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Slovenia, officially Republika Slovenija (The Republic of Slovenia) is a country bordering the Adriatic Sea that lies in Southern Europe and forms part of the historic Central Europe. It separates Italy from Croatia and forms the border of the Balkan region. The capital, and largest city is Ljubljana and the official language is Slovene. Like all of Mediterranean Europe Slovenia has been populated since early times. The earliest settlers being Illyrians and Celts along with Greeks colonists. The region was conquered by Rome in its push to Trans-Alpine Gaul and after the fall of Rome the country was settled by Slavic peoples in the 6th century CE who formed the principality of Carantania during the seventh century. In 745, Carantania was incorporated into the Carolingian Empire. Briefly, during the eighth century emerged as a regional power, but was destroyed by the Hungarian invasions in the late 9th century but became an autonomous region again in 976 when it was made the sixth duchy of the Holy Roman Empire. As a bulwark to the empire the Slovene lands, by the 11th century had been split into the regions of Styria, Carniola and Friuli (a division that remained until the end of the First World War). During the 14th century, most of Slovene Lands passed under the Habsburg rule. After a short French interim between 1805 and 1813, all Slovene Lands were included in the Austrian Empire and this is the period where a distinct Slovene identity emerged. During the First World war Slovenia was the site of many major offensives in the Italian Front. ith the collapse of the Austria-Hungary in 1918, the Slovenes initially joined the State of Slovenes, Croats and Serbs (which subsequently became Yugoslavia). However, the western part was assimilated by Italy and Carinthia became part of Austro-Hungary.

In April 1941, Yugoslavia was invaded by the Axis Powers and, as a result, Slovenia was divided between Fascist Italy, Nazi Germany and Hungary. This led to the emergence of a resistance movement led by the communists and the Slovene partisan guerrilla managed to liberate large portions of the Slovene Lands. Yugoslavia was re-established after the end of the Second World War and Slovenia became part of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. In 1990, Slovenia abandoned its communist infrastructure, the first free and democratic elections were held and the DEMOS coalition defeated the former Communist parties. The state reconstituted itself as Republic of Slovenia.

Slovenia joined NATO on 29 March 2004 and the European Union on 1 May 2004. Slovenia was the first post-Communist country to hold the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, for the first six months of 2008. Currently, Slovenia is a member of the European Union, the Eurozone, the Schengen area, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, the Council of Europe and NATO.

Slovenian cuisine is an admixture of Mediterranean and Slavic influences along with Austrian influences (particularly in terms of cakes and desserts). Other dishes originate in the Ottoman Empire and come to Slovenia by way of its Yugoslav heritage. The country has a diverse culinary heritage, which is demonstrated in the range of dishes available.

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