About Croatia
Geographical position:
Croatia extends from the furthest eastern edges of the Alps in the north-west to the Pannonian lowlands and the banks of the Danube in the east;
its central region is covered by the Dinara mountain range, and its southern parts extend to the coast of the Adriatic Sea.
Surface:
the mainland covers 56,542 km2, and the surface of the territorial sea is 31,067 km2.
Population:
4,437,460 inhabitants;
composition of population: the majority of the population are Croats;
national minorities are Serbs, Slovenes, Hungarians, Bosnians, Italians, Czechs and others.
System of government:
multi-party parliamentary republic.
Capital:
Zagreb (779,145 inhabitants), the economic, traffic, cultural and academic centre of the country.
Coastline:
5,835 km of which 4,058 km comprise a coastline of islands, solitary rocks and reefs. Number of islands, solitary rocks and reefs: 1,185; the largest islands are Krk and Cres;
there are 50 inhabited islands.
Highest peak:
Dinara: 1,831 m above sea level.
Climate:
There are two climate zones;
a temperate continental climate, locally also a mountainous climate, prevails in the interior, whereas a pleasant Mediterranean climate prevails along the Adriatic coast, with an overwhelming number of sunny days, dry and hot summers, mild and humid winters;
average temperature in the inland: January 0 to 2°C, August 19 to 23°C;
average temperature at the seaside: January 6 to 11°C, August 21 to 27 °C;
the temperature is about 12°C in winter, and 25°C in summer.
Currency:
kuna (1 kuna = 100 lipa). Foreign currency can be exchanged in banks, exchange offices, post offices, travel agencies, hotels, camps, marinas; cheques can be cashed in banks. All major cards (American Express, Visa, Euro/Mastercard, Diners) are accepted for a wide range of services.
International telephone code for Croatia:
385
Important telephone numbers:
- Police 92
- Fire brigade 93
- Ambulance 94
- Emergency road assistance 987
- General information 981
Public holidays:
- New Year's Day, January 1
- Epiphany January 6
- Easter , April 8, 9
- Labor Day, May 1
- Corpus Christy, June 7
- Antifascism Day, June 22
- National Day, June 25
- National Thanksgiving Day, August 5
- The Assumption; August 15
- Independence Day, October 8
- All Saint's Day, November 1
- Christmas, December 25 , 26
Travel documents:
To enter Croatia a valid ID card or a passport is needed , depending on international agreement between the countries.
Visa: Please check with the nearest Croatian Consulate or Embassy.
Medical services:
Medical care for foreign visitors is provided at hospitals and clinics in all major cities in Croatia .Croatia is a member of the Europe Assistance Medical Services System.
Drivers must be in possession of valid documents for themselves and the vehicle, as well as the Green Insurance Card.
Car rental service:
Cars can be rented at the airports, in towns and in all major tourist resorts.
Postal services:
Post offices are open from Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Saturdays from 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.. International phone calls are easily made from hotel rooms and post offices. Phone cards are available from post offices and kiosks. Stamps are sold at post offices, hotel receptions and newspaper and tobacco stands. TNT and DHL air-express carrier services are also available.
Cellular phone range:
Communication by cellular phone is possible throughout Croatia.
Shopping:
Excellent purchases include articles made of leather, local hand-made lace items and embroidery, ceramics, herb brandies, etc.
Opening hours:
department stores and groceries are open from 7:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., whereas some shops and groceries close for lunch.
On Saturdays most shops are open from 7:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.. In tourist resorts most shops stay open longer in the high season, including Saturdays and Sundays. Duty-free shops are located at