Croatian history begins with the migration of Croats from what is now southern Poland in the 7th Century AD. The Croats become the first Slavic people to accept Christianity in 879. Permitted to have a Christian liturgy in their own language, the Croats developed an independent bond with the church that has shaped their socioeconomic, cultural and political fabric for the last 1,100 years. With papal blessing, an independent kingdom-which ruled much of the Balkans and Adriatic region for more than 200 years, was established in 925. With the decline of the national dynasty, the Croats formed a "Personal Union" with Hungarian King in 1526. At this time, Croatia, along with Austria and much of Hungary, formed the Hapsburg empire. Three hundred years of struggle with Ottoman Empire followed, in which Croatia become the battle ground, but the Christian forces prevailed and the invaders were repelled. In the 19th Century, Croatia successfully halted Germanization and Hungarization forces within the Empire and retained its own culture. At the end of World war I, Croatian, together with Slovenia and Serbia, joined in the new union which become Yugoslavia. However, since that time, nationalistic feelings remained strong, with many Croatians favoring a separate, sovereign state.
In 1990, the first, free post-war elections were held and on June 25, 1991, Croatia declared its independence. A bitter and bloody war with the Yugoslav army followed. The first country to recognize Croatia was Iceland on December 19, 1991, by January 1992, the European Community of Nations, the Vatican and many other countries recognized Croatia, and by April 1992, the United States likewise recognized Croatia. The President of the new Republic of Croatia was Franjo Tudjman.That same year Croatia was admitted as a member of the United Nations and many other international organizations, Croatia is also a candidate for membership of the European Union..
Country: Croatia
Capital: Zagreb
President: Ivo Josipovic
Population: 4.4 millions
Size: 21,831 sq.mi.
Currency: Kuna
Language: Croatian 96%, other 4%
Religion: Roman Catholic 88%, Orthodox 8.4%, Muslim 2.6%, other 6.1%
*Special, white"Bracki Kamen" for the base of the Statue of Liberty and White House.
*Physicist - Ruder Boskovic
*Inventor - Nikola Tesla
*Sculptor - Ivan Mestrovic
*Oil Industry pioneer - Anthony Lucas
*Basketball players - Drazen Petrovic, Toni Kukoc, Dino Radja...and former Rockets coach Rudy Tomjanovich.
*Tenins star - Goran Ivanisevic
*Movie & TV star's - Goran Visnjic, Rade Serberdzija
*Dalmatian dog breed ( Disney's popular pooches) originated from Croatia's Dalmatian coast in the mid 18th century.
CROATIAN PEOPLE
Around 4 million Croats live in Croatia and another 600 thousands live in Bosnia and Hercegovina, around 100-200 thousands Croats live in other former Yugoslav Republics, and in Austria. The number of Croats living abroad is estimate to be around the same number as in the homeland. The biggest emigration groups live in Western Europe mostly Germany then Italy, Sweden, etc... On other continents, Croatian community lives in the U.S.A as well as Argentina, Chile, Peru, Brazil, Australia, and South Africa.
CROATIAN LANGUAGE
Croatian was the only European language that was written in three different scripts: angular Glagolitic (from the 9th century), Western Cyrillic (from the 12th century) and Latine (from the 14th century). With time the Latine script prevailed. The Croatian alphabet has 30 letters. The Croatian language is spoken not only by Croats in Croatia, but also by those in Bosnia and Hercegovina, in the neighboring countries and those who have emigrate to other continents, especially to America.
THE NATURAL HERITAGE OF CROATIA
The Croatian Adriatic cost is famous for its 1246 islands, islets and azure blue waters of the Adriatic Sea. The largest island is Cres.There are so many different bays, capes, beaches and hidden natural attractions along the coast, adorned by crystal-clear sea and colorful shores, from rugged, stone cliff faces to areas ornate with lush Mediterranean vegetation. Croatian waters have remained ecologically clean and clear, Croatian underwater has more then 85 registered diving locations. Dive down to ancient sailboats and coral reefs, visit underwater caves and warship wrecks inhabited by schools of fish.
Kornati National Park, is an area popular with divers. The water is so clear and still that sunlight filters down to depths of 260ft. The labyrinth of stones, cervices, and caves is home to at least 436 species of maritime plants and algae. This nutritious environment is home to 300 different animal species. Since fishing is completely prohibited in the are, this National Park area provides a safe habitat for altogether 65 species of fish.
Eight National Parks are the most attractive parts of the rich natural heritage of Croatia: Plitvice Lakes, Krka,Kornati, Brijuni, Miljet, Northern Velebit, Paklenica, and Risnjik.
The Plitvice Lakes in the heart of Croatia were the result of an unusual combination of natural circumstances. Crystal-clear water plumbs down from one lake into another through a series of foaming waterfalls. Young mosses are green and seem to act as a water filter. They retain traces of calcium, encrusting this around their roots, and turn themselves into petrified plants. Plitvice Park is constantly changing. visitors will only get a snapshot impression at any given moment.
Most beautiful cities is Dubrovnik, known as the queen of the Adriatic. Dubrovnik natural beauty is paralleled by the results of the toil of human hands. There was an outcry throughout the world when the Serbs fired on Dubrovnik during the Balkan War because everyone knew the collective heritage was irreplaceable. Today, the war damage has been extensively repaired thanks to the commitment of the local people and international aid, and the city's life has returned to normal.
Zagreb is one of the oldest cities in Europe, exuding a strong sense of history at every turn. Cathedral of the Assumption of Virgin Mary boasts one of the finest treasuries to be found anywhere in Europe. Sacred works of art spanning nine centuries are on display here, including monstrance's, chalices, hand written medieval documents, and tapestries, as well as a10ht-century ivory diptych.
Croatia has 40 marinas. Many of Croatian marinas are situated close to historical towns, real treasuries of history and cultural heritage, with their museums, galleries, churches, palaces and monasteries, with streets and shops that become the scene of contemporary cultural events, concerts, folklore and artistic performances.
