Since 1949 (except 1990–1996), Slovakia has been divided into a number of kraje (singular kraj; usually translated as "Regions" with capital R).[1] Their number, borders and functions have been changed several times. There are eight regions of Slovakia and they correspond to the EU's NUTS 3 level of local administrative units. Each kraj consists of okresy (counties or districts). There are 79 districts.

Regions of Slovakia
Kraje Slovenska
CategoryUnitary state
LocationSlovak Republic
Number8 Regions
Populations563,591 (Trnava) – 825,022 (Prešov)
Areas2,052.6 km2 (792.5 sq mi) (Bratislava) – 9,454.8 km2 (3,650.5 sq mi) (Banská Bystrica)
Government
Subdivisions

List

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After a period without kraje and without any equivalent (1990–1996), the kraje were reintroduced in 1996. As for administrative division, Slovakia has been subdivided into 8 kraje since 24 July 1996:

Flag Arms Region Capital Population (2022) Area (km2) Density NUTS level 3 Seats

in Regional Council

    Bratislava Bratislava   664,000 2,052.6 321.34 SK010 50
    Trnava Trnava   556,000 4,172.2 135.08 SK021 40
    Trenčín Trenčín   577,000 4,501.9 130.14 SK022 47
    Nitra Nitra   682,000 6,343.4 106.67 SK023 54
    Žilina Žilina   685,000 6,808.4 101.54 SK031 57
    Banská Bystrica Banská Bystrica   651,000 9,454.8 68.52 SK032 49
    Prešov Prešov   831,000 8,974.5 91.92 SK041 62
    Košice Košice   795,000 6,751.9 118.32 SK042 57
Total 5,441,000 49.035   111.3 416

Since 2002, Slovakia is divided into 8 samosprávne kraje (self-governing regions), which are called by the Constitution vyššie územné celky (Higher Territorial Units), abbr. VÚC. The territory and borders of the self-governing regions are identical with the territory and borders of the kraje. Therefore, the word "kraj" can be replaced by "VÚC" or "samosprávny kraj" in each case in the above list. The main difference is that organs of samosprávne kraje are self-governing, with an elected chairperson and assembly, while the organs of kraje are appointed by the government.

Name

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The term "Region" (Slovak: kraj) should not be confused with:

History

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Prior to 1949

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Historically, Slovakia was not divided into kraje, but into counties (Slovak: župy or stolice). This was the case when present-day Slovakia was part of:

In 1928–1939 (and formally also 1945–1948) Slovakia as a whole formed the administrative unit "Slovak land" (Krajina slovenská) within Czechoslovakia.

24 December 1948/1 January 1949 – 30 June 1960

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  • Bratislavský kraj (Bratislava Region)
  • Banskobystrický kraj (Banská Bystrica Region)
  • Košický kraj (Košice Region)
  • Nitriansky kraj (Nitra Region)
  • Prešovský kraj (Prešov Region)
  • Žilinský kraj (Žilina Region)

Each kraj was named after its principal city.

July 1, 1960 – December 19, 1990

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  • Stredoslovenský kraj (Central Slovak Region)
  • Východoslovenský kraj (Eastern Slovak Region)
  • Západoslovenský kraj (Western Slovak Region)
  • Bratislava (before March 22, 1968, part of the Západoslovenský kraj, afterwards a partly separate entity; from January 1971 a separate kraj)

Note: The kraje were abolished from July 1, 1969, until December 28, 1970, when they were reintroduced.

Traditional regions

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[citation needed]

There are also other regions in Slovakia, which do not correspond to historical counties:

Region Former County part Former County
Kysuce northern Žilina
Záhorie western Nitra
Bratislava
Podpoľanie [sk] southern Zvolen
Zamagurie northern Spiš

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Regions". Slovakia.com.
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