Bratislava
Bratislava (/ˌbrætɪˈslɑːvə/ BRAT-iss-LAH-və, US also /ˌbrɑːt-/ BRAHT-, Slovak: [ˈbracislaʋa] ⓘ; Hungarian: Pozsony [ˈpoʒoɲ] ⓘ), historically known as Pressburg (Preßburg) (German pronunciation: [ˈpʁɛsˌbʊʁk] ⓘ; Slovak: Prešporok), is the capital and largest city of Slovakia and the fourth largest of all cities on Danube river. Officially, the population of the city is about 475,000; however, some sources estimate it to be more than 660,000—approximately 140% of the official figures. Bratislava is in southwestern Slovakia at the foot of the Little Carpathians, occupying both banks of the River Danube and the left bank of the River Morava. Bordering Austria and Hungary, it is the only national capital to border two sovereign states.
Bratislava | |
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Clockwise from top: View of Bratislava; Financial district; Old Town streets; Grassalkovich Palace; Blue Church; View of Old Town | |
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Flag Wordmark | |
| Nicknames: Beauty on the Danube, Little Big City | |
Bratislava Location of Bratislava in Slovakia Bratislava Bratislava (Bratislava Region) Bratislava Bratislava (Europe) | |
| Coordinates: 48°08′38″N 17°06′35″E | |
| Country | Slovakia |
| Region | Bratislava |
| First mentioned | 907 |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Matúš Vallo |
| Area | |
| • Capital city | 367.584 km2 (141.925 sq mi) |
| • Urban | 853.15 km2 (329.40 sq mi) |
| • Metro | 2,053 km2 (792.66 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 134 m (440 ft) |
| Population (2022) | |
| • Metro | 728,370 |
| • Capital city census | 476,922 |
| • Capital city estimate | 660,000 |
| • Capital city estimate density | 1,297/km2 (3,360/sq mi) |
| Demonyms | |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) |
| Postal code | 8XX XX |
| Area code | 421 2 |
| Car plate | BA, BL, BT |
| Gross metropolitan product | 2021 |
| – Total | €28 billion (US$33B) |
| – Per capita | €38,900 (US$46,007) |
| Website | bratislava.sk |
The city's history has been influenced by people of many nations and religions, including Austrians, Bulgarians, Croats, Czechs, Germans, Hungarians, Jews and Slovaks. It was the coronation site and legislative center and capital of the Kingdom of Hungary from 1563 to 1783; eleven Hungarian kings and eight queens were crowned in St Martin's Cathedral. Most Hungarian parliament assemblies were held here from the 17th century until the Hungarian Reform Era, and the city has been home to many Hungarian, German and Slovak historical figures.
Today, Bratislava is the political, cultural and economic centre of Slovakia. It is the seat of the Slovak president, the parliament and the Slovak Executive. It has several universities, and many museums, theatres, galleries and other cultural and educational institutions. Many of Slovakia's large businesses and financial institutions have headquarters there.
GDP at purchasing power parity is about three times higher than in other Slovak regions. Bratislava receives around one million tourists every year, mostly from the Czech Republic, Germany, and Austria.