]](../../page/7/#ref-115 "note 115")[256](../../256/ "tree and pragmatics") In 2014, [Andrej Kiska](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrej_Kiska) became the fourth President of Slovakia.[257](../../257/ "tree and pragmatics") For the first time was elected as president entrepreneur and first-time politician.[\[116\]](../../page/7/#ref-116 "note 116")[258](../../258/ "tree and pragmatics") International crisis impacted Slovak politics and quickly started dominating the country's political life and media coverage, such as [Annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Annexation_of_Crimea_by_the_Russian_Federation) in neighbouring Ukraine in 2014 or [European migrant crisis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2015_European_migrant_crisis) in 2015.[\[117\]](../../page/7/#ref-117 "note 117")[259](../../259/ "tree and pragmatics") After the [parliamentary election](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2016_Slovak_parliamentary_election) in 2016, Robert Fico became third time prime minister, making him longest-serving prime minister in Slovak history, if the years are counted cumulatively.[\[118\]](../../page/7/#ref-118 "note 118")[260](../../260/ "tree and pragmatics") Third term of Fico's government was characterised by social and political turmoil.[261](../../261/ "tree and pragmatics") On 21 February 2018, young Slovak investigative journalist Ján Kuciak and his fiancée, [were killed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_of_Ján_Kuciak) in their home in [Veľká Mača](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veľká_Mača).[\[119\]](../../page/7/#ref-119 "note 119")[\[120\]](../../page/7/#ref-120 "note 120")[262](../../262/ "tree and pragmatics") Thousands of people protested in streets across Slovakia for independent investigation of journalist's murder and a 'trustworthy' government in [largest demonstrations](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_of_Ján_Kuciak#Political_crisis) in the country since the Velvet Revolution.[\[121\]](../../page/7/#ref-121 "note 121")[263](../../263/ "tree and pragmatics") Due to protests, Robert Fico resigned, and the government continued under a new prime minister [Peter Pellegrini](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Pellegrini).[\[122\]](../../page/7/#ref-122 "note 122")[264](../../264/ "tree and pragmatics") In 2019, [Zuzana Čaputová](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zuzana_Čaputová) became the fifth President of Slovakia, first female president.[\[123\]](../../page/7/#ref-123 "note 123")[265](../../265/ "tree and pragmatics") #### 2020s After the [parliamentary election](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020_Slovak_parliamentary_election) in 2020, [Igor Matovič](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Igor_Matovič) became the new prime minister of Slovakia.[\[124\]](../../page/7/#ref-124 "note 124")[266](../../266/ "tree and pragmatics") [Matovič](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Igor_Matovič) and his government, with little to no previous government experience, was dealing with the [COVID-19 pandemic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/COVID-19_pandemic) and [COVID-19 recession](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/COVID-19_recession), during which more than [21,000 people](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/COVID-19_pandemic_in_Slovakia) died in Slovakia between 2020–2023, the worst death toll in the country since the end of World War II.[\[125\]](../../page/7/#ref-125 "note 125")[\[126\]](../../page/7/#ref-126 "note 126")[267](../../267/ "tree and pragmatics") Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Slovak economy faced the worst economic crisis since the [2008 financial crisis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008_financial_crisis) and fell into recession.[\[127\]](../../page/7/#ref-127 "note 127")[268](../../268/ "tree and pragmatics") At the beginning of 2021, Matovič signed an agreement to acquire 2 million doses of Russia's [Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sputnik_V_COVID-19_vaccine), which has not been cleared by [European Union](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Union) regulators.[\[128\]](../../page/7/#ref-128 "note 128")[269](../../269/ "tree and pragmatics") Matovič orchestrated the deal despite disagreement among his coalition partners, which led to a government crisis and his resignation.[\[129\]](../../page/7/#ref-129 "note 129")[\[130\]](../../page/7/#ref-130 "note 130")[270](../../270/ "tree and pragmatics") The government continued under a new prime minister [Eduard Heger](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eduard_Heger).[\[131\]](../../page/7/#ref-131 "note 131")[271](../../271/ "tree and pragmatics") Heger and his government faced many challenges, such as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, [Russian invasion](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_invasion_of_Ukraine) in neighbouring Ukraine, [Ukrainian refugee crisis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ukrainian_refugee_crisis), [Global energy crisis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_energy_crisis_%282021–2023%29) and [Inflation surge](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2021–2023_inflation_surge).[272](../../272/ "tree and pragmatics") After a strong economic recovery in 2021, growth slowed down markedly in 2022 and 2023 as a result of the consequences of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, notably the subsequent [EU sanctions on Russia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_sanctions_during_the_Russo-Ukrainian_War) and Global energy crisis.[\[132\]](../../page/7/#ref-132 "note 132")[273](../../273/ "tree and pragmatics") Slovakia became one of Ukraine's largest [donors of military aid](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_military_aid_to_Ukraine_during_the_Russo-Ukrainian_War) during Heger's government in 2022 and 2023.[\[133\]](../../page/7/#ref-133 "note 133")[274](../../274/ "tree and pragmatics") Government crisis in Slovakia continued with various disputes in the coalition.[275](../../275/ "tree and pragmatics") At the end of 2022, Heger's government collapsed, after a lost no-confidence vote in parliament.[\[134\]](../../page/7/#ref-134 "note 134")[276](../../276/ "tree and pragmatics") In 2023, in the interim before the next election, President Zuzana Čaputová appointed the first [technocrat government](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technocracy) in Slovak history and [Ľudovít Ódor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ľudovít_Ódor) became the new prime minister for only six months, the third Prime Minister of Slovakia in three years.[\[135\]](../../page/7/#ref-135 "note 135")[277](../../277/ "tree and pragmatics") After the [parliamentary election](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2023_Slovak_parliamentary_election) in 2023, Robert Fico became for the fourth time prime minister.[\[136\]](../../page/7/#ref-136 "note 136")[278](../../278/ "tree and pragmatics") The new government halted military aid to Ukraine, while still providing humanitarian aid and electricity supplies.[\[137\]](../../page/7/#ref-137 "note 137")[\[138\]](../../page/7/#ref-138 "note 138")[279](../../279/ "tree and pragmatics") On 15 May 2024, Prime Minister Robert Fico was shot several times and wounded in an [assassination attempt](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attempted_assassination_of_Robert_Fico).[\[139\]](../../page/7/#ref-139 "note 139")[280](../../280/ "tree and pragmatics") The suspect stated during interrogation that he acted primarily because of the Fico government's opposition to military assistance to Ukraine.[\[140\]](../../page/7/#ref-140 "note 140")[281](../../281/ "tree and pragmatics") In 2024, [Peter Pellegrini](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Pellegrini) became the sixth President of Slovakia.[\[141\]](../../page/7/#ref-141 "note 141")[282](../../282/ "tree and pragmatics") Pellegrini is the first Slovak politician to have held all three highest constitutional posts (President, Prime Minister and Speaker of Parliament) in the country.[283](../../283/ "tree and pragmatics") Fourth term of Fico's government is characterized by political instability with fragile coalition, worsening relations with European Union, diplomatic disputes with the closest ally [Czech Republic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Czech_Republic) [corpus](../../../Czech_Republic/ "in our corpus") and growing Russian influence.[\[142\]](../../page/7/#ref-142 "note 142")[\[143\]](../../page/7/#ref-143 "note 143")[\[144\]](../../page/7/#ref-144 "note 144")[284](../../284/ "tree and pragmatics") Pro-Russia policies of Slovak government,[\[145\]](../../page/7/#ref-145 "note 145") questioning Slovakia's future in the European Union and NATO,[\[146\]](../../page/7/#ref-146 "note 146")[\[147\]](../../page/7/#ref-147 "note 147") criticism of Ukrainian president [Volodymyr Zelenskyy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volodymyr_Zelenskyy)[\[148\]](../../page/7/#ref-148 "note 148") and Fico's good relationship with Russian president [Vladimir Putin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vladimir_Putin),[\[149\]](../../page/7/#ref-149 "note 149") led to [widespread demonstrations](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_Slovak_protests) across the country.[\[150\]](../../page/7/#ref-150 "note 150")[285](../../285/ "tree and pragmatics") Slovakia fell significantly in the media freedom ranking and corruption ranking.[\[151\]](../../page/7/#ref-151 "note 151")[\[152\]](../../page/7/#ref-152 "note 152")[286](../../286/ "tree and pragmatics") Crisis of democratic society was followed by economic decline, underlined by downgrade rating from credit rating agency [Moody's](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moody%27s_Ratings) and later [Standard & Poor's](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S&P_Global_Ratings).[\[153\]](../../page/7/#ref-153 "note 153")[\[154\]](../../page/7/#ref-154 "note 154")[\[155\]](../../page/7/#ref-155 "note 155")[287](../../287/ "tree and pragmatics") In 2025, the government amended constitution to recognize [only two genders](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_gender_identities) (male and female), sparking human rights concerns.[\[156\]](../../page/7/#ref-156 "note 156")[\[157\]](../../page/7/#ref-157 "note 157")[288](../../288/ "tree and pragmatics") ## Geography Main article: [Geography of Slovakia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geography_of_Slovakia) See also: [Geomorphological division of Slovakia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geomorphological_division_of_Slovakia) Slovakia lies between latitudes [47°](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/47th_parallel_north) and [50° N](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/50th_parallel_north), and longitudes [16°](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/16th_meridian_east) and [23° E](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/23rd_meridian_east). The Slovak landscape is noted primarily for its mountainous nature, with the [Carpathian Mountains](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carpathian_Mountains) extending across most of the northern half of the country.[289](../../289/ "tree and pragmatics") Among these [mountain ranges](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mountain_range) are the high peaks of the [Fatra-Tatra Area](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fatra-Tatra_Area) (including [Tatra Mountains](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tatra_Mountains), [Greater Fatra](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veľká_Fatra) and [Lesser Fatra](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lesser_Fatra)), [Slovak Ore Mountains](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slovak_Ore_Mountains), [Slovak Central Mountains](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slovak_Central_Mountains) or [Beskids](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beskids).[290](../../290/ "tree and pragmatics") The largest lowland is the fertile [Danubian Lowland](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danubian_Lowland) in the southwest, followed by the [Eastern Slovak Lowland](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_Slovak_Lowland) in the southeast.[\[158\]](../../page/7/#ref-158 "note 158")[291](../../291/ "tree and pragmatics") Forests cover 41% of Slovak land surface.[\[159\]](../../page/7/#ref-159 "note 159")[292](../../292/ "tree and pragmatics") ### Tatra mountains Main article: [Tatra Mountains](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tatra_Mountains) The Tatra Mountains, with 29 peaks higher than 2500 m [AMSL](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sea_level#AMSL), are the highest mountain range in the Carpathian Mountains.[293](../../293/ "tree and pragmatics") The Tatras occupy an area of 750 km2, of which the greater part 600 km2 lies in Slovakia.[294](../../294/ "tree and pragmatics") They are divided into several parts.[295](../../295/ "tree and pragmatics") To the north, close to the Polish border, are the [High Tatras](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_Tatras) which are a popular [hiking](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hiking) and [skiing](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skiing) destination and home to many scenic lakes and valleys as well as the highest point in Slovakia, the [Gerlachovský štít](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerlachovský_štít) at 2655 m and the country's highly symbolic mountain [Kriváň](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kriváň_%28peak%29).[296](../../296/ "tree and pragmatics") To the west are the [Western Tatras](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_Tatras) with their highest peak of [Bystrá](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bystrá_%28mountain%29) at 2248 m and to the east are the [Belianske Tatras](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belianske_Tatras), smallest by area.[297](../../297/ "tree and pragmatics") Separated from the Tatras proper by the valley of the [Váh](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Váh) river are the [Low Tatras](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Low_Tatras), with their highest peak of [Ďumbier](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ďumbier) at 2043 m.[298](../../298/ "tree and pragmatics") The Tatra mountain range is represented as one of the three hills on the [coat of arms of Slovakia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coat_of_arms_of_Slovakia).[299](../../299/ "tree and pragmatics") ### National parks Main article: [List of national parks of Slovakia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_national_parks_of_Slovakia) There are nine national parks in Slovakia, covering 6.5% of the Slovak land surface.[300](../../300/ "tree and pragmatics") These parks are: [Tatra National Park](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tatra_National_Park,_Slovakia), [Low Tatras National Park](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Low_Tatras_National_Park), [Veľká Fatra National Park](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veľká_Fatra_National_Park), [Slovak Karst National Park](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slovak_Karst_National_Park), [Poloniny National Park](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poloniny_National_Park), [Malá Fatra National Park](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malá_Fatra_National_Park), [Muránska planina National Park](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muránska_planina_National_Park), [Slovak Paradise National Park](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slovak_Paradise_National_Park) and [Pieniny National Park](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pieniny_National_Park_%28Slovakia%29).[\[160\]](../../page/7/#ref-160 "note 160")[301](../../301/ "tree and pragmatics") ### Caves Main article: [List of caves in Slovakia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_caves_in_Slovakia) Slovakia has hundreds of caves and caverns under its mountains, of which 30 are open to the public.[\[161\]](../../page/7/#ref-161 "note 161")[302](../../302/ "tree and pragmatics") Most of the caves have [stalagmites](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stalagmite) rising from the ground and [stalactites](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stalactite) hanging from above.[303](../../303/ "tree and pragmatics") There are currently five Slovak caves under [UNESCO](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UNESCO)'s World Heritage Site status: [Dobšiná Ice Cave](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dobšiná_Ice_Cave), [Domica](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Domica), [Gombasek Cave](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gombasek_Cave), [Jasovská Cave](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jasovská_Cave) and [Ochtinská Aragonite Cave](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ochtinská_Aragonite_Cave).[304](../../304/ "tree and pragmatics") Other caves open to the public include [Belianska Cave](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belianska_Cave), [Demänovská Cave of Liberty](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demänovská_Cave_of_Liberty), [Demänovská Ice Cave](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demänovská_Ice_Cave) or [Bystrianska Cave](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bystrianska_Cave).[305](../../305/ "tree and pragmatics") ### Rivers Main article: [List of rivers of Slovakia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_rivers_of_Slovakia) Most of the rivers arise in the Slovak mountains.[306](../../306/ "tree and pragmatics") Some only pass through Slovakia, while others make a natural border with surrounding countries (more than 620 km).[307](../../307/ "tree and pragmatics") For example, the [Dunajec](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunajec) (17 km) to the north, the [Danube](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danube_River) (172 km) to the south or the [Morava](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morava_%28river%29) (119 km) to the West.[308](../../308/ "tree and pragmatics") The total length of the rivers on Slovak territory is 49774 km.[309](../../309/ "tree and pragmatics") The longest river in Slovakia is the [Váh](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Váh) (403 km), the shortest is the Čierna voda.[310](../../310/ "tree and pragmatics") Other important and large rivers are the [Myjava](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myjava_%28river%29), the [Nitra](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitra_%28river%29) (197 km), the [Orava](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orava_%28river%29), the [Hron](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hron) (298 km), the [Hornád](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hornád) (193 km), the [Slaná](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slaná_river) (110 km), the [Ipeľ](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ipeľ) (232 km, forming the border with Hungary), the [Bodrog](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bodrog), the [Laborec](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laborec), the [Latorica](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Latorica) and the [Ondava](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ondava).[311](../../311/ "tree and pragmatics") The biggest volume of discharge in Slovak rivers is during [spring](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spring_%28season%29), when the snow melts from the mountains.[312](../../312/ "tree and pragmatics") The only exception is the Danube, whose discharge is the greatest during summer when the snow melts in the [Alps](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alps).[313](../../313/ "tree and pragmatics") The Danube is the largest river that flows through Slovakia.[\[162\]](../../page/7/#ref-162 "note 162")[314](../../314/ "tree and pragmatics") ### Climate The Slovak climate lies between the temperate and [continental climate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Continental_climate) zones with relatively warm [summers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Summer) and cold, cloudy and humid [winters](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winter).[315](../../315/ "tree and pragmatics") Temperature extremes are between -41.0 and 41.3 C[\[163\]](../../page/7/#ref-163 "note 163")[\[164\]](../../page/7/#ref-164 "note 164") although temperatures below -30 C are rare.[316](../../316/ "tree and pragmatics") The weather differs from the mountainous north to the plains in the south.[317](../../317/ "tree and pragmatics") The warmest region is [Bratislava](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bratislava) [corpus](../../../Bratislava/ "in our corpus") and Southern Slovakia where the temperatures may reach 30 C in summer, occasionally up to 41 C. During night, the temperatures drop to 20 C. The daily temperatures in winter average in the range of -5 C to 10 C. During night it may be freezing, but usually not below -10 C.[318](../../318/ "tree and pragmatics") In Slovakia, there are four [seasons](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Season), each season ([spring](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spring_%28season%29), summer, [autumn](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autumn) and winter) lasts three months.[319](../../319/ "tree and pragmatics") The dry continental air brings in the summer heat and winter frosts.[320](../../320/ "tree and pragmatics") In contrast, oceanic air brings rainfalls and reduces summer temperatures.[321](../../321/ "tree and pragmatics") In the lowlands and valleys, there is often fog, especially in winter.[322](../../322/ "tree and pragmatics") Spring starts on the [March equinox](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/March_equinox), around 20 March, and is characterised by colder weather with an average daily temperature of 9 C in the first weeks and about 14 C in May and 17 C in June.[323](../../323/ "tree and pragmatics") In Slovakia, the weather and climate in the spring are very unstable.[324](../../324/ "tree and pragmatics") Summer starts on the [June solstice](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/June_solstice), around 20–21 June, and is usually characterised by hot weather with daily temperatures exceeding 30 C. July is the warmest month with temperatures up to about 37 to 40 C, especially in regions of southern Slovakia.[325](../../325/ "tree and pragmatics") Showers or thunderstorms may occur because of the summer monsoon called Medardova kvapka (Medard drop – 40 days of rain).[326](../../326/ "tree and pragmatics") Summer in Northern Slovakia is usually mild with temperatures around 25 C (less in the mountains).[327](../../327/ "tree and pragmatics") Autumn in Slovakia starts on the [September equinox](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/September_equinox), around 22–23 September, and is mostly characterised by wet weather and wind, although the first weeks can be very warm and sunny.[328](../../328/ "tree and pragmatics") The average temperature in September is around 14 C, in November to 3 C. Late September and early October is a dry and sunny time of year (so-called [Indian summer](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_summer)).[329](../../329/ "tree and pragmatics") Winter starts on the [December solstice](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/December_solstice), around 21–22 December, with temperatures around -5 to -10 C. In December and January, it is usually snowing, these are the coldest months of the year.[330](../../330/ "tree and pragmatics") At lower altitudes, snow does not stay the whole winter, it changes into the thaw and frost.[331](../../331/ "tree and pragmatics") Winters are colder in the mountains, where the snow usually lasts until March or April and the night temperatures fall to -20 C and colder.[\[165\]](../../page/7/#ref-165 "note 165")[332](../../332/ "tree and pragmatics") ### Biodiversity Slovakia signed the Rio [Convention on Biological Diversity](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Convention_on_Biological_Diversity) on 19 May 1993, and became a party to the convention on 25 August 1994.[\[166\]](../../page/7/#ref-166 "note 166")[333](../../333/ "tree and pragmatics") It has subsequently produced a [National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biodiversity_action_plan), which was received by the convention on 2 November 1998.[\[167\]](../../page/7/#ref-167 "note 167")[334](../../334/ "tree and pragmatics") The biodiversity of Slovakia comprises [animals](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animal) (such as annelids, arthropods, molluscs, nematodes and vertebrates), [fungi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fungi) ([Ascomycota](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ascomycota), [Basidiomycota](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basidiomycota), [Chytridiomycota](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chytridiomycota), [Glomeromycota](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glomeromycota) and [Zygomycota](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zygomycota)), micro-organisms (including [Mycetozoa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mycetozoa)), and [plants](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plant).[335](../../335/ "tree and pragmatics") The geographical position of Slovakia determines the richness of the diversity of fauna and flora.[336](../../336/ "tree and pragmatics") More than 11,000 plant species have been described throughout its territory, nearly 29,000 animal species and over 1,000 species of protozoa.[337](../../337/ "tree and pragmatics") [Endemic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endemism) biodiversity is also common.[\[168\]](../../page/7/#ref-168 "note 168")[338](../../338/ "tree and pragmatics") Slovakia is located in the biome of [temperate broadleaf and mixed forests](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temperate_broadleaf_and_mixed_forest) and terrestrial ecoregions of [Pannonian mixed forests](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pannonian_mixed_forests) and [Carpathian montane conifer forests](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carpathian_montane_conifer_forests).[\[169\]](../../page/7/#ref-169 "note 169")[339](../../339/ "tree and pragmatics") As the altitude changes, the vegetation associations and animal communities are forming height levels ([oak](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oak), [beech](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beech), [spruce](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spruce), [scrub pine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scrub_pine), [alpine meadows](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alpine_meadows) and [subsoil](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subsoil)).[340](../../340/ "tree and pragmatics") Forests cover 44% of the territory of Slovakia.[\[170\]](../../page/7/#ref-170 "note 170")[341](../../341/ "tree and pragmatics") The country had a 2019 [Forest Landscape Integrity Index](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forest_Landscape_Integrity_Index) mean score of 4.34/10, ranking it 129th globally out of 172 countries.[\[171\]](../../page/7/#ref-171 "note 171")[342](../../342/ "tree and pragmatics") In terms of forest stands, 60% are [broadleaf trees](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Broadleaf_trees) and 40% are [coniferous trees](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coniferous_trees).[343](../../343/ "tree and pragmatics") The occurrence of animal species is strongly connected to the appropriate types of plant associations and biotopes.[\[168\]](../../page/7/#ref-168 "note 168")[344](../../344/ "tree and pragmatics") Over 4,000 species of fungi have been recorded from Slovakia.[\[172\]](../../page/7/#ref-172 "note 172")[\[173\]](../../page/7/#ref-173 "note 173")[345](../../345/ "tree and pragmatics") Of these, nearly 1,500 are [lichen](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lichen)-forming species.[\[174\]](../../page/7/#ref-174 "note 174")[346](../../346/ "tree and pragmatics") Some of these fungi are undoubtedly endemic, but not enough is known to say how many.[347](../../347/ "tree and pragmatics") Of the lichen-forming species, about 40% have been classified as threatened in some way.[348](../../348/ "tree and pragmatics") About 7% are apparently extinct, 9% endangered, 17% vulnerable, and 7% rare.[349](../../349/ "tree and pragmatics") The conservation status of non-lichen-forming fungi in Slovakia is not well documented, but there is a red list for its larger fungi.[\[175\]](../../page/7/#ref-175 "note 175")[350](../../350/ "tree and pragmatics") [1](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Slovakia/) [2](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Slovakia/page/2/) [3](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Slovakia/page/3/) **4** [5](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Slovakia/page/5/) [6](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Slovakia/page/6/) [7](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Slovakia/page/7/) - ← previous: [page 3](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Slovakia/page/3/) - next →: [page 5](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Slovakia/page/5/) - ↑ back to [English Wikipedia](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/)