Pronunciation: [bɹˌatɪslˈɑːvə] (IPA) 
Bratislava is the capital city of Slovakia. The word "Bratislava" comprises three syllables, stressed on the second syllable. The IPA phonetic transcription of "Bratislava" is: /ˈbræ.tɪ.slɑː.və/. The first syllable "bra" has the same sound as in the word "bravo". The second syllable "ti" sounds like "tea". The third syllable "sla" is pronounced as in "slam". The fourth syllable "va" has a similar sound as in the word "star".
Bratislava is the capital and largest city of Slovakia, located in the southwestern part of the country near the borders of Austria and Hungary. It is situated on the banks of the Danube River and serves as an important political, cultural, and economic center of Slovakia.
With a rich history dating back to Roman times, Bratislava has witnessed various influences from different nations throughout the centuries. The city showcases a unique blend of architectural styles, from medieval castles and Gothic cathedrals to Renaissance and Baroque palaces. Bratislava Castle, Devin Castle, and St. Martin's Cathedral are among the notable landmarks to explore.
In addition to its historical significance, Bratislava also offers a vibrant cultural scene with numerous museums, galleries, theaters, and music venues. The city hosts various events and festivals, including the Bratislava Music Festival and the Bratislava Christmas Market, attracting visitors from around the world.
As the political center of Slovakia, Bratislava is home to numerous government institutions, foreign embassies, and multinational corporations. The city's strategic location at the crossroads of Central Europe has further contributed to its economic importance, making it a hub for trade, transportation, and services.
Bratislava's proximity to Vienna, Austria, and Budapest, Hungary, adds to its appeal as a tourist destination, and its well-connected public transportation system facilitates easy travel within the city and to neighboring countries.
Overall, Bratislava is a thriving capital city with a rich history, diverse cultural offerings, and a significant role as a political and economic center of Slovakia.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "Bratislava" has a Slavic origin. It is derived from two Slavic words, "Brezalauspurc" and "Preslavitz", which were the names of two fortresses located in the area of present-day Bratislava.
The first part of the word, "Brezalauspurc", is composed of "breza", meaning "birch tree" in Slovak, and "laus", meaning "meadow" in Old Slavic. "Purc" is the Slavic word for "castle" or "fortress". Therefore, "Brezalauspurc" roughly translates to "the castle on the meadow of birch trees".
"Preslavitz" was another fortress situated nearby, which was named after the Slavic ruler Preslav. Over time, the two names merged, resulting in the current name "Bratislava".
