General information about Croatia

Geographical position:

Croatia extends from the furthest eastern edges of the Alps in the north-west to the Pannonian lowlands and the banks of the Danube in the east; its central region is covered by the Dinara mountain range, and its southern parts extend to the coast of the Adriatic Sea.

Surface:

The mainland covers 56,594 km2; surface area of territorial waters totals 31,067 km2.

Population:

4,437,460 inhabitants; composition of population. The majority of the populations are Croats; national minorities are Serbs, Slovenes, Hungarians, Bosnians, Italians, Czechs and others.

System of government:

Multi-party parliamentary republic.

Capital:

Zagreb (779,145 inhabitants), the economic, traffic, cultural and academic centre of the country.

Coastline:

5,835.3 km, of which 4,058 km comprise the coastlines of islands, solitary rocks and reefs. Number of islands, solitary rocks and reefs: 1,185; the largest islands are Cres and Krk; there are 47 inhabited islands.

Highest peak:

Dinara: 1,831 m above sea level.

Climate:

Croatia has three climate zones; the prevailing climate in the country’s interior is moderately rainy; on the highest peaks, a forest climate with snow falls, while the areas along the Adriatic coast have a pleasantly mild Mediterranean climate with a large number of sunny days; summers are dry and hot, winters mild and wet with significant precipitations. Average temperatures in the interior: January -2 to 0º C, somewhat lower at the highest altitudes; August – about 20ºC and about 12ºC on the highest peaks. Average temperature in the littoral: January – 5 to 9 oC, August – 22 to 25 oC; sea temperature in winter: 2ºC; in summer, about 25ºC

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.

Currency:

Kuna (1 Kuna = 100 Lipa). There are 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 Lipa coins, 1, 2, 5 and 25 Kuna coins and 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1,000 Kuna banknotes.

Foreign currencies:

can be exchanged in banks, exchange offices, post offices, travel agencies, hotels, camps, marinas; cheques can be cashed in banks.

Time zone:

GMT +1 hour in winter time, GMT +2 in summer time.

Travel documentation:

A valid passport or some other identification document recognized by international agreement; for certain countries a personal identity card is sufficient (i.e. a document which testifies to the identity and citizenship of the bearer).

For more information:

Diplomatic missions and consular offices of the Republic of Croatia abroad or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration of the Republic of Croatia. Tel: +385 1 4569 964; E-mail: stranci@mvpei.hr; www.mvpei.hr

Customs regulations:

Customs regulations of the Republic of Croatia are harmonised with the standards of E.U. member states, but the value of objects of non-commercial character for personal use allowed to be brought into the country without tax duty or PDV (VAT) is limited to 300 HRK.

The permitted amount of meat and milk products which can be brought in without special veterinary inspection, as well as honey, is limited to 1 kg, while the amount of wine is limited to 5 liters. Foreign and local currency may be freely taken in and out of the country; local currency up to an amount of 15, 000 HRK, but any amount brought in our taken out of the country (whether foreign currency or HRK) in an amount exceeding a value of 40,000 HRK, must be declared to the customs officers. More valuable professional and technical equipment must be declared at the border. A non-resident can freely bring in and take out cheques in HRK.

Refund of tax when leaving the country is made to foreign nationals for individual goods purchased in Croatia for amounts in excess of 500 HRK, on presentation of a “Tax-cheque” form. This form is provided on request by a sales assistant, when items are purchased.

Public holidays:

1 January – New Year’s Day; 6 January – Epiphany; Easter Sunday & Easter Monday; 1 May – Labour Day; Corpus Christi; 22 June – Anti-Fascist Resistance Day; 25 June – Statehood Day; 5 August – Victory Day and National Thanksgiving Day; 15 August – Assumption Day; 8 October – Independence Day; 1 November – All Saints’ Day; 25-26 December – Christmas Holidays