Croatia officially the Republic of Croatia is a country in Europe at the crossroads of the Mediterranean, Central Europe and the Balkans. Its capital is Zagreb.

The Republic of Croatia is a European country situated along the Adriatic Sea and its hinterland. It stretches from the slopes of the Alps and deep into the Pannonian Valley to the banks of the Danube and Drava rivers.

In Croatia, where the Mediterranean, the mountains and the Pannonian plains come together in a unique harmony of natural beauty, within just a little more than a hundred kilometres, you can come across excitingly different landscapes.

Geography

Croatia is located in Southern 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.

Economy

Croatia has an economy based mostly on various services and some, mostly light, industry. Tourism is a notable source of income during the summer. With over 8,5 million foreign tourists a year, Croatia is ranked as the 18th major tourist destination in the world.

Cullture

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 number of historical figures. The country includes six World Heritage sites and eight national parks. Among a list of notable people that came from Croatia are two Nobel prize winners, and numerous inventors. Some of the world's first fountain pens, came from Croatia.

Area
56,542 sq km

21,831 sq miles

Population
4,500,000

Time Zone
GMT/UTC +1 ()

Languages
Croatian (official)

A southern variant within the Slavonic language family