Country Guide • Croatia

Flag of Croatia

Before 1991 Croatia was part of Yugoslavia. There were then approx. 4 years of fighting with Serb armys until the remaining land was returned to Croatia. It is bound by Slovenia to the north west, Hungary to the north east, Serbia to the east, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Montenegro to the south east and the Adriatic Sea to the west and south west.

Official NameRepublic of Croatia
Area56,542km² (21,831mile²)
Population4,422,000
ContinentEurope
Population per mile²203
Capital CityZagreb
Religions77% Roman Catholic, 11% Orthodox Christians,1% Muslims. Other religious minorities include Protestants, Greek or Uniate Catholics and a small number of Jews
LanguageCroatian is the official language. Serbo-Croatian is basically the same language with some minor differences reflecting religious and cultural characteristics between the Croats and Serbs
GovernmentParliamentary Democracy
Member of EUNo
CurrencyKuna
GDP$38.9 billion
GDP per Head$8,800
Natural ResourcesSmall deposits of coal and low grade iron ore, oil, bauxite, calcium, natural asphalt, silica, clays and salt
Land UseArable Land 24%
AgricultureGrains including barley, wheat and corn, sugar beets, sunflower seed, olives, citrus fruits, grapes, soybeans, potatoes, livestock and dairy products
IndustrySteel, cement, chemicals, fertilisers, textiles, paper and wood products
TourismBefore their troubles Croatia was attracting 10 million+ tourists a year to primarily the Adriatic Coastline. It has glorious beaches, lots of medieval charm and many Roman ruins. It is quickly becoming the tourist attraction it once was. Croatia still celebrates many festivals throughout the year mainly in the summer though. Some more remote areas must be visited with caution
Natural HazardsOccasional earthquakes
Health RisksTick-borne encephalitis
ClimateCroatia has two distinct climatic regions with a Mediterranean climate along the Adriatic coast which is characterised by short mild winters and long warm summers while there is a continental climate on the Pannonian Plain which is characterised by extreme heat in summer and subzero temperatures in winter. Average annual rainfall is 34 inches while average temperature ranges in Split are from 8.5°C in January to 26°C in July
TimeGMT/UTC+1 hour
National DaysJune 25
VisasBritish citizens visiting Croatia for periods of less than three months do not require a visa for tourist or business trips. However, a visa may be required for other types of visit or stay. Unless you are staying at a hotel or official tourist accommodation, all foreign citizens are required to register with the local police within 24 hours of arrival (in Zagreb you should register at the Police Station at Petrinjska 30. If outside Zagreb, you should register at the nearest main Police Station). Failure to do so may result in a fine or possible removal from Croatia
British EmbassyEmbassy Details

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