Croatia is a Mediterranean country and borders Slovenia, Hungary, Serbia, Bosnia & Herzegovina and Montenegro. The Adriatic Sea divides Croatia from Italy. Because of its convenient geographical position, Croatia has been popular destination for large number of tourists from all over the world.
Croatia, from its Central European regions (the Pannonia plains, sub-alpine and the highlands) to its Adriatic coast, is accessible by land, sea and air routes. Most visitors to Croatia travel by car, and arrive via land borders or ferry. Croatia is a European country both historically and culturally, and visitors are able to enjoy an atmosphere that you would expect to find in Western Europe in the way of telecommunications, transportation, and security.
Croatia is an ancient country but a young state with a parliamentary democracy that gained its independence relatively recently. The country borders the sea closest to Central Europe, and the wealth of islands and isles strewn along her intricately indented coastline – extending to over 5,000 km – have earned Croatia the appellation the land of a thousand islands. Awaiting you is a land that geographically reaches into and climatically combines elements of the Mediterranean, Central Europe, the Pannonia Plain and the Danube Basin, with wooded, undulating, hilly landscapes, but also with lofty peaks and densely forested mountains swooping down to and standing guardian over the unique and unforgettable Croatian shores of the Adriatic Sea.
Before you decide to come and spend some time in Croatia it might be of interest to know the following:
– the capital of Croatia is Zagreb
– the majority of Croatia’s population is of Roman Catholic
– the national flag is red, white and blue
– Population: 4,489,409
– Position: South-Eastern Europe
– Area: 56,594 sq km; land: 55,974 sq km, water: sq 620 km
– Government: parliamentary democracy
– Other major centers: Split, Rijeka, Osijek, Dubrovnik, Zadar, Pula
– Official language: Croatian
– Currency: HRK – Croatian Kuna
– Climate: Continental and Mediterranean
– Time: Central European Time (UTC + 1)
– Electricity supply: 220 V
– Units of measurement: metric – meters, kilometers, grams, kilograms. Temperatures are expressed in degrees Celsius.
– Water – tap drinking water is drinkable throughout Croatia
Further information on the position of Croatia on the map of Europe. (link na kartu)
Landscapes, nature and sightseeing
It is also good to know, particularly if one is seeking a little adventure, that Croatia has eight National parks, a number of forest parks, nature reserves of varying character, as well as special natural landscapes, horticultural, botanical gardens (with a particular emphasis on arboretums), geological, hydrological regions. Croatia’s cultural monuments are numerous indeed and which originate from all epochs of history. They are to be found throughout the country.
Land of contrasts
Croatia is a land whose long and turbulent history – in the course of which it has been ruled by many and various masters – bequeathed it a rich heritage of a blend of influences from which the Croats knew how to keep only the best and to adapt the various influences to their own liking and for their own needs. Croatia is indeed a land of contrasts – and not only in its natural diversity but also in many other elements. Closely intertwined across her territory are the elements of epic quality and of lyricism – as those from the past, so those from present times.
ADDITIONAL USEFUL INFORMATION
Travel documents
Valid passport or some other identity document recognized through international agreement which proves the identity and citizenship of the bearer.
Information: diplomatic missions and consular offices of the Republic of Croatia abroad or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration of the Republic of Croatia. Tel: 00385 1 456 9964; e-mail: stranci@mvp.hr; www.mvp.hr
Customs regulations
Customs regulations of the Republic of Croatia are harmonized with the standards of E.U. member states, but imported items of a non-commercial character intended for personal use are relieved of customs duty and VAT (locally PDV) only up to an amount of 300.oo HRK.
Import of meat and milk products without special veterinary inspection is limited to 3 kg, and the import of wine to 5 liters.
Foreign currency may be freely taken in and out of the country; local currency up to an amount of 15,000.00 Kuna, but every transfer of cash (foreign currency of HRK) exceeding an amount of 40,000.oo HRK must be registered with a customs officer.
More valuable professional and technical equipment must be declared at the border.
When leaving the country, foreign citizens are entitled to tax refund for purchased goods exceeding 500.oo HRK (for each single item) on presentation of a certified “Tax Cheque” form.
Information: Customs Administration, Republic of Croatia Tel: 00385-1-6102333; www.carina.hr
Traveling with your pet
Pets (dogs, cats and animals of the marten family) which are either traveling through the Republic of Croatia in the company of their owners, or which are staying in the country on a temporary basis, must, prior to entering the country, be fitted with a microchip or be clearly and legibly marked with a tattooed number prior to being entered in the international certificate issued in accordance with legislation valid in the Republic of Croatia. After the first vaccination against rabies carried out at the age of three months, animals must be vaccinated at least six months and no more than one year prior to undertaking the journey, and with regard to booster vaccinations, no more than one year prior to the journey being undertaken.
Currency
The official currency in Croatia is the Kuna (1 Kuna = 100 lipa). Foreign currency may be exchanged in banks, exchange offices, post offices, tourist agencies and hotels.
Credit cards
Most campings and shops accept Eurocard/Mastercard, American Express, Diners, and Visa.
Medical service
There are hospitals and clinics in all larger towns and cities; in the smaller centers there are dispensaries and pharmacies.
Foreign visitors are not obliged to pay for medical services if a convention on social security and health services has been signed between Croatia and visitors’ country of origin.
Persons coming from countries with which no such contract has been concluded shall personally bear the costs of health care.
National holidays
January 1st – New Years Day; January 6th- Epiphany; April 16th and 17th – Easter, including Easter Monday; May 1st – Labor Day; Corpus Christi (Movable feast); June 22nd – Anti-Fascist Resistance Day; June 25th – Statehood Day; August 5th – Victory Day and National Thanksgiving Day; August 15th – Assumption; October 8th – Independence Day; November 1st – All Saints Day; December 25th and 26th – Christmas Holidays.