Page 21 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Croatia

INTRODUCING CRO A TIA  19

A PORTRAIT OF CROATIA

Croatia forms a meeting point between the Mediterranean and central
Europe, and between the Alps and the Pannonian Plain. Its relatively small
territory is made up of a wide variety of landscapes. A stunningly beautiful
country, it has re-emerged from the difficult years of conflict and regained
its role as a popular holiday destination.

Croatia seceded from the Federal of World War I, Croatia declared
Socialist Republic of Yugoslavia in 1990, indepen dence but, under pressure
following the first free elections since from greater powers, agreed to become
World War II. However, the brutal conflict part of the kingdom of Yugoslavia.
that quickly followed had disastrous From the ruins of the Habsburg empire
effects on the economy and led to the emerged Yugoslavia: a new state of
damage and destruction of many historic Serbs, Croatians and Slovenes.
monuments and treasures. The United Few people live in the steep
Nations administered disputed territories mountainous areas and as a result
until 1995, and the last region, Eastern the forests of this region, among the
Slavonia, was returned to Croatian most beautiful in southern Europe,
administration in January 1998. are unspoilt. The coast and larger
The resolution of the conflict recreated islands are more densely populated
a country which had lost its autonomy and the income from tourism is
long ago in 1102, when Croatian important to many. The political
nobles handed the vacant crown to upheavals of the last decade of the
King Koloman. Under Koloman, Croatia 20th century have caused a shifting
became part of Hungary and remained of the population and many Serbs
so for 900 years, until 1918. At the end have moved away.

Zrmanja river valley, running below the Velebit mountains, Dalmatia
Pretty quayside on the island town of Krk

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