Towns

The regional centre is Trbovlje (18,000 inhabitants).

Other principal towns include Zagorje (17,200) and Hrastnik (10,400).

Economy

Generally regarded as the region where labour-intensive, smoke-stack industries have always prevailed (including mines and power plants) with a low share of farmers and high unemployment figures (between 15 and 16%), the people of Zasavje are determined to reinvent it. Mining has lost the leading position it held for so long, even though the mine Rudnik Trbovlje-Hrastnik alongside the Trbovlje thermal electric power plant (power generation) still remains one of the most important companies in the region. Transition has undermined some leading companies in once strong machine-building, manufacturing of power components, mine-building industry, etc. The industrial branches that are enjoying an upward trend include:

• production of cement and glass
• chemicals
• wood-processing
• paper

The service sector is becoming ever more important.

Companies

The most important companies operating in the region include:

• RTH d.o.o. (mining of lignite)
• Hrastnik d.d. (manufacture of hollow glass and lamps)
• ETI Elektroelement d.d. (manufacture of electricity distribution and control apparatus)
• SVEA d.d. (manufacture of kitchen furniture)
• Termoelektrarna Trbovlje d.o.o. (production of electricity in thermal power stations)