Archives for August 17th, 2006

(In the likely event that I mixed something up, let me know)

And as an extra bonus, here’s WWU’s classic guide to the similarities between the two countries:

* Both countries became EU members in 2004.

* Both countries became independent in the early 1990s from larger, formerly Communist nations.

* Citizens of both countries felt that they were being ignored before independence.

* Citizens of both countries believed that their languages weren’t respected before independence.

* Citizens of both countries worship their mountains, which are a symbol of their nationhood.

* Both countries’ mountains have glacial lakes.

* Both countries have karst regions.

* Both countries have showcase national parks containing their most beautiful mountain scenery…and the initials of both are TNP.

* Both countries are predominantly Roman Catholic.

* Both countries are (surprise, surprise) Slavic.

* Both countries have Hungarian minorities.

* Hockey is popular in both countries (but Slovakia is far better at it).

* Skiing is popular in both countries, both among locals and foreign visitors.

* Both countries border Austria and consider it a role model of sorts.

* Citizens of both countries enjoy goulash and wienerschnitzel.

* Both countries have white-blue-and-red flags.

* Both flags have shield-shaped coats-of-arms.

* Both coats-of-arms feature hills/mountains with three peaks.

* Both countries were once a part of Austria-Hungary.

* Both countries joined multiethnic Slavic states after WWI.

* Both countries experienced transfers of territory after WWII (Slovakia lost some to Ukraine, while Slovenia gained some from Italy).

* Both countries were under communist rule, but not as independent states.

* A female resident of both countries is a “Slovenka� in her language.

* The adjective form in both countries, in their respective languages is “slovensk–“

* Therefore, you’ll find Slovenska Televizia in Slovakia and Slovenske Železnice in Slovenia. But it could easily be the other way around.

* Both countries also have growing wine industries.

* Budget airline EasyJet recently started flights to the capitals of both countries, which are emerging as popular city-break destinations.

*Both countries’ leading commercial television stations are, in part, owned by CME, an American company.

* Both countries get upset when they are confused with each other.

(Thanks WWU!)