Destination Travel Dubrovnik

Geographically situated on the crossroads between Central Europe and the Mediterranean, Croatia, one of the new independent countries that emerged out of Yugoslavia, is well known for its tourism and friendly people. Croatia is a land of unique and rare natural beauty whose tradition goes back over two thousand years during which a great historical and cultural heritage has developed. With 2,600 sunny hours per year, with its 1,000 islands, a rich historic past, many beautiful cities and warm Mediterranean climate Croatia has recently become a favorite vacation spot for Bill Gates and Paul Getty.

Facts
Croatia extends from the foothills of the Julian Alps in the north-west and the Pannonian Plain in the east, over the Dinara mountain range in its central region, to the Adriatic coast in the south.

Area:
56,542 km2, with an additional 31,067 km2 of territorial waters.

Population:
4.437.460

Capital:
Zagreb (779.145 inhabitants - the administrative, cultural, academic and communication centre of the country)
.
Length of coast:
5,835 km - including 4,058 km of island, islet and reef coastline.

Number of islands, islets and reefs:
1,185. The largest islands are those of Krk and Cres. There are 67 inhabited islands.

Climate:
Northern Croatia has a continental climate; Central Croatia has a semi-highland and highland climate, while the Croatian coast has a Mediterranean climate. Winter temperatures range from -1 to 30°C in the continental region, -5 to 0°C in the mountain region and 5 to 10°C in the coastal region. Summer temperatures range from 22 to 26°C in the continental region, 15 to 20°C in the mountain region and 26 to 30°C in the coastal region.

Population:
The majority of the population are Croats. National minorities include Serbs, Moslems, Slovenes, Italians, Hungarians, Czechs, Slovaks, and others.

Official language and alphabet: Croatian language and Latin alphabet.

Religions:
The majority of the population are Roman Catholics, and in addition there are a number of those of Orthodox faith, as well as Muslims, and Christians of other denominations.

Currency:
Kuna (1 Kuna = 100 Lipa). There are 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 Lipa coins, 1, 2, 5 and 25 Kuna coins and 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1,000 Kuna banknotes.

Foreign currencies:
can be exchanged at banks, exchange offices, post offices and at most tourist agencies, hotels and camping grounds. Banking hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. from Monday to Friday. On Saturdays banks are open until 1 p.m. In the larger cities some banks are also open on Sundays.

Credit cards:
Most hotels, restaurants and shops accept credit cards (American Express, Diners Club, Eurocard/Mastercard,
Visa, Sport Card International). Cash dispensing machines are ubiquitous.

Electricity:
Voltage of city power grid – 220V, frequency 50HZ

Water:
Tap water is potable throughout Croatia.

The telephone code for Croatia is +385.

Time zone:
GMT plus one hour in winter and GMT plus two in summer.

Travel documentation:
Passport or some other internationally recognised identification document. Tourists may remain in Croatia
for up to three months.