Geography
The Republic of Croatia is bordered by Slovenia, Hungary, Serbia and Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Its long Adriatic coastline has over a thousand islands and islets - some of the larger islands are Brac, Krk, Cres, Hvar, Korcula and Mljet.
Zagreb is Croatia's capital city. Its seaports are Dubrovnik, Ploce, Pula, Rijeka, Sibenik, Split and Zadar.
Croatia's main rivers are the Sava, Drava and Danube. Other rivers are the Mirna, the Rasa, the Zrmanja, the Krka and the Cetina.
The Croatian landscape includes mountains and highlands, areas of karst (limestone), plains, rugged coastline and many islands.
Croatia has hot summers and cold winters. In winter it is milder along the Adriatic coast, particularly on the island of Hvar which is known for its good weather.
Zagreb is Croatia's capital city. Its seaports are Dubrovnik, Ploce, Pula, Rijeka, Sibenik, Split and Zadar.
Croatia's main rivers are the Sava, Drava and Danube. Other rivers are the Mirna, the Rasa, the Zrmanja, the Krka and the Cetina.
The Croatian landscape includes mountains and highlands, areas of karst (limestone), plains, rugged coastline and many islands.
Croatia has hot summers and cold winters. In winter it is milder along the Adriatic coast, particularly on the island of Hvar which is known for its good weather.
Environment
Croatia has a beautiful rugged landscape. A system of National Parks has been established that protects the country's flora and fauna. The Parks include the National Park on the island of Mljet, Kornati National Park, Krka, and the Plitvice Lakes.
Fields of lavender, vines, olive trees, peach trees, laurel and cypresses are all part of Croatia's landscape. Wildlife includes bats, foxes, deer, lynx, wild sheep and bears. The country's coastal waters are inhabited by a variety of fish, dolphins and other sea creatures.
Fields of lavender, vines, olive trees, peach trees, laurel and cypresses are all part of Croatia's landscape. Wildlife includes bats, foxes, deer, lynx, wild sheep and bears. The country's coastal waters are inhabited by a variety of fish, dolphins and other sea creatures.
Architecture
The architecture of the Dalmation towns of Croatia are a reflection of Croatia's history. Traditional stone houses with red tiled roofs stand along the Adriatic coastline together with architectural gems of the past and the modern hotel complexes of the late twentieth century.
The town of Stari Grad on Hvar dates back to the Greek colony of Pharos (385BC). Other islands, such as Rab and Krk, have been inhabited since early times and have examples of Roman and medieval buildings. The Islands of Hvar and Korcula were both Venetian naval strongholds and at different times housed the Venetian Arsenal.
Hvar, a well preserved medieval city, has a particularly fine sixteenth century Renaissance cathedral, the Cathedral of St Stephen, which stands to one side of the town's main square.
On the mainland the ruins of the palace of the Roman Emperor Diocletian (a UNESCO of world heritage site) can be seen in Split. Further down the coast stands the historic town of Dubrovnik, another World Heritage site. Dubrovnik is also on the World Heritage in Danger list because of damage caused during the siege in 1991 and 1992 at the time of the break-up of Yugoslavia.
The town of Stari Grad on Hvar dates back to the Greek colony of Pharos (385BC). Other islands, such as Rab and Krk, have been inhabited since early times and have examples of Roman and medieval buildings. The Islands of Hvar and Korcula were both Venetian naval strongholds and at different times housed the Venetian Arsenal.
Hvar, a well preserved medieval city, has a particularly fine sixteenth century Renaissance cathedral, the Cathedral of St Stephen, which stands to one side of the town's main square.
On the mainland the ruins of the palace of the Roman Emperor Diocletian (a UNESCO of world heritage site) can be seen in Split. Further down the coast stands the historic town of Dubrovnik, another World Heritage site. Dubrovnik is also on the World Heritage in Danger list because of damage caused during the siege in 1991 and 1992 at the time of the break-up of Yugoslavia.
Population
The population of Croatia was 4,422,248 in 2003. Just over seventy-eight percent of the people are Croat with minorities of Serbs, Slovenians, Montenegrins, Albanians, Hungarians and Czechs.
Languages
Croatian is the official language.
Religion
Over three-quarters of the population are Roman Catholic with just over eleven percent members of the Orthodox Church.
Food
Croatian cuisine includes sea foods from the coastal waters and meat dishes such as cevapcici (sausage-shaped minced meat), raznijici (grilled meat on skewers), sarma (minced rice and meat rolled in cabbage leaves) and djuvec (stew).
Bread and salad accompany most meals. Palacinke (pancakes) are a favourite dessert.
Drinks include beer (pivo), wine, spricer (wine with mineral water), slivovica (plum brandy) and Turkish coffee.
Bread and salad accompany most meals. Palacinke (pancakes) are a favourite dessert.
Drinks include beer (pivo), wine, spricer (wine with mineral water), slivovica (plum brandy) and Turkish coffee.
History
As early as the 4th century BC the Dalmatian coast was colonised by the Greeks. Roman rule of the area began in 100 BC. The first Croats migrated to the region around the year 600. In 925 Tomislav became the first Croatian king.
Over the centuries, parts of Croatia were controlled by Hungarians, Venetians, Turks and Hapsburgs. Following the Napoleonic Wars, Croatia was incorporated into the Austrian Hapsburg Empire. Just over a century later (1918) Croatia became part of the Kingdom of Serbians, Croatians and Slovenes.
During the Second World War, Croatians (the Independent State of Croatia) backed by fascist Germany and Italy fought against the Croatian anti-fascist movement. Josip Broz "Tito"led the Partisan Resistance and the Yugoslav Communist Party.
After Germany's defeat Yugoslavia became the Federal Peoples' Republic of Yugoslavia (now Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Montenegro and Macedonia).
In 1990 democratic elections in Croatia resulted in the victory of the Croatian Democratic Party and independence from Yugoslavia was declared in 1991.
Croatia's independence was followed by civil war. The Yugoslav army moved into Croatia and the United Nations sent in peace keeping troops. Eventually Serb armies left Croatia under UN supervision. Diplomatic relations were restored between Croatia and Yugoslavia in 1996.
Over the centuries, parts of Croatia were controlled by Hungarians, Venetians, Turks and Hapsburgs. Following the Napoleonic Wars, Croatia was incorporated into the Austrian Hapsburg Empire. Just over a century later (1918) Croatia became part of the Kingdom of Serbians, Croatians and Slovenes.
During the Second World War, Croatians (the Independent State of Croatia) backed by fascist Germany and Italy fought against the Croatian anti-fascist movement. Josip Broz "Tito"led the Partisan Resistance and the Yugoslav Communist Party.
After Germany's defeat Yugoslavia became the Federal Peoples' Republic of Yugoslavia (now Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Montenegro and Macedonia).
In 1990 democratic elections in Croatia resulted in the victory of the Croatian Democratic Party and independence from Yugoslavia was declared in 1991.
Croatia's independence was followed by civil war. The Yugoslav army moved into Croatia and the United Nations sent in peace keeping troops. Eventually Serb armies left Croatia under UN supervision. Diplomatic relations were restored between Croatia and Yugoslavia in 1996.
Economy
During the war, following the break-up of the socialist Federation of the Yugoslav Republics, Croatia suffered considerable damage to its infrastructure. In addition to rebuilding bridges, factories and homes (and supporting large numbers of refugees), Croatia had to deal with the privatisation of state enterprises.
Croatian industries include oil, plastics, chemicals, machine tools, electronics, metal products, paper, wood, construction, materials, textiles, and shipbuilding.
Its agricultural sector produces corn, wheat, sugar beets, sunflower seeds, alfalfa, olives, citrus fruits, grapes and dairy products. Fishing and fish farming are important for the home market as well as export.
The Croatian tourist industry (first started over a hundred years ago) is important to the Croatian economy. From the 1950s Croatia became an increasingly popular tourist destination until the break-up of Yugoslavia and the ensuing war. By 1996 the industry had recovered with around three million tourists.
Croatian industries include oil, plastics, chemicals, machine tools, electronics, metal products, paper, wood, construction, materials, textiles, and shipbuilding.
Its agricultural sector produces corn, wheat, sugar beets, sunflower seeds, alfalfa, olives, citrus fruits, grapes and dairy products. Fishing and fish farming are important for the home market as well as export.
The Croatian tourist industry (first started over a hundred years ago) is important to the Croatian economy. From the 1950s Croatia became an increasingly popular tourist destination until the break-up of Yugoslavia and the ensuing war. By 1996 the industry had recovered with around three million tourists.
Arts
Over the centuries, Croatia has nurtured many writers, musicians and artists.
The earliest example of the written Croatian language is the Baska Tablet that dates back to the eleventh century and was kept in the Church of St Lucia on the island of Krk (said to be the cradle of the Croatian language).
Two of Croatia's most famous literary figures are the playwright Marin Drzic (1508-1567) and the poet, playwright and novelist Miroslav Krleza (1893-1981).
In the art world, the famous Croatian sculptor, Ivan Mestrovic (1883-1962) is widely acclaimed.
The earliest example of the written Croatian language is the Baska Tablet that dates back to the eleventh century and was kept in the Church of St Lucia on the island of Krk (said to be the cradle of the Croatian language).
Two of Croatia's most famous literary figures are the playwright Marin Drzic (1508-1567) and the poet, playwright and novelist Miroslav Krleza (1893-1981).
In the art world, the famous Croatian sculptor, Ivan Mestrovic (1883-1962) is widely acclaimed.
Sport
There is no doubt that football is Croatia's most popular sport. Croatia is an important European team and won third place in the 1998 World Championship in France. Many Croatian football stars, such as Zvonimir Boban, Alen Boksic and Davor Suker, play for other European teams.
Baketball and tennis are other popular sports played in Croatia. In 2001 Goran Ivanisevic became the Wimbledon tennis champion.
Baketball and tennis are other popular sports played in Croatia. In 2001 Goran Ivanisevic became the Wimbledon tennis champion.
Holidays
The religious holidays of Christmas , Easter, Our Lady of Assumption and All Saint's Day are celebrated. Other public holidays are New Year's Day, National Day and Antifascism Day.
News
News from Croatia is available in the Nacional.