Croatia is located in southern Central Europe and Western Balkans, in the north of the state border with Slovenia in the north-east - from Hungary to the east - with Serbia in the south - with Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro. In the west, Croatia, washed by the Adriatic Sea. The country consists of two parts: the mainland, located mainly in the basin of the Sava River and the Adriatic, an elongated narrow strip along the coast of the Adriatic Sea.
The area of ??Croatia - about 57 km2. The relief of the country is a contrast - from the mountains, overgrown forest to rocky coastlines and the famous Croatian Islands, Croatia, in which over 1,100 different sizes and shapes. The largest of the islands of Krk, Korcula, Hvar, Brac, Pag and Cres. Istria has a hilly terrain and Mediterranean vegetation, and standing on the hilltop medieval towns evoke the Italian region of Tuscany. The coastal part of North, Central and South Dalmatia is very picturesque because of the beautiful mountains of the Dinaric ranges and endless pine forests, which stretch along the coast for hundreds of kilometers, and the island of Pag is unique like a lunar landscape.
Climate
The climate of Croatia is variable, in the north and east of the Continental, on the coast - Mediterranean, and in mountainous terrain - mountain. The average monthly temperature in ° C air and water on the Adriatic coast:
Istria (Pula) April May June July August September October
Air 17 23 26 28 28 25 20
Water 13 17 21 22 24 22 19
Central Dalmatia (Split) April May June July August September October
Air 18 22 27 30 30 26 21
Water 12 18 22 24 25 21 18
Southern Dalmatia (Dubrovnik) April May June July August September October
Air 19 25 29 30 30 26 23
Water 16 18 22 25 25 23 19
Nature of Interest
In 2005, National Geographic called the most beautiful country of Croatia in the world. The main wealth of this country - a unique natural and geographical location, there are eight national parks with total area of ??994 km2 and 235 km2 of which fall on the water surface. Manages national parks
Department of Conservation and territorial development.
The capital and largest city of Croatia - Zagreb.
Population
In Croatia there are about 4 million people - most of them Croats. Ethnic minorities are not large groups of Serbs, Bosnians, Italians, Hungarians, Slovenes, Roma.
Language and Communication
The national language is Croatian. Talk with local people and understand the basic household items you can, because Russian and Croatian languages ??have many similar words. Most Croats, especially oberezh, bad, or speak English, or German, or Italian. In recent years, many restaurants and hotels (but still not all) offer information in Russian.
Religion
76.5% of the population - Catholics, 11.1% - Orthodox 1.2% - Muslim 1.4% - Protestants, 3.9% - atheists, 6.9% - other.
Time
Local time behind Kiev for 1 hour.
Money
The national currency is the Croatian Kuna.
Customs regulations
Into the country duty free, you can enter 400 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250 grams of tobacco, 1 liter of alcoholic beverage, 1 kg of coffee or tea, 50 ml of perfume or eau de toilette for personal use. The duty on goods, the number of which revyshaet specified quota of 50% of their customs value. Must be declared sports equipment, electronic equipment, cameras and video recorders.
The time of settlement and release numbers
Check in is 14:00 and Check out - 10:00! Sometimes this can be overridden, but the requirement is as follows.
The sea and beaches
Coast of Croatia - is a continuous beach. The entire coastal zone is at a distance of 6 m from the edge of the surf coast deep into the state-owned, so you can swim anywhere, except in national parks.
The sea throughout the Croatian coast is the cleanest in the whole Mediterranean basin, and 98% of beaches suitable for swimming. On the peninsula of Istria, with rare exceptions, it is mostly man-made concrete platform, natural stones and plateaus. In Central Dalmatia, especially in areas south of Split
(Brela, Baska Voda, Tucepi, etc.) and on the island of Brac, pebble and they are considered the best on the coast. Pine trees grow here just 3-4 meters from the surf line, no umbrellas are not needed. These sites are particularly attractive for families with children.
In southern Dalmatia, there are pebbly and rocky, and concrete, and on islands in Dubrovnik area - and the sandy beaches. On the island of Pag, there are places with very small pebbles, called "sand" with the accent on first syllable. Given the nature of the Croatian coastal zone, and for security purposes, we recommend that you use for bathing special slippers that are sold here at every step. They are much more comfortable and convenient. Along the coast there are whole flotilla of yachts. Especially popular with scuba diving. The Croatian Government is developing the tourism sector under the slogan: "Here you will find the Mediterranean Sea, as it was in former times."
Excursions
In each of the proposed regions of Croatia you can find a variety inherent to the area excursion.
Kitchen
While in Croatia, it is impossible not to try the local cuisine and enjoy a great wine or beer. If the table contains hard liquor or wine of high quality, such a meal will cost around 20 euros, local house wine - 15 euros, mineral water or beer will reduce the budget by approximately
10 euros. This refers to the standard menu - salad, the first and second dishes, favorite drinks. In the case of ordering seafood lunch will be 25-30 euros, and lobster lovers will have to pay about 50 euros per person. Of course, the cost depends on the popularity and price policy of a particular institution. Official Car Rental conditions: age - at least 21 years of experience - at least 3 years, credit card (preferably Visa or MasterCard), passport, driver's license.
The infrastructure for auto-tourists is very well developed. The only wish - to strictly follow the traffic signs, especially on mountain roads, always remember that pedestrians have the advantage here, and since 2004 drivers have to travel to dip headlights even in daytime. Speed ??limit on roads in populated areas - 50 km / h on expressways - 130 km / h on other roads - 80 km / h, for a personal car with a van - 80 km / h Part of the roads (expressways Zagreb - Split, Zagreb - Rijeka, Zagreb - Varazdin, Zagreb - Lipovac on the border with Serbia) - fee. Gas stations are open daily from 7:00 to 22:00, and on the highways they operate around the clock.
Stores
They work from 8:00 to 20:00, and in the middle of the season from 6:00 to 12:00 and from 17:00 to 22:00.
Banks
Open weekdays from 7:00 to 19:00, Saturday - 7:00 to 13:00, Sundays and holidays - closed.
Helpful information
The Police - 92
Fire - 93
Ambulance - 94
Roadside on the road - 987
The international country code for Croatia - 385
Embassy of Ukraine in Croatia: 10 000 Zagreb, Vocarska Cesta, 52 (Zagreb, Ul. Vocharska, 52), tel. +385 (0) 1 461 6296 fax. +385 (0) 1 463 37 26/28.