EXPLORATION ROUNDUP — SLOVAKIA in a nutshell

Total area: 48,845 sq. km (about twice the size of New Hampshire) Terrain: rugged mountains in the central and northern part, and lowlands in the south

Climate: temperate; cool summers; cold, cloudy, humid winters Natural resources: brown coal and lignite; small amounts of iron ore, copper, gold and manganese ore; salt

Population: 5.4 million

Ethnic divisions: Slovak 85.7%, Hungarian 10.7%, Gypsy 1.5% (the 1992 census figures under-report the Gypsy-Romany community, which could reach 500,000 or more), Czech 1%, Ruthenian 0.3%, Ukrainian 0.3%, German 0.1%, Polish 0.1%, other 0.3%

Religions: Roman Catholic 60.3%, atheist 9.7%, Protestant 8.4%, Orthodox 4.1%, other 17.5%

Languages: Slovak (official), Hungarian

Government: parliamentary democracy

Capital: Bratislava

Independence: Jan. 1, 1993 (from Czechoslovakia)

Chief of state: President Michal Kovac (since Feb. 8, 1993); election last held Feb. 8, 1993; next election scheduled for 1998.

Industries: metal and metal products; food and beverages; electricity, gas, and water; coking, oil production, and nuclear fuel production; chemicals and manmade fibers; machinery; paper and printing; earthenware and ceramics; transport vehicles; textiles; electrical and optical apparatus; rubber products.