Croatia (Hrvatska, formally) the Republic of Croatia, is a republic in southeastern Europe. Croatia borders on Serbia, Montenegro and Bosnia-Herzegovina to the east and Slovenia and Ungerni north. In the west and southwest of the Adriatic is a maritime state border with Italy. Croatia’s capital and seat of government of Zagreb is the country’s academic and scientific center and a major transport hub.
National Anthem Lijepa Naša domovino (“Our beautiful homeland”)
Capital Zagreb
Largest city, Zagreb (about 790 000 inhabitants)
Official language Croatian
City Condition Republic
President Ivo Josipovic
Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor
Independence 25/6 1991
Surface 56542km2
Population 4 494 749
Population density 79, 7inv / km2
GDP 69440 million
Per capita $ 13,607
Currency Kuna (HRK)
Time zone UTC + 1
Highest mountain Dinara 1830 m asl.
The biggest lake Vransko Jezero 30,2km2
Longest river Sava 945.5 km
Nationalday June 25
Country Code HR HRV
Country code 385
Croatia is a member of the World Trade Organization and the Central European Free Trade Association CEFTA. The country will join the European Union (1juli 2013)
Croatia is since 1 April 2009 Member of the NATO defense alliance.
History
The Croats are a Slavic-speaking peoples who lived in the area now known as Galicia (Ukraine and Poland). From there they migrated in 600s further south to today’s Croatia. Croats origin is not conclusively established. One theory has recently emerged where Croats are said to have originated from Iran, based on the mention of a people whose name is meant to be the origin of the word Croat in the writings on the stones found there the word Croat can be traced to ancient Slavic word for “mountain” frskare have with today’s modern DNA technology have been able to establish that the Croats are Slavs and not of Iranian origin. They share the same gene pool as the other Europeans and are more genetically similar Scandinavians than the Iranians.
Croats first king was Tomislav I from 925. During östromersk and later Frankish supremacy of Croatia became one of the most powerful kingdoms in the region, but in 1102 ended an internal power struggle, which lasted for a century, and the Croatians sat under Hungarian supremacy.
During the mid-1400s was the Hungarian kingdom strongly affected by the Ottoman expansion during the following centuries came to include most of Slavonia and later, more than half of Hungary. During the same time, Dalmatia became Venetian. Dubrovnik (Ragusa) was a city-state that was originally Byzantine and Venetian, but later became an independent state called the Republic of Dubrovnik, although it was put under the neighboring countries’ sovereignty.
Battle of Mohács in 1526 forced the Croatian Parliament to invite the Habsburgs during Ferdinand I to assume control over Croatia, which took place at the parliament of Cetin. Habsburg rule eventually led to the Ottomans was coerced, and in the 1700s was the most of Croatia out of Ottoman control and the Habsburgs were Istria, Dalmatia and Dubrovnik between 1797 and 1815. After World War I, Austria-Hungary’s case amounted Croatia in the 1928 would become Yugoslavia. During World War II Yugoslavia was invaded by Italy and Germany. During the Italian occupation, Croatia became a fascist puppet state called Independent State of Croatia. After the war Yugoslavia was a socialist, federative state under Josip Broz Tito’s leadership.
Croatia, along with Slovenia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro and Macedonia, one of the republics in the federation of Yugoslavia until 1991 when the country since democratic elections decided to leave the federation.
In 1991, Croatia declared its independence from Yugoslavia, which led to a war, known as the Croatian War of Independence, the Yugoslav army and Serb separatists. The Croatian War of Independence lasted five years and was formally terminated år1995 when Dayton Peace Agreement was signed between Bosnia-Herzegovina and the former Yugoslavia, which then consisted of Serbia and Montenegro. The last UN troops left Croatia in 1998 when the last Yugoslav troops left eastern Croatia.
Geography
Croatia has a shape that resembles a crescent or horseshoe. It is bordered by Slovenia, Hungary, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and maritime against Italy. The country is divided into two parts of Bosnia-Herzegovina’s short stretch of coast around Neum. Croatia lies on the border between South, Central and Eastern Europe, making it difficult to attribute to a specific region. Croatia counts sometimes as a central European country because of its geographical, cultural and historical ties to the countries of Central Europe. Sometimes it also counts as one of the Balkans, due to its geographic position and it has belonged to the former Yugoslavia. Others expect the country to either Eastern Europe or the Mediterranean countries, while some organizations are content to place the country between Eastern Europe and Central Europe.
In the northern and northeastern part of the terrain is dominated by fields, lakes and ridges. In Lika and Gorski Kotar landscape is dominated by densely forested mountains. The narrow Adriatic coast (Istria and Dalmatia) are mostly mountainous. The country is sometimes called “the thousand islands’ country because there are about 1233 islands on the Croatian coast.
Croatia has a mixture of climates. In the north and east it is continental, Mediterranean climate on the coast and in the country’s South Central parts prevail highland climate.
The highest mountain is Dinara 1 830 m above sea level and the largest lake is Kozje. The longest river is the Sava.
Major cities in Croatia including Zagreb, Split, Rijeka, Osijek, Zadar, Slavonian Brod Pula, Karlovac, Dubrovnik, Varazdin, Sisak, Sibenik, Vinkovci, Vukovar, Đakovo, Knin, Rovinj, Opatija and Sinj.
Croatia is usually divided into four regions or landscapes that have no administrative significance. There is no glass clear boundaries between the regions and they do not coincide with the administrative county boundaries are. The regions corresponding to Sweden Götaland, Svealand and Norrland are as follows: Istria (Istria), Dalmatia (Dalmacija), Slavonia (Slavonia) and Continental Croatia (Hrvatska Kontinentalna). While the regions have historic areas that have no administrative significance, or clear boundaries – like Roslagen in Uppland or Österlen in Skåne. For example constitutes Baranja and Srijem parts of eastern Slavonia. Zagorje is a region north of Zagreb and Gorski Kotar region north-east of Rijeka. The area to the south of the Drava River which forms the border with Hungary called Podravina, while the area to the north of the Sava River which forms the border with Bosnia-Herzegovina called Posavina. The region north of Dalmatia called Lika and the region northeast of the equally named Kordun. As in Sweden, there are dialects and to some extent cultural differences between the regions, but those differences are negligible and do not necessarily coincide with the regions and county boundaries are.
Climate
Croatia’s climate varies from being temperate continental type in the northern and eastern parts of the country, to be subtropical of Mediterranean coastal and mountain climate between the coastal and mountain regions of Lika, Dalmatia and Zagora. Annual rainfall is low in Croatia thanks to the location on the Mediterranean. Driest it is at the south of the Mediterranean coast, around only about 300 mm per year, and the wettest months in Dinarerna around Lika, about 2 000 mm. In Croatia, the large temperature differences between day and night, and summer and winter. Inland dominates the north-easterly winds, which brings snow and cold, while the Mediterranean coast is dominated by mild southwest winds from the Mediterranean which brings rain and mild weather. In summer, the interior is dominated by easterly winds from Russia, which brings humid and hot weather. Mediterranean coast is dominated by sydvindar from Africa involving drought and heat, as well as sunny days. Inland, however, the nights may be chilly with temperatures of -2 degrees and temperatures of up to +30 degrees at midday, but the coast is not as much difference. Where it can be +35 to day +25 at night, ie tropical night. However, Croatia has not tropical climate without subtropical only on the coast.
Government and politics
Form of government
According to the Constitution of 1990, Croatia is a parliamentary democracy. Croatian President is head of state and commander in chief, and elected for five years. The president appoints the prime minister with the approval of Parliament and also has some influence over foreign policy. The Croatian Parliament (Sabor) consists of a chamber with 160 members elected for four years. Parliament convenes January 15-July 15 and between 15 September and 15 December. Government (Vlada), headed by the Prime Minister, consists of two deputy prime ministers and 14 ministers. The justice system is threefold, with a Supreme Court and county courts, and municipal courts.
Foreign policy conditions
Croatia’s foreign policy goals is membership in the European Union and NATO. The country is also working globally and regionally in different ways to strengthen its position. Croatia is since 2000 member iPartnerskap for Peace (PfP) and aspired to NATO membership from 2002. On 17 October 2007 elected Croatia to one of the non-permanent members of the UN Security Council for the period 2008-2009. During the NATO summit in BUKARESTden April 3, 2008 Croatia received an official invitation to join NATO and then on 1 April 2009, the country is a member of the alliance.
In 2003 examined Croatia’s membership in the European Union (EU). The country was granted candidate status in 2004 and has made several reforms to adapt its economy to the EU. Europe was long reluctant to further develop the candidacy towards eventual full membership as Croatia under the EU were long unwilling to extradite General Ante Gotovina, who is suspected of war crimes committed during Croatia’s war of independence (1991-1995). In 2005, Croatia to begin membership negotiations when the EU is now believed that Croatia is fully cooperating with the International Criminal Tribunal in The Hague. The decision was prompted by the Spanish police (after the tip of the Croatian Intelligence Service) were able to arrest Ante Gotovina in the Canary Islands, and handed him over to the International Criminal Tribunal in The Hague. Croatia will become the Union’s 28th member in 2013. In December 2008, Slovenia vetoed the opening ten chapters in the accession talks because of the ongoing border dispute. The blockage was lifted in the autumn of 2009 and negotiations resumed on 2 October 2009. So far 30 out of 35 chapters opened in accession negotiations with Croatia, of which seventeen have been completed.
Economy
Tourism is a vital part of business life. Croatia’s foreign trade is focused on the EU, and therefore affected the economy of the trends in countries such as Sweden, the Netherlands and Italy. The country’s per capita GDP was estimated (purchasing power adjusted) in 2007 to about 15 500 US dollars (the world average is 10 000 US dollars).
Croatia, Slovenia, second, the most prosperous country of the states that once made up Yugoslavia. In the late 1980s began with the fall of communism an economic transition. Croatia had an advantageous position but badly damaged by de-industrialization and war. The main problems facing the country today is a relatively high unemployment rate (11.2% in 2006) and slow reforms. Especially difficult factors are the justice system and public administration, both of which are outdated and inefficient.
The country has seen rapid growth in recent years and has applied for membership of the EU. The country has also been granted the status of official candidate. Several steps have already been taken to make the Croatian economy more similar to the EU and it is expected that this in the near future will lead to increased activity in the economy.
Demography
Croatia populated mainly avKroater (89.6%). The largest minority groups ärSerber (4.5%), Bosniaks (0.5%) and Hungarians (0.4%).
Croatia’s population has stagnated over the past decade. War which lasted between 1991 and 1995 contributed mainly to this, partly because people were killed in battle, partly because the country lived through a great emigration. The natural population growth rate is zero or negative and is about ± 1%. Life expectancy is around 75 years, and the literacy rate is 97.5%. The population’s average age is 38.9 years.
Serbs of Croatia
Before detKroatiska war of independence constituted the largest minority Serbs nearly 13% of the population. During the war many Serbs left Croatia for political and / or economic reasons. As Croatia through Operation Storm in 1995 retook the Serb-held Krajina region escaped an estimated 250 000 to Serbia, Republika Serpska and other parts of the world from persecution and forced deportation of the Croatian forces. Get Serbs today, however, returned to Croatia. The Croatian government’s official position is that all the Serbs who fled or left the country during the Croatian War of Independence should and should return to Croatia if they so wish. Financial support has led to upwards of 120,000 Serbs have returned to Croatia in recent years.
Religion
The main religion is Catholicism (89.2%), minority religions are mostly Serbian Orthodox (5.0%), Islam (1.3%) and Protestants (0.3%). Other forms 5.6%.
Language
Croatian is the official language and mordersmål for the majority of the population. It is a Slavic language that uses the Latin alphabet. Other languages (Serbian, Italian, Hungarian, Slovenian, Czech, Istro-Romanian language, etc.) is spoken by less than five percent of the population.
In Istria, where an Italian minority group exists, is also Italian language an official language.
Infrastructure
Ways
In recent years, Croatia has put several billion kronor in expanding the country’s motorway and thus connect all parts of Croatia. Motorways are (as in many other European countries) toll. The tunnels Grič and Brinje considered among the safest and most modern in Europe in 2007. The Croatian Government has expressed that they will continue to invest in infrastructure as it is considered to be an important element in the country’s economic recovery. Road construction creates jobs while the country can count on foreign investments when many international companies are dependent on good infrastructure. Moreover, many of the hundreds of thousands of tourists visiting Croatia motoring and congestion was earlier the rule rather than the exception. Minor roads are still a lower standard than in western Europe. But even here apply to the government to invest money to further improve quality. Following independence in road building, received a boost, and in 1995 completed highway (unofficially called “Dalmatina”) between the capital Zagreb and the country’s second largest city, Split, in southern Croatia. Thus shortening the travel time from about 8-9 hours to four hours. At the inauguration, the Government announced a thirty-year dream come true and that they intend to continue the motorway until it reaches Dubrovnik in southern Croatia. In 2007 begins the construction of the Peljesac bridge, which will connect the mainland and the peninsula of Peljesac. It will be completed within four years and will then be Europe’s 18th longest bridge.
Most highways operated by the state-owned company Hrvatske dd autoceste (Croatian Motorways AB).
Railways
Track standard in Croatia is relatively good but rail network is in need of modernization. The railway network was built during the time when Croatia was part of government formation Austro-Hungarian and Croatian cities are rather connected with Vienna than with each other. The trains’ standard is high and the Croatian Government have declared that they now intend to invest in the rail network and enable high-speed trains to run on multiple lines. In 2007 commenced the modernization of the section between Croatia’s largest port town of Rijeka, the capital Zagreb and the Hungarian border, which will reduce travel time between the cities significantly. The construction will be completed in 2013 and cost about twenty billion.
Rail traffic is handled primarily by the company “Hrvatske željeznice doo” (Croatian Railways AB).
Shipping
Shipping is very important for Croatia, and has several major ports. The main ports located in Omišalj, Ploce, Rijeka, Sibenik, Dubrovnik, Dugi Rat, Pula, Split and Zadar. Croatia has 66 inhabited islands off its coast, which means that there are a large number of local ferries. Croatian trade fleet consists of 73 ships. Some of the nation’s largest shipyards named Uljanik in Pula, and Viktor Lenac and 3.maj, in Rijeka.
Flight
Croatia’s state-owned airlines heterCroatia Airlines. The company was founded in August 7, 1989 under the name of Zagal (Zagreb Airlines). When Croatia became independent in 1991 the company changed its name to Croatia Airlines. Croatia Airlines is a member of IATA, AEA and the Star Alliance. The company has in recent years seen a strong increase in passengers and in 2005 Croatia Airlines transported 1,555,033 passengers to various destinations in Croatia and worldwide.
More recently, other actors (including Ryanair) entered the Croatian market and offers flights to Croatia. International airports are in Zagreb (Pleso), Split (Resnik), Dubrovnik (Čilipi), Pula, Krk (Rijeka), Zadar and Osijek.
Culture
Croatia’s culture is based on one thirteen centuries-long history, during which it managed to acquire many monuments and cities, which have given a large number of prominent individuals. The country also houses seven World Heritage Sites and eight national parks. Croatia counts sometimes as a central European country because of its cultural and historical ties to the countries of Central Europe. Croatia belonged to the central European state formation Habsburg (later Austria-Hungary) for several centuries before the country in 1918 was in the then newly founded state formation “Serbs, Croats and Slovenes kingdom” (later called Yugoslavia). The Croatian culture, because of these historical facts, referred to as “central European” and Croatians consider themselves to belong to the Western cultural sphere. An independent Gallup survey conducted in September and October 2008 showed that a majority of Croats (60%) not identified with the region of the Balkans. Other countries look still frequently Croatia as a part of the Balkans, and often as a part of the former Yugoslavia Although the tradition of playing the instrument gusle which is a typical instrument of the Balkans. Famous musicians are Oliver Dragojevic, Zlatan Stipišić Gibonni, Tony Cetinski, Nina Badrić and Ivana Banfić. Three Nobel Prize winners have come from Croatia, plus a large number of inventors. Slavoljub Eduard Penkala, reservoarpennans inventor, came from Croatia and was active in Zagreb.
Neck Clothing has strong ties to Croatia, then tie (kravata), according to legend was invented there. The country also has a long tradition of musicians, artists and writers.
The Low German became the word for Croat, “krawat” distorted the creature and eventually came to denote a “rascal, patrons, rogue or rascal.” This word then came into Swedish with approximately the same meaning, but can also stand for “little kid”.
Food Culture
Croatia is becoming increasingly known for its good food and fine wines. The genuine Croatian cuisine is multifaceted and has many regional differences. Common, however, is quality as the Croatians love to use fresh and biologically produced raw materials. Along the coast of Istria, Dalmatia and Primorje, the food is inspired by Italy but cooked in “Croatian style”. Fish, seafood, pasta and pizza, is often on the menu. Sea urchin and rock lobster, grilled and served with a lemon wedge is popular on the menu as well pljeskavica which is a hamburger cooked in beef mixed with pepperoni. Buzzara is a cooking method that is suitable for various kinds of seafood. Buzzara simply means that the main ingredient is cooked in a spicy sauce with wine, tomatoes, spices and herbs. Sometimes you can get just the sauce with the pasta. Pašticada is a kind of stew that some describe as sweet and sour. The taste is based on meat is simmered long at low temperature along with including wine and sometimes prunes. Rizoto reminiscent of the Italian risotto, but is often looser texture and do not always contain cheese. Rizoto is an excellent and inexpensive lunch right is usually found in countless cheap variants (vegetarian, seafood, housing, etc.) in most restaurants. Inland, where the cuisine is inspired by Hungary and Austria, take the meat dishes to. Fried or grilled beef, lamb and pork are common across the country. In Zagorje (region north of Zagreb) is the food culture inspired by Austria and have found also the best schnitzels in the country. Capital Zagreb has its own specialty, Zagrebački odrezak, which is a wiener schnitzel stuffed with ham and cheese. In Slavonia, a region in eastern Croatia, stands Hungarian cuisine to spicy peppers and hearty stews like goulash and Maneštra. In Croatia there are also some dishes which originated from Turkey, via neighboring Serbia and Bosnia-Herzegovina came to Croatia where they have been domesticated. Best known is cevapcici, a type of ground beef rolls, served with potatoes or fries and burek is an airy puff pastry bread filled with various ingredients, such as meat, cheese, potatoes or apple. Even the desserts are a very high standard. Croatian ice cream (Croatian: sladoled) is an excellent competitor of the Italian ice cream in terms of both taste and quality. Cremeschnitte is a lovely vanilla pastry originally from the town of Samobor, near Zagreb, and can be enjoyed throughout Croatia as well strudl which is an apple cake that originated iÖsterike.
Drink
Croatia is a big wine producer and produces many different wines of varying quality. The most famous red wines are Dingač, Plavac and Postup all manufactured in the southernmost country part of Dalmatia. White wines are produced mainly in the northern parts of the country and the most famous is the Muscatel, Malvazija, Kaštelet and Pošip.
Croatia is not only a major wine producer. Beer production has also a long history. The largest beer brands in Croatia include ožujsko and Karlovacko.
One of the most common forms of liquor is rakija, a kind of brandy and are available in variety of flavors.
Seder
Between åre 1940-1995 when Croatia was part of Communist Yugoslavia were oppressed and neglected traditional religious practices, as well as in the other republics of the regime. Despite this, many Croats to exercise their customs and habits private. Since Croatia gained independence, encouraged old Croatian customs that nowadays practiced extensively in all parts of the country. The practices often have a religious Catholic origin and linked to the Catholic liturgical year. Many towns and villages hold processions to celebrate Easter, Christmas or the local patron saint.
Christmas
As in many other Catholic countries Christmas (Croatian: Božić) in Croatia a much more Christian character than in Sweden, for example. For the typical Croatian Christmas is a Christian holiday which celebrates the birth of Jesus. Christmas is celebrated with loved ones, and as in Sweden and the rest of the Christian world becomes commercial elements with expensive gifts and more common in Croatia. In those families where the gift distribution is practiced, according to tradition, Santa Claus (Djed Božićnjak) and more seldom the Infant Jesus (mali Isus) that come with them on Christmas Day (December 25). The tradition of it’s baby Jesus that comes with the gifts are originally from Germany and Austria where children receive gifts from “Kristkindl”.
Advent (Croatian: Došašće) is celebrated in the same way as in Sweden but instead of an Advent candle holder has the Croatians an Advent wreath with four usually a little thicker light. Advent wreath looks something like a finely decorated overhead door wreath with four candles in and placed centrally on the table.
Saint Nicholas (Croatian: Sveti Nikola) can often confused medjultomten but come early as December 6 to all good children. According to tradition (which apart from Croatia celebrated in most Central European countries), all children the day before he will polish their shoes and place them at the window end. The window left ajar to Saint Nicholas during the night can drop in – and the children have been good and polished their shoes properly so they get candy or toys in or beside their finputsade shoes.
On Lucia Day (13 December), many Croats who, according to tradition puts wheat seeds on a dish and soak them so that they begin to sprout. The drum is placed on the table. On Christmas Day, it has stuck up about 10 cm long, green stalks and then tie a band that goes in the red, white and blue (Croatian tricolor) around them. According to tradition, it is believed that if the germ has taken and grown firmly expecting a successful year.
Christmas Eve (Croatian: Badnja vecer or shorter Badnjak) December 24 celebrates the most with family and / or friends. According to Catholic tradition, one eats no meat on this day without food consists of fish, specifically Bakalar that resembles stockfish. The tradition-bound place a straw in the tablecloth. On top of the straw and the tablecloth is placed Christmas bread (Badnji kruh) consisting of honey, nuts and dried fruit and has a central part in the dinner. This day is also borne the Christmas tree up and decorated with the usual Christmas tree decoration. Many families linked to so-called Licitarhjärtan in the tree. These hearts are traditionally red, finely decorated and made of an edible material. They hung First and foremost up from the decoration point of view. Many families concludes Christmas Eve by attending midnight mass (Croatian: polnoćka) where the highlight is the Croatian melodious Christmas carols.
Christmas Day (Croatian: Božić) is a Christmas highlight. This day wishes to family and friends a Merry Christmas (Croatian: Sretan Božić or Čestit Božić). You can also attend matins (Zorica). This day most families some kind of gift distribution. According to tradition, it is Santa Claus (Djed Božićnjak, directly translated “Grandfather / Grandpa Jul”) that come with these. Christmas dinner may consist of pork, turkey or both depending what region you come from or what your traditions practiced in the family. The central part of the Christmas table has glazed julbrödet (not to be confused with the Christmas bread). Julbrödet comprises inter alia nutmeg, raisins and almonds and is formed into a rosary. Many places a candle in the middle of the bread and it is on the table until Epiphany (January 6) when Christmas is considered to be over and the bread is shared and eaten by everyone in the family.
Easter
Like Christmas has also Easter a strong Christian character and many Croatians visit church sometime during this festival.
On Easter Eve is usual to fill a small basket with small portions of food and painting Easter eggs. Bin takes with him to church where the priest blesses the basket by sprinkling holy water on it. On returning home, then eaten the food blessed by all the family.
Architecture
The Croatian architecture has been influenced by the country’s position in Europe. Ecclesiastical architecture and secular architecture blends touches of Italy and Austria with other forms coming from the Byzantine and Slavic world. In architecture, it may mostly Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque who left their mark on landet.Den genuinely Croatian architecture arises with the pre-Romanesque style in Prince Branimir. Along the Adriatic coast developed Gothic architecture in the 1400s after Venice conquered the coastal areas. The Venetian Gothic architecture not only influenced the design of the churches in Dalmatia, but was also a trend-setter for the higher estate portfolio villas and houses in towns such as Pula, Zadar, Sibenik and Split. Renaissance main architects and artists in Croatia was Juraj Dalmatinac, Nikola Firentinac and Andrija Alesi. These architects and artists were active primarily along the coast and participated in the construction of several churches and public buildings. Dubrovnik old town has several interesting constructions where the Sponza palace has characteristics of both Gothic and Renaissance. Baroque is the style that most characterizes the interior. The most interesting baroque buildings are in Varaždin, Požega, Osijek, Križevci, Ludbreg and Krapina. Capital Zagreb is strongly influenced by modernism and the 1800s was the Vienna Secession that gave inspiration which can be seen on buildings and other structures such as Villa Krauss. Architect Hermann Bolle has been particularly influential in the design of several buildings in Zagreb.
Training
Compulsory schooling comes from 6 or 7 to 14 or 15 years. Primary school is compulsory and financed entirely by the state. Elementary school is divided into two stages. In grades 1-4 are taught each class by a teacher who teaches all subjects. The topics included are Croatian, mathematics, visual arts and the natural and social sciences. From grades 5-8 are taught every subject by a specialist teacher and the topics will be the history, geography, biology, physics, chemistry, and more.
Between school level is still a voluntary school form, like in Svereige. Between school level is subdivided into upper secondary and yrkesskolaoch both are located in four years.
Croatia has seven universities, distributed in the cities of Zagreb, Rijeka, Osijek, Split, Zadar, Dubrovnik and Pula. Croatia has taken part and started to adapt their higher education systems for the Bologna Process, which should be fully operational by 2010.
Tourism
Popular tourist destinations, in addition to the capital Zagreb, the coastal towns of Pula, Sibenik, Split, Zadar, Baska Voda, Makarska, Hvar, Opatija, Porec, Rovinj, Split, Pag and the medieval city of Dubrovnik. The most visited part is the Dalmatia, which forms the southern part of Croatia’s coast on the Adriatic Sea. On the coast there are also many popular islands such as Krk, Croatia’s largest island, and the Kornati National Park and the island of Hvar.