ŽILINA is the metropolis of the north-west of Slovakia, a town at the confluence of three rivers - the Vah, the Kysuca and the Rajčianka, and the fourth biggest town of the Slovak Republic. It is the seat of the Žilina Self-Governing Region and a gate to the region of Horné Považie.

ŽILINA (population 85,655) has undergone dynamic development that has been accelerated by the investment of KIA Motors Slovakia. However, the town is not only an automobile production centre, but together with the Horné Považie region, it is also an interesting place for tourists. It is the seat of the University of Žilina, and since 2008 of the Žilina Bishopric. The popularity of the town as a centre of workshop and conference tourism has been growing too.