Trivia Questions
In 2010, prior to our fifth annual Slovenian Family Cook-off, Dr. Donald Swoverland, had the brilliant idea of having a trivia contest pertaining to Slovenia and our Slovenian heritage at the end of each cook-off. It was the men vs. women. Marie read the questions, alternating between the men and the women. The first year the men won and the second year the women won. We suggest reading this page before visiting Slovenia.
December 4, 2010 - Annual Slovenian Cook-off
1. What is the official name of Slovenia?
a. Slovenska Republika
b. Republika Slovenija
Note: Slovenska Republika is actually the official name of the Slovak Republic (Slovakia). Republika Slovenija translates as the Republic of Slovenia.
2. The majority of the people in Slovenia are:
a. Roman Catholics
b. Muslims
c. Orthodox Christians
3. Which of the following cities is the capital of Slovenia?
a. Ljubljana
b. Maribor
c. Piran
4. When did Slovenia declare independence from Yugoslavia?
a. 1989
b. 1991 (June 25, 1991)
c. 1994
5. Slovenia is the only former communist state to be a member of the European Union, the Eurozone, the Schengen Area, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), the Council of Europe and NATO at the same time.
a. True
b. False
6. What mountain has the highest peak in the Slovenian Alps?
a. Stol
b. Grintovec
c. Mt. Triglav (9,396 feet above sea level)
7. What is the largest lake in Slovenia?
a. Lake Bled
b. Lake Bohinj
c. Lake Ptuj
8. What famous horses, known throughout the world, originate from Lipica in Slovenia?
a. Campolina
b. Carthusian
c. Lipizzaner
d. Mustang
9. What is the oldest town in Slovenia?
a. Ptuj
b. Kamnik
c. Piran
10. The world’s oldest vine (400 years) is in Slovenian town?
a. Skofja Loka
b. Pivka
c. Maribor
11. What is the signature wine of the area around Novo mesto (where our relatives came from)?
a. Laski Reisling
b. Cviček
c. Kraljevina
12. What is the name of the ship grandma Josephine Mervar (Mauser) sailed on to Ellis Island on April 17, 1906?
a. Le Havre
b. La Belle Croissant
c. La Champagne
13. What family surname means “Christmas” in the Slovenian language?
a. Toth
b. Mauser
c. Bozic (Slovenian spelling - Božič)
14. Choose the village grandpa Martin Mauser was born in.
a. Prušnja vas
b. Škrjanče
c. Šentjošt
15. What country’s border is nearest to where our ancestors, who emigrated to the USA, were born?
a. Hungary
b. Slovakia
c. Croatia
16. What is the population of Slovenia?
a. 2 million
b. 3 million
c. 5 million
17. Approximately how many Slovenes emigrated to the United States, South America, Germany, Egypt, etc. between 1880 and 1910?
a. 100,000
b. 300,000 (1 in 6 left homeland)
c. 750,000
18. How many Slovenes left for Argentina, Canada, the United States, and Australia from 1945 to 1970?
a. 10,000
b. 70,000
c. 100,000
19. Who is the prime minister of Slovenia (2010)?
a. Danilo Turk
b. Borut Pahor
c. Pavel Gantar
20. What famous tree grows at the Mervar home (Gostilna na Hribu) in Škrjanče, Novo mesto?
a. Elm Tree
b. Linden Tree
c. Oak Tree
Note: 400-year-old oak tree – the thickest oak in Novo mesto municipality and 4h thickest in Slovenia. It is 22 feet around or nearly 8 feet wide. According to our Mervar relatives in Slovenia, this is the oldest oak tree in Slovenia (2011).
21. What is the approximate population of Novo mesto?
a. 41,000
b. 79,000
c. 132,000
22. What percentage of Slovenia is covered by forests?
a. 20%
b. 30%
c. 60%
Note: Slovenia is the 3rd most forested country in Europe, after Finland and Sweden.
23. What is the national tree of Slovenia?
a. Oak Tree
b. Linden Tree
c. Birch Tree
24. Slovenia is the country with the highest percentage of casinos per 1,000 inhabitants in the European Union.
a. True
b. False
25. Which of the following is NOT a Slovenian national dish?
a. Potica
b. Pirogies
c. Kranjska klobasa
d. Minestra
26. The beautiful Slovenian, Melania Knauss, is married to which of the following famous Americans?
a. Tom Selleck
b. Mel Gibson
c. Donald Trump
27. Josip Broz was a famous half Slovenian. By what other name is he more commonly known?
a. Joseph Stalin
b. Nicolae Ceausescu
c. Erich Honecker
d. Marshal Tito
e. George Soros
28. Zeljko Ivanek is a Slovene actor appearing in many American movies and TV shows. What movie, of the following, did he NOT appear in?
a. Live Free
b. Die Hard
c. Donnie Brasco
d. Truman
e. Rules of Engagement
f. Hannibal
29. Martin Mauser arrived at Ellis Island on April 17, 1905. Martin’s wife-to-be, Josephine Mervar, arrived at Ellis Island on April 17, 1906. Their granddaughter, Charleyne (Toth) Swoverland was born on April 17, 1943. True or false?
a. True
b. False
30. Which of the following famous Haughville Slovenes was drowning in the White River as a young man and was saved by Martin Mauser?
a. Joe Toth
b. Dick Lugar
c. Rudolph (Washie) Bozic
d. Stanley Mervar
31. Which one of the following would have had the powers of persuasion to convince his bride of two years to spend their postponed honeymoon taking a fishing trip?
a. Joe Turk (Pauline)
b. Washie Bozic (Sophie)
c. Joe Toth (Annie)
d. Tony Dawnorowicz (Tina)
32. How many waterfalls are in Slovenia?
a. 17
b. 185
c. 260
d. None
33. How many miles of coastline does Slovenia have?
a. 2.9 miles
b. 29 miles
c. 129 miles
34. Which one of the following world’s most mysterious creatures lives in Slovenia?
a. The Human Snake
b. The Human Worm
c. The Human Fish
d. The Human Frog
35. Approximately how many castles and manor houses are in Slovenia?
a. 3
b. 33
c. 300 (over 300)
36. What was the currency of Slovenia before the Euro?
a. Dollar
b. Tolar
c. Zloty
37. In what country were two cousins (our relatives, Slovenian-Americans from Haughville, Indianapolis), Anthony Mauser and Alphonse Mauser, reunited, by accident, after World War II?
a. Italy
b. Germany
c. France
38. In 1900, Slovenes constituted what percent of the population of Haughville, Indianapolis (among the 16 nationalities there)?
a. 28%
b. 38%
c. 48%
39. In what year was the Slovenian National Home (Haughville, Indianapolis) established as an alternative to Slovenian Holy Trinity Church and its religious programs?
a. 1918
b. 1928
c. 1938
d. 1948
40. Which one of our Slovenian-American families has a history of twins?
a. Bozic
b. Mauser
c. Codarmaz
d. Mervar
e. Toth
41. What grandfather has a granddaughter and grandson born on his birthday – February 19th?
a. Rudy Bozic
b. Joseph Toth
c. Alphonse Mauser
d. Joseph Mervar
Note: Alphonse Mauser was born on February 19, 1919. Alphonse's daughter, Claudia Mauser (Sabo), gave birth to her first child, Anthony Joseph Sabo, on February 19, 1966. Alphonse's daughter, Kathleen Mauser (Keils), gave birth to her first child, Michele Lynn Keils (Berry) on February 19, 1968.
42. Which of the following famous bands had an American-Slovene as a member?
a. Average White Band
b. Dave Clark Five
c. The Monkees (Mickey Dolenz)
d. Beach Boys
43. What is the national flower of Slovenia?
a. Rose
b. Carnation (Red)
c. Daisy
44. Which American city currently has the highest concentration of Slovenian-Americans?
a. Indianapolis, IN
b. Cleveland, OH
c. Forest City, PA
d. Milwaukee, WI
e. Joliet, IL
45. How many islands are in Slovenia?
a. One (Natural island on lake Bled)
b. Seven
c. Thirteen
46. Slovenia is famous for its limestone caves, which are popular with tourists. How many caves are there?
a. 80
b. 800
c. 8000 (Close to 8000)
47. What is the symbol of Ljubljana?
a. Horse
b. Bear
c. Dragon
48. In 1895 Ljubljana was struck by what natural disaster?
a. Flood
b. Wild fires
c. Earthquake
d. Mud slides
Note: The 6.1 magnitude earthquake struck Ljubljana on April 14, 1895 at 11:17 pm. The city’s population at the time of the earthquake was some 31,000, with around 1,400 buildings. Approximately 10% of the buildings were damaged or destroyed, although few people died in the destruction.
49. Who was the first American president to visit independent Slovenia?
a. Bill Clinton
b. George W. Bush
c. Barack Hussein Obama
Note: In 1999 Bill Clinton became the first U.S. president to visit Slovenia. On June 21, he publicly addressed the crowd gathered on Congress Square, quoting the opening verses of the Slovenian national anthem. U.S. President George W. Bush visited Slovenia twice – in 2001 and 2008.
50. How many of the following Grammy Award winning polka artists are of Slovenian descent? 1) Eddie Blazonczyk, 2) Jimmy Sturr, 3) Walter Ostanek, and 4) Frankie Yankovich.
a. 1
b. 2 (Two)
c. 4
Note: Two (2) – Walter Ostanek and Frankie Yankovich. Frankie Yankovich was awarded the first ever Grammy for the best polka recording category. He released over 200 recordings and is known as America’s polka king.
51. How many astronauts are of Slovenian descent?
a. 1
b. 2
c. 3 (Three)
d. None
Note: Three – Jerry Michael Linenger, Ronald Sega, and Sunita Williams.
52. What Olympic speed skater, who won five (5) gold medals, is a Slovenian-American?
a. Apollo Ohno
b. Eric Heiden
c. Chad Hedrick
53. Name the Slovenian-American journalist who was the first anchor for CBS News Sunday Morning and best known for his “On the Road” segments?
a. Dan Rather
b. Charles Kuralt
c. Walter Cronkite
54. Who of the following congressmen is NOT a Slovenian-American?
a. Sen. Tom Harkin (Iowa)
b. Sen. Amy Klobuchar (Minnesota)
c. Rep. Dennis Kucinich (Ohio)
d. Rep. Jim Oberstar (Minnesota)
e. Sen. George Voinovich (Ohio)
55. In what sport were the following Slovenian American stars well known: Mike Adamle, Tony Adamle, Bob Golic, Mike Golic, Randy Gradishar, and Ken Novak?
a. Baseball
b. Ice Hockey
c. Football
d. Basketball
December 17, 2011 - Annual Slovenian Cook-off
1. How many miles of marked hiking trails are laid out across Slovenia?
a. Over 3,000 miles
b. Over 6,000 miles
c. Over 9,000 miles
2. What portion of the territory of Slovenia is protected?
a. 1/4
b. 1/3 (over a third)
c. 1/2
3. Slovenia accounts for less than 0.004% of the Earth’s surface, but is home to more than 1% of all living creatures.
a. True
b. False
4. The Grand Hotel Toplice is an 80-year-old, Five-Star renowned hotel in Bled. Who of the following individuals has NOT visited the hotel?
a. Prince Charles
b. Bill Clinton
c. Laura Bush
d. Madeleine Albright
e. Paul McCartney
f. Donald Trump
5. Kremšnita is a renowned vanilla and custard cream cake dessert commonly associated with the town of Bled. How many cream cakes have been served since the cake’s introduction at the local Hotel Park in 1953?
a. 1 million
b. 3 million
c. 7 million
d. 10 million
6. Slovenia has one of the largest populations in Europe of which animal?
a. Horse
b. Brown bear
c. Wolf
d. European bison
7. Slovenia is one of the countries with the largest number of religious buildings per capita in Europe. How many churches, chapels, and religious monuments are in Slovenia?
a. 1,000
b. 2,000
c. 3,000
d. 5,000
8. What percent of Slovenia’s territory do vineyards cover?
a. 0.5%
b. 1.0%
c. 1.5%
9. Who was the famous Slovene architect that decisively influenced the architectural appearance of Slovenia’s capital city - Ljubljana?
a. France Prešeren
b. Jože Plečnik
c. Primož Trubar
10. How many times has Bled hosted the World Rowing Championships?
a. 2
b. 3
c. 4 (1966, 1979, 1989, and 2011)
d. 5
11. Where does Slovenia’s education rank among 257 countries?
a. 7th best in the world
b. 12th best in the world
c. 19th best in the world
d. 25th best in the world
12. According to Forbes, where does Slovenia rank for business among 257 countries?
a. 15th best in the world
b. 20th best in the world
c. 25th best in the world
d. 30th best in the world
13. Tradition has it, to be a true Slovenian you must do which of the following at least once in your life?
a. Swim across lake Bled
b. Climb mount Triglav
c. Drink a barrel of Cviček
d. Eat three Kraški pršut
e. Pick a horse wagon full of mushrooms
14. Some of our Slovenian-Hungarian relatives have the last name of Toth. What is the meaning of “Toth”?
a. Lord
b. Toe
c. Magyar
d. Slav
e. Barbarian
15. Who is the first Slovenian-born hokey player to make it to the NHL?
a. Franc Brimsek
b. Matej Stajan
c. Anže Kopitar (Los Angeles Kings)
16. Which of these world famous figure skaters is of Slovenian descent?
a. Evan Lysacek
b. Elvis Stojko
c. Brian Boitano
Note: Elvis Stojko’s father came to Canada on a boat in 1955. Our relative, John Hočevar, from Stoney Creek, Ontario, Canada lived with Stojko’s father in an Austrian refugee camp.
17. In September of 2011 Slovenia lost a legendary Slovenian folk musician, master of the diatonic accordion, songwriter. He was born in 1932 in the Dolenjska region near Novo Mesto. He recorded more than 30 records, and even today no celebration in Slovenian is without his songs. Who is this beloved legend?
a. Ladislav Ostanek
b. Franc Jankovič
c. Lojze Slak
d. Dano Lipovac
18. Which of these Lojze Slak songs is most famous, with some Slovenes considering it their anthem?
a. V dolini tihi (In the Quiet Valley)
b. Čebelar (The Beekeeper)
c. Spomini stare Ljubljana (Memories of Old Ljubljana)
19. Which of the following is Slovenia’s most popular tourist attraction?
a. Lake Bled
b. Postojna Cave
c. Piran
d. Lubljana Castle
Note: Postojna Cave, formed by the Pivka River, is a network of 12.5 miles of passages, galleries, and chambers, into which experienced guides have accompanied more than 31 million visitors in the last 188 years. It is the largest cave in the “classic karst” and the most visited show cave in Europe.
20. Recently, Donald Trump launched the Trump Home crystal collection by the 350-year-old Slovenian manufacturer Rogaška. Which US department store carries this line?
a. Neiman Marcus
b. Macy’s
c. Tiffani
21. Which is the longest river in Slovenia?
a. Drava
b. Sava (137 miles)
c. Soča
d. Krka
22. In 1995 archeologists uncovered a 45,000-year-old artifact at the Divje babe archeological site in Slovenia. This artifact is believed to be the world’s oldest musical instrument? Which of the following is it?
a. Harp
b. Flute (Neanderthal flute)
c. Pan-Pipe
d. Horn
23. In the 14th century, most of the territory of Slovenia was taken over by the Habsburgs. For how many years was the territory of current Slovenia under the Habsburgs?
a. 200
b. 400
c. 600
24. When 16-year-old Martin Mauser (Mavsar) arrived to Ellis Island, was he able to read and write?
a. Yes
b. No
25. Grandpa Martin Mauser (Mavsar) and his siblings went to school in the neighboring town of Stopiče. How many years of school were compulsory?
a. 3
b. 5
c. 7 (Seven)
d. 9
26. How many Mauser (Mavsar) siblings came to Indianapolis from Šentjošt, Novo mesto, Slovenia in the early 1900’s?
a. 2
b. 3 (Three)
c. 4
Note: Three brothers immigrated to the USA: Janez/John (1902, age 15), Martin (1905, age 16), and Aloizij/Louis (1921, age 17).
27. Around 1935 Tony Mauser (husband of Oo Wah Nah) nearly drowned in White River at the age of 10? Who saved him?
a. Martin Mauser
b. Stanley Mervar
c. Alphones (Fonzy) Stanich
d. Rudy Milharcic
28. How many Mervar siblings immigrated to the USA from Škrjanče, Novo mesto, Slovenia in the early 1900’s?
a. 2
b. 3
c. 4 (Four)
d. 5
Note: Three brothers (Frank [1902], Joseph [1899], Anton [1904]) and one sister (Josephine [1906]).
29. What year was our first Slovenian annual family cook-off?
a. 2004
b. 2005 (December 3, 2005)
c. 2006
30. One of our ancestors was a mayor of a county near Novo mesto, Slovenia? What was his/her last name?
a. Šmajdek
b. Dular
c. Mervar
d. Staniša
Note: Jernej (Bartolomej or Bartolhomeus) Mervar, born in the early 1800’s, was the mayor of Šmihel-Stopice county. At that time he purchased a significant amount of land, including Gostilna Na Hribu (Inn on the Hill) and the family vineyard 15 minutes from Gostilna Na Hribu, which is located on a picturesque mountainside with breathtaking views. The original house and barn are still in use today. Jernej was grandma Josephine Mervar/Mauser’s grandfather.
31. In addition to being the home of the oldest (400-year-old) oak tree in Slovenia, the Mervar property (Gostilna Na Hribu/Inn on the Hill) also is home to several spectacular hundred-year-old chestnut trees? Who planted these trees?
a. Franciscus Mervar
b. Marija Šmajdek
c. Johan Jakše
d. Josephine Mervar
Note: Johan Jakše was in love with Josephine Mervar and she was in love with him. Times were very hard and only one boy could stay at home. He said he would go to work in the USA and Josefina would meet him there when he made some money. He was building a bridge and an iron bar fell on his leg and cut it off. He then had a prosthesis. So Josephine then went to the USA and they met again. She could not handle his disability and left. She subsequently moved to Indianapolis, where her brothers lived, met Martin Mauser and they married. Johan returned to Slovenia, never married, and visited Josephine’s family every single day until he died in his 90’s. According to family members he was very devoted to the Mervar family, and was like a member of the family. He is in most of the family photos. He helped with the vineyard, purchased by Jernej Mervar, and planted chestnut trees in front of Gostilna Na Hribu (Inn on the Hill), the family homestead, in memory of his love for Josephine, 110 years ago (2011).
32. On May 1, 2004 Slovenia became a member of the European Union. How many of the 753 members does Slovenia have in the European Parliament?
a. 8 (vs. Germany has 99)
b. 18
c. 28
33. What percentage of deputies in the 90-seat National Assembly (Slovenian parliament) will be women in the new 2011-2015 term?
a. 12%
b. 27%
c. 31%
d. 46%
Note: 31%. In terms of the representation of women in parliament, Slovenia will now climb from the 80th place (with 12%) to 18th (with 31%) in the international ranking.
34. In Slovenia, what is the average age of a woman giving birth to her first child?
a. 20
b. 24
c. 28 (28.4 in 2008)
35. What is the average age of brides in Slovenia?
a. 23
b. 27
c. 30 (30.2 in 2008)
36. What is the average age of grooms in Slovenia?
a. 29
b. 33 (33.2 in 2008)
c. 36
37. In Slovenia representatives of which gender are better educated?
a. Women
b. Men
38. What is the percentage of smokers in Slovenia?
a. Less than 20%
b. Less than 30%
c. Less than 40%
39. True or false? Smoking in all indoor public and working places is prohibited in Slovenia.
a. True (Since August 2007)
b. False
40. What year is considered the birth of Slovenian theater?
a. 1789
b. 1812
c. 1918
Note: 1789 – when Anton Tomaž Linhart, the leading cultural figure of the Age of Enlightenment in Slovenia, premiered the first ever play in the Slovenian language in Ljubljana.
41. The town of Novo Mesto has the population of 36,000 and is a home to many businesses. How many companies in the Top 5 largest companies in Slovenia does Novo Mesto have?
a. 0
b. 1
c. 2 (Two)
d. 4
Note: No.3 – Revoz d.d. – the only car manufacturer in Slovenia (make Renault Clio II car), and the biggest Slovenian exporter. No.4 – Krka d.d. – pharmaceutical company. Both companies have annual sales revenues of over $1 billion.
42. What town is considered the cradle of Slovenian ice hockey?
a. Bled
b. Jesenice
c. Maribor
d. Kranjska Gora
43. The most popular Slovenian cake, POTICA, is most typically filled with which of the following herbs?
a. Dill
b. Tarragon
c. Rosemary
d. Chives
44. Which of the following Slovenian regions is best known for the Karst Prosciutto dry-cured ham, olives and olive oil, sheep and goat cheese, omelets with herbs, meat and vegetables stews, and seafood?
a. Gorenska
b. Dolenjska
c. Primorska
45. The history of Slovenia has seen many occupations. Which of the following should NOT be included here?
a. Holy Roman Empire
b. Habsburg Monarchy
c. The Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth
d. Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes
46. What is the tallest structure in Slovenia?
a. The Črni Kal Viaduct (95 m)
b. St. Joseph Church in Ljubljana
c. Crystal Palace in Ljubljana
47. Which university founded in 1918 is the main university in Slovenia?
a. University of Maribor
b. University of Ljubljana
c. University of Nova Gorica
48. The tradition of putting up the May pole during the evening of April 30 is still practiced in many areas of Slovenia. A May pole is crafted from a pine tree, which the young boys in the village are responsible for finding and cutting down. Choosing a tall tree (often >100 yards) is important because it reflects:
a. The villagers’ attempt to reach God
b. The value and quality of the village
c. The magnitude of good deeds performed by the villagers during the year
d. The achievement of manhood by the village boys
49. The 400-year-old “Stara Trta” or “Old Vine” in Maribor, Slovenia is the oldest vine in the world. It yields approximately 35-55 kg of grapes annually. How many artistically designed bottles (for famous people) are filled with the wine every year?
a. 50
b. 100 (up to 100 bottles)
c. 150
50. Kurent is the most famous carnival figure in Slovenia. Kurents can be seen during Kurentovanje – the most prominent cultural and ethnographic event in Slovenia. The presence of this traditional figure does one of the following:
a. Bestows blessings for a fruitful harvest
b. Drives away winter
c. Wards off evil spirits from the village
December 1, 2012 - Annual Slovenian Cook-off
1. Well-known Slovenian basketball player, Sasha Vujačić, who has played for the Los Angeles Lakers, is engaged to which of the following professional tennis players?
a. Anna Kournikova
b. Maria Sharapova
c. Ana Ivanovic
2. In which Slovenian city was the well-known Slovenian basketball player, Sasha Vujačić, who has played for the Los Angeles Lakers born?
a. Maribor
b. Ljubljana
c. Novo Mesto
3. What is the address of grandpa Martin Mauser’s house in Slovenia?
a. Šentjošt #13
b. Šentjošt #16
c. Šentjošt #19 (The house is still standing, but no one lives in it)
4. How many times was Rudy Bozic’s mom married?
a. 1
b. 2 (Twice - Luis Golobar and John Bozic)
c. 3
5. Which of our ancestral villages is located on the boarder with Croatia?
a. Škrjanče
b. Prušnja vas
c. Šentjošt
d. Codarmaz
6. Slovenia is one of the richest countries in Europe in terms of water. How many miles of rivers, streams, and other watercourses does Slovenia have?
a. 7,000 miles
b. 17,000 miles
c. 27,000 miles
7. Planica is an alpine valley in northwestern Slovenia. It is famous for ski jumping. Ski jumpers in Planica were the first to break the magic 100-meter and 200-meter barrier. How many world records in ski jumping and ski flying have been set in Planica, Slovenia?
a. 6
b. 16
c. 60 (over sixty)
8. Ljubljana is the capital of Slovenia and its largest city. What is the population of Ljubljana?
a. 180,000
b. 280,000
c. 380,000
9. What was the most frequent female first name among the population of Slovenia in 2011?
a. Ana
b. Marija
c. Irena
10. What was the most frequent male first name among the population of Slovenia in 2011?
a. Franc
b. Janez
c. Ivan
11. There were 90,294 last names in Slovenia in 2008. What was the most common last name in Slovenia in 2011?
a. Horvat
b. Zupančič
c. Novak (1. Novak - 11,298, 2. Horvat, 3. Kovačič)
12. Triglav is the highest mountain in Slovenia, and the preeminent symbol of the Slovene nation. A stylized depiction of its distinctive shape is the central element of the Slovenian coat of arms, and is in turn featured on the flag of Slovenia. What year was the first recorded ascent of Mount Triglav made?
a. 1682
b. 1778 (August 26, 1778)
c. 1821
13. This river is only 25 miles in length; however, it has seven (7) names, acquiring a new one every time it surfaces after running underground in caves for a while?
a. Krka
b. Ljubljanica (Trbuhovica, Obrh, Stržen, Rak, Pivka, Unica, and Ljubljanica)
c. Soča
14. What is Slovenia’s Internet country code used in Internet domain names?
a. SL
b. SI
c. SK
15. What is Slovenia’s international phone country code?
a. 380
b. 385
c. 386
16. Approximately how many hours per year does the sun shine in Slovenia?
a. 1,500
b. 2,000
c. 2,500
17. Marshal Tito (whose mother was a Slovene) carried on numerous affairs and was married several times. What was the nationality of his first wife?
a. Croatian
b. Slovenian
c. Serbian
d. Russian
e. German
Note: In 1918, Tito was brought to Omsk, Russia as a prisoner of war. There he met Pelagija Belousova who was then thirteen. He married her a year later, and she moved with him to Yugoslavia.
18. An estimate issued by the Surveying and Mapping Authority on the basis of the first property census in Slovenia’s history put the total market value of real estate in the country at…?
a. $80 billion
b. $180 billion (140 billion EUR)
c. $280 billion
19. What year is considered the birth of Slovenian written language?
a. 1450
b. 1550
c. 1650
Note: Slovenian written language dates back to 1550, when the book “Katekizem” (Catechism), written by the Slovene Protestant preacher Primož Trubar, laid down the grammar of the Slovenian language. “Katekizem” was released in October 2009 for the first time in modern Slovene.
20. Since declaring its independence, how many times has Slovenia hosted the U.S. President?
a. 1
b. 2
c. 3 (Three)
Note: Bill Clinton (1999), George W. Bush (2001 and 2008)
21. The Aviator (1985) is an American adventure film directed by George T. Miller. Though set in the northwestern United States, the movie was actually filmed in Slovenia near Kranjska Gora. What American actor starred in this film?
a. Bruce Willis
b. Kurt Russell
c. Christopher Reeve
d. Jack Palance
22. When did the first Slovenian immigrants begin to arrive to the United States?
a. In the late 1600s
b. In the late 1700s
c. In the late 1800s
23. Vowels are scarcely used in the Slovenian language. Slovenians are fond of citing “Čmrlj” as the longest Slovenian word without any vowels. What does this word mean?
a. Beaver
b. Red panda
c. Bumblebee
d. Hedgehog
24. Which one of the following is not one of the Top five Slovenian souvenirs?
a. Schnapps
b. Dragons
c. Salt
d. Yugostalgia
e. Lace
f. Majolica clay pitchers
25. Slavoj Žižek is by far the most widely-known Slovene living today - which is no small feat given that his chosen profession is:
a. Psychology
b. Physiology
c. Philosophy
d. Theology
26. Name Slovenia’s largest bottled mineral/spring water manufacturer:
a. Pivovarna Laško
b. Radenska d.d.
c. Pivovarna Union
27. What percentage of Slovenians can speak at least one (1) foreign language in 2012?
a. 53%
b. 78%
c. 92% (the EU average is 54%)
28. What percentage of Slovenians can speak at least three (3) foreign languages in 2012?
a. 16%
b. 59%
c. 71%
Note: While 28 percent of Europeans speak at least three languages, a whopping 71 percent of Slovenians are at least trilingual. Only the Netherlands (75%) and Luxembourg (92%) have higher percentages.
29. How many gallons of wine did an average Slovenian adult consume in 2010?
a. 10 (French consumed 15 gallons)
b. 15
c. 20
30. What percentage of Slovenians lived below the poverty threshold in 2011?
a. 8%
b. 14% (273,000 people)
c. 21%
31. In 2010 Slovenia elected its first black mayor, an immigrant from Africa (a Ghana-born physician). Name the town that elected him:
a. Novo Mesto
b. Maribor
c. Piran
d. Ribnica
32. Barbara Ogrinc - the lead singer of the popular Slovenian band Ansambel Roka Žlindre was born on February 4, 1990 in which of the following villages:
a. Prušnja vas
b. Žimarice
c. Mirna peč
d. Grosuplje
33. One of our dearest relatives, John Hocevar, passed away yesterday (November 30, 2012) in Stoney Creek, Ontario, Canada. He was born in the village of Šentjošt, Slovenia on June 20 of what year?
a. 1933
b. 1935
c. 1937
34. Although native to Prekmurje region, this layer cake has achieved the status of a national specialty of Slovenia and is protected with the designation of origin. It is made of filo pastry and has four kinds of stuffing: poppy seed, ricotta cheese, walnut and apple stuffing. Which of the following is the name of this cake?
a. Kremšnita
b. Gibanica (Prekmurska Gibanica)
c. Potica
d. Štruklji