– on the European continent  (green & dark grey)– in the European Union  (green)  —  [Legend]

Croatia (/kroʊˈeɪʃə/ (listen) kroh-AY-shə) is a unitary democratic parliamentary republic in Europe at the crossroads of Central Europe, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean. Its capital and largest city is Zagreb. It was one of the republics of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. It became independent in 1991. It joined the European Union on 1 July 2013.

A very long time ago, in this territory lived Illyrian people. They were ruled by Rome. In the seventh century AD, northern Slavic people came to live in the Balkan peninsula. Austria-Hungary made Croatia free from the Ottoman Empire and was ruled in today's Croatia until 1918. In 1918 it became a part of Yugoslavia which was taken over in World War II. 
After a small war with Italy a fascist dictatorship formed the Independent State of Croatia in 1941. It was not independent for long. Like all other countries in Central Europe the Nazi Germany had strong influence (see also Jasenovac concentration camp).

In 1945, Croatia became a part of new, communist Yugoslavia (Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia) which collapsed in 1991.  Croatia is now independent for the second time.

Dalmatia is part of Croatia. Today Croatia is popular for tourists.  The country's reliable economy makes it possible for Croatia to join the European Union on 1 July 2013.[4]

Croatia is located in Central and Southeast Europe, bordering Hungary to the northeast, Serbia to the east, Bosnia and Herzegovina to the south-east,  Montenegro to the south-east, the Adriatic Sea to the south-west and Slovenia to the northwest. It lies mostly between latitudes 42° and 47° N and longitudes 13° and 20° E. Part of the territory in the extreme south surrounding Dubrovnik is a practical exclave connected to the rest of the mainland by territorial waters, but separated on land by a short coastline strip belonging to Bosnia and Herzegovina around Neum.[5]

Croatia is the 127th largest country in the world.[6] The highest point is the Dinara peak at 1,831 metres (6,007 feet). Thousands of islands are part of Croatia. 48 have people living there year round. The largest islands are Cres and Krk.[6] Major rivers are the Sava, Drava, Kupa and Danube.

There are many deep caves in Croatia. 49 of which are deeper than 250 m (820.21 ft). Croatia's most famous lakes are the Plitvice lakes.

Most of Croatia has a moderately warm and rainy continental climate. Average temperature ranges between −3 °C (27 °F) (in January) and 18 °C (64 °F) (in July). The coldest parts of the country are Lika and Gorski Kotar. The warmest are at the Adriatic coast.

There are several ecoregions in Croatia. The coastline, forests, mountains, and rivers give Croatia diverse flora and fauna. There are more than a thousand endemic species.

Croatia is home to the only known aquatic cave vertebrate—the olm.

There are 444 protected areas of Croatia. Those include eight national parks, two strict reserves, and ten nature parks. The oldest national park in Croatia is the Plitvice Lakes National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Croatia adopted its constitution in 1990.[7] It declared independence from Yugoslavia on 8 October 1991.

The President of the Republic is the head of state. The President is directly elected to a five-year term. The Constitution limits the President to a maximum of two terms. Zoran Milanović became president in 2020.[8]
The Prime Minister of Croatia is the head of government. Since 2016, the prime minister of the government is Andrej Plenković.

Croatia is one of the richest countries of the Balkan Peninsula and of the former Yugoslavia's countries. But Croatia had also the highest cost prices of the whole Central Europe. The average monthly salary/wages in Croatia standing on 739 euro or nearly $1000 USD.[9]

The retirement age for men is 65 years and for women 60 years.[10]
The health care enjoys relative strong protection for the country's inhabitants.

The education is free and required until the child reaches the age of 15. Many choose to continue their studies in high school until the age of 18.[11]

After the war that devastated the country, Croatia has rebuilt its infrastructure, revitalizing its image as a Mediterranean country with crystal clear waters, medieval cities that mix western and eastern architecture, respect for the environment and traditions with the arrival of tourism. Dubrovnik has become the most characteristic symbol of this new Croatia that is strongly committed to European tourism. It is developing a type of tourism based on sustainability, in which culture, gastronomy and nature coexist with the visitor, offering them the experience of discovering Croatia as part of it.

There are many reasons to visit Croatia. Its six UNESCO World Heritage sites : Dubrovnik's Old Town (undoubtedly one of the most beautiful cities in Europe), the Diocletian's Palace in Split , the historic core of Trogir , the Cathedral of St. James of Sibenik , the Plitvice Lakes National Park , or the Episcopal Ensemble of the Euphrasian Basilica in the Historic Center of Porec (Istria) . We could name the wonders of Croatia one by one, but we prefer that you go into our Guide and discover for yourself each town, each city and every corner.

The nature is another attractive source of tourism in Croatia. Its eight National Parks and ten Natural Parks with their varied fauna and flora show all their splendor, with a coastline that winds from the Istria Peninsula to the south of Dalmatia, leaving beautiful coves, beaches, and cliffs. The islands, such as Hvar or Korcula , in Dalmatia or Rab and Losinj in Kvarner Bay , which are sometimes grouped together in archipelagos as interesting as those of Brijuni or Kornati, they host millions of tourists who seek peace or the possibility of practicing nudism, so associated with Croatia, in its crystalline waters. More than a thousand islands and islets that make up the Adriatic Coast, a paradise for those who love sailing and seek to cross the Adriatic by Sailboat .

The variety of the tourist offer in Croatia goes beyond the beautiful cities Dubrovnik, Zagreb or Split.[12] It is an ideal country to spend your holidays, practicing adventure sports, hiking , scuba diving , traveling through its islands by sailboat , enjoying its gastronomy or its excellent wines and getting lost with routes in the magical corners that history has left in its streets.

How do you imagine the nightlife in Croatia? beer is cheap, and the bartenders shake and prepare the latest cocktails while the DJ's mix the latest in the world, from Slavic music to soul, rock, electronic, jazz, international and beyond.

It's just that, after a day of tanning on the beach, there is nothing better than going out to explore the nightlife of the city, going from Irish pubs to big parties, cocktail bars, rock clubs, and discos, just to start.

To find the best places, you just have to follow the Croatian migration patterns. When everyone is working hard during the winter, the nightlife is found in big cities like Zagreb, Split, Rijeka, and Zadar.[13]

When the weather starts to heat up, the inhabitants of the big cities rush to the clubs, bars, and discos of the islands and beaches, especially in Hvar and the Pag Islands.

So what time does the fun start? In the big cities, the most avant-garde music, art, and fashion are served in multipurpose cafes/bars/discos, which open from noon and remain open until midnight.