Slovaks facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Slovaks

Total population
(Around 7 million)
Regions with significant populations
Slovakia:    4.6 million  United States:    1.2 million  Czech Republic:    200,000  Canada:    100,000  Serbia:    59,000  Ireland:    30,000  Austria:    25,000  Germany:    20,200  Hungary:    17,693
Languages
Slovak
Religion
Roman Catholic 68.9%, Byzantine Rite Catholic 4.1%, Protestant 10.8%, Eastern Orthodox, other or unspecified 3.2%, no denomination, agnostic or non-religious 13% (2001 census within Slovakia)
Related ethnic groups
other West Slavs

The Slovaks are a group of people who mostly live in a country called Slovakia. They are known as a West Slavic ethnic group. This means they share a common background, culture, and history with other groups like the Czechs and Poles. They also speak the Slovak language.

In Slovakia, about 4.4 million people are ethnic Slovaks. This is out of a total population of 5.4 million. Many Slovaks also live in other countries. These groups are called the Slovak diaspora.

Where Slovaks Live

Slovaks live all over the world. While most live in Slovakia, many have moved to other countries.

Slovaks Around the World

There are Slovak communities in many nearby countries. These include Austria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Serbia, and Ukraine.

This map shows where Slovak is spoken in the United States.

Many Slovaks and their families also live further away. You can find large groups in countries like Australia, Canada, France, Germany, United Kingdom, and the United States.

Slovak Language

The Slovak language is a very important part of Slovak identity. It belongs to the West Slavic group of languages. This group also includes Czech and Polish.

Language History

The Slovak language has changed over many centuries. It became more standardized in the 19th century. This was thanks to people like Ľudovít Štúr, who helped create the modern Slovak language.

Ľudovít Štúr was a key figure in the Slovak Revival. He was a politician, poet, and linguist.

Slovak History and Culture

The history of the Slovaks is long and interesting. Their culture is rich with traditions, music, and art.

Early History

The ancestors of today's Slovaks settled in the area of Slovakia a long time ago. One important early ruler was Pribina. He was a prince who ruled the Principality of Nitra in the 9th century.

Pribina was an early ruler of the Principality of Nitra.

National Revival

In the 19th century, there was a period called the Slovak National Revival. During this time, many important people worked to strengthen Slovak culture and language. They wanted to make sure Slovak identity was preserved. Ľudovít Štúr was one of the most famous leaders of this movement.

This map shows where Czech and Slovak languages were spoken in the 19th century.

Famous Slovaks

Many Slovaks have become famous in different fields. They have made important contributions to sports, arts, and science.

Slovaks in Sports

Slovakia has produced many talented athletes.

• Zdeno Chára is a well-known ice hockey player. He used to be the captain of the Boston Bruins team.
• Dominika Cibulková and Daniela Hantuchová are famous Slovak tennis players.
• Marek Hamšík is a professional footballer. He was a captain for the Napoli team.
• Marián Hossa and Peter Šťastný are also famous ice hockey players. They are both in the Hockey Hall of Fame.
• Peter Sagan is a world champion in road bicycle racing.

Slovaks in Arts and Science

Slovaks have also made their mark in other areas.

• Jana Kirschner is a popular singer and songwriter.
• Adriana Sklenaříková is a famous fashion model and actress.
• Stan Mikita was another great ice hockey player, also in the Hockey Hall of Fame.
• Jozef Gabčík was a Slovak soldier known for his bravery during World War II.

Images for kids

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  Ján Hollý (portrait from 1885)

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  A statue of Svätopluk I

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  Gallery of famous Slovak people, active in different areas (history, literature, education, religion, science). Published on occasion of establishing Matica slovenská ("Slovak Foundation"), major patriotic organization. List of portraited personalities: Ján Mallý-Dusarov, Juraj Tvrdý, Jozef Kozáček, Štefan Moyzes, Martin Čulen, Karol Kuzmány, Štefan Závodník, Michal Chrástek, Viliam Pauliny-Tóth, Michal Miloslav Hodža, Štefan Marko Daxner, Ján Francisci-Rimavský, Ján Gotčár, Andrej Ľudovít Radlinský, Jozef Miloslav Hurban, Jonáš Záborský, Jozef Karol Viktorin, Mikuláš Štefan Ferienčík, Ján Kalinčiak, Martin Hattala, Ján Palárik, František Víťazoslav Sasinek, Andrej Sládkovič, Daniel Gabriel Lichard, Ján Čipka, Juraj Slota, Andrej Kossa

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  Zdeno Chára, ice hockey player and former captain of Boston Bruins

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  Dominika Cibulková, Slovak tennis player

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  Ján Francisci-Rimavský poet, politician and revolutionary

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  Jozef Gabčík, Slovak soldier, Reinhard Heydrich assassin

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  Marek Hamšík, Slovak professional footballer and former captain of Napoli

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  Daniela Hantuchová, Slovak tennis player

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  Marián Hossa, ice hockey player and member of the Hockey Hall of Fame

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  Miroslaw Iringh, one of the Warsaw Uprising organisers

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  Jana Kirschner, singer and songwriter

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  Stan Mikita, ice hockey player and member of the Hockey Hall of Fame

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  Peter Sagan, professional road bicycle racer and a world champion

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  Adriana Sklenaříková, fashion model and actress

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  Peter Šťastný, ice hockey player and member of the Hockey Hall of Fame

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  Viola Valachová, partisan

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  Slovaks in Vojvodina, Serbia (2002 census)

See also

In Spanish: Pueblo eslovaco para niños