Croatia is set in the heart of Europe, on the beautiful Adriatic coast. It has over 1185 islands, islets and reefs, the majority of which are uninhabited and under preservation orders. About 50 are inhabited, the largest being Krk and Cres. Croatia covers an area of over 56,500 km2 and is bordered by Slovenia, Hungary, Serbia, Montenegro and Bosnia & Herzegovina. The total population is over 4.50 million, with almost 800,000 living in the capital Zargreb, second largest Split. Croatia’s coastline measures over 5800 km but this includes even the tiniest islet. The climate in the interior is temperate continental with a mountain climate in some places. The Adriatic coast enjoys a pleasant Mediterranean climate with countless sunny days providing dry, hot summers. Winters tend to be mild and humid.
In 1999 Croatia was a three-times winner of international awards for the cleanest waters in the Mediterranean and many major cruise lines include Croatia on their itineraries. The Dalmatian coastline boasts some of the world’s best-known resorts including Dubrovnik, Split, Porec and Trogir, all of which are listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites, as is the Plitvice Lakes National Park. Croatia is not only a country of outstanding natural beauty, but also a centre of culture dating back thousands of years.
Croatia is clearly the ideal destination for those seeking sun, sea and lots of space. Accommodation ranges from quaint but comfortable bed & breakfast places to chic new boutique hotels and traditional five-star establishments. Attractions for vacation visitors include guided tours, religious pilgrimages, city and hotel trips, special-interest tours and a variety of sport such as canoeing, biking, hiking, fishing and of course swimming.
CRO- has 9 Nature Parks and 8 National Parks.....
Nature park Biokovo
Mount Biokovo located along the coast of Central Dalmatia and is the highest mountain on the Croatian coast.
Nature park Kopački rit
a flooded area located at the mouth of the river Drava into the Danube River. It is one of the most important, the largest and the most intact wetlands in Europe.
Nature park Lonjsko polje
the largest protected wetland area on the whole course of the river Danube. The park stretches from Sisak to Nova Gradiska and it’s a meeting place of Sava, Una, Kupa, Lonja and Strug Rivers.
Nature park Medvednica
a mountain range located just north of Zagreb, and it's higher western part
Nature park Velebit
the largest mountain range in Croatia situated between the Adriatic Sea and Lika County.
Nature park Telašćica
Telascica Bay is located in the south-eastern part of Dugi Otok (Long Island). The Bay is 8200m long with 25 harbours, 5 islands and 68 km of coastline.
Nature park Učka
situated at the crossroads of the Istria and Kvarner. It includes the mountain range Učka and part of the mountain range Ćićarija.
Nature park Vransko jezero
The Vransko Lake Nature Park is located in the northern part of Dalmatia in region of Ravni Kotari, between two historic Croatian cities of Zadar and Sibenik.
Nature park Žumberak
an intermittent highland area located southwest of Zagreb, and is considered as a border between Croatia and Slovenia.
National Parks
Brijuni
The Brijuni islands stretch along the south-western coast of the Istria peninsula, separated from it by the Fazana Channel. Brijuni consists of 14 islands and islets of which the largest are; the Veliki Brijun, Mali Brijun and Vanga.
Paklenica
Paklenica Riviera is located in the far north-western part of the Zadar region. It stretches about twenty km along the Adriatic coast, surmounted by the largest Croatian mountain-Velebit.
Plitvice Lakes
Plitvice Lakes have the status of the National Park since 1949. It is the biggest and the oldest national park in Croatia and because of exceptionally beautiful lakes, waterfalls, caves and forests, UNESCO has declared it a World Natural Heritage Site.
North Velebit
Velebit is the largest Croatian mountain extending through three regions: the Croatian Adriatic coast, Lika County and Dalmatia.
Kornati Islands
Kornati Islands are located in the central part of the Croatian Adriatic. It is the largest archipelago in the Adriatic, extending 35 km and including 147 islands, islets and rocks.
Mljet
The Mljet Island belongs to the Southern Dalmatia’s group of islands.
Krka
Phenomenon Krka River is flowing at foothill of the Dinara Mountain, near the town of Knin.
Park Risnjak
Risnjak National Park is a woodland reserve located on a mountain massif, only 15 km away by air from the Adriatic in the largest forested area in Croatia - Gorski Kotar.