Everything about Croatia totally explained
Croatia (/xrvatska/), officially the
Republic of Croatia (
Republika Hrvatska ), is a southern
Central European country at the crossroads with the
Mediterranean, and
Southeastern Europe. Its
capital is
Zagreb. Croatia borders with
Slovenia and
Hungary to the north,
Serbia to the northeast,
Bosnia and Herzegovina to the east, and
Montenegro to the far southeast. Its southern and western flanks border the
Adriatic Sea, and it also shares a sea border with
Italy in the Gulf of
Trieste.
Croatia is a member of
United Nations, the
Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, and the
Council of Europe, is a
candidate for
membership of the
European Union and received a
NATO membership invitation on
3 April 2008. On
October 17,
2007 Croatia became a
non-permanent member of the
United Nations Security Council for the 2008-2009 term.
History
The
Croats settled on the east coast of the
Adriatic Sea and the
Pannonian lands in early
7th century, forming two principalities,
Dalmatia and
Pannonia. The establishment of the
Trpimirović dynasty ca. 850 brought strengthening to the
Dalmatian Croat duchy, which became a kingdom in 925.
In 1102 Croatia entered into a personal union with the
Kingdom of Hungary. After the 1526
Battle of Mohács, the "reliquiae reliquiarum" of Croatia became a part of the
Habsburg Monarchy in 1527. In 1918 Croatia joined the
Kingdom of Serbia into a Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes (later
Kingdom of Yugoslavia).
In 1941-1945 during
World War II, an
Axis puppet state known as the
Independent State of Croatia existed. After it suffered a defeat at the hand of the
Allies, Croatia became a constitutive federal republic of the
Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.
In 1991 Croatia proclaimed independence by holding the first democratic elections in the country but had to fight
a long and bloody war until 1995.
Croatia was recognized on
January 15,
1992 by the
European Union and the
United Nations. The first country to recognize Croatia was
Iceland on
December 19,
1991.
Government and politics
Constitution, Croatia has been a
democratic republic. Between 1990 and 2000 it had a
semi-presidential system, and since 2000 it has a
parliamentary system.
The
President of the Republic (
Predsjednik) is the
head of state, directly elected to a five-year term and is limited by the Constitution to a maximum of two terms. In addition to being the
commander in chief of the armed forces, the president has the procedural duty of appointing the Prime minister with the consent of the Parliament, and has some influence on foreign policy. His
official residence is
Predsjednički dvori. Apart from that he's summer residences on the islands of Vanga (
Brijuni islands) and the island of
Hvar.
The
Croatian Parliament (
Sabor) is a
unicameral legislative body (a second chamber, the "House of Counties", which was set up by the Constitution of 1990, was abolished in 2001). The number of the Sabor's members can vary from 100 to 160; they're all elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms. The plenary sessions of the Sabor take place from January 15 to July 15, and from September 15 to December 15.
The
Croatian Government (
Vlada) is headed by the
Prime minister who has two deputy prime ministers and fourteen ministers in charge of particular sectors of activity. The
executive branch is responsible for proposing legislation and a budget, executing the laws, and guiding the foreign and internal policies of the republic.
Government's
official residence is at
Banski dvori.
Geography
Croatia is located between
South-Central Europe and
Middle Europe. Its shape resembles that of a crescent or a horseshoe, which flanks its neighbours
Serbia,
Bosnia and Herzegovina and
Montenegro. To the north lie
Slovenia and
Hungary;
Italy lies across the
Adriatic Sea. Its mainland territory is split in two non-contiguous parts by the short coastline of Bosnia and Herzegovina around
Neum.
Its terrain is diverse, including:
The country is famous for its many
national parks.
Croatia has a mixture of
climates. In the north and east it's
continental,
Mediterranean along the coast and a semi-highland and
highland climate in the south-central region.
Offshore Croatia consists of over one thousand islands varying in size. The largest islands in Croatia are
Cres and
Krk which are located in the Adriatic Sea. The
Danube, the second longest river in Europe, runs through the city of
Vukovar.
Dinara, the eponym of the
Dinaric Alps, is the highest peak of Croatia at 1831 metres above sea level.
Counties
Croatia is divided into 20 counties (
županija) and the capital Zagreb's
city district (in italics below):
Demographics
Croatia is inhabited mostly by
Croats (89.9 per cent of the population). There are around twenty minority groups.
Serbs, are largest minority, comprising 4.5 per cent of the total population. The predominant religion is
Catholicism (87.8 per cent), with some
Orthodox (4.4 per cent) and
Sunni Muslim (1.3 per cent) minorities. The official and common language,
Croatian, is a South
Slavic language, using the
Latin alphabet. According to the 2001 census, 96.1 per cent of the population speak Croatian as their first language. and 300,000 Serbs left Croatia. Around 78,000 Croats were forcibly removed from the self-proclaimed Republic of Serb Krajina, which has now been re-integrated into Croatia, although some later returned. Only a minority of Serbs have returned to Croatia since 1995. The natural growth rate of the population is currently negative Real GDP growth in 2007 was 6.0 per cent. The average gross salary in 2007 was 6,634 kuna per month. In 2007, the
International Labour Organization-defined
unemployment rate stood at 9.1 per cent, after falling steadily from 14.7 percent in 2002. The registered unemployment rate is higher, though, standing at 14.7 percent in December 2007.
In 2007, 7.2 percent of economic output was accounted for by
agriculture, 32.8 percent by
industry and 60.7 percent by the
service sector. According to 2004 data, 2.7 percent of the workforce were employed in agriculture, 32.8 percent by industry and 64.5 in services. Croatia is ranked as the 18th most popular tourist destination in the world.
[ In 2006 Croatia exported goods to the value of USD$10.4 billion (FOB) (US$19.7 billion including service exports).][
Of particular concern is the backlogged judiciary system, combined with inefficient public administration, especially issues of land ownership and corruption. Another main problem includes the large and growing national debt which has reached over 30 billion dollars.]
The country has been preparing for membership in the European Union, its most important trading partner. In February 2005, the Stabilisation and Association Agreement with the EU officially came into force.
Education
Primary education in Croatia starts at the age of six or seven and consists of eight grades. Secondary education is provided by gymnasiums and vocational schools.
Croatia has seven universities, the University of Zagreb, University of Split, University of Rijeka, University of Osijek, University of Zadar, University of Dubrovnik and the University of Pula. The University of Zagreb was founded in 1669 and is therefore the oldest in Southeastern Europe. There are also polytechnic higher education institutions.
Transport
Croatia has an extensive rail network, although due to historical circumstances, the Istria region isn't accessible by train without passing through neighbouring Slovenia. Train services are operated by Croatian Railways . Major airports are located in Zagreb, Zadar, Split, Dubrovnik, Rijeka (on the island of Krk), Osijek, Bol, Lošinj and Pula. Croatia Airlines is the national airline and flag carrier. An extensive system of ferries, operated by Jadrolinija, serves Croatia's many islands and links coastal cities. Ferry services are also available to Italy.
Culture
Croatian culture is the result of a thirteen century-long history which has seen the development of many cities and monuments. The country includes six World Heritage sites and eight national parks. Croatia is also the birthplace of a number of historical figures included among the notable people are three Nobel prize winners, and numerous inventors.
Some of the world's first fountain pens came from Croatia. Croatia also has a place in the history of clothing as the origin of the necktie (kravata). The country has a long artistic, literary and musical tradition. Also of interest is the diverse nature of Croatian cuisine.
Properties inscribed on the World Heritage List
Cultural
Episcopal Complex of the Euphrasian Basilica in the Historic Centre of Poreč (1997)
Historic City of Trogir (1997)
Historical Complex of Split with the Palace of Diocletian (1979)
Old City of Dubrovnik (1979)
The Cathedral of St James in Šibenik(2000)
Natural
Plitvice Lakes National Park (1979)
Sport
Sports popular in Croatia include association football, tennis, basketball, waterpolo and handball. The Croatian national football team finished third in the 1998 FIFA World Cup. The country failed in its joint bid with Hungary to co-host the 2012 European Championships. Tennis player Goran Ivanišević is one of the country's most recognisable sportsmen, and won the 2001 men's singles title at Wimbledon. The national basketball team finished third at the 1994 FIBA World Championship, second at the 1992 Summer Olympics and third at EuroBasket 1993 and 1995.
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