Croatia: Difference between revisions

Edit links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
No edit summary
←Replaced content with 'Hrvati jedu govna'
Line 1: Line 1:
Hrvati jedu govna
{{Infobox Country
|native_name = ''Republika Hrvatska''
|local_name = ''Hrvatska''
|conventional_long_name = Republic of Croatia
|common_name = Croatia
|image_flag = Flag_of_Croatia.svg
|image_coat = Coat of arms of Croatia.svg
|image_map = Europe_location_CRO.png
|map_caption = {{map_caption |region=Europe |legend=European location legend en.png}}
|national_anthem = ''[[Lijepa naša domovino]]''<small><br/>''Our beautiful homeland''</small>
|official_languages = [[Croatian language|Croatian]]{{smallsup|1}}
|capital = [[Zagreb]]
|latd=45 |latm=48 |latNS=N |longd=16 |longm=0 |longEW=E
|largest_city = capital
|government_type = [[Parliamentary republic]]
|leader_title1 = [[Presidents of Croatia|President]]
|leader_name1 = [[Stjepan Mesić]]
|leader_title2 = [[Prime ministers of Croatia|Prime Minister]]
|leader_name2 = [[Ivo Sanader]]
|leader_title3 = [[Parliament of Croatia#List of Presidents (Speakers) of the Parliament|President of Parliament]]
|leader_name3 = [[Luka Bebić]]
|established_event1 = Founded
|established_date1 = {{nowrap|First half of 7th century}}
|established_event2 = [[Medieval Croatian state|Medieval duchy]]
|established_date2 = March 4 852
|established_event3 = Recognized by the Pope
|established_date3 = May 21 879
|established_event4 = Elevated to [[Kingdom of Croatia|kingdom]]
|established_date4 = 925
|established_event5 = Union with [[Croatia in the union with Hungary|Hungary]]
|established_date5 = 1102
|established_event6 = {{nowrap|Joined [[Croatia in the Habsburg Empire|Habsburg Empire]]}}
|established_date6 = January 1, 1527
|established_event7 = Independence from [[Austria-Hungary]]
|established_date7 = <br/>October 29, 1918
|established_event8 = Joined [[Yugoslavia]] (co-founder)
|established_date8 = <br/>December 1, 1918
|established_event9 = Declared independence
|established_date9 = June 25, 1991
|area_rank = 126th
|area_magnitude = 1_E10
|area_km2 = 56,542 <!--56,414 land, 128 water and 33,200 sea-->
|area_sq_mi = 21,831 <!--Do not remove per [[WP:MOSNUM]]-->
|percent_water = 0.2
|population_estimate = 4,453,500<ref name="IMF">{{cite web |url=http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2007/02/weodata/weorept.aspx?pr.x=27&pr.y=10&sy=2004&ey=2008&scsm=1&ssd=1&sort=country&ds=.&br=1&c=960&s=NGDPD%2CNGDPDPC%2CPPPGDP%2CPPPPC%2CPPPSH%2CPPPEX%2CLP&grp=0&a= |title=World Economic Outlook Database |publisher=International Monetary Fund |date=October 2007 |accessdate=2008-03-09}}</ref>
|population_estimate_year = 2008
|population_estimate_rank = 114th
|population_census = 4,437,460
|population_census_year = 2001
|population_density_km2 = 81
|population_density_sq_mi = 208 <!--Do not remove per [[WP:MOSNUM]]-->
|population_density_rank = 115th
|GDP_PPP_year = 2008
|GDP_PPP = $74.419 billion (IMF)<ref name="IMF" />
|GDP_PPP_per_capita = $16,758 (IMF)<ref name="IMF" />
|GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = 51st
|GDP_nominal_ = $51.1 billion (IMF)<ref name="IMF" />
|GDP_per_capita_nominal = $11.576 (IMF)<ref name="IMF" />
|Gini = 29
|Gini_year = 2005
|Gini_category = <font color="#009900">low</font>
|HDI_year = 2006|HDI = {{increase}} 0.850
|HDI_rank = 47th
|HDI_category = <font color="#009900">high</font>
|currency = [[Croatian kuna|kuna]]
|currency_code = HRK
|time_zone = [[Central European Time|CET]]
|utc_offset = +1
|time_zone_DST = [[Central European Summer Time|CEST]]
|utc_offset_DST = +2
|demonym = [[Croat]]/Croats<br />Croatian/Croatians
|cctld = [[.hr]]
|calling_code = 385
|ISO_3166-1_alpha2 = HR
|ISO_3166-1_alpha3 = CRO
|ISO_3166-1_num =
|vehicle_code = HR
|alt_sport_code = CRO
|aircraft_code = 9A
|footnote1 = Also [[Italian language|Italian]] in [[Istria]] and languages of other national minorities ([[Serbian language|Serbian]], [[Hungarian language|Hungarian]], [[Czech language|Czech]], [[Slovak language|Slovak]], etc.) in residential municipalities of the national minorities.
}}
'''Croatia''' {{Audio-IPA|en-us-Croatia.ogg|[ˌkɹoʊˈeɪʃə]}} ({{lang-hr|Hrvatska}} {{IPA2|ˈxȓ.vat.ska}}), officially the '''Republic of Croatia''' (''Republika Hrvatska'' {{Audio|Republika_Hrvatska.ogg|listen}}), is a southern [[Central Europe]]an country at the crossroads between the [[Pannonian Plain]] and the [[Mediterranean]] Sea. Its [[capital city|capital]] is [[Zagreb]]. Croatia borders with [[Slovenia]] and [[Hungary]] to the north, [[Serbia]] to the northeast, [[Bosnia and Herzegovina]] to the east, and [[Montenegro]] to the far southeast. Its southern and western flanks border the [[Adriatic Sea]], and it also shares a sea border with Italy in the Gulf of [[Trieste]].

Croatia is a member of the [[United Nations]], the [[Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe]] and the [[Council of Europe]]. The country is also a [[Accession of Croatia to the European Union|candidate]] for [[EU member states|membership]] of the [[European Union]] and received a [[North Atlantic Treaty Organization|NATO]] membership invitation on April 3, 2008. NATO member nations signed accession protocols for Croatia on July 9, 2008, bringing it into the final stretch of its quest for membership. Croatia is expected to formally join the 26-nation pact in April 2009 on NATO's 60th birthday,<ref>{{cite web |title=NATO members sign accession protocols for Albania, Croatia |publisher=China View |url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-07/09/content_8518137.htm}}</ref> making it the second former Yugoslav nation to join NATO following Slovenia which entered in 2004. On October 17, 2007 Croatia became a [[List of elected members of the United Nations Security Council|non-permanent member]] of the [[United Nations Security Council]] for the 2008-2009 term. Additionally, Croatia is also a founding member of the [[Union for the Mediterranean|Mediterranean Union]] upon its establishment on July 13, 2008.

== History ==
{{main|History of Croatia}}
[[Image:Oton Ivekovic, Dolazak Hrvata na Jadran.jpg|thumb|170px|left|[[Oton Iveković]], ''The Croats arrival at the Adriatic Sea'']]

The [[Croatians]] settled on the east coast of the [[Adriatic Sea]] and the [[Pannonian Plain|Pannonian]] lands in early 7th century, forming two principalities, [[Dalmatia]] and [[Pannonia]]. The establishment of the [[Trpimirović]] dynasty ca. 850 brought strengthening to the [[Dalmatian]] Croat duchy, which became a kingdom in 925.

In 1102, Croatia entered into a [[Personal_union#Croatia|personal union]] with the [[Kingdom of Hungary]]. This did not include the Dalmatian coast which was under the control of the Republic of Venice until the 18th century. After the 1526 [[Battle of Mohács]], the "Reliquiae reliquiarum olim inclyti Regni Croatiae" (the remains of the [[Kingdom of Croatia]]) became a part of the [[Habsburg Monarchy]] in 1527. In 1918 Croatia became a part of the [[Kingdom of SHS]] which is later renamed in [[Kingdom of Yugoslavia]].

In 1941-1945, during [[World War II]], an [[Axis powers|Axis]] [[puppet state]] known as the [[Independent State of Croatia]] existed. During that period, NDH authorities killed between 330,000 and 380,000 Serbs within what is today territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia . After the victory of Tito's People's Liberation Movement and the [[Allies of World War II|Allies]], Croatia became a constitutive federal republic of the [[Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia]].

[[Image:Satellite image of Croatia in September 2003.jpg|thumb|left|Satellite image of Croatia, September 2003.]]
In 1991, Croatia proclaimed independence by holding the first democratic elections in the country. The demographic situation, along with inflammatory nationalist rhetoric on both sides, meant that it was forced to fight [[Croatian War of Independence|a long and bloody war]] against local [[Serbs]] opposed to independence (under the excuse of fear of similar mistreatment they had experienced during the German occupation). This included a series of battles against the remainder of the [[Yugoslav People's Army|JNA]] between 1991 and 1992. Ironically, the Serbs living in Croatia in the area known as Krajinia, were in large part the descendants of a voluntary Serb military caste settled there by the Austrian Empire to defend the frontier against the Turks. When it became clear that Croatia would successfully gain its independence in 1992, the bulk of this Serb population left en mass.

Croatia was recognized on January 15, 1992 by the [[European Union]] and the [[United Nations]]. The first country to recognize Croatia was [[Iceland]] on December 19, 1991.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sabor.hr/Default.aspx?art=1769&sec=461|title=Važniji datumi iz povijesti saborovanja|publisher=Hrvatski Sabor|accessdate=2008-04-23}}</ref>

== Government and politics ==
[[Image:Banski dvori.jpg|thumb|left|[[Banski dvori]]]]
{{main|Politics of Croatia}}
{{see also|Foreign relations of Croatia|Accession of Croatia to the European Union|International rankings of Croatia}}

Since the adoption of the 1990 [[Constitution of Croatia|Constitution]], Croatia has been a [[democratic republic]]. Between 1990 and 2000 it had a [[semi-presidential system]], and since 2000 it has a [[parliamentary system]].

The [[Presidents of Croatia|President of the Republic]] (''Predsjednik'') is the [[head of state]], directly elected to a five-year term and is limited by the Constitution to a maximum of two terms. In addition to being the [[commander in chief]] of the armed forces, the president has the procedural duty of appointing the Prime minister with the consent of the Parliament, and has some influence on foreign policy. His [[official residence]] is [[Predsjednički dvori]]. Apart from that he has summer residences on the islands of Vanga ([[Brijuni]] islands) and the island of [[Hvar]].

The [[Croatian Parliament]] (''Sabor'') is a [[unicameral]] legislative body (a second chamber, the "House of Counties", which was set up by the Constitution of 1990, was abolished in 2001). The number of the Sabor's members can vary from 100 to 160; they are all elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms. The plenary sessions of the Sabor take place from January 15 to July 15, and from September 15 to December 15.

The [[Croatian Government]] (''Vlada'') is headed by the [[Prime ministers of Croatia|Prime minister]] who has two deputy prime ministers and fourteen ministers in charge of particular sectors of activity. The [[Executive (government)|executive branch]] is responsible for proposing legislation and a budget, executing the laws, and guiding the foreign and internal policies of the republic. [[Government]]'s [[official residence]] is at [[Banski dvori]].

== Geography ==
{{main|Geography of Croatia}}
[[Image:Un-croatia.png|thumb|left|Map of Croatia]]
[[Image:Adriatic see from Korčula.jpg|thumb|200px|right|View from [[Korčula]].]]
Croatia is located between [[Southern Europe|South-Central Europe]] and [[Middle Europe]]. Its shape resembles that of a crescent or a horseshoe, which flanks its neighbours [[Serbia]], [[Bosnia and Herzegovina]] and [[Montenegro]]. To the north lie [[Slovenia]] and [[Hungary]]; Italy lies across the [[Adriatic Sea]]. Its mainland territory is split in two non-contiguous parts by the short coastline of Bosnia and Herzegovina around [[Neum]].

Its terrain is diverse, including:
* plains, lakes and rolling hills in the continental north and northeast (Central Croatia and [[Slavonia]], part of the [[Pannonian Basin]]);
* densely wooded mountains in [[Lika]] and [[Gorski Kotar]], part of the [[Dinaric Alps]];
* rocky coastlines on the [[Adriatic Sea]] ([[Istria]], Northern Seacoast and [[Dalmatia]]).

[[Phytogeography|Phytogeographically]], Croatia belongs to the [[Boreal Kingdom]] and is shared between the Central European and Illyrian provinces of the [[Circumboreal Region]] and the Adriatic province of the [[Mediterranean Region]]. According to the [[World Wide Fund for Nature|WWF]], the territory of Croatia can be subdivided into three [[ecoregion]]s: the [[Pannonian mixed forests]], [[Dinaric Mountains mixed forests]] and [[Illyrian deciduous forests]].

The country is famous for its many [[List of national parks of Croatia|national parks]].
Croatia has a mixture of [[climate]]s. In the north and east it is [[continental climate|continental]], [[Mediterranean climate|Mediterranean]] along the coast and a semi-highland and [[highland climate]] in the south-central region.

Offshore Croatia consists of over one thousand islands varying in size. The largest islands in Croatia are [[Cres]] and [[Krk]] which are located in the Adriatic Sea. The [[Danube]], Europe's second longest river, runs through the city of [[Vukovar]]. [[Dinara]], the eponym of the [[Dinaric Alps]], is the highest peak of Croatia at 1,831 metres above sea level.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.summitpost.org/mountain/rock/151472/dinara.html|title=Dinara -- Climbing, Hiking & Mountaineering|publisher=SummitPost|accessdate=2008-05-16}}</ref>

There are 49 pits deeper than 250 m in Croatia, 14 of them are deeper than 500 m and three deeper than 1000 m (Cave system Lukina jama-Trojama, Slovacka jama and Cave system Velebita). The deepest Croatian pits are mostly found in two regions - Mt. Velebit and Mt. Biokovo. <ref>{{cite web|url=http://public.carnet.hr/speleo/karta.html|title=Caves in Croatia|publisher=The Speleological Committee of the Croatian Mountaineering Association|accessdate=2008-08-22}}</ref>

=== Counties ===
{{main|Counties of Croatia}}
{{seealso|List of cities in Croatia}}
[[Image:Plivitce.jpg|thumb|right|210px|The [[Plitvice Lakes]], a [[UNESCO]] [[World Heritage Site]]]]
[[Image:Dubrovnik view from ocean.jpg|thumb|right|210px|View of the city of [[Dubrovnik]].]]
Croatia is divided into 20 counties (''županija'') and the capital Zagreb's [[city district]] (in italics below):

{| style="background:transparent;"
|width="20px"| || [[Anglicisation|Anglicized]] name || Native name </tr>
| 1 || [[Zagreb county|Zagreb]] || Zagrebačka </tr>
| 2 || [[Krapina-Zagorje county|Krapina-Zagorje]] || Krapinsko-zagorska </tr>
| 3 || [[Sisak-Moslavina county|Sisak-Moslavina]] || Sisačko-moslavačka </tr>
| 4 || [[Karlovac county|Karlovac]] || Karlovačka </tr>
| 5 || [[Varaždin county|Varaždin]] || Varaždinska </tr>
| 6 || [[Koprivnica-Križevci county|Koprivnica-Križevci]] || Koprivničko-križevačka </tr>
| 7 || [[Bjelovar-Bilogora county|Bjelovar-Bilogora]] || Bjelovarsko-bilogorska </tr>
| 8 || [[Primorje-Gorski Kotar county|Primorje-Gorski Kotar]]{{spaces|2}} || Primorsko-goranska </tr>
| 9 || [[Lika-Senj county|Lika-Senj]] || Ličko-senjska </tr>
| 10 || [[Virovitica-Podravina county|Virovitica-Podravina]] || Virovitičko-podravska </tr>
| 11 || [[Požega-Slavonia county|Požega-Slavonia]] || Požeško-slavonska </tr>
| 12 || [[Brod-Posavina county|Brod-Posavina]] || Brodsko-posavska </tr>
| 13 || [[Zadar county|Zadar]] || Zadarska </tr>
| 14 || [[Osijek-Baranja county|Osijek-Baranja]] || Osječko-baranjska </tr>
| 15 || [[Šibenik-Knin county|Šibenik-Knin]] || Šibensko-kninska </tr>
| 16 || [[Vukovar-Srijem county|Vukovar-Srijem]] || Vukovarsko-srijemska </tr>
| 17 || [[Split-Dalmatia county|Split-Dalmatia]] || Splitsko-dalmatinska </tr>
| 18 || [[Istria county|Istria]] || Istarska </tr>
| 19 || [[Dubrovnik-Neretva county|Dubrovnik-Neretva]] || Dubrovačko-neretvanska </tr>
| 20 || [[Međimurje county|Međimurje]] || Međimurska </tr>
| 21 || [[Zagreb|City of Zagreb]] || Grad Zagreb </tr>
|}

== Demographics ==
{{main|Demographics of Croatia}}

The population of Croatia has been stagnating over the last decade. During the [[Croatian War of Independence|1991-1995 war]], large sections of the population were displaced and emigration increased. In 1991 during an [[ethnic cleansing]] campaign carried out by rebel-Serb forces and the JNA under control of the former Serbian president [[Slobodan Milošević]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.un.org/icty/pressreal/2007/pr1162e-summary.htm|title=Summary of judgement for Milan Martić|date=2007-06-12|publisher=United Nations|accessdate=2008-06-21}}</ref><ref> Milan Babic verdict</ref> 80,000 Croats were expelled from their homes by force. 11,834 Croats were killed and 1348 are still missing.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.b92.net/info/vesti/index.php?yyyy=2008&mm=06&dd=16&nav_id=303940|title=Još 17.158 u evidenciji nestalih|date=2008-06-16|publisher=B92|language=Serbo-Croat|accessdate=2008-06-21}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hrw.org/reports/1997/croatia/Croatia-02.htm|title=Croatia|publisher=Human Rights Watch|accessdate=2008-06-21}}</ref> Even moderate Serbs were killed by Serb forces.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E0CE7DC133EF937A25753C1A964958260&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=2|title=Life Turns Bleak and Perilous In Serb-Held Area in Croatia |last=Sudetic|first=Chuck|date=1992-10-14|publisher=New York Times|accessdate=2008-06-21}}</ref> Many Croats have returned but a large portion fled to western Europe and stayed there. A large number of Croats (around 118,000) expelled from Serb-held parts of Bosnia, mostly [[Bosanska Posavina]] in 1992 continue to live in Croatia unable to return to their homes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bh-hchr.org/Reports/reportHR2006.htm|title=Report on the Status of Human Rights in Bosnia and Heregovina|date=2007-02-12|publisher=Helsinki Committee for Human Rights in Bosnia and Herzegovina|accessdate=2008-06-21}}</ref> Some 200,000<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4125640.stm|title=
Croatia marks Storm anniversary|publisher=BBC News|date=2005-08-05|accessdate=2008-04-23}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/asset/EUR64/002/2005/en/dom-EUR640022005en.html|title=Croatia: Operation "Storm" - still no justice ten years on|publisher=Amnesty International|date=2005-08-04|accessdate=2008-04-23}}</ref> [[Serbs of Croatia|Serbs]] fled from Croatia at the end of the war. Hundreds of civilians were killed during [[Operation Storm]], according to the [[BBC]].<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/5258610.stm BBC NEWS | World | Europe | Serbs see new 'war crimes' tape<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Only a small fraction of [[Serbs of Croatia]] have returned to their homeland since 1995, according to the [[Human Rights Watch]].<ref>[http://www.hrea.org/lists/refugee-rights/markup/msg00610.html refugee-rights@hrea.org - Croatia: Plight of returning Serb refugees may slow EU bid<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>

The natural growth rate of the population is currently negative<ref name=CIA/> with the [[demographic transition]] completed in the 1970s.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Mrđen|first=Snježana|coauthors=Friganović, Mladen|date=1998|title=The demographic situation in Croatia|journal=Geoadria|volume=3|pages=29-56|url=http://hrcak.srce.hr/file/14991}}</ref> Average [[life expectancy]] is 75.1 years,<ref name=CIA/> and the literacy rate is 98.1 per cent.<ref name=CIA/>

==Law==
{{Expand-section|date=August 2008}}
Croatia has a three-tiered judicial system, consisting of the [[Croatian Supreme Court|Supreme Court]], [[County Court|County courts]], and Municipal courts. The [[Croatian Constitutional Court|Constitutional Court]] rules on matters regarding the [[Constitution of Croatia|Constitution]].
{{seealso|Law enforcement in Croatia}}

== Economy ==
{{main|Economy of Croatia}}
[[Image:Dubra.JPG|thumb|[[Dubrovnik]]'s Old City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and major tourist attraction]]
The Croatian economy has a stable functioning market economy. [[International Monetary Fund]] data shows that Croatian [[nominal GDP]] stood at $50.053 billion, or $11,271 per capita, in 2007.<ref name=IMF/> The IMF forecast for 2008 is $54.950 billion, or $12,374 per capita.<ref name=IMF/> In [[purchasing power parity]] terms, total GDP was $69.866 billion in 2007, equivalent to $15,733 per capita.<ref name=IMF/> For 2008, it is forecast to be $74.419 billion, or $16,758 per capita.<ref name=IMF/>

According to [[Eurostat]] data, Croatian PPS GDP per capita stood at 57.5 per cent of the EU average in 2007, and is forecast to reach 57.8 per cent in 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/portal/page?_pageid=1996,39140985&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL&screen=detailref&language=en&product=STRIND_ECOBAC&root=STRIND_ECOBAC/ecobac/eb011|title=GDP per capita in PPS|publisher=Eurostat|accessdate=2008-03-09}}</ref> Real GDP growth in 2007 was 6.0 per cent.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/portal/page?_pageid=1996,39140985&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL&screen=detailref&language=en&product=STRIND_ECOBAC&root=STRIND_ECOBAC/ecobac/eb012|title=Real GDP growth rate|publisher=Eurostat|accessdate=2008-05-21}}</ref> The average gross salary in 2007 was 7,047 kuna per month.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dzs.hr/Hrv_Eng/StatInfo/pdf/StatInfo2007.pdf|title=''Statistical Information 2007''|publisher=Republic of Croatia Central Bureau of Statistics|accessdate=2008-03-09}}</ref> In 2007, the [[International Labour Organization]]-defined [[unemployment]] rate stood at 9.1 per cent, after falling steadily from 14.7 percent in 2002.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/portal/page?_pageid=1996,39140985&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL&screen=detailref&language=en&product=STRIND_EMPLOI&root=STRIND_EMPLOI/emploi/em071|title=Unemployment rate – total|publisher=Eurostat|accessdate=2008-03-09}}</ref> The registered unemployment rate is higher, though, standing at 14.7 percent in December 2007.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hnb.hr/publikac/bilten/arhiv/bilten-134/ebilt134.pdf?tsfsg=b65a34caa3a314c04e2cba8c626caa79|title=Bulletin 134|publisher=Croatian National Bank|date=February 2008|accessdate=2008-03-22}}</ref>

In 2007, 7.2 percent of economic output was accounted for by [[agriculture]], 32.8 percent by [[industry]] and 60.7 percent by the [[service sector]].<ref name=CIA>{{cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/hr.html|title=Croatia|publisher=''CIA World Factbook''|date=2008-03-06|accessdate=2008-03-09}}</ref> According to 2004 data, 2.7 percent of the workforce were employed in agriculture, 32.8 percent by industry and 64.5 in services.<ref name=CIA/>

The industrial sector is dominated by shipbuilding, food processing and the chemical industry. [[Tourism]] is a notable source of income during the summer, with over 10 million foreign tourists in 2006 generating a revenue of €8 billion.<ref name=UNWTO>{{cite web|url=http://www.unwto.org/facts/eng/pdf/barometer/UNWTO_Barom07_3_en.pdf|title=UNWTO World Tourism Barometer|date=October 2007|accessdate=2008-04-23}}</ref> Croatia is ranked as the 18th most popular tourist destination in the world.<ref name=UNWTO/> In 2006 Croatia exported goods to the value of $10.4 billion ([[FOB]]) ($19.7 billion including service exports).<ref name=UNWTO/>

Of particular concern is the backlogged [[judiciary]] system, combined with inefficient [[public administration]], especially issues of land ownership and corruption. Another main problem includes the large and growing national debt which has reached over 34 billion euro or 89.1 per cent of the nations gross domestic product<ref>[http://www.monstersandcritics.com/news/business/news/article_1411971.php/ANALYSIS_Despite_debt_Croatia_&quotnot_under_financial_collapse_threat%22 ANALYSIS: Despite debt, Croatia "not under financial collapse threat"]</ref>

The country has been preparing for membership in the [[European Union]], its most important [[international trade|trading partner]]. In February 2005, the [[Stabilisation and Association Process|Stabilisation and Association Agreement]] with the [[European Union|EU]] officially came into force.

==Education==
<!-- Unsourced image removed: [[Image:Zg sveuciliste.jpg|thumb|right|195px|[[Rector]]ate building of the [[University of Zagreb]]]] -->
{{main|Education in Croatia}}
Primary education in Croatia starts at the age of six or seven and consists of eight grades. In 2007 a law was passed to increase compulsory education until eighteen years of age.
Secondary education is provided by [[Gymnasium (school)|gymnasiums]] and [[vocational school]]s.

Croatia has seven universities, the [[University of Zagreb]], [[University of Split]], [[University of Rijeka]], [[University of Osijek]], [[University of Zadar]], [[University of Dubrovnik]] and the [[University of Pula]].
The [[University of Zadar]] was founded in 1396 - first university in Croatia. The University of Zagreb was founded in 1669 and is therefore the oldest in [[Southeastern Europe]]. There are also [[polytechnic]] [[higher education]] institutions.

==Transport==
<!-- Unsourced image removed: [[Image:ZagrebHZ.jpg|thumb|right|165px|[[Croatian Railways]] headquarters in [[Zagreb]]]] -->
{{main|Transport in Croatia}}
{{seealso|Highways in Croatia}}
{{seealso|List of airports in Croatia}}

The highlight of Croatia's recent [[infrastructure]] developments is its rapidly-growing highway network, of which plans were drawn and work commenced in the 1970s, but was realised only after independence due to the (then) [[SFRY|Yugoslav Government]] plans of road projects of 'national' importance.

Croatia has now over 1,200 km of highways connecting Zagreb to most other regions. The best known highways are [[A1 (Croatia)|A1]], connecting Zagreb to [[Split]] and [[A3 (Croatia)|A3]], passing east-west through northwest Croatia and [[Slavonia]]. Most highways are tolled, except the [[Zagreb bypass]]. There is also a smaller and more obscure network of expressways connecting to the highways. One of the most used is the [[B28 (Croatia)|B28]] expressway, connecting [[A4 (Croatia)|A4]] near Zagreb to [[Bjelovar]]. The Croatian highways network its considered one of very good overall quality and excellent security , winning several EUROTAP awards [http://www.eurotestmobility.com/news.php?item=25&PHPSESSID=a7d9b4decd981bb3cdc3494656b0104d] [http://www.javno.com/en/croatia/clanak.php?id=38990].

Croatia has an extensive rail network, although due to historical circumstances, some regions (notably Istria and even more Dubrovnik) are not accessible by train without passing through neighbouring countries. Serious investment is needed in the rail network over the coming decades to bring it up to European standards in both speed and operational efficiency. All rail services are operated by [[Croatian Railways]] ({{lang-hr|Hrvatske željeznice}}). The bus network (operated by private operators) is extensively developed, with higher levels of coverage and timetables than the railways.

Croatia has three major international airports, located in [[Zagreb Airport|Zagreb]], [[Split Airport|Split]] and [[Dubrovnik Airport|Dubrovnik]]. Other important airports include [[Zadar Airport|Zadar]], [[Rijeka Airport|Rijeka]] (on the island of [[Krk]]), [[Osijek Airport|Osijek]], [[Bol Airport|Bol]], [[Lošinj Airport|Lošinj]] and [[Pula Airport|Pula]]. [[Croatia Airlines]] is the national airline and [[flag carrier]].

An extensive system of ferries, operated by [[Jadrolinija]], serves Croatia's many islands and links coastal cities. Ferry services are also available to Italy.

== Culture ==
[[Image:Punjena_Paprika.JPG|180px|thumb|px|Punjena [[Paprika]] & [[Potatoes]], an example of Croatian cuisine.]]
{{main|Culture of Croatia}}
Croatian culture is the result of a [[Culture of Croatia#History|fourteen century-long history]] which has seen the development of many cities and monuments. The country includes [[Culture of Croatia#Places|seven World Heritage sites and eight national parks]]. Croatia is also the birthplace of a number of [[Culture of Croatia#People|historical figures]] included among the [[List of Croatians|notable people]] are three [[Nobel prize]] winners, and numerous inventors.

Some of the world's first [[fountain pen]]s came from Croatia. Croatia also has a place in the history of clothing as the origin of the [[necktie]] (''kravata''). The country has a long [[Culture of Croatia#Arts and literature|artistic, literary]] and [[Music of Croatia|musical tradition]]. Also of interest is the diverse nature of [[Croatian cuisine]].

== Properties inscribed on the World Heritage List ==

[[Image:Sibenik1 (js).jpg|thumb|right|150px|[[Šibenik]], The [[Cathedral of St. Jacob, Šibenik|Cathedral of St James (St. Jacob)]]]]

===Cultural===
* Episcopal Complex of the [[Euphrasian Basilica]] in the Historic Centre of [[Poreč]] (1997)
* Historic City of [[Trogir]] (1997)
* Historical Complex of [[Split]] with the Palace of Diocletian (1979)
* Old City of [[Dubrovnik]] (1979)
* The Cathedral of St James in [[Šibenik]](2000)
* The [[Stari Grad, Croatia|Stari Grad]] Plain - island of [[Hvar]] (2008)

===Natural===
* [[Plitvice Lakes]] National Park (1979)

== Sport ==
{{main|Sport in Croatia}}
Sports popular in Croatia include [[association football|football]], [[team handball|handball]], [[basketball]], [[water polo]] and [[tennis]].
The [[Croatian national football team]] finished third in the [[1998 FIFA World Cup]] and [[Davor Šuker]] won the [[FIFA World Cup awards|Golden Boot]] as the top goal scorer. The country failed in its joint bid with Hungary to co-host the [[UEFA Euro 2012|2012 European Championships]]. The two main teams in Croatia are [[NK Dinamo Zagreb]] with between 33% and 36% of the population supporting them and [[HNK Hajduk Split]] with about 25%.

The [[Croatia national handball team|Croatian national handball team]] were [[2003 World Men's Handball Championship|world champions]] in 2003 and two time Olympic winners in [[Handball at the 1996 Summer Olympics|1996]] and [[Handball at the 2004 Summer Olympics|2004]]. [[Ivano Balić]] is considered to be the best handball player in the world. [[RK Zagreb]] was a two time [[EHF Champions League|European champion]] and [[RK Bjelovar]] won the same [[EHF Champions League|championship]] once.

The [[Croatian national basketball team|national basketball team]] finished third at the [[1994 FIBA World Championship]], second at the [[Basketball at the 1992 Summer Olympics|1992 Summer Olympics]] and third at [[EuroBasket 1993]] and [[EuroBasket 1995|1995]]. Croatian basketball clubs were [[Euroleague|European champions]] 5 times , [[KK Split]] three times and [[KK Cibona]] twice. The third most famous basketball club is [[KK Zadar]].

The [[Croatia men's national water polo team|Croatian national water polo team]] are the current [[Water Polo at the 2007 World Aquatics Championships|world champions]]. [[HAVK Mladost|Mladost]] was a seven time [[LEN Euroleague|European champion]] and was awarded the title ''Best Club of the 20th Century'' by [[Ligue européenne de natation|LEN]]. [[VK Jug Dubrovnik|Jug]] and [[Jadran Split|Jadran]] were both three time European champions. [[Croatia Davis Cup team|Croatian Davis Cup team]] won the tournament in [[2005 Davis Cup|2005]].

The tennis player [[Goran Ivanišević]] is one of the country's most recognisable sportsmen who won the 2001 Men's Singles title at [[The Championships, Wimbledon|Wimbledon]]. [[Janica Kostelić]] and [[Ivica Kostelić]] in [[skiing]], [[Blanka Vlašić]] in [[athletics (track and field)|athletics]], [[Duje Draganja]], [[Sanja Jovanović]] and [[Đurđica Bjedov]] in [[swimming]], [[Dražen Petrović]], [[Krešimir Ćosić]], [[Toni Kukoč]] and [[Dino Rađa]] in [[basketball]], [[Matija Ljubek]] in [[canoeing]], [[Željko Mavrović]] and [[Mate Parlov]] in [[boxing]], [[Branko Cikatić]] and [[Mirko Filipović]], known as "Cro Cop", in [[kickboxing]] and [[mixed martial arts]], [[Tamara Boroš]] in [[table tennis]] are among the most famous athletes.

== See also ==
[[Image:Hvar hvar 2.jpg|thumb|right|Hvar Island]]
* [[Communications in Croatia]]
* [[Holidays in Croatia]]
* [[Military of Croatia]]
* [[Protected areas of Croatia]]
* [[Tourism in Croatia]]
* [[Transport in Croatia]]
* [[Highways in Croatia]]
* [[Sport in Croatia]]
* [[Croatian War of Independence]]
* [[List of Croatians]]
* [[Law enforcement in Croatia]]
* [[International rankings of Croatia]]
* [[Banovina of Croatia]]
* [[Croatian Railways]]

== References ==
{{reflist|2}}

== Further reading ==
* [http://www.democratiya.com/authors/bio.asp?id=26 Branka Magaš.] [http://www.saqibooks.com/saqi/display.asp?K=9780863567759&sf=KEYWORD&sort=sort_title&st1=croatia&x=0&y=0&m=1&dc=10 "Croatia Through History: The Making of a Modern European State"] [http://www.saqibooks.com/ Saqi.] November 2007, 680pp.
* Agičić et al., ''Povijest i zemljopis Hrvatske, priručnik za hrvatske manjinske škole'' (''History and [[Geography of Croatia]], a handbook for Croatian minority schools''), Biblioteka Geographica Croatica, 292 pages, Zagreb:2000 (ISBN 953-6235-40-4) {{hr icon}}
* Ivo Banac, ''The National Question in Yugoslavia: Origins, History, Politics'' Cornell University Press, 1984.
* Mirjana Kasapovic (ur.), ''Hrvatska politika 1990.-2000.'' Zagreb: Hrvatska politologija 2001.
* Pavol Demes and Joerg Forbrig (eds.), ''Reclaiming Democracy: Civil Society and Electoral Change in Central and Eastern Europe.'' German Marshall Fund, 2007. ISBN 978-80-969639-0-4
* Sharon Fisher, Political Change in Post-Communist Slovakia and Croatia: From Nationalist to Europeanist. New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2006 ISBN 1 4039 7286 9

== External links ==
{{portal|Croatia|Flag of Croatia.svg}}
{{sisterlinks}}
* {{wikiatlas|Croatia}}
* {{wikitravel}}
* [http://www.hr/english Croatian Homepage]
* [http://www.hr/croatia About Croatia]
* [http://www.croatia.hr/English/Home/Naslovna.aspx Croatian National Tourist Board]
* [http://www.vlada.hr/en The Government of the Republic of Croatia]
* {{dmoz|Regional/Europe/Croatia}}
* [http://weather-in-croatia.com Weather forecasts and weather info on Croatia]
* [http://www.guide2croatia.net/information_about_Croatia Croatia Country Information]

{{Template group
|title = [[Image:Nuvola filesystems www.png|23px]]&nbsp;Geographic locale
|list =
{{Countries of Europe}}
{{Countries and territories bordering the Mediterranean Sea}}
}}
{{Template group
|title = Within Croatia
|list =
{{World Heritage Sites in Croatia}}
{{Croatian cities}}
{{Inhabited Islands of Croatia}}
{{National parks of Croatia}}
}}
{{Template group
|title = International membership and history
|list =
{{UN Security Council|state=collapsed}}
{{NATO}}
{{Council of Europe}}
{{European Union (EU) members and candidates|state=collapsed}}
{{Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA)}}
{{WTO}}
{{OSCE}}
{{La Francophonie|state=collapsed}}
{{Slavic-speaking states}}
{{Republics and autonomous provinces of the former Yugoslavia}}
}}

<!--Categories-->
[[Category:Croatia| ]]
[[Category:Slavic countries]]

<!--Interwikis-->

[[af:Kroasië]]
[[als:Kroatien]]
[[am:ክሮኤሽያ]]
[[ar:كرواتيا]]
[[an:Croazia]]
[[arc:ܟܪܘܬܝܐ]]
[[roa-rup:Croatia]]
[[frp:Croacie]]
[[ast:Croacia]]
[[gn:Kyoasia]]
[[az:Xorvatiya]]
[[bn:ক্রোয়েশিয়া]]
[[zh-min-nan:Hrvatska]]
[[be:Харватыя]]
[[be-x-old:Харватыя]]
[[bar:Kroàzien]]
[[bs:Hrvatska]]
[[br:Kroatia]]
[[bg:Хърватия]]
[[ca:Croàcia]]
[[ceb:Croatia]]
[[cs:Chorvatsko]]
[[cy:Croatia]]
[[da:Kroatien]]
[[de:Kroatien]]
[[dv:ކުރޮއޭޝިއާ]]
[[dsb:Chorwatska]]
[[et:Horvaatia]]
[[el:Κροατία]]
[[es:Croacia]]
[[eo:Kroatio]]
[[eu:Kroazia]]
[[fa:کرواسی]]
[[fo:Kroatia]]
[[fr:Croatie]]
[[fy:Kroaasje]]
[[fur:Cravuazie]]
[[ga:An Chróit]]
[[gv:Yn Chroit]]
[[gd:Croàisia]]
[[gl:Croacia - Hrvatska]]
[[hak:Tha̍t-mâ-thai]]
[[ko:크로아티아]]
[[haw:Koloatia]]
[[hy:Խորվաթիա]]
[[hi:क्रोएशिया]]
[[hsb:Chorwatska]]
[[hr:Hrvatska]]
[[io:Kroatia]]
[[ilo:Kroasia]]
[[bpy:ক্রোয়েশিয়া]]
[[id:Kroasia]]
[[ia:Croatia]]
[[ie:Croatia]]
[[os:Хорвати]]
[[is:Króatía]]
[[it:Croazia]]
[[he:קרואטיה]]
[[pam:Croatia]]
[[kn:ಕ್ರೊಯೆಶಿಯ]]
[[ka:ხორვატია]]
[[csb:Chòrwackô]]
[[kk:Хыруатстан]]
[[kw:Kroati]]
[[ky:Хорватия]]
[[sw:Kroatia]]
[[kv:Хорватия]]
[[ht:Kroasi]]
[[ku:Kroatiya]]
[[la:Croatia]]
[[lv:Horvātija]]
[[lb:Kroatien]]
[[lt:Kroatija]]
[[lij:Croaçia]]
[[li:Kroatië]]
[[ln:Kroasia]]
[[hu:Horvátország]]
[[mk:Хрватска]]
[[ml:ക്രൊയേഷ്യ]]
[[mt:Kroazja]]
[[mr:क्रो‌एशिया]]
[[ms:Croatia]]
[[nah:Croacitlān]]
[[na:Croatia]]
[[nl:Kroatië]]
[[ne:क्रोएसिया]]
[[ja:クロアチア]]
[[ce:Хорвати]]
[[pih:Croaysha]]
[[no:Kroatia]]
[[nn:Kroatia]]
[[nov:Kroatia]]
[[oc:Croàcia]]
[[uz:Horvatiya]]
[[ps:کروآسيا]]
[[pms:Croassia]]
[[nds:Kroatien]]
[[pl:Chorwacja]]
[[pt:Croácia]]
[[crh:Hırvatistan]]
[[ro:Croaţia]]
[[qu:Hurwatsuyu]]
[[ru:Хорватия]]
[[se:Kroátia]]
[[sm:Croatia]]
[[sa:क्रोएशिया]]
[[stq:Kroatien]]
[[sq:Kroacia]]
[[scn:Croazzia]]
[[simple:Croatia]]
[[sk:Chorvátsko]]
[[cu:Хръватьска]]
[[sl:Hrvaška]]
[[szl:Chorwacyjo]]
[[sr:Хрватска]]
[[sh:Hrvatska]]
[[fi:Kroatia]]
[[sv:Kroatien]]
[[tl:Croatia]]
[[ta:குரோவாட்ஸ்க்கா]]
[[th:ประเทศโครเอเชีย]]
[[vi:Croatia]]
[[tg:Хорватия]]
[[tr:Hırvatistan]]
[[tk:Horwatiýa]]
[[udm:Хорватия]]
[[uk:Хорватія]]
[[ur:کروشیا]]
[[vec:Croàsia]]
[[vo:Kroasän]]
[[fiu-vro:Horvaatia]]
[[war:Croasia]]
[[wo:Korwaasi]]
[[wuu:克罗地亚]]
[[yi:קראאטיע]]
[[zh-yue:克羅地亞]]
[[diq:Xırvatıstan]]
[[bat-smg:Kroatėjė]]
[[zh:克罗地亚]]

Revision as of 13:20, 24 September 2008

Hrvati jedu govna

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Croatia&oldid=240675357"