Croatia Guide

National revival in Croatia started in 1813 when the bishop of Zagreb Maksimilijan Vrhovac issued a plea for the collection of “national treasures”. In the beginning of the 1830s, a group of young Croatian writers gathered in Zagreb and established the Illyrian movement for national renewal and unity of all South Slavs within the Habsburg Monarchy. The most important focus of Illyrians was the establishment of standard language as a counter-weight to Hungarian, and the promotion of Croatian written literature and official culture. Important members of this movement were Count Janko Drašković who wrote a pamphlet in 1832 which created movement, Ljudevit Gaj who received permission from royal government of Habsburg Monarchy for printing first newspaper in Croatian, Josif Runjanin writer of lyrics for the Croatian national anthem, Vatroslav Lisinski composer of the first Croatian opera “Ljubav i zloba” (“Love and Malice”, 1846) and many others.

Fearful of first Hungarian and then Habsburg pressure of assimilation Kingdom of Croatia has always refused to change official language which has stayed Latin until middle of 19 century. Only on 2 May 1843 Croatian language has been first time spoken in parliament and it has become official only because of popularity of Illyrian movement in 1847.

Vukovar-Syrmia county (Croatian: Vukovarsko-srijemska županija) is the easternmost Croatian county. It includes the eastern parts of Slavonia and western parts of Srijem regions; but also the lower Sava river basin (Posavina). County seat is Vukovar, on Danube river; and the biggest town is Vinkovci with 33,328 inhabitants. The whole county has 204,768 inhabitants. Other towns include Ilok, Otok and Županja.

Croatia Airlines – Croatia’s national airline, based in Zagreb. They have connections to 11 countries in Europe. They are a member of Star Alliance alliance. The main hub is the Zagreb Airport.

Mljet (incl Meleda, Lac. Melita) – Croatian island in the Adriatic, a length of 37 km and a width of less than 3 km. According to data from 2001, the island had 1,111 permanent residents residing in a dozen villages and settlements, of which most (though not the most inhabited) is Sobra, where there is only on the island of gasoline for cars and boats, and where there is a pier, which call for ferries coming here with Jadrolinija located opposite (on the Peljesac peninsula) and the Prapratno located a few kilometers south of Dubrovnik.

Plitvice Lakes National Park (chor Nacionalni Park Plitvice Lakes) – national park in Croatia, situated 15 km from the coast Kvarneru, north of Rijeka. Created 15 September 1953 with an area of 30 square kilometers.

The difference in the amount of the park is 1,000 m. above the lowest point of the valley Leska (680 m), while the highest peak of the Great Plitvice Lakes (1528 m). In this area ścierają to be different weather: Mountain related to the proximity of the Alps and the mild maritime related to the proximity to the Adriatic.

Park is a wooded mountain range, including its Kupa river source area. Because of its location – between the Alps and the mountains Dynarskimi – live here on a small area of very many species of plants (including about 30 endemics) and animals. In the natural conditions here, you can see the brown bear, deer, roe deer, chamois and white mountain lynx, of which Park is likely to give his name.

Some species of plants occurring in the park:

* Szarotka Alpine (Leontopodium alpinum)
* Nigritella nigra
* Milfoil (Achillea clavenae)
* Alpine joy (Clematis alpina)
* Viola biflora (Viola biflora)
* Saxifrage Gronków (Saxifraga aizoon)

The beauty of the surrounding terrain here is attracting all those who love hiking in the mountains.

Gorski kotar (English: Mountain District) is the mountainous region in Croatia between Karlovac and Rijeka. Together with Lika and the Ogulin-Plaški valley it forms Mountainous Croatia. Because 63% of its surface is forested it is popularly called the green lungs of Croatia or Croatian Switzerland. Through the region passes the E65 corridor, which connects Budapest and Zagreb with the Adriatic port Rijeka.

Split is the heart of the province of Dalmatia. Located 150km (95mi) north of Dubrovnik, it’s the largest Croatian city on the Adriatic coast. It became a popular retirement destination in the 4th century for Roman Emperors such as Diocletian, who had run out of Christians to feed to his lions.

Most people visit Croatia between April and September. Although the coast is too cool for swimming in April, you’ll enjoy warm, clear skies south of Split and rock-bottom accommodation prices. Zagreb is likely to be comfortable and the cultural season is in full swing at this time. May and June are great months for all outdoor activities (except skiing). Watch out for battalions of school students on class field trips at the end of May and beginning of June.

July and August are the most expensive months to visit Croatia as the tourist season swings into gear. The advantages of high-season travel are the extra boat lines to whisk you to the islands, and organised excursions to take you to out-of-the-way highlights. September is probably the optimum month since by then the crowds have thinned out, off-season rates apply and fruits such as figs and grapes are abundant.