Administrative Geography and Key Economic Sectors of Slovakia

Administrative Structure of Slovakia

Slovakia is divided into an administrative structure comprising 8 self-governing regions.

NUTS Classification Levels

The Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics (NUTS) defines the administrative hierarchy:

• NUTS 1: The Slovak Republic
• NUTS 2: 4 units – Bratislava Region, Western Slovakia, Central Slovakia, and Eastern Slovakia
• NUTS 3: 8 self-governing regions
• NUTS 4: 79 districts
• NUTS 5: 2,891 towns and villages

Regional Characteristics

The largest region by area is Banská Bystrica, while the smallest is Bratislava. The most populated region is Prešov, and the most densely populated is Bratislava. Conversely, the least populated region is Trnava, and the least densely populated is Banská Bystrica.

Demographics and Population Pyramids

Population Pyramid Types

Population pyramids illustrate age and sex distribution. Key types include:

• Expanding: Triangular shape, characterized by a dominating pre-productive age group. This is typical of developing countries.
• Contracting: Characterized by a smaller pre-productive age group than the productive age group. Found in more developed countries.
• Stable: Where the pre-productive and productive age groups are roughly the same size.

Settlements in Slovakia

Classification of Settlements

• Rural: Villages and countrysides.
• Urban: Cities and towns.

Urban Classification by Population Size

Urban areas are classified based on population size, including Cities, Big Towns (11), Medium Towns, and Small Towns.

Rural Settlements

Rural settlements, or villages, can be categorized as compact or scattered settlements. Examples of scattered settlements include Lazy, Kopanice, Rále, and Štale.

Urban Settlements by Function

Settlements are also classified based on their primary economic function:

• Monofunctional Settlements:
  • Spa towns
  • Traffic settlements
  • Recreational settlements
  • Residential settlements
• Polyfunctional Settlements: Settlements serving multiple functions, such as traffic and industry.

Slovakian Industry and Economy

Location Factors of Industry

Industrial location is influenced by several factors, including:

• Transport infrastructure
• Workforce availability
• Government policies
• Raw materials and natural resources
• Water supply
• Infrastructure
• Economy (market access)
• Energy supply

Key Industrial Sectors and Locations

Manufacturing Industries

• Car Industry: Kia (Žilina), Peugeot (Trnava), Jaguar Land Rover (Nitra), Volkswagen (Bratislava).
• Metallurgy of Ferrous Metals:
  • US Steel (Košice)
  • Wire Factory (Hlohovec)
  • Iron Works (Podbrezová)
• Non-Ferrous Metals: Aluminium Smelter (Žiar nad Hronom – operational until 2023).
• Textile Industry: Ozeta (Trenčín), Levitex (Levice), Makyta (Púchov).
• Footwear: Partizánske.
• Chemical Industry: Continental (Púchov), Slovnaft oil refinery (Bratislava), Fertilizers (Šaľa).
• Food Industry: Kofola (Rajec), Hyza (Žilina), Sedita (Sereď), Sugar Factory (Trenčianska Teplá), Rajo (Bratislava).
• Electronics: Samsung (Galanta), Osram (Nové Zámky), Orava (Orava region).

Energy Production

• Largest Thermal Power Plants: Zemianske Kostoľany, Vojany.
• Largest Nuclear Power Plants: Jaslovské Bohunice, Mochovce.
• Largest Hydroelectric Power Plant: Gabčíkovo.

Industrial Records

• Largest Wire Factory: Hlohovec.
• Largest Metallurgy Factory: US Steel Košice.

Agriculture and Livestock Farming

Crop Production

Slovak agriculture focuses on various crops:

• Foodstuffs: Vegetables, potatoes, fruits.
• Fodder Crops: Wheat, barley, oats, maize.
• Technical Crops: Rape, flax, sunflower, corn.
• Cereals: Rye, oats, barley.

Livestock Farming

Key livestock types and their primary locations:

• Sheep: Liptov, Orava, Gemer.
• Cattle: Podunajská Lowland, Liptov.
• Poultry: Šalgovík, Cífer, Žilina.
• Pig Farming: Podunajská Lowland, Záhorská Lowland, Juhoslovenská Lowland.

Livestock Usage

• Cattle Usage: Meat, milk.
• Sheep Usage: Meat, dairy products.
• Poultry Usage: Meat, eggs.
• Pigs Usage: Meat.

Transportation and Services

Transport Infrastructure and Corridors

Slovakia's central European location, despite being landlocked and surrounded by five countries, provides significant transport possibilities. Several Pan-European Transport Corridors pass through Slovakia, including the Orient/East-Med, Baltic-Adriatic, and Rhine-Danube corridors.

Road Transport

The road network includes motorways (D1: Bratislava–Košice, D2: Czechia–Hungary) and 8 expressways.

Rail Transport

Major rail hubs include Bratislava, Žilina, and Košice. Rail services are provided by foreign operators (e.g., RegioJet), public companies (ZSSK), and private cargo carriers.

Air Transport

Air transport supports tourism and business. Key airports include M. R. Štefánik Airport (Bratislava), Košice, Piešťany, and Poprad.

Water Transport

The Danube River is crucial for water transport, connecting the Black Sea and the North Sea. It represents the largest waterway.

Pipeline Transport

Pipelines transport crude oil and natural gas, notably via the Družba pipeline.

Services and Trade

The service sector includes finance, IT, tourism, and transport.

Foreign Trade

Information regarding Slovakia's foreign trading partners, the top three exported and imported commodities, and the active/passive balance of trade is relevant to the economy.

EU Context

Slovakia benefits from EU membership, which has helped develop infrastructure. Examples of infrastructure developed with EU funds include public buildings and parks. Further analysis includes the advantages and disadvantages of EU membership and the relevant years of accession/integration.

Natural Heritage

Slovakia is known for its numerous caves, particularly in the Slovak Karst region.