|
Since 1991 the republic Croatia has been independent. Croatia has 1777 kilometers coast to Adriatische the sea, with 1185 islands for the coast (of which is inhabited 66). One count the islands then is the total coast line 5835 kilometers... Although Croatia does not lie to the Mediterranean Sea, the country because of the climate and culture are counted to that area. Croatia has 5 neighbor countries: Bosnia-Herzegovina: (932 kilometers border) and the south west (republic Montenegro, 25 kilometers border) At the Place Neum, the Croatian coast is interrupted by a corridor of 20 kilometers which belongs to Bosnia-Herzegovina. This corridor separates the area around Dubrovnik of the rest of the country. The total surface of the country amounts to approx. 56,538 km2nd Croatia has approximately 4.8 million inhabitants, of which million there more than 1 in the capital Zagreb, lain in the northwest of the country lives. Once more 1 million people live in the remaining cities, the rest on country and to the coast. The most important source of income is tourism, it most of the movement drives that by Croatia this country has as an end destination. For transport on sea the port of Rijeka is very important, it is the most northern port of Croatia. Society :
According to the constitution of 1990 Croatia an indivisible, democratic and social state with complete sovereignty is. Head of State is the president, who is preferred directly for five years of age. He stipulates the foreign policy and is Commander of the armed forces. The minister-president and the other members of the cabinet are dismissed on his proposal by him appointed and. He can exclaim the need situation in certain cases. He is justification chargeable to the parliament. The legislature rests at the Sabor, a two chamber parlement, which exists from a house of delegates, of which the members for four years of age are preferred, and a room of parlement with 68 preferred members indirectly. The right to choose is there for all from 18 years. Croatia has been divided in 20 region’s (type provinces) en a metropolitan area. Croatia has been member of the United Nations and a number of sub-organizaties of the UN, the organization for security and cooperation in Europe and since 1996 of the Council of Europe. Economy :
The economy of Croatia stabilizes after a change process of sent to free economy and the impact of the war. The economic growth is with 2% more than the reports of 1995 still and unemployment lies with high 17%, but inflation the rather restricted small and public debt has been. Agriculture offers employment to 5% of the population and contributes 13% to GNP. In the industry 40% are effective, well because a contribution from 25% to the taxes of GNP the sector tourist with 55% of the employment is and a contribution to GNP of 62%, agriculture it especially in good central - Croatia does and grows of includes grain, sugar beet, potatoes and fruit. The citrus fruits of the coast area, the grapes and figs are grown. In the mountain is it popular keeping livestock. Croatia wins annual approximately two million barrels of oil and this much gas, especially in the Drava-Bassin. Business & industry: The industry is of an old great meaning. Are important food, textile, shipbuilding and the chemical industry. The export existed in 1995, for 22% from chemical products, 20% clothing’s and footwear, 8% crudes, 7% ships and 6.6% foodstuffs. The most important trade partners its Germany, Italy and Slovenia. Traffic:
Croatia is the link between Central and Southern Europe. The road network covers about 25,000 km. Of this is 350 km. motorway. The railway network covers 2698 km. Shipping is of great importance. Croatia has 350 large and small ports. The largest ports are Pula, Rijeka, Zadar, Šibenik, Split and Dubrovnik. There are eight modern airports and many sports and tourist airports. Croatia Airlines provides domestic and foreign flights. You can fly very cheaply to Rijeka in July and August (the airport is on the island of Krk and from the airport by shuttle bus to Rab.) For a holiday on the islands, Jadranlinija provides ferries for a connection to the mainland. Weather :
The climate varies of mediterrian along the coast to a continental climate in the inland. To the coast wind ensures a cooling breeze in the summer. The temperature fluctuates on average between 10 (in the winter) and the 26 (in the summer) degrees Celsius. In the inland country it can be in the winter ferry colt. To the coast the Sun seems in abundance. Population:
The largest part of the population exists from Croats, a people of mixed Iranian-Gothic-Slavonian origin, which their ethnic identity acquired after the migrations of Ostrogoten, Avaren and slaves (beginning 7th century) and to the Slavonian peoples belongs linguistically many Croats lives abroad, the most as guest workers (to estimate small 300.000). In Croatia lived in 1995 approx. 180,000 refugees, from Bosnia-Herzegovina and 5000 from Yugoslavia. Approximately... 55% of the population lives in the cities. Religion :
The Croats are predominantly Roman Catholic (about 87%).
23% of the floor of Croatia are covert with bunches. The largest varieties to plants are in the Velebit mountains. Here come more than 2700 different types’ plants. Threatened edelweiss is admired there still. In central -Croatia still come wolves and bears for. The islands are on the side of the mainland frequently bald and dry, but on the other side one you find frequently real pearls, very fertile and green, with a lot of bays and creeks with small beaches and beautiful anchorages. Croatia has also 8 nature parks: The Brijuni-islands : website The Brioni islands (Croatian: Brijuni) or Brioni islands lie off the west coast of Istria, Croatia between Rovinj and the port city of Pula. The archipelago consists of two large (Veli Brioni and Mali Brioni) and ten small islands and has been declared a National Park Brijuni in its entirety. The islands are accessible by boat from Fazana. The Yugoslav leader Tito had his summer residence at Veli Brioni. He received many heads of state and film stars (including Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, Sophia Loren and Gina Lollobrigida). With the exotic animals he received from them, he formed a safari park on Veli Brioni, which still exists today. In addition, a large part of the north side of Veli Brioni has been cultivated into a golf course and polo has been played since 1893. Worth seeing are the remains of a Byzantine castrum, a settlement with fortifications. From the Gospina bay at the harbor a train goes to the east side of Veli Brioni. Here is an Austrian fortress from the 19th century named after Admiral Wilhelm von Tegetthoff. There is also a museum and the Sint Rochuskerk at the harbor. The Plitvices Lakes: website Here 16 lakes are connected by beautiful waterfalls. This largest and most famous National Park of Croatia is located inland and is easily accessible from both Zagreb and the coast. This UNESCO monument consists of a wooded area with 16 lakes that descend cascading, sometimes with a small, sometimes with a large difference in height. The waterfalls are therefore spectacular in some places. The Waterfalls from Krka: website Een wondermooi natuurpark rondom de rivier Krka in de buurt van Šibenik. De Skradin waterval met 17 verdiepingen met een gezamenlijke hoogte van meer dan 45 meter . In de rivier is er danig gebruik gemaakt van de natuur en waren er vroeger op verschillende plaatsen wastobben ingepland. In de rivier ligt er ook een klein eiland Visovac genoemd , met daarop een klooster uit de veertiende eeuw. Na het meer van Visovac stroomt de rivier Krka over de 25 meter brede waterval van Roški Slap om daarna door de canyon van de hoogtes van Kistanje en Miljevac te vloeien. Kornati-Islands: website The islands extend along the central part of the Croatian Adriatic coast. With their immense natural beauty, diverse coastlines and preserved marine ecosystem, the largest part of the Kornati islands was declared a national park in 1980. The Kornati National Park has about 220 km2 and consists of 89 islands, islets and reefs. The National Park Kornati is named after the largest island within the group - Kornat. Vegetation on the islands is minimal, so the islands have a bare appearance. Nonetheless, on the rocks, there are still planting vines. In addition to the crystal clear water, you can also discover all kinds of reefs, crustaceans and many species of fish. The Kornati islands were inhabited in prehistoric times; listed finds of stone axes at the bottom of the hill Pasinka on the islands of Kornati confirm this. The Kornati islands were a frequent target for invaders and thieves, of the Romans and the Venetians for the aristocracy of Zadar. Although now the Kornati islands are only populated during the summer months. You will find many old walled fields and old fishermen's cottages spread over the many islands in remote inlets. There is no electricity or fresh water sources on the islands. The Kornati islands are a true paradise for sailors, divers and anyone who wants to enjoy untouched and beautiful nature. There are 20 restaurants on the Kornati islands that serve fish specialties. You can visit the Kornati islands by boat (if you are in possession of a boat or rent one), or by organized boat excursions offered by travel agencies. For more information, please contact the public office "Nacionalni Park Kornati" in Murter. The park is about seven nautical miles from the island of Murter. Risnjak Mountains : website The islands extend along the central part of the Croatian Adriatic coast. With their immense natural beauty, diverse coastlines and preserved marine ecosystem, the largest part of the Kornati islands was declared a national park in 1980. The Kornati National Park has about 220 km2 and consists of 89 islands, islets and reefs. The National Park Kornati is named after the largest island within the group - Kornat. Vegetation on the islands is minimal, so the islands have a bare appearance. Nonetheless, on the rocks, there are still planting vines. In addition to the crystal clear water, you can also discover all kinds of reefs, crustaceans and many species of fish. The park is worth a visit all year round and enjoy the many meadows, springs, streams, rivers and beautiful hills and mountains. What makes the park so special is the unique combination of four different climates; the mild Adriatic maritime climate, the harsh alpine climate, the continental climate of Pannonia and the fresh mountain climate of the Dinara Mountains. You will find an abundance of flora and fauna that are typical of every type of climate and that live in harmony with each other in the park. Risnjak is located in the north-west of Gorski Kotar, near the city of Rijeka. You can reach the park via the A6 motorway (Rijeka - Zagreb). The main entrance is in Crni Lug. Here you can find all entries at a glance: Delnice - Crni Lug (from the east) - there are three entrances for cars to the valley of the Kupa river: Razloge, Kupari and Hrvatsko The price of an admission ticket for adults is 40 kuna and for children 20 kuna. It is not mandatory to buy a ticket but because the maintenance of the park is financed by the sale of tickets, visitors are kindly requested to buy a ticket and thereby contribute to the preservation of the park. Paklenica :website Paklenica is a beautiful national park in the Velebit mountain range. The entrance is located in the town of Starigrad Paklenica. There are various activities such as mountain biking, mountain climbing and hiking. There are many hiking trails and you can take a long walk and go as far as you want. The most popular walk is the Velika Paklenica educational route. The Velika Paklenica hike has the following landmarks: Velika Paklenica gorge - the rock Anica kuk - Lugarnica mountain hut - Paklenica mountain hut (+/- 2 hours single road). An alternative is to walk from Anica Kuk to the dripstone cave Manica Pec (40 min.). Or, of course, to add it. This cave has a limited opening (check the website for this). The route is well signposted and not very heavy despite a considerable climb in the beginning. There are also signs for the mountaineers. These are different in color and shape. The walk through the Velika Paklenica gorge to Anica Kuk is the most spectacular part of the route. You reach Anica Kuk after about 50 minutes walking. You walk up here through landscaped rocky paths and see small waterfalls and beautiful views of the gorge. You then reach a forest path that leads to Anica Kuk. Here is the first point of recognition and you can decide if you go further and which variant you are going to run. The walk to the mountain hut provides a few more beautiful views that you particularly see when you walk back. The national park is best to visit in the morning. Then the gap lies in the shade and the ascent is good to do. In addition, the light is then the most beautiful. How do you get there ? The Velika Paklenica walk is easy to do with children. They must keep walking and walking up. Especially in the beginning it is a decent climb. However, we have seen many children walk the route. There are no fences, so keep an eye on them. A buggy is not an option in Paklenica. Take a belly or back carrier for the young children. The Island Mljet: website Mljet National Park is located on the island of Mljet, near Dubrovnik in southern Dalmatia. You can reach National Park Mljet by ferry from Dubrovnik or with one of the many tourists charter boats sailing from Korčula, Hvar and Split. The boats land on Pomena and Polač on the island of Mljet. There is also a ferry that sails to Sobra (the main port on the island) but then you do need a car to reach the park. There are three entrances to the park; Crna Klada, Pomena and Polače. The villages Pomena and Polače are connected to the famous salt lakes in the park via forest trails. The saltwater lakes in the Mljet National Park are a unique phenomenon in the world. They are about 10,000 years old and in the past they were freshwater lakes. Through the centuries they have been connected to the sea via the Bay of Soline and since then the water is salty.
The map from the nationale Parks :
|
