Slovakia, Slovakia Trivia Quiz

Answer:

Slovakia is a small, colourful country that sits firmly in the centre of Europe. It is full of folkloric traditions, in particular when it comes to music and dance... and the occasional drink here also plays a part.

Rakija is, basically, a fruit brandy and the most popular one in Slovakia is sljivovica, a strong distillate that is made from plums and is either clear or soft yellow in colour. Borovicka is another distillate, but it is a polarizing concoction. In other words, you're either going to love it or hate it... its aroma (more like smell), let alone its taste, is not going to suit everyone. Grapes were mentioned above, and this is a vital ingredient in the creation of vinea, which is a carbonated sweet drink that comes in white, red or rose varieties. It is also non-alcoholic which makes it popular with children.

The two drinks mentioned in the script above that you will find in the word "Slovakia" but, may struggle to find in the country itself are kava and saki. Kava is made from the root of a member of the pepper family (kava) by having it soaked in water and then crushed. It is a form of drug that the people of western Pacific nations utilize as a ceremonial drink. Saki, commonly spelled as sake, is a Japanese wine that is made from fermented rice that has had its bran component removed.

Slovakia is a mountainous region of which 90% of is covered with forest. Thanks to the lime in the soil here the beech trees, the firs and the spruce thrive. The grounds are also home to the alder, the linden, the maple and the occasional oak trees.

Whilst viola and salvia are common plants, that add colour to the country's roadsides, the variety in conditions here allows Slovakia to play host to plants that enjoy life in the sunshine, the clear meadows and the dense, often cold, forests. There are almost 1,000 "higher" plants (angiosperms and gymnosperms) throughout the land and, at least, 35 of these require protection. These include the Slovak pasque flower, the edelweiss and the lady's-slipper orchid, the largest of the Slovak orchids.

Slovakia has identified more than 4,000 species of invertebrates within its borders and approximately 200 vertebrates. Of these, 130 require protection and half of those are on the endangered list. Its most precious creatures are the brown bear, the gray wolf and the Eurasian lynx. Deer, squirrel and the stoat (ermine) are common in its forests and, while you trek through the land, you may even catch sight of the Tatra chamois, the country's national animal.