Slovenska Bistrica
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| Občina Slovenska Bistrica | ||
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| Area: | 334.5 km² | |
| Population | 29,285 | |
| - males | 14,399 | |
| - females | 14,886 | |
| Mayor: | {{{mayor}}} | |
| Average age: | 39.78 years | |
| Residential areas: | 28.04 m²/person | |
| - households: | 9,754 | |
| - families: | 8,344 | |
| Working active: | 14,398 | |
| - unemployed: | 2,420 | |
| Average monthly salary (August 2003): | ||
| - gross: | 225,294 SIT | |
| - net: | 144,901 SIT | |
| College/university students: | 1,005 | |
| Source: Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia, census of 2002. | ||
Slovenska Bistrica (German: Windisch-Feistritz) is a town and a municipality south of Maribor, Slovenia. It was established in the 13th century on a trade road between Maribor and Celje. The early settlement had only one church and a small number of inhabitants, but even still, it gained rights for a market town in 1313. The town was originally called Bistrica. The present-day name of Slovenska Bistrica (German: Windisch-Feistritz) appeared in records dating from 1565.
Today Slovenska Bistrica is a town of about 6000 inhabitants with an increasing population that often commutes to Ljubljana for work as the towns are a bit less than an hour drive from one another. The city offers several interesting sights including: a castle, two churches, a Roman road, Ančnikovo fort (from Roman times) and more. It is also a good jumping off point for people wishing to hike on Mount Boč, a nearby mountain peak and park.
As a municipality it unites several small towns and villages, including:
Famous natives from the municipality of Slovenska Bistrica include the politician and intellectual Jože Pučnik and writer Anton Ingolič.

