Croatia

After more than a decade of civil and ethnic unrest, Croatia is once again emerging, as an attractive tourist destination. The capital is a typical central European metropolis, combining elegant nineteenth-century architecture with plenty of cultural diversions and a vibrant café scene. With its magnificent coastline, 1,185 islands, islets and reefs, Roman ruins and picturesque medieval villages.

Understanding the Geography

Croatia, officially the Republic of Croatia. Croatia is a country in Southern Europe, on the east side of the Adriatic Sea, to the east of Italy. It is surrounded by Slovenia to the northwest, Hungary to the north, Bosnia and Herzegovina to the east, Serbia in the northeast and Montenegro in the southeast.

Croatia’s Historic Religions

• Dalmatia
• Istria
• Kvarner
• Slavonia
• Central Croatia
• Zagorje
• Me?imurje
• Gorski Kotar

Cities in Croatia

• Zagreb - the nation's capital.
• Dubrovnik - an historic coastal city.
• Split- ancient port city with Roman ruins.
• Pula - biggest town in Istria with the Roman amphitheatre (commonly called Arena)
• Pore?
• Rijeka
• Šibenik
• Makarska
• Varaždin - Croatia's former Baroque capital.
• Vukovar
• Zadar

Climate Conditions

Northern Croatia has a temperate continental climate whereas central, semi-mountainous and mountainous regions have a mountainous climate. The entire Adriatic coast has a pleasant Mediterranean climate. Spring and autumn are mild along the coast, while winter is cold and snowy in central and northern regions. The average temperature in the inland in January ranges from 0 to 2°C, August 19 to 23°C. The average temperature at the seaside is higher: January 6 to 11°C, August 21 to 27 °C.

Understanding the Culture

Croatian culture is based on a thirteen-century-long history during which the country has attained many monuments and cities, which gave birth to a good number of brilliant individuals. The country includes six World Heritage sites and eight national parks. Two Nobel Prize winners came from Croatia, as did numerous important inventors and other notable people — notably, some of the first fountain pens came from Croatia.

Croatia also has a place in the history of clothing as the origin of the necktie (cravat). The country has a long artistic, literary and musical tradition. Of particular interest is also the diverse cuisine.