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Location
Southeastern Europe.
Time
GMT + 1 (GMT + 2 from last Sunday in March to last Sunday in October).
Area
56,542 sq km (21,831 sq miles).
Population
4.4 million (official estimate 2006).
Population Density
77.8 per sq km.
Capital
Zagreb. Population: 779,145 (official estimate 2006).
Geography
Croatia stretches along the Adriatic coast, narrowing north-south; the major ports being Rijeka, Pula, Zadar, Sibenik, Split and Dubrovnik, with a larger inland area running west-east from Zagreb to the border with Serbia. The northern two-thirds of this border are formed by the River Danube. The country borders Slovenia and Hungary to the north, Serbia to the east, Montenegro to the southeast and Bosnia & Herzegovina (southeast from Zagreb; northeast from the Adriatic coastline).
Government
Republic. Independence from the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia proclaimed in 1991.
Head of State
President Stjepan Mesic since 2000.
Head of Government
Prime Minister Ivo Sanader since 2003.
Recent History
On 25 June 1991 Croatia declared itself independent from the rump Yugoslavia, a move that resulted in the Homeland War (1991-1995), which saw Croatia pitted against the might of the Yugoslav army and Serb irregular forces. In December 1991 the German government recognised Croatian independence, with the rest of the world quickly following suit.
The death of the country's first democratically elected president, Franjo Tudjman, in December 1999 heralded a new era of Croatian politics; Stjepan Mesic stepped into the fold and Croatia adopted a more conciliatory approach at home and abroad. Steady progress has been made in improving relations with Bosnia, Serbia and Montenegro and the country's economy is growing.
Croatia's accession to the EU, which began in February 2003, stalled in the face of the government's reluctance to hand military figures over to the Hague. However, Croatia is now on track to be a full member by 2009.
The death of the country's first democratically elected president, Franjo Tudjman, in December 1999 heralded a new era of Croatian politics; Stjepan Mesic stepped into the fold and Croatia adopted a more conciliatory approach at home and abroad. Steady progress has been made in improving relations with Bosnia, Serbia and Montenegro and the country's economy is growing.
Croatia's accession to the EU, which began in February 2003, stalled in the face of the government's reluctance to hand military figures over to the Hague. However, Croatia is now on track to be a full member by 2009.
Language
Croatian, Serbian, Italian, Slovene, Slovak and German.
Religion
Roman Catholic Croats (87.8% of the total population) and Eastern Orthodox Serbs (4.4%), as well as small communities of Protestants, Jews and Muslims.
Electricity
220 volts AC, 50Hz.
Social Conventions
People normally shake hands upon meeting and leaving. Smoking is generally acceptable but there are restrictions in public buildings and on public transport.
Photography: Certain restrictions exist.
Photography: Certain restrictions exist.