 Graz lies in a basin that is only open to the south, causing the climate to be warmer than would be expected at that latitude.Plants are found in Graz that normally grow much further south.Politically, culturally, scientifically and religiously, Graz was an important centre for all Slovenes, especially from the establishment of the University of Graz in 1586 until the establishment of University of Ljubljana in 1919.