CROATIA

Croatia is a beautiful country with so many different scenery's which makes it a wonderful holiday destination.  Croatia is the largest of the four republics of the former Yugoslav republics.  The countryside has mountains in Dalmatian and Istria which is in the west.  In the east the Pannonian Plains is flat and fertile.  The Plains are drained by the rivers Drava and Sava.  They eventually flow into the Danube River.  In the centre of Croatia where the capital Zagreb is, the surrounding is hilly.  At the coast there are many bays, inlets and offshore islands. 

At the Adriatic Coast is a Mediterranean climate with sunny summers and mild winters.  Inland the summers are warm but the winters are cold.

The following pictures show you what a wonderful country Croatia is but below you will be able to read all about the Culture, History, Population, Politics, Resources and Holiday.

  

ZAGREB
CAPITAL OF CROATIA

                                                     CULTURE 

          

PLITVIC -
UNESCO WORLD
HERITAGE SITE

ROVINJCULTURE

Croatia was once the wealthiest of the former Yugoslav republic. After the independence it lost a lot because of the civil war between the Serbs and Croats. It devastated the economy and society. Nearly 80% of the population are Croat and 12% Serbian. Since the beginning of the civil war many Serbs have fled the country. There are still small minorities of Muslims, Hungarians and Slovenes. The people have been Roman Catholic since the 11th century.

The language is a mixture of Serbo-Croatian and it is called Croatian. The Croats write in the Latin alphabet. The language is different from that of the Serbs. Education is free and compulsory from the age of six till 15 years. Although the health care is state subsidised there are not many doctors.

POPULATION

Most of the population live in the middle of Croatia where the capital Zagreb is. Half of the population lives in an urban area. Croatian emigration is one of the highest in the world and therefore many Croats live outside their country.

The country has developed, culturally wise, along the European lines but there are also influences from the East. Folk’s arts and crafts are widespread but differ from region to region. Their music and dances are most traditional. The songs and steps have been passed from one generation to the next. Therefore, providing a strong sense of cultural identity.

RESOURCES

The country has many natural resources such as petroleum, bauxite, copper, iron ore, timber, natural gas, coal and china clay. The large areas of land are for agriculture and the crops are olive and fruit.

POLITICS

Since the war, Croatia's constitution has a two-chamber parliament (Sabor) which is in Zagreb. The law-making upper house has a 138-member chamber. The lower house a 63 member’s chamber of municipalities is being advised by the upper house. Members and the president are elected by popular vote. The members have a term of four years while the president has a term of five. The president appoints a cabinet to advice him and a prime minister.

Some areas are still under Serbian control and the United Nation Protection Force keeps the peace. Croatia would like to control the area of Bosnia to create a Greater Croatia but the international community disapproves.

HISTORY

The country had settlements of Croats around the 7th century. After that they belonged to the Ottoman Empire. Till the 1980 history is the same as all the other former Yugoslav countries. In 1990 was the first free election held and won by the Croatian Democratic Union. Croatia voted overwhelming for Independence and achieved it in 1991. This started the civil war between Croats and Serbs. The Serbs proclaimed a Serbian Autonomous Region of Krajina where about 250,000 Serbs lived. This followed by a third of Croatia went under Serbs Rule which resulted into 500,000 refugees.

The international community recognised Croatia's independence. The UN peace-keeping force entered the country which was given permission by the Croatian Government. They maintain the peace in the Serbs controlled area as in Krajina and east and west Slovenia. In 1995 the Croats started a surprise attack and regained all the Serbs regions except east Slovenia. At the end a peace treaty was signed between Bosnia, Serbia and Croatia. They also had to return east Slovenia after two years. The UN peacekeeping troops stayed in the country and patrolling the borders of Serbia and Bosnia.

DUBROVNIK'S OLD CITY - UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE. IT HAS AN ANCIENT FORTRESS IN THE CENTRE. THE CITY WALL HAS THREE ROUND AND 12 RECTANGULAR TOWERS AND A MONASTERY INSIDE

HOLIDAY

Croatia is a wonderful holiday destination. In town are cafes along cobbled street and restaurants sending an out mouth-watering welcome. In the harbour are yachts, boats and fishing boats which enable you to hire a yacht or boat for a trip.  A 1778km coastline dotted with coves will guarantee that it will not be crowded.  Whether you are for jet-skiing or soak up the sun on pebble beaches or take in the culture in towns you won't have enough hours to take it all in.

ISLAND OF MIJET

There are traditional towns and modern holiday resorts and fishing villages which will take your breath away. For golf lovers there are golf courses.  To treat yourself to a spa, in Istria are thermal spas.   Almost untouched forests with mountain streams invite for hiking or biking. Your camera will be clicking away non-stop at the beautiful country side.

MAKARSKA

The country had been invaded by Roman, Venetian, Italian and eventually ruled by Austro-Hungary but the Croats kept their unique identity. During holidays and festivals their Slavic heredity is displayed by colourful costumed dancers and traditional folk melodies.

The promise that Croatia is a wonderful holiday destination will come true when you will visit this country. The pictures will show the wonderful and incredible beautiful countryside

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