The climate of Nitra is warm and generally dry. Average temperatures range between -1,5°C and 4°C in January, and between 18,5°C and 19,5°C in July. The annual rainfall fluctuates from 660 to 700 mm. The average temperature inNovember2000 is 9°C.

Slovakia´s basic currency unit is the crown /koruna/, with smaller sums denominated in hellers /halier/. Coins come in denominations of 1,2,5 and 10 crowns /Sk/ and 10,20 and 50 hellers. Bills come in denominations of 20,50,100,200,500, 1.000 and 5.000 Sk.

There are not so many towns endowed with such beautiful surroundings and such an ideal location as Nitra. They say that Nitra, like Rome, was founded on seven hills. Nitra is the country's agricultural capital. Along the walk up to the ruined castle are statues of saints, a fine plague column and two enormous gateways. The Gothic cathedral at the castle contains the remains of two tenth-century saints; next door is the Baroque Palace of the Bishop of Nitra Its name is connected with the beginnings of the history of Slovakia, with the names of Pribina, Svatopluk, Sts. Cyril and Methodius and even with the mention of the first Christian church on the territory of Slovakia and with the introduction of the old Slavonic alphabet

Republic since 1993. Capital of the country is Bratislava.

The official language is Slovak. Hungarian, Ruthenian, Ukrainian and German are spoken by ethnic minorities. English is also spoken.

The majority is Roman Catholic. Protestant churches comprise the remainder with Reformed, Lutheran, Methodist and Baptist denominations. There is also a Jewish minority. There is a Greek Orthodox minority in Eastern Slovakia.

GMT + 2 (GMT + 1 from last Sunday in October to last Saturday in March).

Generally 220 volts AC, 50Hz. Round two-pin plugs are in use. Lamp fittings are normally of the screw type.

IDD is available. Country code: 421. Outgoing international code: 00. There are public telephone booths, including special kiosks for international calls. Surcharges can be quite high on long-distance calls from hotels. Dial 158 (police), 155 (ambulance service), 150 (fire brigrade) or 154 (emergency road service).

GSM 1800/900. Main network providers include Eurotel Bratislava and Globtel coverage extends over the whole country, with the exception of remote areas.

ISPs include Euro Web .There are cybercafés in main towns.