Žilina is a city located at the North-West of the Slovakia to the confluence of the rivers Váh, Kysuca and Rajčianka. It is the larger fifth town of Slovakia. The city leans with the mountains Malá Fatra, Strážovské vrchy, Súľovské vrchy, Javorníky and Kysucká vrchovina. On the blazon, at the base olivâtre, a double cross and two stars are.

Population

Žilina counts 85.425 (2005) inhabitants, including approximately 96% of Slovaque nationality.

Administration

Jan Slota, chief of the Slovak National Party, was the mayor of the city until 2006. Since the elections of November 2006 it is Ivan Harman of the Party SDKU which seized the town hall.

Climate

The average temperature in July is + 18 °C, in January - 4 °C. The snow-covered cover lasts during 60 to 80 days per annum.

Education

The university of Žilina was founded in 1953 as an University of Transport of Žilina. The University is made up of 7 following faculties:

• mechanical Engineering;

• Electronic engineering;
• Civil engineering;
• Telecommunications;
• Natural science;
• Forensic engineering;
• Economy and management of transport.

The University counts more than 9000 students. The buildings of the University are concentrated with the campus of Velky Diel, however some buildings are also located at the downtown area. The city counts also ten institutions of secondary education, of which an academy and a Belgian College, where most of the courses is taught in French.

Economy

Žilina is the economic center of the north of Slovakia, with chemical industry (PCHZ), paper (Tento) and construction (Vahostav, Doprastav). The Slovak seat of the bank Dexia is also localized in Žilina. In 2004, the Korean producer of cars KIA began the construction of a factory of assembly of cars of this mark to 5 km of Žilina and was followed by ten Korean and European suppliers. The production in the factory KIA starts in autumn 2006 and auto industry should in the long run create more than 6000 employment in the only area of Žilina. In 2009, the factory KIA should be able to produce 300.000 cars per annum.

Transport

Žilina is historically located at the crossroads of railway ways in the North-South and East-West direction. The D2 highway which will connect Žilina to Bratislava should be completed in 2007. The part is A2 highway which must connect Žilina to Kosice is planned for 2013. The D3 highway planned for 2010 will connect Žilina to the border Polonaise. The airport of Žilina ensures a daily connection with Prague.

Sport

The team of Football MŠK Žilina was 3 times of continuation champion of Slovakia in the years 2002, 2003, 2004. The team of Hockey MsHK Žilina is champion of Slovakia for the year 2006.