Introduction
An ancient city surrounded by mountains, Ljubljana is the capital of Slovenia. Ljubljana lies amid the northern Dinaric Alps in the middle of the country.
Places of interest
Many of Ljubljana's ancient buildings were destroyed in a powerful earthquake in 1895. Notable structures that survived include an 18th-century cathedral and a castle and fortress from the Middle Ages. In the newer part of the city is the large Tivoli Park and its sports recreation center. Ljubljana is home to the University of Ljubljana, a school for religious studies, and the Slovene Academy of Sciences and Arts. The city also has art galleries, an opera house, and museums.
Economy
Ljubljana is an important manufacturing center for Slovenia. Industries in the city produce metals, electronics, chemicals, transportation equipment, electrical machinery, paper, and food products. The capital is also a popular tourist destination, and restaurants, hotels, and entertainment centers employ many people in the area.
History
The Roman city of Emona was founded in the 1st century BC on the site that would become Ljubljana. Invaders destroyed Emona during the 5th century AD. In the 6th century a group known as the Slovenes began settling at the site and built a new town. Known as Luvigana, it later came to be called Ljubljana. The town, as well as the rest of the region of Slovenia, eventually became part of the empire of Austria-Hungary.
The empire was defeated in World War I (1914-18) and as a result lost much of its territory, including Slovenia. Ljubljana and Slovenia then became part of the newly created country of Yugoslavia. When the republic of Slovenia declared its independence in 1991, Ljubljana became its capital. Population (2000 estimate), 270,986.
