Banska Bystrica lies at an altitude of 362 metres (1,188 ft) above sea
level and covers an area of 103.37 square kilometers (39.9 sq mi). It
is about half way between Slovakia's two largest cities, 208 kilometers
(129 mi) north-east from Slovakia's capital Bratislava and 217 kilometers
(135 mi) west of Kosice. A chain of discrete suburbs and villages connects
it with Zvolen, another major town 20 kilometers (12 mi) to the south.
