● Capital : Zagreb
● Language: Croatian
● Currency: Kuna (0,135 Euro 2019)
● Population: 4.18 million, 74 per km² in 2018
● Surface: 56 538 km²
(Image: Flag of Croatia; source: Pixabay)
In the 12th century the kingdom of Croatia, which had existed since the Middle Ages, got under foreign rule, in the 19th century the empire of Austria-Hungary ruled over it, in 1919, after World War I, Croatia became a part of Yugoslavia.
It was only in 1941 that Croatia became an independent state, but after World War II it became again a part of Yugoslavia. After the slow decline of Yugoslavia Croatia was given back its independence in 1991, although the war continued until 1995. As the country had been under foreign rule again and again, different influences can be seen still today in its culture. The north has been marked by the influence of Austria, in the east the Turkish influence can be felt, and along the Adriatic seaboard it's the Venetian culture and that of the Antiquity.
Since July 2013 Croatia has been a member of the EU.
(Image: Wall of Diocletian's palace on the island of Split; source: Pixabay)
The Danube, which flows through Croatia over a length of 137 km, almost throughout forms the natural border between Croatia and Serbia.
(Image: River landscape in Croatia; source: Pixabay)
Geography: 1/3 of the territory is water, there are over 1200 islands with a diverse flora and fauna. There are pasture landscapes and swamps, and there is a long coast in the triangle between the Danube, the Drau and the town of Osijek.
Famous people: Nicola Tesla (inventor of alternating current), Ivo Andric (born in Bosnia), Josip Broz Tito, Marco Polo (of Dalmatian origin)
(Image: Dalmatian dog breed from Croatia; source: Pixabay)
