Croatia

Directly across the Adriatic Sea from Italy lies the small European country of Croatia. The coastal state is as lively as it is traditional, and travellers will have no problem combining historic sightseeing with modern day luxuries.

Language: Croatian
Currency: Kuna
Government: Parliamentary republic

Did you know?

• Croatia has more than 1,000 islands, the two largest being Cres and Kirk.
• The country has only been an independent state since 1991.
• Dalmatia, a historic Croatian region on the coast of the Adriatic Sea, is the origin of the Dalmatian breed of dog.
• Famed engineer Nikola Tesla, whose works formed the basis of modern AC electricity, was born in Croatia.
• The necktie was invented in Croatia.

Climate

The climate of Croatia depends strongly on the region, with parts of the country ranging from continental to subtropical. Visitors can expect some snowfall in many regions during the winter, while the spring and summer months are mostly warm yet comfortable.

• Spring: April, May, June
• Summer: July, August, September
• Fall: October, November, December
• Winter: January, February, March

History

Arriving in the early 7th century, the Croats were initially part of the Roman Empire. This continued until the 11th century, at which point the country fell under Hungarian rule. In the early 20th century, Croatia joined the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes, which eventually became Yugoslavia in 1929. Following World War II, Croatia gained momentum in nationalistic sentiment and, in 1991, broke off from the communist rule of Yugoslavia and became an independent nation.