Bratislava Region

There are many aspects by which the Bratislava region might be distinguished as a separate part of Slovakia. Its specific character is enhanced by the presence of Bratislava, with its metropolitan function concentrating central region and country-wide institutions, the greatest degree of urbanisation and the highest standard of economic development and quality of life. Economically, it is the most advanced, it is the smallest in terms of area, the least hilly and the most densely populated. The Bratislava region covers an area of 2,053 km2. It has eight districts five of which, however, are so-called urban districts; the largest, Malacky district, extends over 46 per cent of the total region. 621,783 inhabitants live in the region which makes it the sixth most populous in Slovakia. 91 per cent of the people are of Slovak nationality, while the largest national minority is Hungarian (more than 5 per cent). A relatively large proportion 

of people live in the Bratislava region on a temporary basis with a larger number of foreigners than compared with regions elsewhere in Slovakia.