Situated in western Slovenia on the border with Italy (80 km from Ljubljana and 150 km from Venice), the Municipality of Ajdovščina is the economic, educational and cultural centre of the Vipava Valley. Fertile soil, a strong influence of the Mediterranean climate, an abundance of water resources coupled with a favourable transport position created the ideal conditions for the development of agricultural activities, industry and entrepreneurship. A specific feature of the Vipava Valley is the burja – a northeast wind that scatters the clouds and clears the air. As a result, the valley enjoys 2,100 hours of sun a year, with the temperatures hovering over the temperature threshold of 5 degrees Celsius for 289 days out of a year, meaning that the vegetation period lasts two months longer than further inland. The favourable natural conditions are perfect for growing vines (which in turn produce premium wines), native Vipava cherries, apricots and peaches, which are ripe earlier than elsewhere in Slovenia. As a result, a strong and continuously growing food processing industry developed in this region. Today it is represented by successful companies such as Mlinotest, Fructal, Incom, Tosla, Pelicon Brewery etc. Meanwhile, the wood and textile industry along with construction ran into difficulties; what is left of them today is technical expertise and a number of experts with technical background. Lately, the region has also seen a spread of high-tech businesses.