Slovakia
The Slovak Republic and the Czech Republic went their separate ways after 1 January 1993, an event sometimes called the Velvet Divorce. Slovakia has remained a close partner with the Czech Republic. Both countries co-operate with Hungary and Poland in the Visegrád Group. Slovakia became a member of NATO on 29 March 2004 and of the European Union on 1 May 2004. On 1 January 2009, Slovakia adopted the Euro as its national currency.
Regions of Slovakia
In 1928–1939 (and formally also 1945–1948) Slovakia as a whole formed the administrative unit "Slovak land" ("Krajina slovenská") within Czechoslovakia.Each kraj was named after its principal city.Note: The "kraje" were abolished from July 1, 1969 to December 28, 1970 and reintroduced then.