Croissant-shaped country Croatia is a former Yugoslav republic situated between Mediterranean and Central Europe. It shares land borders with Slovenia, Hungary, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro and sea border with Italy lying across the Adriatic Sea.

Not only geography but also cultural and historical development divide Croatia into theree parts – the Coastal, the Mountain and the Pannonian region. Its landscape changes from rolling hills, lakes, plains, densely wooded mountains to rocky coastlines with beautiful beaches and small islands. The climate is partly continental and partly Mediterranean.

Politics and Economy

The Republic of Croatia is a parliamentary democracy with Stjepan Mesic as a president. The capital city is Zagreb. Croatia, divided into twenty counties and the capital Zagreb´s city district, covers the total area of 56,542 km2. Kuna is the state currency. Services are the most considerable part of Croatia´s economy, especially tourism. Shipbuilding, food processing and chemical industry are also significant. Organic foods, wines, olive oils and lavender are exported to the EU.

People and Language

Croatia has a population of about 4,5 million people. Great majority of them are Croats, but Serbian, Bosnian, Hungarian and Italian minorities live there too. Croatian is the official language, but you can also hear languages of minorities living there and of tourists.

History

The Illyrics inhabited the area in pre-historic period. During the reign of Octavianus, Croatia, called Pannonian, became a part of Roman Empire. The Slavonian tribes came in the 7th century. From the 16th and 17th century the rulers changed from Turks and Venetians to Austrians and Hungarians. When the Austro-Hungarian Empire collapsed during the WW1, Croatia joined the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes, called Yugoslavia from 1929. The rest of the country was under the extremist Ustasa-movement control. During WW2 Croatia was on the Italian side. During this time Josip Broz Tito led the partizan rebellion. After the war he was the head of the Federal Socialist Republic of Yugoslavia. In January 1992 Croatia was declared as an independent state.

Culture

Long history and the location reflects in Croatian culture and beauties of nature. World Heritage sites (e.g. Dubrovnik) and national parks (e. g. the Plitvice Lakes) prove it. Some famous people were born there – Nikola Tesla - scientist and inventor, Lavoslav Ruzicka - Nobel prize in chemistry, Marco Polo - explorer, Janica Kostelic - skier and Olympic winner… Christians, Muslims and Jews differ in celebrations of their religious holidays, but as the citizens of Croatia they don´t have to work on those days. Vital element of Croatia´s culture is its cuisine. The most popular ar spit-roasted lamb and suckling pig, grilled fish, calamari, raznjici, cevapcici and mixed grill - prosciutto and sheep´s cheese, or smoked ham and cottage cheese with sour cream.

Conclusion

The warm Adriatic sea, rugged coastline, inland virgin nature with forests, rivers rich in fish, swift mountain streams and deep gorges, spas and thermal and mineral springs, history and cultural heritage, delicious cuisine, good wines and friendly people… No wonder, that Croatia is such a popular tourist destination...