Language: Croatian

Capital: Zagreb (1,000,000)

Population: 4,840,000 (and almost as many abroad)
Croats 79% (mostly Catholics); national minorities – Serbs 12. % (mostly Orthodox Christians), Hungarians, and many other smaller ethnic groups. The figures refer to the situation in 1991.

Area: 56,538 sq km

Natural Features: over 1000 islands on the Adriatic Sea; the Velebit mountain range; Danube River

President: Mr. Stjepan (Stipe) Mesic

Type of Government: Parliamentary democratic republic;
President elected by popular vote for 5-yr. Term (last election in Feb. 2000); prime minister nominated by the president in line with the balance of power in the Assembly; Council of Ministers named by the prime minister and approved by the House of Representatives

Religion: Christianity – Croats 79% (mostly Catholics) – Serbs 12. % (mostly Orthodox Christians)

Currency: Kuna

Economy: Before the break-up of Yugoslavia, the Republic of Croatia, after Slovenia, was the most prosperous and industrialized area, with a per capita output about1/3 above the Yugpslav average. The country is likely to experience only moderate growth without disciplined financial and structural reform, and high unemployment remains a key issue. Income per capita: $4,536

Life Expectancy: total population: 74 years

Infant Mortality Rate: 7.06 deaths/1,000 live births

Education: Duration of compulsory education: 8 years ;
Duration of Primary level: 4; Duration of secondary level: 8; Enrollment ratio – secondary level: 66%; Literacy: 97%

Food: Croatians eat a lot of sausage and ham, which they make themselves

History: Located in the Balkans, between Slovenia and Bosnia, Croatia is one of six countries formed from the break-up of Yugoslavia in the 90’s. Yugoslavia was formed after WWI in 1918 from the Croatian, Serbian, and Slovenian territories. It became known under this name in 1929. After WWII, Yugoslavia became an independent communist state.

Although Croatia declared its independence from Yugoslavia in 1991, it took four years of sporadic, but often bitter, fighting before occupying Serb armies were mostly cleared from Croatian lands. The last Serb-held enclave was returned to Croatia in 1998 under UN supervision.

Like the rest of the ex-Yugoslavia, Croatia suffered heavily from the war in the 90’s. Following the war, many Bosnian refugees moved to Croatia. Along with Slovenia, Croatia is the country which has fared the best since the war, both on the economic as well as the political plan. Its tourist industry has prospered.