a country in central Europe: part of Hungary from the 11th century until 1918, when it united with Bohemia and Moravia to form Czechoslovakia; it became independent in 1993 and joined the EU in 2004. Official language: Slovak. Religion: Roman Catholic majority. Currency: euro. Capital: Bratislava. Pop: 5 447 662 (2017 est). Area: 49 036 sq km (18 940 sq miles)