Overview of Croatia

Profile

Croatia is located in the northwestern Balkans with an extensive Adriatic coastline and over 1,000 islands. The north features flat Pannonian plains, the center has Dinaric Alps karst topography, and the coast enjoys a Mediterranean climate, showcasing diverse natural environments. After gaining independence from Yugoslavia in 1991, it joined NATO in 2009, the EU in 2013, and adopted the Euro and Schengen regime in 2023. Despite a population of around 4 million, it maintains high education standards and literacy rates, with IT, shipbuilding, and tourism driving the economy. World Heritage sites like ancient Dubrovnik and Plitvice Lakes National Park attract travelers worldwide.

Official name: Republic of Croatia
Common name: Croatia
Numeric code: 191
Alpha-3 code: HRV
Alpha-2 code: HR
Population: Approximately 3.9 million (2023)
Population density: Approximately 70 people/km2
Primary languages: Croatian
Major religions: Roman Catholicism, Serbian Orthodox Church, Islam
National anthem: Lijepa naša domovino (Our Beautiful Homeland)
Calling code: +385
Internet TLD: .hr

History

From ancient Roman rule through medieval Croatian Kingdom, Habsburg-Hungary, and Yugoslav era to 1991 independence.

The Principality of Croatia arose in the 9th century, becoming the Kingdom of Croatia in 925, but entered personal union with Hungary from 1102 and faced Ottoman threats in the 15th century. In the 19th century, while preserving autonomy under the Austro-Hungarian Empire, national consciousness grew. After World War I, it joined the South Slav unified state, the Kingdom of Yugoslavia. Following the Independent State of Croatia period during World War II, it was reorganized as a constituent republic of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia from 1945. After democratization and the Eastern European revolutions in the late 1980s, it declared independence on June 25, 1991, overcoming the Croatian War of Independence (1991-1995). Since then, it has achieved EU and NATO membership and deeply engages in European integration.

Geography & climate

Northern Pannonian Plain's fertile grain belt, central Dinaric Alps karst mountains, coastal jagged rias coastline with over 1,200 islands chain.

Coastal Mediterranean climate, inland continental climate

Area: Europe / 56594 km²
Capital: Zagreb
Largest city: Zagreb
Coastal status: Yes
Major lakes: Plitvice Lakes, Vrana Lake
Bordering countries: Slovenia, Hungary, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro

Natural resources

Limestone, Bauxite, Timber, Hydropower, Natural gas, Petroleum, Seafood, Tourism resources, Truffles, Quality wine

Politics

Government: Parliamentary republic

Economy

Currency: Euro (EUR)

GDP (nominal): 88 billion US dollars (2024)

GDP (PPP): 164 billion US dollars (2024)

Language & timezone

Primary languages: Croatian

Time zone: Central European Time (CET), Central European Summer Time (CEST)

Culture & customs

Ethnic groups

Croats, Serbs, Bosniaks, Hungarians, Slovenes, Italians, Albanians

Life expectancy

77.5 years

Literacy rate

99.3%

National sports

Football, Basketball, Handball, Water polo, Tennis