Croatia

The Republic of Croatia is a central and south-eastern European country bordered by the Adriatic Sea to the west, Slovenia to the northwest, Hungary to the north, Bosnia and Herzegovina to the east and Montenegro to the southeast. The southernmost part of Croatia, the area around Dubrovnik, is separated by the BiH’s sea corridor at Neum. Croatia covers an area of 87.700 sq km and counts about 4,5 m inhabitants. Its capital is Zagreb.

Northeast and central Croatia has a moderate continental climate, whereas the Adriatic coastline lies within the considerably wetter Mediterranean climate zone. Katabatic winds, called Bora, can be felt in coastal regions and are among the strongest winds in the world.

Three types of landscapes characterise the region of Croatia:
Pannonian Plain, mainly flat country and a few low mountain ranges;
Dinaric Alps, low mountain ranges and a few high mountains;
Adriatic Coast, from north to south comprising the regions of Istria (peninsula), Hrvatsko Primorjedie (Croatian Littoral around Rijeka and Senj including the islands of Kvarner Gulf) and Dalmatia (= cliffy southern coast of the Adriatic Sea including offshore islands and mountainous hinterland with historic significant cities like Dubrovnik or Split). Offshore there are 1.246 islands, only 47 are populated. The largest and best known Croatian islands are Cres, Krk, Brač, Hvar, Korčula, Pag and Rab.

Croatia is also an important wine producing country (more than 60.000 hectare). The main wine regions are Northern Croatia, Continental Croatia and Coastal Croatia, which are again divided into 12 sub-regions with more than 60 wine growing areas.

Tourism especially along the Adriatic Coast is not only an important industry, but also has a long tradition in Croatia. Following the war years, Croatia again became one of the most popular south European holiday destinations.  Croatia has a great variety of scenery and attractions on offer for tourists: beach holidays, sailing and cruising through the unique offshore islands, cultural monuments and places of pilgrimage, fishing and diving, hunting – especially in the regions of Slavonia, Gorski Kotar and Lika, or farm holidays. Many spas can be found in the Zagorje region and the Pannonian Plain. City and convention tourism has seen an increase in the number of visitors, especially in the Capital City of Zagreb, in Varaždin, but also in Dubrovnik and Split.

4.464,25 sq km, that’s about 5% of the territory, are protected areas.  Croatia is home to eleven nature parks and eight national parks located mainly in the mountainous regions. Every year hundred thousands of tourists are attracted to these unique karst landscapes which boast an amazing diversity of flora and fauna. Plitvice Lakes National Park, for example, is the largest national park in Croatia and the oldest in south-east Europe. It is located in Central Croatia, has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979 and has been the setting for a number of films. Biokovo Nature Park in Southern Dalmatia is very well known for its abundance of nature and wildlife.