Eastern Slovenia

Eastern Slovenia is a subdivision of Slovenia as defined by the Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics. It is classified as a NUTS-2 statistical [NUTS Statistical regions of Slovenia|statistical regions of Slovenia|region of Slovenia]. The region forms the eastern part of the country, encompassing an area of. It incorporates eight statistical regions-Mura, Drava, Carinthia, Savinja, Central Sava, Lower Sava, Southeast Slovenia, and Littoral–Inner Carniola. It has a population of more than a million, and the largest cities include Maribor and Celje.

Classification

The country of Slovenia is organized into 12 statistical regions for the purpose of the Regional policy of the European Union. These serve no administrative function, and the country is organized into 62 administrative divisions and 212 municipalities for administrative purposes. The Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics organizes the country into two broader level sub-divisions based on cardinal directions. These are classified as a NUTS-2 statistical regions of Slovenia, and incorporate various statistical regions within it.

Eastern Slovenia forms the eastern part of the country, encompassing an area of. The region is located in Central Europe, towards the borders of Southern Europe and South Eastern Europe. It shares land borders with Austria in the north, Hungary to the north-east, Croatia to the east and south, and is bound by Western Slovenia towards the west. The region is mostly hilly, with most of the areas are located at least above the mean sea level. The region is landlocked and does not have access to sea. The only Slovenian coastline along the Adriatic Sea is located in the Western part of the country.
It had a population of over one million in 2024, housing roughly half of the population of the country. It includes the cities of Maribor and Celje. Most of the population is made up of Slovene people, who speak Slovene language and practice Christianity. Minorities include Italians and Hungarians. Though the region has a high Human Development Index, it is comparatively less developed than the other region of Slovenia.