Slovakia is a place.
Bratislava ( [ ˌbrætᵻˈslɑːvə ] or [ ˌbrɑː - ] [ ˈbracislaʋa ] ; also known by other names ) is the capital of Slovakia , and with a population of about 450,000 , the country 's largest city . Slovakia . Citizens of Slovakia are provided with universal health care , free education and one of the longest paid maternity leave in the OECD . The Slovaks or Slovak people ( Slováci , singular Slovák , feminine Slovenka , plural Slovenky ) are a nation and West Slavic ethnic group native to Slovakia who share a common ancestry , culture , history and speak the Slovak language .