Did you know?

Nature

You can see

• … that you can see forests, mountains, plains, the sea and stony fields in Croatia without crossing more than a hundred kilometers

Most preserved natural environments

• … that Croatia has one of the most preserved natural environments in Europe

• … that there are 7 national parks in Croatia

• … That which is the greatest worth and rarity of the tourist Mediterranean today is - preserved nature - is the greatest tourist ace of the Island of Vis, which the World organization for environmental protection included among ten of the most preserved islands of the Mediterranean

Potable water

• … that Croatia is one of the few countries on the old continent that provides its citizens with potable water via the public waterways system

Zlatni rat - changes its shape

• … that Zlatni rat, a beach in Bol on the island of Brac, changes its shape depending on the prevailing wind

Mljet a rare natural phenomenon

• … that on Mljet you can see a rare natural phenomenon - an island within an island. There is a small island, namely, situated in the big lake (Veliko jezero) on the island of Mljet

Sunniest island

• … that Hvar is Croatia's sunniest island with an average of 2715 hours of sunshine a year, and whenever snow falls in Hvar an overnight stay in any of the island's hotels is free of charge

Malacological Museum

• … that there is a Malacological Museum in Makarska with the world's largest collection of mollusks and snails

Dalmatian breed of dog

• … that the Dalmatian breed of dog got its name from the Croatian region of Dalmatia and the Illyrian tribe known as the Dalmata

Gastronomy

Seashells

• … Research has shown that oysters have been farmed in the Ston area from Roman times. Just about every crowned head in Europe knew of the oysters of Ston. The Bay of Ston was leased out to families during the time of the Dubrovnik Republic. These growers were known as "Kamenicari" ("Kamenica" means "Oyster"). They were required to deliver some of the harvest to the Republic to secure the supply needed to entertain foreign officials visiting Dubrovnik and to present them with a gift of oysters

Crabs

• … Shrimp are the most prized and best known of the Adriatic crustaceans. Shrimp are a true culinary delight and an integral part of the offer of Croatian restaurants

Cleanest salt

• … that the salt extracted at the Ston saltpan is the cleanest in the Mediterranean

Wine

• … Plavac mali is an indigenous grape grown only in Croatia, more precisely in Dalmatia. Plavac mali is used in creating world-class wines like Dingac and Postup on Peljesac locations, or Ivan Dolac of the island of Hvar and the Murvica of the island of Brac

Particularities

Adriatic Sea

• … The Adriatic Sea got its name from an ancient port of the same name. Today, the city of Adria is placed on the Italian shore, it is 38 km far from the sea, what is the result of the action of geological forces, which induce that constant rising of the northern coast, and the sinking of the southern

• … is a unique area in Europe for cruising with motor boats, speedboats, or sailboats, but also for enjoying the underwater world

Necktie

• … The necktie (cravat) originates from Croatia. Around the year 1635, some six thousand soldiers and knights came to Paris to give their support to King Louis XIII and Cardinal Richelieu. Among them were a great number of Croatian mercenaries. The traditional outfit of these Croats aroused interest on account of the unusual and picturesque scarves distinctively tied about their necks. Later on, during the reign of Louis XIV, the Croatian scarf was accepted in France, above all in court, where military ornaments were much admired. The fashionable expression, ’a la croate’, soon evolved into a new French word, which still exists today: la cravate

Zadar is home to the world's first Sea Organ

• … that the city of Zadar is home to the world's first Sea Organ that creates its music only by the action of the wind and waves

Dubrovnik

• ... that the oldest chemist's in Dubrovnik has been working without stopping since 1317.

• … that Dubrovnik has the oldest Insurance Act in Europe, dating from the year 1395, three centuries the senior to that of Lloyd's, which was adopted at the beginning of the 17^th century

Makarska

• ... that the city of Makarska is one of the most attractive touristical spots of Croatia

• … that the citizens of Makarska were the first in the world who placed a monument to honor the tourists

Marble from the island of Brac

• … The only stone masons school on the Adriatic is located in Pucisce on the Island of Brac and in it are processed the well known and valued Brac stone of which are made parts of the White House in Washington, the Parliament in Vienna, Regents palace in Trieste, parts of the Parliament in Budapest and many other imposing structures around the world

Dubrovnik Republic was the first...

• … that the Dubrovnik Republic was the first state to recognize the independence of the United States of America

History

Diocletian

• … The Roman emperor Diocletian built a palace in Dalmatia in 305 A.D., which became the foundation of today’s city of Split, one of Croatia’s monuments under UNESCO protection

Croats

• … Croats first settled the eastern coast of the Adriatic sea in the seventh century A.D. Tomislav, the first Croatian king, was crowned in the year 925 A.D.

Croatians have their own alphabet or set of letters

• … that Croatians have their own alphabet or set of letters. It is called "Glagolitic" and emerged in the 9^th century and was in daily use (along with the Latin alphabet) up to the 18^th century

Marco Polo

• … Croatia is the homeland of Marco Polo, the world renowned 13^th century traveler, who was born on the Dalmatian island of Korcula

Croatia

Awards

• … In 1997 the respected American magazine Traveller proclaimed Hvar one of the ten most beautiful tourist islands in the world

• … Croatia has been announced as Lonely Planet Staffers' number one destination for 2005. Croatia won the first place, followed by China, Argentina, USA, Italy and Costa Rica

• … Michelin Europe Tourist and Motoring Atlas puts Croatia on the front page of its 2005. edition

• … Croatia was the favorite ''last minute'' destination of German tourists last summer, shows a poll conducted by the European Tourism Institute (ETI)

• … On July 17^th 2005, "New York Times" publishes an article "In Croatia, A New Riviera Beckons"

• … USTOA chose Dubrovnik as the host of their 2006. Annual Conference

• … National Geographic Adventure announces Croatia as number one "Hot Adventure Destination" in 2006.

Tourism

• … over 10 million tourists visited Croatia in 2006.