Croatia's recent history is tied to Yugoslavia and southeastern Europe, but
today Croatia is in the European Union, which actually matches much of its longer
history, tying it to the west.  Although the people of Croatia are very genetically
and linguistically similar to other people in the region, culturally they have always
been connected to the west, beginning with their time under Roman rule. 

The lands of modern day Croatia were a part of the Roman Empire and were an influential
piece of that empire as a couple emperors came from the region of Croatia.  Even
after the empire split into the west and east (Byzantine Empire) empires, Croatia
remained with the west, although most of the Balkan Peninsula fell under the control
of Byzantium.  This is when the division of the peninsula began. 

Under the Roman Empire and later the Frankish and Venetian Empires (as opposed to
being under the Byzantine Empire), the region and people of Croatia always looked
west and became Catholic while most of the people on the peninsula later converted
to Eastern Orthodox.  All these rulers were Catholic, including the later Hapsburgs,
maintaining the Catholic faith of the people and truly giving them a different identity
than the Serbs, Montenegrins, and Bosniaks, who speak a similar language. 

These outside rulers also had great influence on the people of the region as architecture
along the coasts is strongly Venetian and foods from both Italy and Austria can
be easily found, although the natural reliance on the seas still dominates the cuisine. 

Under Yugoslav rule Croatia changed greatly in terms of lifestyle, but didn't
change to a significant degree culturally.  Communism encouraged advancements in
technology, communication, infrastructure, and transportation, which meant cities
grew and jobs shifted to the industrial sector.  For much of history life was based
off the lands as many people farmed, raised animals, or fished; this is still true
to a great degree, but today many others find work in other sectors. 

Despite Yugoslav rule, the culture of Croatia remained tied to their past and little
changed in this regard.  The major differences between Croatia and their neighbors
remained, beginning with Catholicism separating them from most neighbors while ethnicity
and language continued to differentiate the people from Slovenia.  However, more
than these simple differences, the people of Croatia tend to focus on family, friends,
neighbors, and the future; there is a push forward, constantly seeking out a better
future, a stable economy, and greater opportunities, which seem to begin with attracting
tourists to their beautiful islands, beaches, parks, and cities.