Croatia: Difference between revisions
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The area known as Croatia today was inhabited throughout the prehistoric period, ever since the [[Stone Age]]. In the area of [[Krapina]], fossils of the [[Neanderthals]] have been unearthed dating to the middle [[Paleolithic]]. In the early [[Neolithic]] period, the [[Starčevo-Körös|Starčevo]], [[Vučedol culture|Vučedol]] and [[Hvar culture|Hvar]] cultures were scattered around the region. The [[Iron Age]] left traces of the [[Hallstatt culture]] (early [[Illyrians]]) and the [[La Tène culture]] ([[Celts]]). |
The area known as Croatia today was inhabited throughout the prehistoric period, ever since the [[Stone Age]]. In the area of [[Krapina]], fossils of the [[Neanderthals]] have been unearthed dating to the middle [[Paleolithic]]. In the early [[Neolithic]] period, the [[Starčevo-Körös|Starčevo]], [[Vučedol culture|Vučedol]] and [[Hvar culture|Hvar]] cultures were scattered around the region. The [[Iron Age]] left traces of the [[Hallstatt culture]] (early [[Illyrians]]) and the [[La Tène culture]] ([[Celts]]). |
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Much later the region was settled by [[Liburnians]] and [[Illyrians]], and Greek colonies were established on the islands of [[Vis]] (by the [[Dionysius I of Syracuse]]) and [[Hvar]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Wilkes |first=J. J. |title=The Illyrians |year=1992 |isbn=0631198075 |page=114 |quote=... in the early history of the colony settled in 385 BC on the island Pharos (Hvar) from the Aegean island Paros, famed for its marble. In traditional fashion they accepted the guidance of an oracle, ...}}</ref> In 9 AD the territory of today's Croatia became part of the [[Roman Empire]]. The Emperor [[Diocletian]] built a [[Diocletian's Palace|massive palace]] in [[Split (city)|Split]] where he retired from politics in AD 305.<ref>Gibbon, Edward. ''The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire'', Modern Library, New York, p. 335 </ref> During the 5th century the last Roman Emperor [[Julius Nepos]] ruled his small empire from Diocletian's Palace before he was killed in AD 480. The early history of Croatia ends with the [[Avar]] invasion in the first half of the 7th century and the destruction of almost all Roman towns. Surviving Romanised population escaped towards the mountains, islands, and coastal towns, where it could set up strategically better defending points. The most famous of such established towns will became the city of [[Dubrovnik]] today. |
Much later the region was settled by [[Liburnians]] and [[Illyrians]], and Greek colonies were established on the islands of [[Vis]] (by the [[Dionysius I of Syracuse]]) and [[Hvar]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Wilkes |first=J. J. |title=The Illyrians |year=1992 |isbn=0631198075 |page=114 |quote=... in the early history of the colony settled in 385 BC on the island Pharos (Hvar) from the Aegean island Paros, famed for its marble. In traditional fashion they accepted the guidance of an oracle, ...}}</ref> In 9 AD the territory of today's Croatia became part of the [[Roman Empire]]. The Emperor [[Diocletian]] built a [[Diocletian's Palace|massive palace]] in [[Split (city)|Split]] where he retired from politics in AD 305.<ref>Gibbon, Edward. ''The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire'', Modern Library, New York, p. 335 </ref> During the 5th century the last Roman Emperor [[Julius Nepos]] ruled his small empire from Diocletian's Palace before he was killed in AD 480. The early history of Croatia ends with the [[Eurasian Avars|Avar]] invasion in the first half of the 7th century and the destruction of almost all Roman towns. Surviving Romanised population escaped towards the mountains, islands, and coastal towns, where it could set up strategically better defending points. The most famous of such established towns will became the city of [[Dubrovnik]] today. |
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===Kingdom of Croatia=== |
===Kingdom of Croatia=== |
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The Croats arrived in what is today Croatia in the seventh century. They organized into two [[dukedom (administrative division)|dukedom]]s; the duchy of [[Pannonian Croatia]] in the north and the duchy of [[Littoral Croatia]] in the south. For the most part, the [[Christianization]] of the settled Croats ended in the 9th century. Both duchies become Frankish vasals in late 8th century, and eventually become independent in following century. |
The Croats arrived in what is today Croatia in the seventh century. They organized into two [[dukedom (administrative division)|dukedom]]s; the duchy of [[Pannonian Croatia]] in the north and the duchy of [[Littoral Croatia]] in the south. For the most part, the [[Christianization]] of the settled Croats ended in the 9th century. Both duchies become Frankish vasals in late 8th century, and eventually become independent in following century. |
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The first native Croatian ruler recognized by the [[pope]] was duke [[Branimir of Croatia|Branimir]], whom [[Pope John VIII]] called ''dux Croatorum'' ("king of Croats") in 879.<ref name=antoljak>Stjepan Antoljak, Pregled hrvatske povijesti, Split 1993., str. 43.</ref>. During the early 10th century the [[Pannonian Croatia]] was overrun by the [[Magyars]], later being defeated by the duke [[Tomislav]] of [[Littoral Croatia]] who managed to unite the 2 duchies, and was crowned in 925 as the first king of Croatian kingdom. This crowning was later confirmed by the [[Byzantium]] which gave the king crown to [[Stjepan Držislav]] <ref>Recipiebant enim regie dignitatis insignia ab imperatoribus Constantinopolitanis et dicebantur eorum eparchi siue patritii</ref>and pope crown to king [[Zvonimir]]. The [[medieval]] Croatian kingdom reached its peak during the reign of Kings [[Petar Krešimir IV of Croatia|Petar Krešimir IV]] (1058–1074) and [[Zvonimir]] (1075–1089). |
The first native Croatian ruler recognized by the [[pope]] was duke [[Branimir of Croatia|Branimir]], whom [[Pope John VIII]] called ''dux Croatorum'' ("king of Croats") in 879.<ref name=antoljak>Stjepan Antoljak, Pregled hrvatske povijesti, Split 1993., str. 43.</ref>. During the early 10th century the [[Pannonian Croatia]] was overrun by the [[Magyars]], later being defeated by the duke [[Tomislav]] of [[Littoral Croatia]] who managed to unite the 2 duchies, and was crowned in 925 as the first king of Croatian kingdom. This crowning was later confirmed by the [[Byzantium]] which gave the king crown to [[Stjepan Držislav]] <ref>Recipiebant enim regie dignitatis insignia ab imperatoribus Constantinopolitanis et dicebantur eorum eparchi siue patritii</ref> and pope crown to king [[Zvonimir]]. The [[medieval]] Croatian kingdom reached its peak during the reign of Kings [[Petar Krešimir IV of Croatia|Petar Krešimir IV]] (1058–1074) and [[Zvonimir]] (1075–1089). |
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=== Croatia in personal union with Hungary === |
=== Croatia in personal union with Hungary === |
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===[[Republic of Dubrovnik]]=== |
===[[Republic of Dubrovnik]]=== |
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City of Dubrovnik was established in 7th century <ref name=Paton>Andrew Archibald Paton (1861). ''Researches on the Danube and the Adriatic; Or Contributions to the Modern History of Hungary and Translvania, Dalmatia and Croatia, Servia and Bulgaria'', Brockhaus</ref> after [[Eurasian Avars|Avar]] and [[Slavic peoples|Slavic]] raiders destroyed the Roman city of Epidaurum. Surviving Roman population has escaped to a small island near the coast where they founded a new settlement. During [[Fourth Crusade]] city has fallen under control of [[Republic of Venice]] which will last until 1358 and [[Treaty of Zadar|Zadar treaty]] in which Venice defeated by Croato-Hungarian kingdom has lost control of Dalmatia and [[Republic of Dubrovnik]] has become kingdom vassal. Next 450 years [[Republic of Dubrovnik]] will be vassal of personal union, Ottomans and Habsburgs. During this time they will become rich trade republic which is during [[Renaissance]] and [[Baroque]] must important publisher of Croatian literatury. Outside poets and writers of Croatian importance like [[Marin Držić]] and [[Ivan Gundulić]] must famous person from [[Republic of Dubrovnik]] was scientist [[Ruđer Josip Bošković]] member of [[Royal Society]] and [[Russian Academy of Sciences]]. Republic will survive until 1808 when it was annexed by [[Napoleon]]. Today city is famous tourist attraction which is on [[United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation|UNESCO]] [[World Heritage Site]]s list. |
City of [[Dubrovnik]] was established in 7th century <ref name=Paton>Andrew Archibald Paton (1861). ''Researches on the Danube and the Adriatic; Or Contributions to the Modern History of Hungary and Translvania, Dalmatia and Croatia, Servia and Bulgaria'', Brockhaus</ref> after [[Eurasian Avars|Avar]] and [[Slavic peoples|Slavic]] raiders destroyed the Roman city of Epidaurum. Surviving Roman population has escaped to a small island near the coast where they founded a new settlement. During [[Fourth Crusade]] city has fallen under control of [[Republic of Venice]] which will last until 1358 and [[Treaty of Zadar|Zadar treaty]] in which Venice defeated by Croato-Hungarian kingdom has lost control of Dalmatia and [[Republic of Dubrovnik]] has become kingdom vassal. Next 450 years [[Republic of Dubrovnik]] will be vassal of personal union, Ottomans and Habsburgs. During this time they will become rich trade republic which is during [[Renaissance]] and [[Baroque]] must important publisher of Croatian literatury. Outside poets and writers of Croatian importance like [[Marin Držić]] and [[Ivan Gundulić]] must famous person from [[Republic of Dubrovnik]] was scientist [[Ruđer Josip Bošković]] member of [[Royal Society]] and [[Russian Academy of Sciences]]. Republic will survive until 1808 when it was annexed by [[Napoleon]]. Today city is famous tourist attraction which is on [[United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation|UNESCO]] [[World Heritage Site]]s list. |
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===Ottoman Wars=== |
===Ottoman Wars=== |
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Shortly after the [[Battle of Mohács]] Habsburgs unsuccessfully sought to stabilize borders between the Ottomans and Kingdom of Croatia by creating a captaincy in [[Bihać]], but in 1529 the Turks swept through the area, captured [[Buda]] and |
Shortly after the [[Battle of Mohács]] Habsburgs unsuccessfully sought to stabilize borders between the Ottomans and Kingdom of Croatia by creating a captaincy in [[Bihać]], but in 1529 the Turks swept through the area, captured [[Buda]] and [[Siege of Vienna|besieged Vienna]], wreaking havoc throughout the Croatian border areas (see [[Ottoman wars in Europe]]). After the failure of the first military projects, the Kingdom of Croatia was split into civilian and military halves in 1553. From the military half the Habsburgs have created [[Croatian Krajina|Croatian]] and [[Slavonian Krajina]] and both will eventually become parts of the [[Military Frontier]] which was directly under the control of Vienna. [[Ottoman Empire|Ottoman]] raids on Croatian territory lasted until 1593 and the [[Battle of Sisak]] after which borders stabilised -in the long-term. Kingdom of that time has become known under the name of ''Reliquiae reliquiarum olim inclyti Regni Croatiae'' ("The remains of the remains of the [[Kingdom of Croatia]]"). During the [[Great Turkish War]] [[Slavonia]] was restored, but the hilly western Bosnia which has been a part of Croatia until the Ottoman conquest will never be restored and today's shape which resembles that of a crescent or a horseshoe is a remnant of this historical outcome. [[Dalmatia|Southern part]] of the horseshoe was created with the [[Republic of Venice]]'s conquests after the [[Siege of Zara|Fourth Crusade]] and during the 17-18th century wars with Ottomans. The official reason for this Venice expansion after the 15th century was the decision of the crowned king of Croatia, [[Ladislas of Naples]], to sell his rights on [[Dalmatia]] to Venice in 1409 [http://www.zadarskilist.hr/clanci/07072008/kako-je-i-zasto-ladislav-prodao-dalmaciju]. |
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During more 2 century of Ottoman Wars Croatia will have great demography change. The Croats fled the Turks from the riverland areas of [[Lika|Gacka]], [[Lika]] and [[Krbava]], [[Moslavina]] in [[Slavonia]] and an area of present day |
During more 2 century of Ottoman Wars Croatia will have great demography change. The Croats fled the Turks from the riverland areas of [[Lika|Gacka]], [[Lika]] and [[Krbava]], [[Moslavina]] in [[Slavonia]] and an area of present day north-western [[Bosnia and Herzegovina|Bosnia]] towards Austria where they have stayed and the present day [[Burgenland Croats]] are direct descendants from these settlers. On place of escaping Croats Habsburgs have called Ortodox population of Bosnia and Serbia which will need to give military service in Croatian and Slavonian Krajina. First massive coming will be of Vlachs which will take a Serbian identity during first part of the 18 century.<ref>[http://www.demog.berkeley.edu/~gene/hammel_1-fmt.html Evaluating the Slavonian Census of 1698]</ref> and then of Serbs which will slowly come during 16th century, but mostly during [[Great Serb Migrations]] in 1690 and in 1737-39. Right and obligations of new population in Military frontier it will be decided with Statuta Valachorum in 1630. |
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[[Image:Triune Kingdom of Croatia, Dalmatia and Slavonia.PNG|thumb|left|Historical Coat of Arms of the [[Triune Kingdom of Croatia, Slavonia, and Dalmatia|The Triune Kingdom of Croatia]] until [[1918]].]] |
[[Image:Triune Kingdom of Croatia, Dalmatia and Slavonia.PNG|thumb|left|Historical Coat of Arms of the [[Triune Kingdom of Croatia, Slavonia, and Dalmatia|The Triune Kingdom of Croatia]] until [[1918]].]] |
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Revision as of 23:31, 19 February 2009
Republic of Croatia Republika Hrvatska | |
|---|---|
| Anthem: Lijepa naša domovino Our beautiful homeland | |
![Location of Croatia (orange) in Europe (white) – [Legend]](/wiki/File:Europe_location_CRO.png) | |
| Capital and largest city | Zagreb |
| Official languages | Croatian1 |
| Demonym(s) | Croat/Croats Croatian/Croatians |
| Government | Parliamentary republic |
| Stjepan Mesić | |
| Ivo Sanader | |
| Luka Bebić | |
| Establishment | |
• Founded | First half of 7th century |
| March 4, 852 | |
• Recognized by the Pope | May 21, 879 |
• Elevated to kingdom | 925 |
• Union with Hungary | 1102 |
• Joined Habsburg Empire | January 1, 1527 |
• Independence from Austria-Hungary | October 29, 1918 |
• Joined Yugoslavia (co-founder) | December 1, 1918 |
• Declared independence | June 25, 1991 |
| Area | |
• Total | 56,542 km2 (21,831 sq mi) (126th) |
• Water (%) | 0.2 |
| Population | |
• 2008 estimate | 4,453,500[1] (114th) |
• 2001 census | 4,437,460 |
• Density | 81/km2 (209.8/sq mi) (115th) |
| GDP (PPP) | 2008 estimate |
• Total | $73.087 billion[2] |
• Per capita | $16,754[2] (51st) |
| GDP (nominal) | 2008 estimate |
• Total | $63.948 billion[2] |
• Per capita | $14,414[2] |
| Gini (2005) | 29 low |
| HDI (2006) |  0.862Error: Invalid HDI value (45th) |
| Currency | kuna (HRK) |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) |
| Driving side | right |
| Calling code | 385 |
| ISO 3166 code | HR |
| Internet TLD | .hr |
Croatia ⓘ (Croatian: Hrvatska IPA: [xr̩ʋaːtskaː]), officially the Republic of Croatia (Republika Hrvatska ⓘ), is a Central European country at the crossroads between the Pannonian Plain, Southeast Europe, and the Mediterranean Sea. Its capital and largest city is Zagreb. Croatia borders with Slovenia and Hungary to the north, Serbia to the northeast, Bosnia and Herzegovina to the east, and Montenegro to the far southeast. Its southern and western flanks border the Adriatic Sea, and it also shares a sea border with Italy in the Gulf of Trieste.
Croatia is a member of the United Nations, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, CEFTA, the World Trade Organization, the Council of Europe and is a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the 2008-2009 term. The country is also a candidate for membership of the European Union and a NATO acceding member. Croatia is expected to formally join NATO in April 2009,[3] making it the second former Yugoslav nation to join the military alliance following Slovenia. Additionally, Croatia is also a founding member of the Union for the Mediterranean upon its establishment in 2008.
History
Early history
The area known as Croatia today was inhabited throughout the prehistoric period, ever since the Stone Age. In the area of Krapina, fossils of the Neanderthals have been unearthed dating to the middle Paleolithic. In the early Neolithic period, the Starčevo, Vučedol and Hvar cultures were scattered around the region. The Iron Age left traces of the Hallstatt culture (early Illyrians) and the La Tène culture (Celts).
Much later the region was settled by Liburnians and Illyrians, and Greek colonies were established on the islands of Vis (by the Dionysius I of Syracuse) and Hvar.[4] In 9 AD the territory of today's Croatia became part of the Roman Empire. The Emperor Diocletian built a massive palace in Split where he retired from politics in AD 305.[5] During the 5th century the last Roman Emperor Julius Nepos ruled his small empire from Diocletian's Palace before he was killed in AD 480. The early history of Croatia ends with the Avar invasion in the first half of the 7th century and the destruction of almost all Roman towns. Surviving Romanised population escaped towards the mountains, islands, and coastal towns, where it could set up strategically better defending points. The most famous of such established towns will became the city of Dubrovnik today.
Kingdom of Croatia
The Croats arrived in what is today Croatia in the seventh century. They organized into two dukedoms; the duchy of Pannonian Croatia in the north and the duchy of Littoral Croatia in the south. For the most part, the Christianization of the settled Croats ended in the 9th century. Both duchies become Frankish vasals in late 8th century, and eventually become independent in following century.
The first native Croatian ruler recognized by the pope was duke Branimir, whom Pope John VIII called dux Croatorum ("king of Croats") in 879.[6]. During the early 10th century the Pannonian Croatia was overrun by the Magyars, later being defeated by the duke Tomislav of Littoral Croatia who managed to unite the 2 duchies, and was crowned in 925 as the first king of Croatian kingdom. This crowning was later confirmed by the Byzantium which gave the king crown to Stjepan Držislav [7] and pope crown to king Zvonimir. The medieval Croatian kingdom reached its peak during the reign of Kings Petar Krešimir IV (1058–1074) and Zvonimir (1075–1089).
Croatia in personal union with Hungary
Following the disappearance of the Croatian ruling dynasty in 1091 Ladislaus I of Hungary brother of Jelena Lijepa, the last Croatian queen, will become king of Croatia. Croatian nobility of Littoral opposed this crowning which has led to 10 years of war and the recognition of the Hungarian ruler Coloman as the common king for Croatia and Hungary in a treaty of 1102 (often referred to as the Pacta conventa). Kingdom of Croatia during personal union has never lost right to elect kings different from Hungarian had the ruling dynasty become extinct, and in 1293 and 1403 [1] Croatia has chosen different kings, but both in cases the Kingdom of Hungary has declared war and personal union was again established.
During next 4 centuries of personal union Kingdom of Croatia will be ruled by bans appointed by Hungarian king. Other consequences of the change to the Hungarian king included the introduction of feudalism and the rise of the native noble families such as Frankopan and Šubić. From period of personal union there is oldest surviving document of Croatian parliament which is then called Congregatio Regni tocius Sclavonie generalis from 1273 [8]. The later kings sought to restore some of their previously lost influence by giving certain privileges to the towns.
The first period of personal union between Croatia and Hungary ended in 1526 with the Battle of Mohács and the defeat of Hungarian forces by the Ottomans. After the death of King Louis II, Croatian nobles at Cetingrad assembly decided to chose Habsburgs for new kings of Croatia under the condition that they give enough soldiers and money for the protection of Croatia against the invading Ottomans.[9][8] .
Republic of Dubrovnik
City of Dubrovnik was established in 7th century [10] after Avar and Slavic raiders destroyed the Roman city of Epidaurum. Surviving Roman population has escaped to a small island near the coast where they founded a new settlement. During Fourth Crusade city has fallen under control of Republic of Venice which will last until 1358 and Zadar treaty in which Venice defeated by Croato-Hungarian kingdom has lost control of Dalmatia and Republic of Dubrovnik has become kingdom vassal. Next 450 years Republic of Dubrovnik will be vassal of personal union, Ottomans and Habsburgs. During this time they will become rich trade republic which is during Renaissance and Baroque must important publisher of Croatian literatury. Outside poets and writers of Croatian importance like Marin Držić and Ivan Gundulić must famous person from Republic of Dubrovnik was scientist Ruđer Josip Bošković member of Royal Society and Russian Academy of Sciences. Republic will survive until 1808 when it was annexed by Napoleon. Today city is famous tourist attraction which is on UNESCO World Heritage Sites list.
Ottoman Wars
Shortly after the Battle of Mohács Habsburgs unsuccessfully sought to stabilize borders between the Ottomans and Kingdom of Croatia by creating a captaincy in Bihać, but in 1529 the Turks swept through the area, captured Buda and besieged Vienna, wreaking havoc throughout the Croatian border areas (see Ottoman wars in Europe). After the failure of the first military projects, the Kingdom of Croatia was split into civilian and military halves in 1553. From the military half the Habsburgs have created Croatian and Slavonian Krajina and both will eventually become parts of the Military Frontier which was directly under the control of Vienna. Ottoman raids on Croatian territory lasted until 1593 and the Battle of Sisak after which borders stabilised -in the long-term. Kingdom of that time has become known under the name of Reliquiae reliquiarum olim inclyti Regni Croatiae ("The remains of the remains of the Kingdom of Croatia"). During the Great Turkish War Slavonia was restored, but the hilly western Bosnia which has been a part of Croatia until the Ottoman conquest will never be restored and today's shape which resembles that of a crescent or a horseshoe is a remnant of this historical outcome. Southern part of the horseshoe was created with the Republic of Venice's conquests after the Fourth Crusade and during the 17-18th century wars with Ottomans. The official reason for this Venice expansion after the 15th century was the decision of the crowned king of Croatia, Ladislas of Naples, to sell his rights on Dalmatia to Venice in 1409 [2].
During more 2 century of Ottoman Wars Croatia will have great demography change. The Croats fled the Turks from the riverland areas of Gacka, Lika and Krbava, Moslavina in Slavonia and an area of present day north-western Bosnia towards Austria where they have stayed and the present day Burgenland Croats are direct descendants from these settlers. On place of escaping Croats Habsburgs have called Ortodox population of Bosnia and Serbia which will need to give military service in Croatian and Slavonian Krajina. First massive coming will be of Vlachs which will take a Serbian identity during first part of the 18 century.[11] and then of Serbs which will slowly come during 16th century, but mostly during Great Serb Migrations in 1690 and in 1737-39. Right and obligations of new population in Military frontier it will be decided with Statuta Valachorum in 1630.
Habsburgs
16-17 century
National revival
National revival in Croatia has started in 1813 when the bishop of Zagreb Maksimilijan Vrhovac issued a plea for the collection of "national treasures". In the beginning of the 1830s, a group of young Croatian writers gathered in Zagreb and established a Illyrian movement for national renewal and unity of all South Slavs within the Habsburg Monarchy. The most important focus of Illyrians was the establishment of standard language as a counter-weight to Hungarian, and the promotion of Croatian written literature and official culture. Important members of this movement has been count Janko Drašković which have writen pamflet in 1832 which has created movement, Ljudevit Gaj which has recieved permission from royal government of Habsburg Monarchy for printing first newspaper on Croatian, Josif Runjanin writer of lyrics for the Croatian national anthem, Vatroslav Lisinski composer of the first Croatian opera "Ljubav i zloba" ("Love and Malice", 1846) and many others.
Fearfull of first Hungarian and then Habsburg pressure of assimilation Kingdom of Croatia has always refused to change official language which has stayed latin until middle of 19 century. Only on 2 May 1943 croatian language has been first time spoken in parliament [12] and it has become official only because of populatity of Illyrian movement in 1847.
In 1918 Croatia became a part of the Kingdom of SHS which was later renamed to Kingdom of Yugoslavia.
In 1941-1945, during World War II, an Axis puppet state known as the Independent State of Croatia existed in service to the Nazi regime. Modern Croatia is created on AVNOJ anti-fascist partisans foundations [13] during WWII, becoming a constitutive federal republic of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.
In 1990, after holding the first democratic elections in the country, the electoral victory of the Croatian Democratic Union was opposed by the municipalities with Serbian majority proclaiming autonomy and secession, starting in 1991 a rebellion which turned out to become a long and bloody war. The war was waged between the Croatian forces and the self-proclaimed Republic of Serbian Krajina helped by Serb-controlled Yugoslav People's Army. War finally ended in 1995 with Croatian victory and orders of the Republic of Serbian Krajina's leadership for immediate evacuation of all the population towards the Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Croatia was internationally recognized on the January 15th, 1992, by the European Union and the United Nations, in a moment when it didn't have full sovereignty over more than 1/3rd of its territory. The first country to recognize Croatia was Iceland on December 19, 1991.[14]
Geography
Croatia is located between South-Central Europe and Middle Europe. Its shape resembles that of a crescent or a horseshoe, which flanks its neighbours Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro. To the north lie Slovenia and Hungary; Italy lies across the Adriatic Sea. Its mainland territory is split in two non-contiguous parts by the short coastline of Bosnia and Herzegovina around Neum.
Its terrain is diverse, including:
- plains, lakes and rolling hills in the continental north and northeast (Central Croatia and Slavonia, part of the Pannonian Basin);
- densely wooded mountains in Lika and Gorski Kotar, part of the Dinaric Alps;
- rocky coastlines on the Adriatic Sea (Istria, Northern Seacoast and Dalmatia).
Phytogeographically, Croatia belongs to the Boreal Kingdom and is shared between the Central European and Illyrian provinces of the Circumboreal Region and the Adriatic province of the Mediterranean Region. According to the WWF, the territory of Croatia can be subdivided into three ecoregions: the Pannonian mixed forests, Dinaric Mountains mixed forests and Illyrian deciduous forests.
The country is famous for its many national parks. Croatia has a mixture of climates. In the north and east it is continental, Mediterranean along the coast and a semi-highland and highland climate in the south-central region. Istra has a temperate climate, while the Palagruža archipelago is home to a subtropical climate.
Offshore Croatia consists of over one thousand islands varying in size. The largest islands in Croatia are Cres and Krk which are located in the Adriatic Sea. The Danube, Europe's second longest river, runs through the city of Vukovar. Dinara, the eponym of the Dinaric Alps, is the highest peak of Croatia at 1,831 metres above sea level.[15] Template:FixBunching
Template:FixBunching There are 49 pits deeper than 250 m in Croatia, 14 of them are deeper than 500 m and three deeper than 1000 m (Cave system Lukina jama-Trojama, Slovacka jama and Cave system Velebita). The deepest Croatian pits are mostly found in two regions - Mt. Velebit and Mt. Biokovo.[16]
Counties
Croatia is divided into 20 counties (županija) and the capital Zagreb's city district (in italics below):
| Anglicized name | Native name | |
| 1 | Zagreb | Zagrebačka |
| 2 | Krapina-Zagorje | Krapinsko-zagorska |
| 3 | Sisak-Moslavina | Sisačko-moslavačka |
| 4 | Karlovac | Karlovačka |
| 5 | Varaždin | Varaždinska |
| 6 | Koprivnica-Križevci | Koprivničko-križevačka |
| 7 | Bjelovar-Bilogora | Bjelovarsko-bilogorska |
| 8 | Primorje-Gorski Kotar | Primorsko-goranska |
| 9 | Lika-Senj | Ličko-senjska |
| 10 | Virovitica-Podravina | Virovitičko-podravska |
| 11 | Požega-Slavonia | Požeško-slavonska |
| 12 | Brod-Posavina | Brodsko-posavska |
| 13 | Zadar | Zadarska |
| 14 | Osijek-Baranja | Osječko-baranjska |
| 15 | Šibenik-Knin | Šibensko-kninska |
| 16 | Vukovar-Srijem | Vukovarsko-srijemska |
| 17 | Split-Dalmatia | Splitsko-dalmatinska |
| 18 | Istria | Istarska |
| 19 | Dubrovnik-Neretva | Dubrovačko-neretvanska |
| 20 | Međimurje | Međimurska |
| 21 | City of Zagreb | Grad Zagreb |
World Heritage Sites
- Episcopal Complex of the Euphrasian Basilica in the Historic Centre of Poreč (1997)
- Historic City of Trogir (1997)
- Historical Complex of Split with the Palace of Diocletian (1979)
- Old City of Dubrovnik (1979)
- The Cathedral of St. James in Šibenik (2000)
- The Stari Grad Plain - island of [[Hvar]] (2008)
- Plitvice Lakes National Park (1979)
Government and politics
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Since the adoption of the 1990 Constitution, Croatia has been a democracy. Between 1990 and 2000 it had a semi-presidential system, and since 2000 it has a parliamentary system.
The President of the Republic (Predsjednik) is the head of state, directly elected to a five-year term and is limited by the Constitution to a maximum of two terms. In addition to being the commander in chief of the armed forces, the president has the procedural duty of appointing the Prime minister with the consent of the Parliament, and has some influence on foreign policy. His official residence is Predsjednički dvori. Apart from that he has summer residences on the islands of Vanga (Brijuni islands) and the island of Hvar.
The Croatian Parliament (Sabor) is a unicameral legislative body (a second chamber, the "House of Counties", which was set up by the Constitution of 1990, was abolished in 2001). The number of the Sabor's members can vary from 100 to 160; they are all elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms. The plenary sessions of the Sabor take place from January 15 to July 15, and from September 15 to December 15.
The Croatian Government (Vlada) is headed by the Prime minister who has two deputy prime ministers and fourteen ministers in charge of particular sectors of activity. The executive branch is responsible for proposing legislation and a budget, executing the laws, and guiding the foreign and internal policies of the republic. Government's official residence is at Banski dvori.
Law
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Croatia has a three-tiered judicial system, consisting of the Supreme Court, County courts, and Municipal courts. The Constitutional Court rules on matters regarding the Constitution. Law enforcement in Croatia is the responsibility of the Croatian police force, which is under the control of the Ministry of the Interior.[17][18] In recent years, the force has been undergoing a reform with assistance from international agencies, including the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe since its mission to Croatia began on 18 April 1996.[17]
Demographics
During greatest part of 20 century population of Croatia has been rising from 3430270 in 1931 to 4784265 in 1991 [3]. During last decade of 20 century the population of Croatia has been stagnating because of Yugoslav Wars. During the 1991-1995 war, large sections of the population were displaced and emigration increased. In, 1991 during the war campaign carried out by Serb forces in Serb regions and the Croatian paramilitary in Croat-populated areas, 80,000 Croats were expelled from their homes by force or fled the violence.[19] and approximately 350,000 Serbs fled from the same causes. [citation needed] During the final days of the war in 1995 ca. 220.000 Serbs fled from Croatia infront of a massive attack from Croatian forces.[20]This event has caused the ICTY to indict General Ante Gotovina and other for genocide on the Serbian people. It is also said that Croatian president Dr. Franjo Tudjman would have been indicted if he had not died prior too the indictment. Most of the Croats have since returned but a large portion fled to western Europe and stayed there. Only a small fraction of Serbs of Croatia have returned to their homeland since 1995, according to the Human Rights Watch.[21]
The natural growth rate of the population is currently negative[1] with the demographic transition completed in the 1970s.[22] Average life expectancy is 75.1 years,[1] and the literacy rate is 98.1 percent.[1] During last years Croatian government is under pressure to add every year even 40 % more foreign working permits for foreign workers [4] and it is trying with immigration policy to call back emigrants to return [5]. The main religions of Croatia are Roman Catholic 88%, Orthodox 4.4%, other Christian 0.4%, Muslim 1.3%, other and unspecified 0.9%, none 5.2%.
Economy
The Croatian economy has a stable functioning market economy. International Monetary Fund data shows that Croatian nominal GDP stood at $50.053 billion, or $11,271 per capita, in 2007.[23] The IMF forecast for 2008 is $54.950 billion, or $13,553 per capita.[23] In purchasing power parity terms, total GDP was $69.866 billion in 2007, equivalent to $15,733 per capita.[23] For 2008, it is forecast to be $74.419 billion, or $16,758 per capita.[23]
According to Eurostat data, Croatian PPS GDP per capita stood at 57.5 per cent of the EU average in 2007, and is forecast to reach 57.8 per cent in 2008.[24] Real GDP growth in 2007 was 6.0 per cent.[25] The average gross salary of a Croat during the first nine months of 2008 was 7,161 kuna (US$ 1,530) per month[26] In 2007, the International Labour Organization-defined unemployment rate stood at 9.1 per cent, after falling steadily from 14.7 percent in 2002.[27] The registered unemployment rate is higher, though, standing at 13.7 percent in December 2008.[28]
In 2007, 7.2 percent of economic output was accounted for by agriculture, 32.8 percent by industry and 60.7 percent by the service sector.[1] According to 2004 data, 2.7 percent of the workforce were employed in agriculture, 32.8 percent by industry and 64.5 in services.[1]
The industrial sector is dominated by shipbuilding, food processing and the chemical industry. Tourism is a notable source of income during the summer, with over 11 million foreign tourists in 2008 generating a revenue of €8 billion.[29] Croatia is ranked as the 18th most popular tourist destination in the world.[29] In 2006 Croatia exported goods to the value of $10.4 billion (FOB) ($19.7 billion including service exports).[29]
Of particular concern is the backlogged judiciary system, combined with inefficient public administration, especially issues of land ownership and corruption. Another main problem includes the large and growing national debt which has reached over 34 billion euro or 89.1 per cent of the nations gross domestic product.[30] Because of these problems, studies show that the population of Croatia generally has negative expectations of the country's economic future.[31]
The country has been preparing for membership in the European Union, its most important trading partner. In February 2005, the Stabilisation and Association Agreement with the EU officially came into force.
Infrastructure
The highlight of Croatia's recent infrastructure developments is its rapidly-growing highway network, of which plans were drawn and work commenced in the 1970s, but was realised only after independence due to the (then) Yugoslav Government plans of road projects of 'national' importance.
Croatia has now over 1,200 km of highways connecting Zagreb to most other regions. The best known highways are A1, connecting Zagreb to Split and A3, passing east-west through northwest Croatia and Slavonia. Most highways are tolled, except the Zagreb bypass and sections of A3, A7, B8 and B9. There is also a smaller and more obscure network of expressways connecting to the highways. One of the most used is the B28 expressway, connecting A4 near Zagreb to Bjelovar, but also serving as the main shunpiking alternative to the A3. The Croatian highways network its considered one of very good overall quality and excellent security, winning several EUROTAP awards.[32][33]
Croatia has an extensive rail network, although due to historical circumstances, some regions (notably Istria and even more so Dubrovnik) are not accessible by train without passing through neighbouring countries. Serious investment is needed in the rail network over the coming decades to bring it up to European standards in both speed and operational efficiency. All rail services are operated by Croatian Railways (Croatian: Hrvatske željeznice). The inter-city bus network (operated by private operators) is extensively developed, with higher levels of coverage and timetables than the railways.
Croatia has three major international airports, located in Zagreb, Split and Dubrovnik. Other important airports include Zadar, Rijeka (on the island of Krk), Osijek, Bol, Lošinj and Pula. Croatia Airlines is the national airline and flag carrier. An extensive system of ferries, operated by Jadrolinija, serves Croatia's many islands and links coastal cities. Ferry services to Italy are also available.
Education
Primary education in Croatia starts at the age of six or seven and consists of eight grades. In 2007 a law was passed to increase free but not compulsory education until eighteen years of age. Compulsory education consists of eight grades ( Elementary School ) Secondary education is provided by gymnasiums and vocational schools.
Croatia has seven universities, the University of Zagreb, University of Split, University of Rijeka, University of Osijek, University of Zadar, University of Dubrovnik and the University of Pula. The University of Zadar, the first University in Croatia, was founded in 1396 and remained active until 1807, when other institutions of higher education took over until the foundation of the renewed University of Zadar in 2002. The University of Zagreb, founded in 1669, is the oldest continuously operating University in Southeastern Europe. There are also polytechnic higher education institutions.
Culture
Croatian culture is the result of a fourteen century-long history which has seen the development of many cities and monuments. The country includes seven World Heritage sites and eight national parks. Croatia is also the birthplace of a number of historical figures. Included among the notable people are three Nobel prize winners and numerous inventors.
Some of the world's first fountain pens came from Croatia. Croatia also has a place in the history of clothing as the origin of the necktie (kravata). The country has a long artistic, literary and musical tradition. Also of interest is the diverse nature of Croatian cuisine.
Sport
Sports popular in Croatia include football, handball, basketball, water polo and tennis. The Croatian national football team finished third in the 1998 FIFA World Cup and Davor Šuker won the Golden Boot as the top goal scorer. The country failed in its joint bid with Hungary to co-host the 2012 European Championships.
The Croatian national handball team were world champions in 2003 and two time Olympic winners in 1996 and 2004. Ivano Balić is considered to be the best handball player in the world. RK Zagreb was a two time European champion and RK Bjelovar won the same championship once.
The national basketball team finished third at the 1994 FIBA World Championship, second at the 1992 Summer Olympics and third at EuroBasket 1993 and 1995. Croatian basketball clubs were European champions 5 times: KK Split three times and KK Cibona twice. The third most famous basketball club is KK Zadar.
The Croatian national water polo team are the current world champions. Mladost was a seven time European champion and was awarded the title Best Club of the 20th Century by LEN. Jug and Jadran were both three time European champions. Croatian Davis Cup team won the tournament in 2005.
The tennis player Goran Ivanišević is one of the country's most recognisable sportsmen who won the 2001 Men's Singles title at Wimbledon. Janica Kostelić and Ivica Kostelić in skiing, Blanka Vlašić in athletics, Duje Draganja, Sanja Jovanović and Đurđica Bjedov in swimming, Dražen Petrović, Krešimir Ćosić, Toni Kukoč and Dino Rađa in basketball, Matija Ljubek in canoeing, Željko Mavrović and Mate Parlov in boxing, Branko Cikatić and Mirko Filipović, known as "Cro Cop", in kickboxing and mixed martial arts and UFC fighter Goran Reljic in mixed martial arts, Tamara Boroš in table tennis are among the most famous athletes.
See also
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References
- ^ a b c d e f "World Economic Outlook Database". International Monetary Fund. October 2007. Retrieved 2008-03-09. Cite error: The named reference "CIA" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
- ^ a b c d "Croatia". International Monetary Fund. Retrieved 2008-10-09.
- ^ "NATO members sign accession protocols for Albania, Croatia". China View.
- ^ Wilkes, J. J. (1992). The Illyrians. p. 114. ISBN 0631198075.
... in the early history of the colony settled in 385 BC on the island Pharos (Hvar) from the Aegean island Paros, famed for its marble. In traditional fashion they accepted the guidance of an oracle, ...
- ^ Gibbon, Edward. The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, Modern Library, New York, p. 335
- ^ Stjepan Antoljak, Pregled hrvatske povijesti, Split 1993., str. 43.
- ^ Recipiebant enim regie dignitatis insignia ab imperatoribus Constantinopolitanis et dicebantur eorum eparchi siue patritii
- ^ a b History of Croatian parliament on Croatian
- ^ Milan Kruhek: Cetin, grad izbornog sabora Kraljevine Hrvatske 1527, Karlovačka Županija, 1997, Karlovac
- ^ Andrew Archibald Paton (1861). Researches on the Danube and the Adriatic; Or Contributions to the Modern History of Hungary and Translvania, Dalmatia and Croatia, Servia and Bulgaria, Brockhaus
- ^ Evaluating the Slavonian Census of 1698
- ^ Govor Ivana Kukuljevića Sakcinskog u Saboru 2 svibnja 1843
- ^ Croatian constitution
- ^ "Važniji datumi iz povijesti saborovanja". Hrvatski Sabor. Retrieved 2008-04-23.
- ^ "Dinara -- Climbing, Hiking & Mountaineering". SummitPost. Retrieved 2008-05-16.
- ^ "Caves in Croatia". The Speleological Committee of the Croatian Mountaineering Association. Retrieved 2008-08-22.
- ^ a b OSCE Mission to Croatia retrieved May 19, 2007
- ^ Police, Croatia retrieved May 19, 2007
- ^ "Summary of judgement for Milan Martić". United Nations. 2007-06-12. Retrieved 2008-06-21.
- ^ "For Serbs in Croatia, a Pledge Unkept". nytimes.com. Retrieved 2000-01-16.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help) - ^ "refugee-rights@hrea.org - Croatia: Plight of returning Serb refugees may slow EU bid". Hrea.org. Retrieved 2009-01-03.
- ^ Mrđen, Snježana (1998). "The demographic situation in Croatia". Geoadria. 3: 29–56.
{{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - ^ a b c d "World Economic Outlook Database". International Monetary Fund. October 2007. Retrieved 2008-03-09.
- ^ "GDP per capita in PPS". Eurostat. Retrieved 2008-03-09.
- ^ "Real GDP growth rate". Eurostat. Retrieved 2008-05-21.
- ^ "Plaće nominalno veće, ali realno u padu". Suvremena.hr (in Croatian). 2008-11-06. Retrieved 2008-11-21.
- ^ "Unemployment rate – total". Eurostat. Retrieved 2008-03-09.
- ^ "Bulletin 134" (PDF). Croatian National Bank. February 2008. Retrieved 2008-03-22.
- ^ a b c "UNWTO World Tourism Barometer" (PDF). October 2007. Retrieved 2008-04-23.
- ^ Analysis: Despite debt, Croatia "not under financial collapse threat"
- ^ Gallup Balkan monitor:2008 Summary of findings
- ^ "EuroTest". Eurotestmobility.com. Retrieved 2009-01-03.
- ^ "Brinje Tunnel Best European Tunnel - Croatia - Javno". Javno.com. Retrieved 2009-01-03.
Further reading
- Agičić et al., Povijest i zemljopis Hrvatske, priručnik za hrvatske manjinske škole (History and Geography of Croatia, a handbook for Croatian minority schools), Biblioteka Geographica Croatica, 292 pages, Zagreb:2000 (ISBN 953-6235-40-4) Template:Hr icon
- Branka Magaš. "Croatia Through History: The Making of a Modern European State" Saqi. November 2007, 680pp.
- Ivo Banac, The National Question in Yugoslavia: Origins, History, Politics Cornell University Press, 1984.
- Mirjana Kasapovic (ur.), Hrvatska politika 1990.-2000. Zagreb: Hrvatska politologija 2001.
- Pavol Demes and Joerg Forbrig (eds.), Reclaiming Democracy: Civil Society and Electoral Change in Central and Eastern Europe. German Marshall Fund, 2007. ISBN 978-80-969639-0-4
- Sharon Fisher, Political Change in Post-Communist Slovakia and Croatia: From Nationalist to Europeanist. New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2006 ISBN 1 4039 7286 9
External links
Definitions from Wiktionary
Media from Commons
News from Wikinews
Quotations from Wikiquote
Texts from Wikisource
Textbooks from Wikibooks
Resources from Wikiversity
- Government
- President of the Republic of Croatia
- The Government of the Republic of Croatia
- The Croatian Parliament
- Chief of State and Cabinet Members
- General information
- "Croatia". The World Factbook (2024 ed.). Central Intelligence Agency.
- Croatia information from the United States Department of State
- Croatia at UCB Libraries GovPubs
- Croatia at Curlie
- Portals to the World from the United States Library of Congress
Wikimedia Atlas of Croatia
- Pictures
- Tourism
- Other
- Croatian Cultural Heritage - digital collections of Croatian cultural heritage
- Croatian Homepage
- Weather forecast - Croatia
- Weather forecasts and weather info on Croatia
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