Regions of Slovakia

Since 1949 (except 1990–1996), Slovakia has been divided into a number of "kraje" (singular "kraj"; usually translated as "Regions" with capital R). Their number, borders and functions have been changed several times. There are currently eight regions of Slovakia and they correspond to the EU's NUTS 3 level of local administrative units. Each kraj consists of "okresy" (counties or districts). There are currently 79 districts.
List.
After a period without kraje and without any equivalent (1990–1996), the kraje were reintroduced in 1996. As for administrative division, Slovakia has been subdivided into 8 "kraje" since 24 July 1996:
Since 2002, Slovakia is divided into 8 "samosprávne kraje" (self-governing regions), which are called by the Constitution "vyššie územné celky" (Higher Territorial Units), abbr. VÚC. The territory and borders of the self-governing regions are identical with the territory and borders of the "kraje". Therefore, the word "kraj" can be replaced by "VÚC" or "samosprávny kraj" in each case in the above list. The main difference is that organs of "samosprávne kraje" are self-governing, with an elected chairperson and 
assembly, while the organs of "kraje" are appointed by the government.
Name.
The term "Region" () should not be confused with:
History.
Prior to 1949.
Historically, Slovakia was not divided into kraje, but into counties (Slovak: "župy" or "stolice"). This was the case when present-day Slovakia was part of:
In 1928–1939 (and formally also 1945–1948) Slovakia as a whole formed the administrative unit "Slovak land" ("Krajina slovenská") within Czechoslovakia.
24 December 1948/1 January 1949 – 30 June 1960.
Each kraj was named after its principal city.
July 1, 1960 – December 19, 1990.
Note: The "kraje" were abolished from July 1, 1969 to December 28, 1970 and reintroduced then.