Ljubljana

Ljubljana, city in central Slovenia, capital of the country, on the rivers Ljubljanica and Sava, near Trieste. It is on an ancient east-west trade route. According to Greek mythology the city was founded by Jason, son of the Greek king Aeson. Ljubljana is a manufacturing centre: porcelain, paper, furniture, soap, chemicals, and leather are all produced there. Among educational institutions in the city are the Edvard Kardelj University of Ljubljana (1595) and the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts (1921).

At various times during its history Ljubljana has been under the control of the Huns, Magyars, French, Austrians (when as part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire it was known as Laibach), and Germans. It became the capital of the independent republic of Slovenia when Yugoslavia broke up in 1991. Population 266,845 (2005 estimate).