Ovo poglavlje je samo napisano na stranim jezicima budući da su podaci o klimi, gradovima, obali, valuti, geografskim obilježjima i slično uglavnom poznati potencijalnim kupcima ili prodavateljima sa hrvatskog govornog područja ili onima koji poznaju hrvatski jezik.
Dinara mountain range, and its southern parts extend to the coast of the Adriatic Sea.
Surface
The mainland covers 56,542 km2, and the surface of the territorial sea is 31,067 km2.
4,437,460 inhabitants; composition of population: the majority of the population are Croats; national minorities are Serbs, Slovenes, Hungarians, Bosnians, Italians, Czechs and others. The number of Croats living abroad is estimated to be around the same number as in the homeland. The biggest emigration groups live in Western Europe, mostly Germany, then Italy, Sweden, France, Great Britain. On other continents, the biggest Croatian communities live in the United States of America (Ohio, California, Pittsburgh was the second largest city in the world inhabited by Croatians) and in Canada (Mississauga), as well as in Argentina, Chile (in the north, around Santiago and in the south), Peru, Brazil and Bolivia. There are important Croatian communities in Australia (Perth, Sydney), New Zealand and in South Africa.
Government
The Republic of Croatia is a parliamentary democracy, like most countries in Western and Central Europe. After its Constitution was amended in November 2000, the semi-presidential system was transformed into a pure parliamentary system.The Government, headed by the Prime Minister, is politically responsible only to the Croatian Parliament (Sabor), which is comprised of the House of Representatives (Zastupnicki dom). Members of the House of Representatives serve four-year terms.The President of the Republic is the Head of State, directly elected for a term of five years. The President is also Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, and represents the Republic of Croatia.
Cities and Counties
County, in the territorial and political sense of the building of the Croatian state in the developed stage was first found in the 10th century, thus doing away with parishes, the lowest types of people joining forces based on blood relations. Since then, counties have become the common way of Croat's setting up their state, the only variable element being the number of counties, their size and rights and obligations. A Law on Counties, Cities and Municipalities in Croatia (passed on Jan. 30, 1997) had awarded city status to 47 municipalities, 63 settlements were given municipal status, while 13 municipalities became settlements. Today Croatia has 122 cities and 416 municipalities. The city of Zagreb, regulated by the Law on the City of Zagreb, had become a special unified territorial and administrative unit, not a part of the "Zagreb region" which had become a county of its own - The Zagreb County.
Capital
Zagreb (779,145 inhabitants), the economic, traffic, cultural and academic centre of the country. The second largest city is Split on the Dalmatian Coast with a population 250,000 inhabitants
Coastline
5,835 km of Adriatic coast line of which 4,058 km comprise a coastline of islands, solitary rocks and reefs. Number of islands, solitary rocks and reefs: 1,185; the largest islands are Krk, Cres, and Brac; whilst the longest island is Hvar; there are 50 inhabited islands.
Highest peak
Dinara: 1,831 m above sea level.
Climate
There are two climate zones; a temperate continental climate, locally also a mountainous climate, prevails in the interior, whereas a pleasant Mediterranean climate prevails along the Adriatic coast, with an overwhelming number of sunny days, dry and hot summers, mild and humid winters; average temperature in the inland: January 0 to 2°C, August 19 to 23°C; average temperature at the seaside: January 6 to 11°C, August 21 to 27 °C; the temperature is about 12°C in winter, and 25°C in summer.
Currency
kuna (1 kuna = 100 lipa). Foreign currency can be exchanged in banks, exchange offices, post offices, travel agencies, hotels, camps, marinas; cheques can be cashed in banks.
Arts and Culture
Belonging to the Middle-European and Mediterranean cultural and civilisation circle and tradition, Croatia is extremely rich with valuable cultural and historical heritage, pointing to the millenium old presence of Croatia in the area.The specific urban culture of coastal and island areas is easily seen in towns such as: Porec, Rovinj, Pula, Zadar, Sibenik, Hvar, Korcula and Ston, with Split (Diocletian's Palace) and Dubrovnik representing a part of the world cultural heritage under UNESCO protection.
Science and Education
Croatia has a high quality education system. Croatian university programmes, especially those for science, medicine and engineering, meet the highest international standards, which is attested to by the large number of Croats who have found work in reputable institutions - hospitals, universities, institutes world-wide. In the academic year 2004/05, about 80,000 students were enrolled in Croatian University centers.
