Postojna - Definition and Overview

Občina Postojna

Area:	269.9 km²
Population  - males  - females	14,581 7,158 7,423
Average age:	39.83 years
Residential areas:  - households:  - families:	29.92 m²/person 5,078 4,013
Working active:  - unemployed:	7,226 778
Average salary (August 2003):  - gross:  - net:	252,478 SIT 160,631 SIT
Students:	576
Source: Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia, census of 2002.

Postojna is a town and a municipality in southwestern Slovenia. Population 14,581 (2002).

Between 1918 and 1945 Postojna was also known by its Italian name Postumia.

Near the town is a major tourist attraction: the 20-km long cave system called Postojnska jama. The cave was first described in the 17th century by Janez Vajkard Valvasor, and a new area of the cave was discovered in 1818 by Luka Cec. Electric lighting was added in 1872, enhancing the cave system's popularity.

Species unique to the cave include Proteus anguinus, the so-called human fish (because of the color of its skin); Leptodirus hohenwarti, a beetle; and a species of blind salamander.

External links

• Postojna (http://www.postojna.si/), official page of municipality (in Slovene)

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