Location: Croatia is a middle European Adriatic country. It lies between Slovenia on the west, Hungary on the north, Serbia and Montenegro, as well as Bosnia and Herzegovina on the east, while the Adriatic sea divides it from its neighbor Italy. The convenient geographical position, as well as the good traffic connections make it easy to reach its numerous destinations and the wonderful beaches of the crystal blue and clear Adriatic sea.
Terrain: The Republic of Croatia covers an area of 56.538 km2 and its territorial waters cover 31.900 km2. The Adriatic sea of Croatia is for many Europeans the closest warm sea and is at the same time one of the most beautiful. The coastline including the islands is 5.700 km long and is one of the most intended coastlines in the Mediterranean. With its 1.185 islands, islets and rocks it really deserves its name ‘country of the thousand islands’.
Population: According to the last census, Croatia has 4.437.460 inhabitants. The majority of the inhabitants are Croats, while Serbs, Bosnians, Albanians, Slovenians, Hungarians, Italians and Czechs form the most numerous minorities.
System of government: Croatia is a multilateral parliamentary republic.
Capital: The capital is Zagreb with 779.145 inhabitants – the economic, traffic, cultural and academic centre of Croatia.
Climate and weather: There are two climate zones; a temperate continental climate, locally also a mountainous climate, prevails in the interior, whereas a pleasant Mediterranean climate prevails along the Adriatic coast, with an overwhelming number of sunny days and a sea temperature that does not fall under 20°C. This pleasant climate favours the relaxation and enjoyment of the treasures of the Adriatic coast. The average temperature: January 0 to 2°C, August 19 to 23°C; average temperature at the seaside: January 6 to 11°C, August 21 to 27 °C; the sea temperature is about 12°C in the winter, and 25°C in the summer.
Currency: The official currency in Croatia is the Kuna (1 kuna = 100 lipa). Foreign currency can be exchanged in banks, exchange offices, post offices, most travel agencies and at the reception of hotels, camps as well as in marinas.
Credit cards: In Croatia the most used cards are: Eurocard/Mastercard, Visa, American Express and Diners. They are accepted at most hotels, marinas, restaurants and shops, as well as at ATM’s and commercial centres.
Public holidays:
1 January – New Year’s Day
6 January – Epiphany
Easter Sunday & Easter Monday
1 May – Labor Day
Corpus Christi
22 June – Anti-Fascist Resistance Day
25 June – Statehood Day
5 August – Victory Day and National Thanksgiving Day
15 August – Assumption Day
8 October – Independence Day
1 November – All Saints’ Day
25-26 December – Christmas Holidays