Просмотр кода страницы Английская Википедия:Croatia

{{Английская Википедия/Панель перехода}}
{{short description|Country in Central and Southeast Europe}}
{{other uses}}
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{{Use British English|date=January 2022}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2021}}
{{Infobox country
| conventional_long_name = Republic of Croatia
| common_name            = Croatia
| native_name            = {{native name|hr|Republika Hrvatska}}{{efn|In the recognised [[minority languages of Croatia]] and the most spoken second languages:
:* {{lang-cs|Chorvatská republika}}
:* {{lang-de|Republik Kroatien}}
:* {{lang-fr|République de Croatie}}
:* {{lang-hu|Horvát Köztársaság}}
:* {{lang-it|Repubblica di Croazia}}
:* {{lang-rue|Републіка Хорватія}}
:* {{lang-sr|Република Хрватска}}
:* {{lang-sk|Chorvátska republika}}
:* {{lang-sl|Republika Hrvaška}}
:* {{lang-uk|Респу́бліка Хорва́тія}}
}}
| image_flag             = Flag of Croatia.svg
| image_coat             = Coat of arms of Croatia.svg
| coa_size               = 70
| anthem                 = "[[Lijepa naša domovino]]"<br />("Our Beautiful Homeland")<br /><div style="display:inline-block;margin-top:0.4em;">[[File:Lijepa nasa domovino instrumental.ogg|center]]</div>
| image_map              = {{Switcher|[[File:EU-Croatia (orthographic projection).png|frameless]]|upright=1.15|Show globe|[[File:EU-Croatia.svg|upright=1.15|frameless]]|Show map of Europe|default=1}}
| map_caption            = {{map caption |location_color=dark green |region=Europe |region_color=dark grey |subregion=the [[European Union]] |subregion_color=green}}
| capital                = [[Zagreb]]
| coordinates            = {{Coord|45|48|47|N|15|58|39|E|type:city}}
| largest_city           = capital
| official_languages     = [[Croatian language|Croatian]]{{efn|Apart from Croatian, [[Regions of Croatia|counties]] have [[Minority languages of Croatia|official regional languages]] that are used for official government business and commercially. In [[Istria County]] a minority is [[Italian language in Croatia|Italian-speaking]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pravosudje.hr/europska-povelja-o-regionalnim-ili-manjinskim-jezi|title=Europska povelja o regionalnim ili manjinskim jezicima|date=4 November 2011|publisher=[[Ministry of Justice and Public Administration (Croatia)]]|language=hr|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131227001603/http://www.pravosudje.hr/europska-povelja-o-regionalnim-ili-manjinskim-jezi|archive-date=27 December 2013|url-status=dead|access-date=1 December 2018}}</ref><ref name="Census-2011-languages"/> while select counties bordering Serbia [[Serbian language in Croatia|speak standard Serbian]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.economist.com/the-economist-explains/2017/04/10/is-serbo-croatian-a-language|title=Is Serbo-Croatian a language?|date=10 April 2017|newspaper=The Economist|access-date=1 December 2018|language=en}}</ref> Other notable—albeit significantly less-present—minority languages in Croatia include: [[Czech language|Czech]], [[Hungarian language|Hungarian]], and [[Slovak language|Slovak]].}}
| languages_type         = [[Writing system]]
| languages              = [[Latin alphabet|Latin]]{{efn|The writing system of Croatia is legally [[Croatian language#Official status|protected by the Croatian Parliament]]. Efforts to recognise minority scripts, pursuant to international law, on a local level, have been met with [[Anti-Cyrillic protests in Croatia|nationalist opposition]].}}
| ethnic_groups          = {{Unbulleted list |91.6% [[Croats]] |3.2% [[Serbs of Croatia|Serbs]]
|5.2% [[Demographics of Croatia|others]]}}
| ethnic_groups_year     = 2021
| religion               = {{ublist |item_style=white-space;
|{{Tree list}}
*87.4% [[Christianity]]
**79.0% [[Catholic Church in Croatia|Catholicism]]
**3.3% [[Eastern Orthodoxy in Croatia|Orthodoxy]]
**5.1% other [[Christian]]
{{Tree list/end}}
|6.4% [[Irreligion in Croatia|no religion]] |2.3% [[Religion in Croatia|other]] |3.9% undeclared<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.croatiaweek.com/share-of-croats-in-croatia-increases-as-census-results-published/ | title=Share of Croats in Croatia increases as census results published | date=22 September 2022 }}</ref>}}
| religion_year          = 2021
| demonym                = {{hlist|[[Croat]]ian}}
| government_type        = [[Unitary parliamentary republic]]
| leader_title1          = [[President of Croatia|President]]
| leader_name1           = [[Zoran Milanović]]
| leader_title2          = [[Prime Minister of Croatia|Prime Minister]]
| leader_name2           = [[Andrej Plenković]]
| legislature            = [[Sabor]]
| sovereignty_type       = [[History of Croatia|Establishment history]]
| established_event1     = [[Duchy of Croatia|Duchy]]
| established_date1      = 7th century
| established_event2     = [[Kingdom of Croatia (925–1102)|Kingdom]]
| established_date2      = 925
| established_event3     = [[Croatia in personal union with Hungary]]
| established_date3      = 1102
| established_event4     = Joined [[Kingdom of Croatia (Habsburg)|Habsburg Monarchy]]
| established_date4      = 1 January 1527
| established_event5     = Secession from<br />[[Austria-Hungary]]
| established_date5      = 29 October 1918
| established_event6     = [[Creation of Yugoslavia]]
| established_date6      = 4 December 1918
| established_event7     = [[Independence of Croatia|Declaration of independence]]
| established_date7      = 25 June 1991<ref name="NN-Holidays">{{cite news |newspaper=[[Narodne Novine]] |url=https://narodne-novine.nn.hr/clanci/sluzbeni/2019_11_110_2212.html |title=Zakon o blagdanima, spomendanima i neradnim danima u Republici Hrvatskoj |trans-title=Law of Holidays, Memorial Days and Non-Working Days in the Republic of Croatia |language= hr |date=15 November 2019 |access-date=31 May 2021}}</ref>
| established_event8     = [[United Nations Security Council Resolution 753|Admitted to the]] [[United Nations]]
| established_date8      = 22 May 1992
| established_event9     = [[Erdut Agreement]]
| established_date9      = 12 November 1995
| established_event10    = [[Enlargement of NATO#Adriatic Charter|Joined]] [[NATO]]
| established_date10     = 1 April 2009
| established_event11    = [[2013 enlargement of the European Union|Joined]] the [[European Union]]
| established_date11     = 1 July 2013
| area_km2               = 56,594
| area_rank              = 124th
| area_sq_mi             = 21,851
| percent_water          = 1.09
| population_estimate    = {{decreaseNeutral}} 3,855,641<ref>{{cite web |url = https://podaci.dzs.hr/2023/en/58064 |title = POPULATION ESTIMATE OF THE REPUBLIC OF CROATIA, 2022 |website = podaci.dzs.hr |date = 8 Sep 2023 |access-date = 21 Sep 2023}}</ref>
| population_estimate_year = 2022
| population_estimate_rank = 128th
| population_census      = {{decreaseNeutral}} 3,871,833<ref name="Census 2021">{{Croatian Census 2021|M}}</ref>
| population_census_year = 2021
| population_census_rank = 128th
| population_density_km2 = 68.4
| population_density_sq_mi = 
| population_density_rank = 152nd
| GDP_PPP                = {{increase}} $164.672&nbsp;billion<ref name="IMFWEO.HR">{{cite web |url=https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/WEO/weo-database/2023/October/weo-report?c=960,&s=NGDPD,PPPGDP,NGDPDPC,PPPPC,&sy=2020&ey=2028&ssm=0&scsm=1&scc=0&ssd=1&ssc=0&sic=0&sort=country&ds=.&br=1 |title=World Economic Outlook Database, October 2023 Edition. (Croatia) |publisher=[[International Monetary Fund]] |website=IMF.org |date=10 October 2023 |access-date=11 October 2023}}</ref>
| GDP_PPP_year           = 2023
| GDP_PPP_rank           = 82nd
| GDP_PPP_per_capita     = {{increase}} $42,873<ref name="IMFWEO.HR" />
| GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = 45th
| GDP_nominal            = {{increase}} $80.185&nbsp;billion<ref name="IMFWEO.HR" />
| GDP_nominal_year       = 2023
| GDP_nominal_rank       = 79th
| GDP_nominal_per_capita = {{increase}} $20,877<ref name="IMFWEO.HR" />
| GDP_nominal_per_capita_rank = 51st
| Gini                   = 28.3
| Gini_year              = 2020
| Gini_change            = decrease <!--increase/decrease/steady-->
| Gini_ref               = <ref name=eurogini>{{cite web |url=https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/tessi190/default/table?lang=en |title=Gini coefficient of equivalised disposable income – EU-SILC survey|publisher=[[Eurostat]] |website=ec.europa.eu |access-date=9 August 2021}}</ref>
| Gini_rank              = 
| HDI_year               = 2021<!-- Please use the year to which the data refers, not the publication year-->
| HDI_change             = increase <!--increase/decrease/steady-->
| HDI                    = 0.858 <!--number only-->
| HDI_ref                = <ref name="2022 components">{{cite book |title=Human Development Report 2021-22: Uncertain Times, Unsettled Lives: Shaping our Future in a Transforming World |date=8 September 2022 |publisher=United Nations Development Programme |isbn=978-9-211-26451-7 |pages=272–276 |website=hdr.undp.org |url=https://hdr.undp.org/system/files/documents/global-report-document/hdr2021-22pdf_1.pdf |access-date=8 September 2022 |archive-date=8 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220908114232/hdr.undp.org/system/files/documents/global-report-document/hdr2021-22pdf_1.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>
| HDI_rank               = 40th
| currency               = [[Euro]] ([[Euro sign|€]])
| currency_code          = EUR
| time_zone              = [[Central European Time|CET]]
| utc_offset             = +1
| utc_offset_DST         = +2
| time_zone_DST          = [[Central European Summer Time|CEST]]
| date_format            = dd. mm. yyyy.&nbsp;([[Common Era|CE]])
| drives_on              = right
| calling_code           = [[Telephone numbers in Croatia|+385]]
| patron_saint           = [[St. Joseph]]<ref name="Hrvatski sabor - Povijest">{{cite web|url=http://www.sabor.hr/sv-josip-zastitnik-hrvatske-domovine|access-date=10 March 2018|title=Hrvatski sabor – Povijest|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180306022924/http://www.sabor.hr/sv-josip-zastitnik-hrvatske-domovine|archive-date=6 March 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| cctld                  = {{vunblist| [[.hr]] and [[.eu]]}}
}}

'''Croatia''' ({{IPAc-en|audio=en-us-Croatia.ogg|k|r|oʊ|ˈ|eɪ|ʃ|ə}}, {{respell|kroh|AY|shə}}; {{lang-hr|Hrvatska}}, {{IPA-hr|xř̩ʋaːtskaː|pron}}), officially the '''Republic of Croatia''' ({{lang-hr|Republika Hrvatska|links=no}} {{pronunciation|Hr-Republika Hrvatska.oga|listen|(|help=no}}),{{efn|IPA transcription of "''Republika Hrvatska''": ({{IPA-hr|ˈrepǔblika ˈxř̩ʋaːtskaː|hr}}).}} is a country located at the crossroads of [[Central Europe|Central]] and  [[Southeast Europe]]. Its coast lies entirely on the [[Adriatic Sea]]. It borders [[Slovenia]] to the northwest, [[Hungary]] to the northeast, [[Serbia]] to the east, [[Bosnia and Herzegovina]] and [[Montenegro]] to the southeast, and shares a [[maritime border]] with [[Italy]] to the west. Its capital and largest city, [[Zagreb]], forms one of the country's [[Administrative divisions of Croatia|primary subdivisions]], with [[Counties of Croatia|twenty counties]]. Other major urban centers include [[Split, Croatia|Split]], [[Rijeka]] and [[Osijek]]. The country spans {{convert|56594|km2|sqmi|0|abbr=off}}, and has a population of nearly 3.9&nbsp;million.

The [[Croats]] arrived in modern-day Croatia in the late 6th century, then part of [[Illyria|Roman Illyria]]. By the 7th century, they had organized the territory into [[Duchy of Croatia|two duchies]]. Croatia was first internationally recognized as independent on 7 June 879 during the reign of Duke [[Branimir of Croatia|Branimir]]. [[Tomislav of Croatia|Tomislav]] became the first king by 925, elevating Croatia to the status of a [[Kingdom of Croatia (925–1102)|kingdom]]. During the succession crisis after the [[Trpimirović dynasty]] ended, Croatia [[Croatia in personal union with Hungary|entered]] a [[personal union]] with [[Kingdom of Hungary|Hungary]] in 1102. In 1527, faced with [[Hundred Years' Croatian–Ottoman War|Ottoman conquest]], the [[Croatian Parliament]] elected [[Ferdinand I, Holy Roman Emperor|Ferdinand I of Austria]] to the Croatian throne. In October 1918, the [[State of Slovenes, Croats and Serbs|State of Slovenes, Croats, and Serbs]], independent from Austria-Hungary, was proclaimed in Zagreb, and in December 1918, it [[Creation of Yugoslavia|merged]] into the [[Kingdom of Yugoslavia]]. Following the Axis [[invasion of Yugoslavia]] in April 1941, most of Croatia was incorporated into a Nazi-installed puppet state, the [[Independent State of Croatia]]. A [[Croatian Partisans|resistance movement]] led to the creation of the [[Socialist Republic of Croatia]], which after the war became a founding member and constituent of the [[Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia]]. On 25 June 1991, Croatia [[Independence of Croatia|declared independence]], and the [[Croatian War of Independence|War of Independence]] was successfully fought over the next four years.

Croatia is a [[republic]] and a [[parliamentary system|parliamentary]] [[liberal democracy]]. It is a member of the [[European Union]], the [[Eurozone]], the [[Schengen Area]], [[NATO]], the [[United Nations]], the [[Council of Europe]], the [[Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe|OSCE]], the [[World Trade Organization]], a founding member of the [[Union for the Mediterranean]], and is currently in the process of joining the [[OECD]]. An active participant in [[United Nations peacekeeping]], Croatia contributed troops to the [[International Security Assistance Force]] and was elected to fill a non-permanent seat on the [[United Nations Security Council]] in the [[2007 United Nations Security Council election|2008–2009 term]] for the first time.

Croatia is a [[developed country]] with an advanced [[World Bank high-income economy|high-income economy]] and ranks 40th in the [[List of countries by Human Development Index|Human Development Index]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/WEO/weo-database/2023/April |title=IMF World Economic Outlook |access-date=14 April 2023}}</ref> [[Service (economics)|Service]], [[Secondary sector of the economy|industrial sectors]], and [[agriculture]] dominate the [[Economy of Croatia|economy]]. [[Tourism in Croatia|Tourism]] is a significant source of revenue for the country with nearly 20 million tourist arrivals as of 2019.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Croatia tourist arrivals 2022 |url=https://www.statista.com/statistics/413226/number-of-arrivals-spent-in-short-stay-accommodation-in-croatia/ |access-date=2023-11-05 |website=Statista |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/ST.INT.ARVL?locations=HR&most_recent_value_desc=true |title=International tourism, The World Bank |access-date=14 April 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cntraveler.com/story/top-countries-in-the-world |title=Condé Nast Traveler, Top Countries in the World |access-date=14 April 2023}}</ref> Since 2000s, the [[Government of Croatia|Croatian government]] has heavily invested in infrastructure, especially [[Transport in Croatia|transport routes and facilities]] along the [[Pan-European corridors]]. Croatia has also positioned itself as a regional energy leader in the early 2020s and is contributing to the diversification of Europe's energy supply via its floating [[liquefied natural gas]] import terminal off [[Krk]] island, [[LNG Hrvatska]].<ref name="lng">{{cite news|url=https://www.state.gov/u-s-relations-with-croatia/ |title=U.S. Department of State factsheet |access-date=24 April 2023}}</ref> Croatia provides [[Welfare|social security]], [[Healthcare in Croatia|universal health care]], and tuition-free [[Education in Croatia|primary and secondary education]] while supporting [[Culture of Croatia|culture]] through public institutions and corporate investments in [[Mass media in Croatia|media]] and [[Croatian literature|publishing]].

== Etymology ==
{{main|Names of the Croats and Croatia}}
Croatia's non-native [[Names of the Croats and Croatia|name]] derives from [[Medieval Latin]] {{lang|la-x-medieval|Croātia}}, itself a derivation of [[West Slavic languages|North-West Slavic]] {{lang|zlw|*Xərwate}}, by [[Slavic liquid metathesis and pleophony|liquid metathesis]] from Common Slavic period ''*Xorvat'', from proposed [[Proto-Slavic language|Proto-Slavic]] ''[[wikt:Reconstruction:Proto-Slavic/xъrvatъ|*Xъrvátъ]]'' which possibly comes from the 3rd-century [[Scythian languages|Scytho-Sarmatian]] form attested in the [[Tanais Tablets]] as {{lang|grc|Χοροάθος|italic=no}} (''{{lang|grc-latn|Khoroáthos}}'', alternate forms comprise {{Lang|grc-latn|Khoróatos}} and ''{{lang|grc-latn|Khoroúathos}}'').<ref name="Gluhak-1993">{{cite book|first=Alemko|last=Gluhak|title=Hrvatski etimološki rječnik|trans-title=Croatian Etymological Dictionary|language=hr|publisher=August Cesarec|year=1993|isbn=953-162-000-8}}</ref> The origin of the ethnonym is uncertain, but most probably is from [[Ossetian language|Proto-Ossetian]] / [[Scythian languages#Alanian|Alanian]] *''xurvæt-'' or *''xurvāt-'', in the meaning of "one who guards" ("guardian, protector").<ref>{{citation |first=Ranko |last=Matasović |author-link=Ranko Matasović |title=Ime Hrvata |trans-title=The Name of Croats |journal=Jezik (Croatian Philological Society) |location=Zagreb |year=2019 |volume=66 |issue=3 |pages=81–97 |url=https://hrcak.srce.hr/228825?lang=en |language=hr}}</ref>

The oldest preserved record of the Croatian ethnonym's native variation ''*xъrvatъ'' is of the variable stem, attested in the [[Baška tablet]] in [[Style (form of address)|style]] zvъnъmirъ kralъ xrъvatъskъ ("[[Demetrius Zvonimir of Croatia|Zvonimir]], [[List of rulers of Croatia|Croatian king]]"),<ref name="Fučić-1971">{{cite journal |url=http://hrcak.srce.hr/index.php?show=clanak&id_clanak_jezik=21348 |first=Branko | last = Fučić | author-link = Branko Fučić |title=Najstariji hrvatski glagoljski natpisi |trans-title=The Oldest Croatian Glagolitic Inscriptions |journal=[[Slovo (journal)|Slovo]] |publisher=[[Old Church Slavonic Institute]] |volume=21 |date=September 1971 |language=hr |pages=227–254 |access-date=14 October 2011}}</ref> while the Latin variation ''Croatorum'' is archaeologically confirmed on a church inscription found in [[Bijaći]] near [[Trogir]] dated to the end of the 8th or early 9th century.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Kulturna kronika: Dvanaest hrvatskih stoljeća |url=http://www.matica.hr/vijenac/291/hrvatski-nacionalni-dan-na-expou-u-japanu-9037/ |journal=[[Vijenac]] |publisher=[[Matica hrvatska]] |location=Zagreb |issue=291 |date=28 April 2005 |access-date=10 June 2019 |language=hr}}</ref> The presumably oldest stone [[Epigraphy|inscription]] with fully preserved ethnonym is the 9th-century [[Branimir inscription]] found near [[Benkovac]], where Duke [[Branimir of Croatia|Branimir]] is styled ''Dux Cruatorvm'', likely dated between 879 and 892, during his rule.{{sfn|Mužić|2007|p=|pp=195–198}} The Latin term ''{{Lang|la|Chroatorum}}'' is attributed to a charter of Duke [[Trpimir I of Croatia]], dated to 852 in a 1568 copy of a lost original, but it is not certain if the original was indeed older than the Branimir inscription.{{sfn|Mužić|2007|p=27}}{{Sfn|Mužić|2007|p=171}}

== History ==
{{main|History of Croatia}}

=== Prehistory ===
{{main|History of Croatia before the Croats}}
{{multiple image
| align             = right
| total_width       = 230
| direction         = horizontal
| image1            = ZGvucdove.jpg
| alt1              = Ceramic sculpture
| image2            = Croatian_Apoxyomenos_Louvre_n04.jpg
| alt2              = Stone Sculpture
| footer            = Left: The [[Vučedol dove]], a sculpture from 2800–2500 BC.<br />Right: ''[[Croatian Apoxyomenos]]'', [[Ancient Greece|Ancient Greek]] statue, 2nd or 1st century BC.
| caption1          = 
| caption2          = 
}}
The area known as Croatia today was inhabited throughout the [[prehistoric period]]. [[Neanderthal]] fossils dating to the middle [[Palaeolithic]] period were unearthed in northern Croatia, best presented at the [[Krapina Neanderthal site|Krapina site]].<ref>{{cite journal|journal=Acta medico-historica Adriatica|publisher=Hrvatsko znanstveno društvo za povijest zdravstvene kulture|issn=1334-4366|date=December 2010|volume=8|issue=2|first=Igor|last=Salopek|title=Krapina Neanderthal Museum as a Well of Medical Information|pages=197–202|url=http://hrcak.srce.hr/index.php?show=clanak&id_clanak_jezik=95232|access-date=15 October 2011|pmid=21682056}}</ref> Remnants of [[Neolithic]] and [[Chalcolithic]] cultures were found in all regions.<ref>{{cite journal|journal=Opvscvla Archaeologica Radovi Arheološkog Zavoda|publisher=[[University of Zagreb]], Faculty of Philosophy, Archaeological Department|issn=0473-0992|title=Study of the Neolithic and Eneolithic as reflected in articles published over the 50 years of the journal Opuscula archaeologica|pages=93–122|volume=30|issue=1|date=April 2008|first=Tihomila|last=Težak-Gregl|access-date=15 October 2011|url=http://hrcak.srce.hr/index.php?show=clanak&id_clanak_jezik=34026}}</ref> The largest proportion of sites is in the valleys of northern Croatia. The most significant are [[Baden culture|Baden]], [[Starčevo culture|Starčevo]], and [[Vučedol culture]]s.<ref>{{cite journal|journal=Opvscvla Archaeologica Radovi Arheološkog Zavoda|publisher=University of Zagreb, Faculty of Philosophy, Archaeological Department|issn=0473-0992|title=The Kostolac horizon at Vučedol|pages=25–40|volume=29|issue=1|date=December 2005| first=Jacqueline| last=Balen|access-date=15 October 2011|url=http://hrcak.srce.hr/index.php?show=clanak&id_clanak_jezik=26644}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|journal=Opvscvla Archaeologica Radovi Arheološkog Zavoda|publisher=University of Zagreb, Faculty of Philosophy, Archaeological Department|issn=0473-0992|title=Prilog poznavanju neolitičkih obrednih predmeta u neolitiku sjeverne Hrvatske|trans-title=A Contribution to Understanding Neolithic Ritual Objects in the Northern Croatia Neolithic|language=hr|pages=43–48|volume=27|issue=1|date=December 2003|first=Tihomila|last=Težak-Gregl|access-date=15 October 2011|url=http://hrcak.srce.hr/index.php?show=clanak&id_clanak_jezik=26644}}</ref> [[Iron Age]] hosted the early Illyrian [[Hallstatt culture]] and the Celtic [[La Tène culture]].<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Potrebica |first1=Hrvoje |last2=Dizdar |first2=Marko |title=Prilog poznavanju naseljenosti Vinkovaca i okolice u starijem željeznom dobu |trans-title=A Contribution to Understanding Continuous Habitation of Vinkovci and its Surroundings in the Early Iron Age |url=http://hrcak.srce.hr/index.php?show=clanak&id_clanak_jezik=1560 |journal=Prilozi Instituta Za Arheologiju U Zagrebu |publisher=Institut za arheologiju |volume=19 |issue=1 |pages=79–100 |date=July 2002 |access-date=15 October 2011 |issn=1330-0644 |language=hr}}</ref>

=== Antiquity ===
{{further|Dalmatia (Roman province)|Pannonia (Roman province)}}
The region of modern day Croatia was settled by [[Illyrians]] and [[Liburnians]], while the first Greek colonies were established on the islands of [[Hvar]],<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4Nv6SPRKqs8C|first=John|last=Wilkes|title=The Illyrians|year=1995|publisher=[[Wiley-Blackwell]]|location=Oxford, UK|isbn=978-0-631-19807-9|page=114|quote=...&nbsp;in the early history of the colony settled in 385&nbsp;BC on the island Pharos (Hvar) from the Aegean island Paros, famed for its marble. In traditional fashion they accepted the guidance of an oracle,&nbsp;... |access-date=15 October 2011}}</ref> [[Korčula]], and [[Vis (island)|Vis]].<ref>{{cite book|url=https://www.scribd.com/doc/15826619/John-Wilkes-The-Illyrians|first=John|last=Wilkes|title=The Illyrians|year=1995|publisher=[[Wiley-Blackwell]]|location=Oxford, UK|isbn=978-0-631-19807-9|page=115|quote=The third Greek colony known in this central sector of the Dalmatian coast was Issa, on the north side of the island Vis.|access-date=3 April 2012}}</ref> In 9&nbsp;AD, the territory of today's Croatia became part of the [[Roman Empire]]. Emperor [[Diocletian]] was native to the region. He [[Diocletian's Palace|had a large palace built]] in [[Split, Croatia|Split]], to which he retired after abdicating in AD 305.<ref>{{cite book|first1=Edward|last1=Gibbon|author2-link=John Bagnell Bury|author2=John Bagnell Bury|author3-link=Daniel J. Boorstin|first3=Daniel J.|last3=Boorstin|title=The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire|publisher=[[Modern Library]]|year=1995|location=New York|page=335|isbn=978-0-679-60148-7|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bdKLyie1M50C|access-date=27 October 2011|author1-link=Edward Gibbon}}</ref>

=== Middle Ages ===
{{main|Genetic studies on Croats|Origin hypotheses of the Croats|White Croats|White Croatia|Duchy of Croatia|Kingdom of Croatia (925–1102)|Kingdom of Croatia (1102–1526)|Republic of Ragusa}}
[[File:Balkans925.png|thumb|left|upright=1.1|[[Kingdom of Croatia (925–1102)|Kingdom of Croatia]] c.&nbsp;925, during the reign of [[King Tomislav]]]]

During the 5th century, the [[last de jure Western Roman Emperor]] [[Julius Nepos]] ruled a small realm from the palace after fleeing Italy in 475.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/historyoflaterro01buryuoft|author=J. B. Bury|title=History of the later Roman empire from the death of Theodosius I. to the death of Justinian|page=[https://archive.org/details/historyoflaterro01buryuoft/page/408 408]|publisher=[[Macmillan Publishers]]|year=1923|access-date=15 October 2011|author-link=J. B. Bury}}</ref> The period ends with [[Avars (Carpathians)|Avar]] and [[Croat]] invasions in the late 6th and first half of the 7th century and the destruction of almost all Roman towns. Roman survivors retreated to more favourable sites on the coast, islands, and mountains. The city of [[Dubrovnik]] was founded by such survivors from [[Epidaurum]].<ref name="AAPatton">{{cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_E_NBAAAAYAAJ|title=Researches on the Danube and the Adriatic|author=Andrew Archibald Paton|year=1861|pages=[https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_E_NBAAAAYAAJ/page/n227 218]–219|publisher=Trübner|access-date=15 October 2011}}</ref>

The [[ethnogenesis]] of Croats is uncertain. The most accepted theory, the Slavic theory, proposes migration of [[White Croats]] from [[White Croatia]] during the [[Migration Period]]. Conversely, the Iranian theory proposes [[Iranian peoples|Iranian]] origin, based on [[Tanais Tablets]] containing [[Ancient Greek]] inscriptions of given names ''Χορούαθος'', ''Χοροάθος'', and ''Χορόαθος'' (Khoroúathos, Khoroáthos, and Khoróathos) and their interpretation as [[anthroponym]]s of Croatian people.<ref name="Nikšić-Heršak">{{cite journal|journal=Migracijske i Etničke Teme|issn=1333-2546|publisher=Institute for Migration and Ethnic Studies|date=September 2007|volume=23|issue=3|pages=251–268|first1=Emil|last1=Heršak|first2=Boris|last2=Nikšić|language=hr|title=Hrvatska etnogeneza: pregled komponentnih etapa i interpretacija (s naglaskom na euroazijske/nomadske sadržaje)|trans-title=Croatian Ethnogenesis: A Review of Component Stages and Interpretations (with Emphasis on Eurasian/Nomadic Elements) | url = http://hrcak.srce.hr/index.php?show=clanak&id_clanak_jezik=28729&lang=en}}</ref>

According to the work ''[[De Administrando Imperio]]'' written by 10th-century Byzantine Emperor [[Constantine VII]], [[Croats]] arrived in the [[Roman province of Dalmatia]] in the first half of the 7th century after they defeated the [[Pannonian Avars|Avars]].<ref>{{cite journal|last=Katičić|first=Radoslav|date=1989|title=Ivan Mužić o podrijetlu Hrvata|url=https://hrcak.srce.hr/95425|journal=Starohrvatska Prosvjeta|language=hr|volume=III|issue=19|pages=243–270|issn=0351-4536}}</ref>{{sfn|Goldstein|1999|p=13}}<ref>{{cite journal|last=Birin|first=Ante|title=Pregled političke povijesti Hrvata u ranome srednjem vijeku|url=https://www.academia.edu/30936317|journal=Nova Zraka U Europskom Svjetlu – Hrvatske Zemlje U Ranome Srednjem Vijeku (Oko 550 – Oko 1150)|date=January 2015|language=hr|page=40|via=Academia.edu}}</ref> However, that claim is disputed: competing hypotheses date the event between the late 6th-early 7th (mainstream) or the late 8th-early 9th (fringe) centuries,{{sfn|Mužić|2007|pp=249–293}}<ref>{{cite book |first=Danijel |last=Dzino |year=2010 |title=Becoming Slav, Becoming Croat: Identity Transformations in Post-Roman and Early Medieval Dalmatia |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6UbOtJcF8rQC |publisher=BRILL |pages=175, 179–182 |isbn=9789004186460}}</ref> but recent archaeological data has established that the migration and settlement of the Slavs/Croats was in the late 6th and early 7th century.<ref name="Belos00">{{cite journal |last=Belošević |first=Janko |title=Razvoj i osnovne značajke starohrvatskih grobalja horizonta 7.-9. stoljeća na povijesnim prostorima Hrvata |url=https://morepress.unizd.hr/journals/index.php/pov/article/view/2231 |journal=Radovi |volume=39 |issue=26 |pages=71–97 |date=2000 |language=hr |doi=10.15291/radovipov.2231|doi-access=free }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Fabijanić |first=Tomislav |date=2013 |chapter=14C date from early Christian basilica gemina in Podvršje (Croatia) in the context of Slavic settlement on the eastern Adriatic coast |title=The early Slavic settlement of Central Europe in the light of new dating evidence |location=Wroclaw |publisher=Institute of Archaeology and Ethnology of the Polish Academy of Sciences |pages=251–260 |isbn=978-83-63760-10-6}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Bekić |first1=Luka |date=2016 |title=Rani srednji vijek između Panonije i Jadrana: ranoslavenski keramički i ostali arheološki nalazi od 6. do 8. stoljeća |trans-title=Early medieval between Pannonia and the Adriatic: early Slavic ceramic and other archaeological finds from the sixth to eighth century |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/348500715 |location=Pula |publisher=Arheološki muzej Istre |language=hr, en |pages=101, 119, 123, 138–140, 157–162, 173–174, 177–179 |isbn=978-953-8082-01-6}}</ref> Eventually, a [[dukedom (administrative division)|dukedom]] was formed, [[Duchy of Croatia]], ruled by [[Borna (duke)|Borna]], as attested by chronicles of [[Einhard]] starting in 818. The record represents the first document of Croatian realms, [[vassal states]] of [[Francia]] at the time.{{sfn|Mužić|2007|pp=157–160}} Its neighbor to the North was [[Principality of Lower Pannonia]], at the time ruled by duke [[Ljudevit (Lower Pannonia)|Ljudevit]] who ruled the territories between the [[Drava]] and [[Sava]] rivers, centred from his fort at [[Sisak]]. This population and territory throughout history was tightly related and connected to Croats and Croatia.{{sfn|Budak|2018|pp=178–185}}

[[File:Oton Ivekovic, Krunidba kralja Tomislava.jpg|right|thumb|Coronation of [[King Tomislav]] by [[Oton Iveković]]]] 
[[Christianisation]] of Croats began in the 7th century at the time of archon [[Porga of Croatia]], initially probably encompassed only the elite and related people,{{sfn|Budak|2018|pp=144–145}} but mostly finished by the 9th century.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Ivandija |first=Antun |title=Pokrštenje Hrvata prema najnovijim znanstvenim rezultatima |trans-title=Christianization of Croats according to the most recent scientific results |url=http://hrcak.srce.hr/index.php?show=clanak&id_clanak_jezik=64623&lang=en |journal=Bogoslovska smotra |publisher=University of Zagreb, Catholic Faculty of Theology |volume=37 |issue=3–4 |pages=440–444 |date=April 1968 |issn=0352-3101 |language=hr}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last=Živković|first=Tibor|author-link=Tibor Živković|title=On the Baptism of the Serbs and Croats in the Time of Basil I (867–886)|journal=Studia Slavica et Balcanica Petropolitana|year=2013a|issue=1|pages=33–53|url=http://slavica-petropolitana.spbu.ru/files/2013_1/Zivkovic.pdf}}</ref> The Frankish overlordship ended during the reign of [[Mislav of Croatia|Mislav]],{{sfn|Mužić|2007|pp=169–170}} or his successor [[Trpimir I of Croatia|Trpimir I]].{{sfn|Budak|2018|pp=106}} The native Croatian royal dynasty was founded by duke Trpimir I in the mid 9th century, who defeated the Byzantine and Bulgarian forces.<ref>{{cite journal|journal=Radovi|publisher=HAZU|place=Zadar|date=2001|issue=43|first=Milko|last=Brković|title=Diplomatička analiza papinskih pisama druge polovice IX. stoljeća destinatarima u Hrvatskoj|trans-title=The Papal Letters of the second half of the IXth Century to addressees in Croatia|language=hr|pages=29–44|url=https://hrcak.srce.hr/en/clanak/18748}}</ref> The first native Croatian ruler recognised by the Pope was duke [[Branimir of Croatia|Branimir]], who received papal recognition from [[Pope John VIII]] on 7 June 879.{{sfn|Mužić|2007|p=|pp=195–198}} [[Tomislav of Croatia|Tomislav]] was the first [[king of Croatia]], noted as such in a letter of [[Pope John X]] in 925. Tomislav defeated Hungarian and Bulgarian invasions.<ref name="Posavec">{{cite journal|journal=Radovi Zavoda Za Hrvatsku Povijest|volume=30|issue=1|issn=0353-295X|pages=281–290|title=Povijesni zemljovidi i granice Hrvatske u Tomislavovo doba|trans-title= Historical maps and borders of Croatia in age of Tomislav|language=hr|first=Vladimir|last=Posavec|date=March 1998|access-date=16 October 2011|url=http://hrcak.srce.hr/index.php?show=clanak&id_clanak_jezik=62779}}</ref> The medieval Croatian kingdom reached its peak in the 11th century during the reigns of [[Petar Krešimir IV]] (1058–1074) and [[Dmitar Zvonimir]] (1075–1089).<ref name="Margetić">{{cite journal|journal=Radovi Zavoda Za Hrvatsku Povijest|volume=29|issue=1|issn=0353-295X|pages=11–20|title=Regnum Croatiae et Dalmatiae u doba Stjepana II.|trans-title=Regnum Croatiae et Dalmatiae in age of Stjepan II|language=hr|first=Lujo|last=Margetić|date=January 1997|access-date=16 October 2011|url= http://hrcak.srce.hr/index.php?show=clanak&id_clanak_jezik=76963|author-link=Lujo Margetić}}</ref> When [[Stephen II of Croatia|Stjepan II]] died in 1091, ending the Trpimirović dynasty, Dmitar Zvonimir's brother-in-law [[Ladislaus I of Hungary]] claimed the Croatian crown. This led to a [[Battle of Gvozd Mountain|war]] and [[personal union of Croatia and Hungary|personal union with Hungary]] in 1102 under [[Coloman, King of Hungary|Coloman]].<ref name="HR-HU-Heka">{{cite journal|journal=Scrinia Slavonica|issn=1332-4853|publisher=Hrvatski institut za povijest – Podružnica za povijest Slavonije, Srijema i Baranje|title= Hrvatsko-ugarski odnosi od sredinjega vijeka do nagodbe iz 1868. s posebnim osvrtom na pitanja Slavonije|trans-title=Croatian-Hungarian relations from the Middle Ages to the Compromise of 1868, with a special survey of the Slavonian issue|language=hr|url=http://hrcak.srce.hr/index.php?show=clanak&id_clanak_jezik=68144|first= Ladislav|last= Heka|date=October 2008|volume=8|issue=1|pages=152–173|access-date=16 October 2011}}</ref>

=== Personal union with Hungary (1102) and Habsburg Monarchy (1527) ===
{{main|Kingdom of Croatia (Habsburg)|Austria-Hungary}}
{{further|Croatian–Ottoman wars}}
[[File:Dragutin Weingärtner, Hrvatski sabor 1848. god.jpg|thumb|left|Ban [[Josip Jelačić]] at the opening of the first modern [[Croatian Parliament]] (''Sabor''), June 5, 1848. The Croatian tricolour flag can be seen in the background.]]
For the next four centuries, the Kingdom of Croatia was ruled by the [[Sabor]] (parliament) and a [[Ban of Croatia|Ban]] (viceroy) appointed by the king.<ref name="Povijest-saborovanja">{{cite web|url=http://www.sabor.hr/Default.aspx?sec=404 |title=Povijest saborovanja |trans-title=History of parliamentarism |language=hr |publisher=[[Sabor]] |access-date=18 October 2010 |archive-date=2 December 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101202061135/http://www.sabor.hr/Default.aspx?sec=404}}</ref> This period saw the rise of influential nobility such as the [[Frankopan]] and [[Šubić]] families to prominence, and ultimately numerous Bans from the two families.{{sfn|Font|2005|p=17}} An increasing threat of [[Ottoman Empire|Ottoman]] conquest and a struggle against the [[Republic of Venice]] for control of coastal areas ensued. The Venetians controlled most of Dalmatia by 1428, except the [[city-state of Dubrovnik]], which became independent. [[Hundred Years' Croatian–Ottoman War|Ottoman conquests]] led to the 1493 [[Battle of Krbava field]] and the 1526 [[Battle of Mohács]], both ending in decisive Ottoman victories. King [[Louis II of Hungary|Louis II]] died at Mohács, and in 1527, the [[Croatian Parliament met in Cetin]] and chose Ferdinand I of the [[House of Habsburg]] as the new ruler of Croatia, under the condition that he protects Croatia against the Ottoman Empire while respecting its political rights.<ref name="Povijest-saborovanja"/>{{sfn|Frucht|2005|p=|pp=422–423}}
[[File:Map of the Kingdom of Croatia-Slavonia (1885).png|thumb|upright=1.0|The [[Kingdom of Croatia-Slavonia]] was an autonomous kingdom within [[Austria-Hungary]] created in 1868 following the [[Croatian–Hungarian Settlement]].]]

Following the decisive Ottoman victories, Croatia was split into civilian and military territories in 1538. The military territories became known as the [[Croatian Military Frontier]] and were under direct Habsburg control. Ottoman advances in Croatia continued until the 1593 [[Battle of Sisak]], the first decisive Ottoman defeat, when borders stabilised.{{sfn|Frucht|2005|p=|pp=422–423}} During the [[Great Turkish War]] (1683–1698), [[Slavonia]] was regained, but western [[Bosnia (region)|Bosnia]], which had been part of Croatia before the Ottoman conquest, remained outside Croatian control.{{sfn|Frucht|2005|p=|pp=422–423}} The present-day border between the two countries is a remnant of this outcome. [[Dalmatia]], the southern part of the border, was similarly defined by the [[Cretan War (1645–1669)|Fifth]] and the [[Seventh Ottoman–Venetian Wars]].{{sfn|Lane|1973|p=409}}

The [[Croatian–Ottoman wars|Ottoman wars]] drove demographic changes. During the 16th century, Croats from western and northern [[Bosnia (region)|Bosnia]], [[Lika]], [[Krbava]], the area between the rivers of [[Una (Sava)|Una]] and [[Kupa]], and especially from western [[Slavonia]], migrated towards [[Austria]]. Present-day [[Burgenland Croats]] are direct descendants of these settlers.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=Croatian Cultural Association in Burgenland|url=http://www.hkd.at/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=61&Itemid=102&lang=hr|language=hr|title=Povijest Gradišćanskih Hrvatov|trans-title=History of Burgenland Croats|access-date=17 October 2011|archive-date=14 November 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121114132821/http://www.hkd.at/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=61&Itemid=102&lang=hr}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|last=Valentić|first=Mirko|date=30 October 1990|title=TURSKI RATOVI i HRVATSKA DIJASPORA u XVI. STOLJEĆU|url=https://hrcak.srce.hr/74388|journal=Senjski Zbornik: Prilozi Za Geografiju, Etnologiju, Gospodarstvo, Povijest I Kulturu|language=hr|volume=17|issue=1|pages=45–60|issn=0582-673X}}</ref> To replace the fleeing population, the Habsburgs encouraged Bosnians to provide military service in the [[Military Frontier]].

The [[Croatian Parliament]] supported [[Emperor Charles VI|King Charles III]]'s [[Pragmatic Sanction of 1713|Pragmatic Sanction]] and signed their own [[Pragmatic Sanction in 1712]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Povijest saborovanja|url=http://www.sabor.hr/hr/o-saboru/povijest-saborovanja|website=Hrvatski sabor|language=hr|access-date=30 May 2020}}</ref> Subsequently, the emperor pledged to respect all privileges and political rights of the [[Kingdom of Croatia (Habsburg)|Kingdom of Croatia]], and [[Queen Maria Theresa]] made significant contributions to Croatian affairs, such as introducing compulsory education.

Between 1797 and 1809, the [[First French Empire]] increasingly occupied the eastern [[Adriatic]] coastline and its hinterland, ending the Venetian and the [[Republic of Ragusa|Ragusan republics]], establishing the [[Illyrian Provinces]].{{sfn|Frucht|2005|p=|pp=422–423}} In response, the [[Royal Navy]] [[blockade of the Adriatic Sea|blockaded the Adriatic Sea]], leading to the [[Battle of Lissa (1811)|Battle of Vis]] in 1811.{{sfn|Adkins|Adkins|2008|p=|pp=359–362}} The Illyrian provinces were captured by the Austrians in 1813 and absorbed by the [[Austrian Empire]] following the [[Congress of Vienna]] in 1815. This led to the formation of the [[Kingdom of Dalmatia]] and the restoration of the [[Croatian Littoral]] to the Kingdom of Croatia under one crown.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZTC3IWC_py8C|first=Harold|last=Nicolson|title=The Congress of Vienna: A Study in Allied Unity: 1812–1822|publisher=[[Grove Press]]|isbn=978-0-8021-3744-9|page=180|year=2000|access-date=17 October 2011|author-link=Harold Nicolson}}</ref> The 1830s and 1840s featured [[romantic nationalism]] that inspired the [[Croatian National Revival]], a political and cultural campaign advocating the unity of [[South Slavs]] within the empire. Its primary focus was establishing a standard language as a counterweight to [[Hungarian language|Hungarian]] while promoting [[Croatian literature]] and culture.<ref name="CRIS-Stančić">{{cite journal|journal=Cris: Časopis Povijesnog društva Križevci|issn=1332-2567|url=http://hrcak.srce.hr/index.php?show=clanak&id_clanak_jezik=80164|first=Nikša|last=Stančić|title=Hrvatski narodni preporod – ciljevi i ostvarenja|trans-title=Croatian National Revival – goals and achievements|pages=6–17|volume=10|issue=1|date=February 2009|access-date=7 October 2011|language=hr}}</ref> During the [[Hungarian Revolution of 1848]], Croatia sided with Austria. Ban [[Josip Jelačić]] helped defeat the Hungarians in 1849 and ushered in a [[Germanisation]] policy.<ref>{{cite journal|journal=Review of Croatian History|publisher=Croatian Institute of History|issn=1845-4380|volume=4|issue=1|date=December 2008|first=Ante|last=Čuvalo|title=Josip Jelačić – Ban of Croatia|pages=13–27|url=http://hrcak.srce.hr/index.php?show=clanak&id_clanak_jezik=77559|access-date=17 October 2011}}</ref>
{{multiple image |direction = vertical |align = right |width = 220
|image1 = Demonstracije u Zagrebu 1918.jpg
|caption1 = Mass protests in Zagreb against the unification of the [[State of Slovenes, Croats and Serbs]] with the Kingdom of Serbia in 1918.
|image2 = Radic govori na skupstini.jpg
|caption2 = [[Stjepan Radić]], leader of the [[Croatian Peasant Party]] who advocated federal organisation of the [[Kingdom of Yugoslavia|Yugoslavia]], at the assembly in [[Dubrovnik]], [[1928]]
}}
By the 1860s, the failure of the policy became apparent, leading to the [[Austro-Hungarian Compromise of 1867]]. The creation of a [[personal union]] between the Austrian Empire and the [[Kingdom of Hungary]] followed. The treaty left Croatia's status to Hungary, which was resolved by the [[Croatian–Hungarian Settlement]] of 1868 when the kingdoms of Croatia and Slavonia were united.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.h-net.org/~habsweb/sourcetexts/nagodba1.htm|title=Constitution of Union between Croatia-Slavonia and Hungary|publisher=H-net.org|access-date=16 May 2010}}</ref> The Kingdom of Dalmatia remained under de facto Austrian control, while [[Rijeka]] retained the status of [[Corpus separatum (Fiume)|''corpus separatum'']] introduced in 1779.<ref name="HR-HU-Heka"/>

After [[Austria-Hungary]] [[Austro-Hungarian rule in Bosnia and Herzegovina|occupied Bosnia and Herzegovina]] following the [[1878 Treaty of Berlin]], the Military Frontier was abolished. The Croatian and [[Slavonian Military Frontier|Slavonian]] sectors of the Frontier returned to Croatia in 1881,{{sfn|Frucht|2005|p=|pp=422–423}} under provisions of the Croatian–Hungarian Settlement.<ref>{{cite journal|journal=Zbornik Pravnog Fakulteta Sveučilišta u Rijeci|issn=1330-349X|publisher=[[University of Rijeka]]|url=http://hrcak.srce.hr/index.php?show=clanak&id_clanak_jezik=39787|first=Ladislav|last=Heka|title=Hrvatsko-ugarska nagodba u zrcalu tiska|language=hr|trans-title=Croatian-Hungarian compromise in light of press clips|volume=28|issue=2|date=December 2007|access-date=10 April 2012|pages=931–971}}</ref><ref name="Dubravica">{{cite journal|journal=Politička Misao|issn=0032-3241|publisher=[[University of Zagreb]], Faculty of Political Sciences|title=Političko-teritorijalna podjela i opseg civilne Hrvatske u godinama sjedinjenja s vojnom Hrvatskom 1871–1886|trans-title=Political and territorial division and scope of civilian Croatia in the period of unification with the Croatian military frontier 1871–1886|language=hr|url=http://hrcak.srce.hr/index.php?show=clanak&id_clanak_jezik=38709&lang=en|first=Branko|last=Dubravica|pages=159–172|volume=38|issue=3|date=January 2002|access-date=20 June 2012}}</ref> Renewed efforts to [[reform Austria-Hungary]], entailing [[federalisation]] with Croatia as a federal unit, were stopped by [[World War I]].<ref>{{cite book|first=Max|last=Polatschek|title=Franz Ferdinand: Europas verlorene Hoffnung|language=de|isbn=978-3-85002-284-2|publisher=Amalthea|year=1989|page=231|access-date=17 October 2011|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SZu0AAAAIAAJ}}</ref>

=== First Yugoslavia (1918–1941) ===
{{main|Illyrian movement|Creation of Yugoslavia|Yugoslav Committee|Corfu Declaration|Kingdom of Yugoslavia|6 January Dictatorship|Banovina of Croatia}}
On 29 October 1918 the Croatian Parliament (''Sabor'') declared independence and decided to join the newly formed [[State of Slovenes, Croats, and Serbs]],<ref name="Povijest-saborovanja"/> which in turn entered into union with the [[Kingdom of Serbia]] on 4 December 1918 to form the [[Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes]].<ref>{{cite book|title=World War I: encyclopedia, Volume 1|first1=Spencer|last1=Tucker|author2=Priscilla Mary Roberts|isbn=978-1-85109-420-2|page=1286|year=2005|publisher=ABC-CLIO|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2YqjfHLyyj8C}}</ref> The Croatian Parliament never ratified the union with Serbia and Montenegro.<ref name="Povijest-saborovanja"/> The [[1921 constitution]] defining the country as a [[unitary state]] and abolition of Croatian Parliament and historical administrative divisions effectively ended Croatian autonomy.

The new constitution was opposed by the most widely supported national political party—the [[Croatian Peasant Party]] (HSS) led by [[Stjepan Radić]].<ref>{{cite journal|journal=Scrinia Slavonica|publisher=Croatian Institute of History – Slavonia, Syrmium and Baranya history branch|issn=1332-4853|url=http://hrcak.srce.hr/index.php?show=clanak&id_clanak_jezik=31497|volume=3|issue=1|date=November 2003|title=Parlamentarni izbori u Brodskom kotaru 1923. godine|language=hr|trans-title=Parliamentary Elections in the Brod District in 1932|access-date=17 October 2011|pages=452–470}}</ref>

The political situation deteriorated further as Radić was assassinated in the [[Yugoslav Parliament|National Assembly]] in 1928, culminating in King [[Alexander I of Yugoslavia|Alexander I]]'s establishment of the [[6 January Dictatorship]] in 1929.<ref>{{cite journal|journal=Radovi Zavoda za povijesne znanosti HAZU u Zadru|publisher=[[Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts]]|issn=1330-0474|url=http://hrcak.srce.hr/index.php?show=clanak&id_clanak_jezik=74560|pages=203–218|issue=51|date=November 2009|first=Zlatko|last=Begonja|title=Ivan Pernar o hrvatsko-srpskim odnosima nakon atentata u Beogradu 1928. godine|language=hr|trans-title=Ivan Pernar on Croatian-Serbian relations after 1928 Belgrade assassination|access-date=17 October 2011}}</ref> The dictatorship formally ended in 1931 when the king imposed a more unitary constitution.<ref>{{cite book|title=Yugoslavia's ruin: the bloody lessons of nationalism, a patriot's warning|first=Cvijeto|last=Job|publisher=[[Rowman & Littlefield]]|isbn=978-0-7425-1784-4|page=9|year=2002|access-date=27 October 2011|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yH3Hz2AXonwC}}</ref> The HSS, now led by [[Vladko Maček]], continued to advocate federalisation, resulting in the [[Cvetković–Maček Agreement]] of August 1939 and the autonomous [[Banovina of Croatia]]. The Yugoslav government retained control of defence, internal security, foreign affairs, trade, and transport while other matters were left to the Croatian Sabor and a crown-appointed Ban.{{sfn|Klemenčič|Žagar|2004|p=|pp=121–123}}

=== World War II and Independent State of Croatia===
{{main|Invasion of Yugoslavia|World War II in Yugoslavia|Ustaše|Croatian Partisans|Yugoslav pursuit of Nazi collaborators}}
[[File:Adolf Hitler meets Ante Pavelić.1941.jpg|thumb|left|Fascist leaders of [[Nazi Germany]] and its puppet state [[Independent State of Croatia]], [[Adolf Hitler]] and [[Ante Pavelić]], meeting in [[Berghof (residence)|Berghof]] outside [[Berchtesgaden]], Germany, 1941]]
In April 1941, [[Invasion of Yugoslavia|Yugoslavia was occupied]] by [[Nazi Germany]] and [[Fascist Italy (1922–1943)|Fascist Italy]]. Following the invasion, a German-Italian installed puppet state named the [[Independent State of Croatia]] (NDH) was established. Most of Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the region of [[Syrmia]] were incorporated into this state. Parts of Dalmatia were [[Treaties of Rome (1941)|annexed by Italy]], Hungary annexed the northern Croatian regions of [[Baranya (region)|Baranja]] and [[Međimurje (region)|Međimurje]].{{sfn|Klemenčič|Žagar|2004|p=|pp=153–156}} The NDH regime was led by [[Ante Pavelić]] and ultranationalist [[Ustaše]], a fringe movement in pre-war Croatia.{{sfn|Tomasevich|2001|p=337}} With German and Italian military and political support,{{sfn|Tomasevich|2001|p=272}} the regime introduced [[Nazi racial theories|racial laws]] and launched a [[Genocide of Serbs in the Independent State of Croatia|genocide campaign against Serbs]], [[History of the Jews in Croatia|Jews]], and [[Romani people in Croatia|Roma]].{{sfn|Klemenčič|Žagar|2004|p=184}} Many were imprisoned in [[Concentration camps in the Independent State of Croatia|concentration camps]]; the largest was the [[Jasenovac concentration camp|Jasenovac complex]].<ref name=logori>{{cite web|title=koncentracijski logori|url=http://www.enciklopedija.hr/natuknica.aspx?ID=32708|access-date=16 February 2021}}</ref>  [[Croatian Partisans|Anti-fascist Croats]] were targeted by the regime as well.{{sfn|Goldstein|1999|p=138}} Several [[Italian concentration camps|concentration camps]] (most notably the [[Rab concentration camp|Rab]], [[Gonars concentration camp|Gonars]] and [[Molat concentration camp|Molat]] camps) were established in Italian-occupied territories, mostly for [[Slovenes]] and Croats.<ref name=logori/> At the same time, the Yugoslav Royalist and [[Serbian nationalism|Serbian nationalist]] [[Chetniks]] pursued a [[Chetnik war crimes in World War II|genocidal campaign]] against Croats and [[Bosniaks|Muslims]],{{sfn|Klemenčič|Žagar|2004|p=184}}<ref>{{cite journal |last=Hoare |first=Marko Attila |title=Genocide in the former Yugoslavia: a critique of left revisionism's denial (full version) |journal=[[Journal of Genocide Research]] |date=1 December 2003 |volume=5 |issue=4 |pages=543–563 |doi=10.1080/1462352032000149495 |s2cid=145169670 |issn=1462-3528}}</ref> aided by Italy.{{sfn|Tomasevich|2001|p=744}} Nazi German forces committed crimes and reprisals against civilians in retaliation for Partisan actions, such as in the villages of [[Massacre of villages under Kamešnica|Kamešnica]] and [[Memorial Centre Lipa Remembers|Lipa]] in 1944.<ref>{{Cite book|last= Kozlica|first=Ivan|title=Krvava Cetina|trans-title= Bloody Cetina|language =hr|year=2012|publisher=Hrvatski centar za ratne žrtve|location=Zagreb|isbn=978-953-57409-0-2|page=155}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|title="Operacija Braunschweig", Klepsidra|last=Predoević|first=Petra|publisher=Udruga studenata povijesti "Malleus"|year=2007|location=Rijeka|pages=105–129}}</ref> 
[[File:Jelačićev trg 12.5.1945.jpg|thumb|right|People of Zagreb celebrating [[Zagreb in World War II|liberation]] on 12 May 1945 by [[Croatian Partisans]]]]

A [[National Liberation Movement in Croatia|resistance movement]] emerged. On 22 June 1941,<ref name="Pavličević">Dragutin Pavličević, Povijest Hrvatske, Naklada Pavičić, Zagreb, 2007. {{ISBN|978-953-6308-71-2}}, str. 441–442.</ref> the [[1st Sisak Partisan Detachment]] was formed near [[Sisak]], the first military unit formed by a resistance movement in [[German-occupied Europe|occupied Europe]].<ref name="pavlicevic-2007">{{cite book|first=Dragutin|last=Pavličević|title=Povijest Hrvatske|year=2007|publisher=Naklada Pavičić|isbn=978-953-6308-71-2|pages=441–442}}</ref> That sparked the beginning of the [[Yugoslav Partisan]] movement, a communist, multi-ethnic anti-fascist resistance group led by [[Josip Broz Tito]].<ref>{{cite news|newspaper=[[Večernji list]] |language=hr |url=http://www.vecernji.hr/vijesti/josipovic-antifasizam-je-duhovni-otac-domovinskog-rata-clanak-303250 |title=Josipović: Antifašizam je duhovni otac Domovinskog rata |trans-title=Josipović: Anti-Fascism is a Spiritual Forerunner of the Croatian War of Independence |date=22 June 2011 |first=Matea |last=Vipotnik |access-date=14 October 2011 |archive-date=17 May 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130517085659/http://www.vecernji.hr/vijesti/josipovic-antifasizam-je-duhovni-otac-domovinskog-rata-clanak-303250}}</ref> In ethnic terms, Croats were the second-largest contributors to the Partisan movement after Serbs.<ref name=":1" /> In per capita terms, Croats contributed proportionately to their population within Yugoslavia.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Hoare |first=Marko Attila |year=2002 |title=Whose is the partisan movement? Serbs, Croats and the legacy of a shared resistance |journal=The Journal of Slavic Military Studies |publisher=Informa UK Limited |volume=15 |issue=4 |pages=30 |doi=10.1080/13518040208430537 |issn=1351-8046 |s2cid=145127681}}</ref> By May 1944 (according to Tito), Croats made up 30% of the Partisan's ethnic composition, despite making up 22% of the population.<ref name=":1">{{cite book|last1=Hoare|first1=Marko Attila|author-link=Marko Attila Hoare|editor1-last=Ramet|editor1-first=Sabrina P.|editor2-last=Listhaug|editor2-first=Ola|year=2011|title=Serbia and the Serbs in World War Two |chapter=The Partisans and the Serbs|publisher=Palgrave Macmillan|location=London, England|isbn=978-0-23034-781-6 |pages=207}}</ref> The movement grew fast, and at the [[Tehran Conference]] in December 1943, the Partisans gained recognition from the [[Allies of World War II|Allies]].<ref>{{cite journal|journal=Historijski Zbornik|issn=0351-2193|publisher=Društvo za hrvatsku povjesnicu|date=December 2008|volume=61|issue= 2|author=Karakaš Obradov Marica|title=Saveznički zračni napadi na Split i okolicu i djelovanje Narodne zaštite u Splitu tijekom Drugog svjetskog rata|trans-title=Allied aerial attacks on Split and its surrounding and Civil Guard activity in Split during the World War II|language=hr|url=http://hrcak.srce.hr/index.php?show=clanak&id_clanak_jezik=74494|pages=323–349|access-date=17 October 2011}}</ref>[[File:Event in Zagreb in honour of Tito.jpg|thumb|Cardinal [[Aloysius Stepinac]] with the Croatian communist leader [[Vladimir Bakarić]] at the celebration of [[International Workers' Day|May Day]], shortly before Stepinac was arrested and convicted by the communists, he became a symbol of resistance to the communist regime in [[Yugoslavia]].]]

With Allied support in logistics, equipment, training and airpower, and with the assistance of [[Red Army|Soviet troops]] taking part in the 1944 [[Belgrade Offensive]], the Partisans gained control of Yugoslavia and the border regions of [[Trieste#World War II and aftermath|Italy]] and [[Carinthia (state)#From 1920 to the Present|Austria]] by May 1945. Members of the [[Croatian Armed Forces (Independent State of Croatia)|NDH armed forces]] and other Axis troops, as well as civilians, were in retreat towards Austria. Following their surrender, many were killed in the [[Yugoslav death march of Nazi collaborators]].<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Bracewell |first1=C.W. |last2=Lampe |first2=John R. |title=Croatia – World War II {{!}} Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Croatia/World-War-II |access-date=2022-11-05 |website=www.britannica.com |language=en}}</ref> In the following years, [[Germans of Croatia|ethnic Germans]] faced [[Flight and expulsion of Germans (1944–50)#Yugoslavia|persecution in Yugoslavia]], and many were interned.{{sfn|Goldstein|1999|p=158}}

The political aspirations of the Partisan movement were reflected in the [[State Anti-fascist Council for the National Liberation of Croatia]], which developed in 1943 as the bearer of Croatian statehood and later transformed into the Parliament in 1945, and [[AVNOJ]]—its counterpart at the Yugoslav level.<ref>{{cite journal|journal=Pro Tempore – Časopis Studenata Povijesti|publisher=Klub studenata povijesti ISHA|issn=1334-8302|first=Marko|last=Maurović|title=Josip protiv Josifa|trans-title=Josip vs. Iosif|language=hr|pages=73–83|issue=1|date=May 2004|url=http://hrcak.srce.hr/index.php?show=clanak&id_clanak_jezik=81342|access-date=17 October 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|publisher=Sabor|url=http://www.sabor.hr/Default.aspx?art=27859&sec=2867|language=hr|title=Predsjednik Sabora Luka Bebić na obilježavanju 64. obljetnice pobjede nad fašizmom i 65. obljetnice trećeg zasjedanja ZAVNOH-a u Topuskom|trans-title=Speaker of the Parliament, Luka Bebić, at celebration of the 64th anniversary of the victory over fascism and the 65th anniversary of the 3rd session of the ZAVNOH session in Topusko|date=9 May 2009|access-date=17 October 2011|archive-date=19 January 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120119084444/http://www.sabor.hr/Default.aspx?art=27859&sec=2867}}</ref>

Based on the studies on [[World War II in Yugoslavia casualties|wartime and post-war casualties]] by demographer [[Vladimir Žerjavić]] and statistician [[Bogoljub Kočović]], a total of 295,000 people from the territory (not including territories [[Treaty of Peace with Italy, 1947|ceded from Italy]] after the war) died, which amounted to 7.3% of the population,<ref>{{cite journal|last=Žerjavić|first=Vladimir|author-link=Vladimir Žerjavić|url=https://hrcak.srce.hr/213638?lang=en|language=hr|title=Demografski i ratni gubici Hrvatske u Drugom svjetskom ratu i poraću|trans-title=Demographic and War Losses of Croatia in the World War Two and in the Postwar Period|pages=551|journal=Journal of Contemporary History|volume=27|number=3|date=1995|location=Zagreb}}</ref> among whom were 125–137,000 Serbs, 118–124,000 Croats, 16–17,000 Jews, and 15,000 Roma.{{sfn|Žerjavić|1992|p=159}}{{sfn|Kočović|1985|p=173}} In addition, from areas joined to Croatia after the war, a total of 32,000 people died, among whom 16,000 were Italians and 15,000 were Croats.{{sfn|Žerjavić|1993b|pp=640–641}} Approximately 200,000 Croats from the entirety of Yugoslavia (including Croatia) and abroad were killed in total throughout the war and its immediate aftermath, approximately 5.4% of the population.{{sfn|Kočović|1985|p=126}}{{sfn|Geiger|2012|pp=117–118}}

=== Second Yugoslavia (1945–1991) ===
{{main|Socialist Republic of Croatia|Informbiro period|Tito–Stalin split|Croatian Spring}}
[[File:Nixontito19712.jpg|thumb|left|[[Josip Broz Tito]] led [[Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia|Yugoslavia]] from 1944 to 1980; Pictured: Tito with the US president [[Richard Nixon]] in the [[White House]], 1971]]

After [[World War II]], Croatia became a [[single-party]] socialist [[Socialist Republic of Croatia|federal unit]] of the [[Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia|SFR Yugoslavia]], ruled by the [[League of Communists of Croatia|Communists]], but having a degree of autonomy within the federation. In 1967, Croatian authors and linguists published a [[Declaration on the Status and Name of the Croatian Standard Language]] demanding equal treatment for their language.<ref name="Šute-Deklaracija">{{cite journal |last=Šute |first=Ivica |title=Deklaracija o nazivu i položaju hrvatskog književnog jezika – Građa za povijest Deklaracije |trans-title=Declaration on the Status and Name of the Croatian Standard Language – Declaration History Articles |url=http://hrcak.srce.hr/index.php?show=clanak&id_clanak_jezik=76413&lang=en |journal=Radovi Zavoda Za Hrvatsku Povijest |volume=31 |issue=1 |pages=317–318 |date=April 1999 |issn=0353-295X |language=hr}}</ref>

The declaration contributed to a national movement seeking greater civil rights and redistribution of the Yugoslav economy, culminating in the [[Croatian Spring]] of 1971, which was suppressed by Yugoslav leadership.<ref name="JL-Savka">{{cite news |newspaper=[[Jutarnji list]] |language=hr |url=http://www.jutarnji.hr/heroina-hrvatskog-proljeca/305499/ |title=Heroina Hrvatskog proljeća |trans-title=Heroine of the Croatian Spring |date=6 August 2009 |first=Vlado |last=Vurušić |access-date=14 October 2011 |archive-date=6 August 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120806045846/http://www.jutarnji.hr/heroina-hrvatskog-proljeca/305499/}}</ref> Still, the [[1974 Yugoslav Constitution]] gave increased autonomy to federal units, basically fulfilling a goal of the Croatian Spring and providing a legal basis for independence of the federative constituents.<ref name="Rich">{{cite journal|first=Roland|last=Rich|title=Recognition of States: The Collapse of Yugoslavia and the Soviet Union|journal=European Journal of International Law|year=1993|issue=1|volume=4|pages=36–65|url=http://www.ejil.org/article.php?article=1207&issue=67|access-date=18 October 2011|doi=10.1093/oxfordjournals.ejil.a035834}}</ref>

Following Tito's death in 1980, the political situation in Yugoslavia deteriorated. National tension was fanned by the 1986 [[SANU Memorandum]] and the [[1989 coups in Vojvodina, Kosovo and Montenegro|1989 coups in Vojvodina, Kosovo, and Montenegro]].{{sfn|Frucht|2005|p=433}}<ref>{{cite news|agency=[[Reuters]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/01/12/world/leaders-of-a-republic-in-yugoslavia-resign.html |title=Leaders of a Republic in Yugoslavia Resign |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |date=12 January 1989 |access-date=7 February 2010 |archive-date=6 November 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121106113747/http://www.nytimes.com/1989/01/12/world/leaders-of-a-republic-in-yugoslavia-resign.html}}</ref> In January 1990, the Communist Party fragmented along national lines, with the Croatian [[Political faction|faction]] demanding a looser federation.<ref name="Pauković-14Congress-2009">{{cite journal|first=Davor|last=Pauković|publisher=Centar za politološka istraživanja|url=http://hrcak.srce.hr/index.php?show=clanak&id_clanak_jezik=55640|language=hr|title=Posljednji kongres Saveza komunista Jugoslavije: uzroci, tijek i posljedice raspada|trans-title=Last Congress of the League of Communists of Yugoslavia: Causes, Consequences and Course of Dissolution|date=1 June 2008|journal=Časopis za Suvremenu Povijest|volume=1|issue=1|pages=21–33|issn=1847-2397|access-date=11 December 2010}}</ref> In the same year, the [[1990 Croatian parliamentary election|first multi-party elections]] were held in Croatia, while [[Franjo Tuđman]]'s win exacerbated nationalist tensions.<ref name="Independent-Tuđman-Obituary">{{cite news|newspaper=[[The Independent]] |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/obituary-franjo-tudjman-1132142.html |title=Obituary: Franjo Tudjman |first=Branka |last=Magas |date=13 December 1999 |access-date=17 October 2011 |archive-date=10 November 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110024351/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/obituary-franjo-tudjman-1132142.html}}</ref> Some of the [[Serbs in Croatia]] left Sabor and declared autonomy of the unrecognised [[Republic of Serbian Krajina]], intent on achieving independence from Croatia.<ref name="NYTimes-Autonomy-AUG1990">{{cite news|newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1990/10/02/world/croatia-s-serbs-declare-their-autonomy.html |first=Chuck |last=Sudetic |title=Croatia's Serbs Declare Their Autonomy |date=2 October 1990 |access-date=11 December 2010 |archive-date=12 November 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121112065457/http://www.nytimes.com/1990/10/02/world/croatia-s-serbs-declare-their-autonomy.html|author-link=Chuck Sudetic}}</ref><ref name="EE-CIS-book">{{cite book |title=Eastern Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qmN95fFocsMC |pages=272–278 |isbn=978-1-85743-058-5 |year=1998 |publisher=[[Routledge]] |access-date=16 December 2010}}</ref>

=== Croatian War of Independence ===
{{main|Breakup of Yugoslavia|Croatian War of Independence}}


As tensions rose, Croatia [[Independence of Croatia|declared independence]] on 25 June 1991. However, the full implementation of the declaration only came into effect after a [[Brioni Agreement|three-month moratorium on the decision]] on 8 October 1991.<ref name="NYTimes-Declaration-26June1991">{{cite news|newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/06/26/world/2-yugoslav-states-vote-independence-to-press-demands.html |title=2 Yugoslav States Vote Independence To Press Demands |first=Chuck |last=Sudetic |date=26 June 1991 |access-date=12 December 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110162855/http://www.nytimes.com/1991/06/26/world/2-yugoslav-states-vote-independence-to-press-demands.html |archive-date=10 November 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Sabor-Independence-8Oct1991">{{cite web|work=Official web site of the Croatian Parliament|publisher=Sabor|url=http://www.sabor.hr/Default.aspx?art=20091&sec=2462|title=Ceremonial session of the Croatian Parliament on the occasion of the Day of Independence of the Republic of Croatia|date=7 October 2004|access-date=29 July 2012|archive-date=14 March 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120314021206/http://www.sabor.hr/Default.aspx?art=20091&sec=2462}}</ref> In the meantime, tensions escalated into [[Croatian War of Independence|overt war]] when the Serbian-controlled [[Yugoslav People's Army]] (JNA) and various Serb paramilitary groups attacked Croatia.<ref name="NYTimes-Otkos10">{{cite news|newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/11/04/world/army-rushes-to-take-a-croatian-town.html |title=Army Rushes to Take a Croatian Town |first=Chuck |last=Sudetic |date=4 November 1991 |access-date=29 July 2012 |archive-date=29 July 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120729183641/http://www.nytimes.com/1991/11/04/world/army-rushes-to-take-a-croatian-town.html}}</ref>
[[File:Vukovar Memorial Cemetery – Eternal Flame, 20150429160745.jpg|thumb|[[National Memorial Cemetery of The Victims of Homeland War in Vukovar]], the central place of holding the [[Remembrance Day (Croatia)|National Remembrance Day]], public holiday on [[November 18]], for all the victims of the war in Croatia and the [[Vukovar massacre]], one of the symbolic and crucial events in the [[Croatian War of Independence]] [[1991]].]]

By the end of 1991, a high-intensity conflict fought along a wide front reduced Croatia's control to about two-thirds of its territory.<ref name="NYTimes-Iceland">{{cite news|newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/12/20/world/croatia-clashes-rise-mediators-pessimistic.html |title=Croatia Clashes Rise; Mediators Pessimistic |date=19 December 1991 |access-date=29 July 2012 |archive-date=15 November 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121115174401/http://www.nytimes.com/1991/12/20/world/croatia-clashes-rise-mediators-pessimistic.html}}</ref><ref name="LATimes-OccupiedPct-1Aug91">{{cite news|newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |url=https://articles.latimes.com/1991-08-01/news/mn-177_1_defense-force |title=Serbian Forces Press Fight for Major Chunk of Croatia |first=Charles T. |last=Powers |date=1 August 1991 |access-date=29 July 2012 |archive-date=16 May 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120516054837/http://articles.latimes.com/1991-08-01/news/mn-177_1_defense-force|author-link=Charles T. Powers}}</ref> Serb paramilitary groups then began a campaign of killing, terror, and expulsion of the Croats in the rebel territories, killing thousands<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.index.hr/vijesti/clanak/utjecaj-srbijanske-agresije-na-stanovnistvo-hrvatske/175515.aspx |title=Utjecaj srbijanske agresije na stanovništvo Hrvatske |website=[[Index.hr]] |date=11 December 2003 |access-date=12 September 2015}}</ref> of Croat civilians and expelling or displacing as many as 400,000 Croats and other non-Serbs from their homes.<ref>{{cite web|title= SUMMARY OF JUDGEMENT FOR MILAN MARTIĆ|url= http://www.un.org/icty/pressreal/2007/pr1162e-summary.htm|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20071215084458/http://www.un.org/icty/pressreal/2007/pr1162e-summary.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date= 15 December 2007|access-date=28 August 2019}}</ref> Serbs living in Croatian towns, especially those near the front lines, were subjected to various forms of discrimination.{{sfn|Goldstein|1999|p=233}} Croatian Serbs in Eastern and Western Slavonia and parts of the Krajina were forced to flee or were expelled by Croatian forces, though on a restricted scale and in lesser numbers.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Bassiouni |first1=Mahmoud Cherif |last2=Manikas |first2=Peter |title=The Law of the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia |date=1996 |publisher=Transnational Publishers |isbn=978-1-57105-004-5 |page=86}}</ref> The [[Government of Croatia|Croatian Government]] publicly deplored these practices and sought to stop them, indicating that they were not a part of the Government's policy. {{sfn|Allen|1996|p=46}}

On 15 January 1992, Croatia gained [[diplomatic recognition]] by the [[European Economic Community]], followed by the United Nations.<ref name="NYTimes-Germany-23Dec91">{{cite news|newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/12/24/world/slovenia-and-croatia-get-bonn-s-nod.html |title=Slovenia and Croatia Get Bonn's Nod |first=Stephen |last=Kinzer |date=24 December 1991 |access-date=29 July 2012 |archive-date=20 June 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120620034701/http://www.nytimes.com/1991/12/24/world/slovenia-and-croatia-get-bonn-s-nod.html|author-link=Stephen Kinzer}}</ref><ref name="NYT-UN-membership">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/05/23/world/3-ex-yugoslav-republics-are-accepted-into-un.html |title=3 Ex-Yugoslav Republics Are Accepted into U.N. |newspaper=The New York Times |first=Paul L. |last=Montgomery |date=23 May 1992 |access-date=29 July 2012 |archive-date=11 November 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121111013548/http://www.nytimes.com/1992/05/23/world/3-ex-yugoslav-republics-are-accepted-into-un.html|author-link=Paul L. Montgomery }}</ref> The war effectively ended in August 1995 with a [[Operation Storm|decisive victory]] by Croatia;<ref name="LATimes-Storm-Complete">{{cite news|newspaper=Los Angeles Times |url=https://articles.latimes.com/1995-08-08/news/mn-32662_1_serb-refugees |title=Croats Declare Victory, End Blitz |first=Dean E. |last=Murphy |date=8 August 1995 |access-date=18 December 2010 |archive-date=12 October 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121012140454/http://articles.latimes.com/1995-08-08/news/mn-32662_1_serb-refugees}}</ref> the event is commemorated each year on 5 August as [[Victory Day (Croatia)|Victory and Homeland Thanksgiving Day and the Day of Croatian Defenders]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.total-croatia-news.com/politics/37611-thanksgiving-day|title=Officials Issue Messages for Victory and Homeland Thanksgiving Day|website=www.total-croatia-news.com|date=4 August 2019|language=en-gb|access-date=4 August 2019|archive-date=5 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405210541/https://www.total-croatia-news.com/politics/37611-thanksgiving-day|url-status=dead}}</ref> Following the Croatian victory, about 200,000 Serbs from the self-proclaimed [[Republic of Serbian Krajina]] fled the region<ref name="bbc-storm"/> and hundreds of mainly elderly Serb civilians were killed in the aftermath of the military operation.<ref>{{cite web |title=Croatia marks 25 years since war with tolerance message |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/8/5/croatia-marks-25-years-since-war-with-tolerance-message |website=AlJazeera |date=5 August 2020}}</ref> Their lands were subsequently settled by Croat refugees from Bosnia and Herzegovina.<ref>{{cite book|author=Janine Natalya Clark|year=2014|title=International Trials and Reconciliation: Assessing the Impact of the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia|publisher=Routledge|location=London|isbn=978-1-31797-475-8|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=373cAwAAQBAJ|page=28}}</ref> The [[Eastern Slavonia, Baranja and Western Syrmia (1995–1998)|remaining occupied areas]] were restored to Croatia following the [[Erdut Agreement]] of November 1995, concluding with the [[United Nations Transitional Administration for Eastern Slavonia, Baranja and Western Sirmium|UNTAES]] mission in January 1998.<ref name="NYTimes-UNTAES-16Jan98">{{cite news|newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/01/16/world/an-ethnic-morass-is-returned-to-croatia.html |title=An Ethnic Morass Is Returned to Croatia |first=Chris |last=Hedges |date=16 January 1998 |access-date=18 December 2010 |archive-date=18 May 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130518201803/http://www.nytimes.com/1998/01/16/world/an-ethnic-morass-is-returned-to-croatia.html|author-link=Chris Hedges}}</ref> Most sources number the war  deaths at around 20,000.<ref name="autogenerated3">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/3095774.stm|title=Presidents apologise over Croatian war |publisher=BBC|work=BBC News|date=September 10, 2003|access-date=February 7, 2010}}</ref><ref name="setimes1">{{cite web|url=http://www.setimes.com/cocoon/setimes/xhtml/en_GB/features/setimes/features/2008/11/20/feature-01|title=Serbia to respond to Croatian genocide charges with countersuit at ICJ|work=SETimes.com|publisher=[[Southeast European Times]]|date=November 20, 2008|access-date=February 7, 2010}}</ref><ref name="tehrantimes1">{{cite news|url=http://www.tehrantimes.com/index_View.asp?code=182811|title=UN to hear Croatia genocide claim against Serbia|newspaper=Tehran Times|date=November 19, 2008|access-date=February 7, 2010}}</ref>

=== Independent Croatia (1991–present) ===
{{main|Independence of Croatia|History of Croatia since 1995}}

After the end of the war, Croatia faced the challenges of post-war reconstruction, the return of refugees, establishing democracy, protecting human rights, and general social and economic development.

The 2000s period is characterized by democratization, economic growth, structural and social reforms, and problems such as unemployment, corruption, and the inefficiency of public administration.<ref>{{Cite book|last1=Puljiz|first1=Vlado|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=26RVYkUkBXAC&q=hrvatska+nakon+2000&pg=PA43|title=Socijalna politika Hrvatske|last2=Bežovan|first2=Gojko|last3=Matković|first3=Teo|last4=Šućur|first4=dr Zoran|last5=Zrinščak|first5=Siniša|publisher=Pravni fakultet u Zagrebu|year=2008|isbn=978-953-97320-9-5|location=Zagreb|pages=43–52|language=hr}}</ref> In November 2000 and March 2001, the Parliament amended the Constitution, first adopted on 22 December 1990, changing its bicameral structure back into its historic unicameral form and reducing presidential powers.<ref>{{cite web|title=22 December – Christmas Constitution – the first Constitution of the independent Republic of Croatia|url=https://www.sabor.hr/en/about-parliament/history/important-dates/22-december-christmas-constitution-first-constitution|website=sabor.hr|access-date=27 June 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=History and Development of Croatian Constitutional Judicature – Constitutional Court of the Republic of Croatia |url=https://www.usud.hr/en/history-and-development-croatian-constitutional-judicature#9 |website=www.usud.hr}}</ref>

Croatia joined the [[Partnership for Peace]] on 25 May 2000<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.enciklopedija.hr/natuknica.aspx?ID=46827|title=Partnerstvo za mir – Hrvatska enciklopedija|website=www.enciklopedija.hr}}</ref> and became a member of the [[World Trade Organization]] on 30 November 2000.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mvep.hr/hr/vanjska-politika/multilateralni-odnosi-staro-ijvhj/svjetska-trgovinska-organizacija-(wto)/|title=MVEP • Svjetska trgovinska organizacija (WTO)|website=www.mvep.hr}}</ref> On 29 October 2001, Croatia signed a [[Stabilisation and Association Agreement]] with the [[European Union]],<ref>{{cite web|title=Kronologija: Težak put od priznanja do kucanja na vrata EU – Jutarnji List|url=https://www.jutarnji.hr/arhiva/kronologija-tezak-put-od-priznanja-do-kucanja-na-vrata-eu/3756672/|date=2 October 2006|website=www.jutarnji.hr|language=en|access-date=30 May 2020}}</ref> submitted a formal application for the EU membership in 2003,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://uprava.gov.hr/kada-je-i-kome-republika-hrvatska-podnijela-zahtjev-za-clanstvo-u-europskoj-uniji/13976|title=Kada je i kome Republika Hrvatska podnijela zahtjev za članstvo u Europskoj uniji?|website=uprava.gov.hr}}</ref> was given the status of a candidate country in 2004,<ref>{{cite web|title=Kako je izgledao put Republike Hrvatske ka punopravnom članstvu u Europskoj uniji?|url=https://uprava.gov.hr/drzavni-strucni-ispit-789/primjeri-pitanja-i-odgovora-za-srednju-strucnu-spremu/osnove-sustava-europske-unije/kako-je-izgledao-put-republike-hrvatske-ka-punopravnom-clanstvu-u-europskoj-uniji/12417|website=uprava.gov.hr|access-date=30 May 2020}}</ref> and began [[2013 enlargement of the European Union#Negotiation progress|accession negotiations]] in 2005.<ref>{{cite web|title=Evo kako je izgledao hrvatski put prema EU!|url=https://dnevnik.hr/vijesti/hrvatska/evo-kako-je-izgledao-hrvatski-put-prema-eu---292731.html|website=Dnevnik.hr|language=hr|access-date=30 May 2020}}</ref> Although the Croatian economy had enjoyed a significant boom in the early 2000s, the financial crisis in 2008 forced the government to cut spending, thus provoking a public outcry.<ref>{{cite book |first=Ivo |last=Goldstein |author-link=Ivo Goldstein |title=Povijest Hrvatske 1945–2011 |version=3. svezak |publisher=EPH Media d.o.o.}}</ref>
[[File:Tratado de Lisboa 13 12 2007 (081).jpg|thumb|upright=1.0|right|Croatia became the 28th EU member country on 1 July 2013.]]

Croatia served on the [[United Nations Security Council]] in the 2008–2009 term for the first time, assuming the non-permanent seat in December 2008.<ref name="MVPEI-UNSC-2008-2009">{{cite web |title=Membership of the Republic of Croatia in the UN Security Council 2008–2009 |url=http://www.mvpei.hr/mvp.asp?pcpid=2531 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130107231744/http://www.mvep.hr/mvp.asp?pcpid=2531 |archive-date=7 January 2013 |access-date=24 September 2011 |publisher=Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration (Croatia)}}</ref> On 1 April 2009, Croatia joined [[NATO]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Hrvatska postala članica NATO saveza|url=https://dnevnik.hr/vijesti/hrvatska/hrvatska-postala-punopravna-clanica-nato-saveza.html|website=Dnevnik.hr|language=hr|access-date=30 May 2020}}</ref>

A wave of anti-government protests in 2011 reflected a general dissatisfaction with the current political and economic situation. The protests brought together diverse political persuasions in response to recent government corruption scandals and called for early elections. On 28 October 2011 [[List of MPs elected in the Croatian parliamentary election, 2007|MPs]] voted to dissolve Parliament and the protests gradually subsided. [[President of Croatia|President]] Ivo Josipović agreed to a dissolution of [[Croatian Parliament|Sabor]] on Monday, 31 October and scheduled new elections for Sunday 4 December 2011.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.economist.com/eastern-approaches/2011/03/06/et-tu-zagreb|title=Et tu, Zagreb?|newspaper=The Economist|date=6 March 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://dnevnik.hr/vijesti/hrvatska/ovo-su-bili-najzanimljiviji-trenuci-u-saboru.html |title=Pogledajte sve snimke sa suđenja Sanaderu |publisher=Dnevnik.hr |date=2011-10-28 |access-date=2011-12-10}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://odluka2011.dnevnik.hr/clanak/vijesti/predsjednik-josipovic-raspisao-izbore.html |title=Predsjednik Josipović raspisao izbore! |publisher=Odluka2011.dnevnik.hr |date=2011-10-31 |access-date=2011-12-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111203150728/http://odluka2011.dnevnik.hr/clanak/vijesti/predsjednik-josipovic-raspisao-izbore.html |archive-date=2011-12-03 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

On 30 June 2011, Croatia successfully completed EU accession negotiations.<ref name="EU-Negotiations-Completed">{{cite web |date=30 June 2011 |title=EU closes accession negotiations with Croatia |url=http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/11/824&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en |access-date=24 September 2011 |publisher=[[European Commission]]}}</ref> The country signed the [[Treaty of Accession 2011|Accession Treaty]] on 9 December 2011 and held a [[2012 Croatian European Union membership referendum|referendum]] on 22 January 2012, where Croatian citizens voted in favor of an EU membership.<ref name="EU-Accession-Treaty">{{cite web |date=9 December 2011 |title=Croatia signs EU accession treaty |url=http://europa.eu/news/external-relations/2011/03/20110302_en.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120123185048/http://europa.eu/news/external-relations/2011/03/20110302_en.htm |archive-date=23 January 2012 |access-date=12 December 2011 |publisher=[[European Union]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-16670298|title=Croatia voters back EU membership|work=BBC News|date=1 June 2018}}</ref> [[Croatia joined the European Union]] on 1 July 2013.

Croatia was affected by the [[2015 European migrant crisis]] when Hungary's closure of borders with Serbia pushed over 700,000 refugees and migrants to pass through Croatia on their way to other EU countries.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://bib.irb.hr/datoteka/914376.HuB-SpecialEditiononRefugeeCrisis-100_January2017.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://bib.irb.hr/datoteka/914376.HuB-SpecialEditiononRefugeeCrisis-100_January2017.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live|title=Šenada Šelo Šabić, Croatia's response to the refugee crisis, European Expression, Issue 100, 2016}}</ref>

On 25 January 2022, the [[OECD]] Council decided to open accession negotiations with Croatia. Throughout the accession process, Croatia is to implement numerous reforms that will advance all spheres of activity – from public services and the justice system to education, transport, finance, health, and trade. In line with the OECD Accession Roadmap from June 2022, Croatia will undergo technical reviews by 25 OECD committees and is so far progressing at a faster pace than expected. Full membership is expected in 2025 and is the last big foreign policy goal Croatia still has to achieve.<ref>{{cite web|title=The OECD and South East Europe|url=https://www.oecd.org/south-east-europe/economies/see-croatia.htm|website=OECD.org|access-date=27 June 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=OECD membership means benefits for citizens, higher living standard|url=https://mvep.gov.hr/press-22794/oecd-membership-means-benefits-for-citizens-higher-living-standard/253882|website=Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs|access-date=27 June 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Croatia's accession to the OECD is progressing faster than expected|url=https://mvep.gov.hr/press-22794/croatia-s-accession-to-the-oecd-is-progressing-faster-than-expected/257332|website=Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs|access-date=27 June 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=OECD još jedan instrument za unaprjeđenje reformskih procesa, članstvo će nas učiniti još boljom i kvalitetnijom zemljom|url=https://vlada.gov.hr/vijesti/oecd-jos-jedan-instrument-za-unaprjedjenje-reformskih-procesa-clanstvo-ce-nas-uciniti-jos-boljom-i-kvalitetnijom-zemljom/38169|website=GOV.hr|language=hr|access-date=27 June 2023}}</ref>

On 19 October 2016, [[Andrej Plenković]] began serving as the current Croatian Prime Minister.<ref>{{cite web |title=Andrej Plenković – O meni |url=https://www.andrejplenkovic.hr/page.php?id=1 |access-date=17 December 2020 |website=www.andrejplenkovic.hr}}</ref> The most recent presidential elections, held on 5 January 2020, elected [[Zoran Milanović]] as president.<ref>{{cite web |title=Održana svečanost prisege predsjednika Republike Hrvatske Zorana Milanovića |url=https://www.predsjednik.hr/vijesti/svecanost-prisege/ |access-date=23 January 2021 |website=Predsjednik Republike Hrvatske – Zoran Milanović |language=hr}}</ref>

On 1 January 2023 Croatia adopted the [[euro]] as its official currency, replacing the [[Croatian kuna|kuna]], and became the 20th [[Eurozone]] member. On the same day, Croatia became the 27th member of the border-free [[Schengen Area]], thus marking its full EU integration.<ref>{{cite web |title=Euro and Schengen: Croatia joins the Euro and Schengen areas |url=https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_22_7907 |access-date=27 June 2023 |website=European Commission}}</ref>

== Geography ==
{{Main|Geography of Croatia}}
[[File:Satellite image of Croatia in September 2003.jpg|upright=1.4|left|thumb|[[Geography of Croatia|Satellite image of Croatia]]]]
Croatia is situated in [[Central Europe|Central]] and Southeast Europe, on the coast of the [[Adriatic Sea]]. Hungary is to the northeast, [[Serbia]] to the east, [[Bosnia and Herzegovina]] and [[Montenegro]] to the southeast and [[Slovenia]] to the northwest. It lies mostly between latitudes [[42nd parallel north|42°]] and [[47° N]] and longitudes [[13th meridian east|13°]] and [[20° E]]. Part of the territory in the extreme south surrounding [[Dubrovnik]] is a [[practical exclave]] connected to the rest of the mainland by [[territorial waters]], but separated on land by a short coastline strip belonging to Bosnia and Herzegovina around [[Neum]].<ref name="DZS-Stat2010">{{cite web|publisher=[[Croatian Bureau of Statistics]]|url=http://www.dzs.hr/Hrv_Eng/ljetopis/2010/SLJH2010.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://www.dzs.hr/Hrv_Eng/ljetopis/2010/SLJH2010.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live|title=2010 – Statistical Yearbook of the Republic of Croatia|date=December 2010|access-date=7 October 2011}}</ref> The [[Pelješac Bridge]] connects the exclave with mainland Croatia.

The territory covers {{convert|56594|km2|sqmi|0|abbr=off}}, consisting of {{convert|56414|km2|sqmi|0|abbr=off}} of land and {{convert|128|km2|sqmi|0|abbr=off}} of water. It is the world's 127th largest country.<ref name="CIA">{{Cite CIA World Factbook|country=Croatia|access-date=9 September 2011}}</ref> Elevation ranges from the mountains of the [[Dinaric Alps]] with the highest point of the [[Dinara]] peak at {{convert|1831|m|ft|abbr=off}} near the border with Bosnia and Herzegovina in the south<ref name="CIA"/> to the shore of the Adriatic Sea which makes up its entire southwest border. Insular Croatia consists of over [[a thousand islands and islets]] varying in size, 48 of which [[List of inhabited islands of Croatia|permanently inhabited]]. The largest islands are [[Cres]] and [[Krk]],<ref name="CIA"/> each of them having an area of around {{convert|405|km2||abbr=off}}.
[[File:Dugi otok island.jpg|thumb|right|[[Telašćica Nature Park]] is one of [[444 protected areas of Croatia|444 protected areas]].]]

The hilly northern parts of [[Hrvatsko Zagorje]] and the flat plains of Slavonia in the east which is part of the [[Pannonian Basin]] are traversed by major rivers such as [[Danube]], [[Drava]], [[Kupa]], and the [[Sava]]. The Danube, Europe's second longest river, runs through the city of [[Vukovar]] in the extreme east and forms part of the border with [[Vojvodina]]. The central and southern regions near the Adriatic coastline and islands consist of low mountains and forested highlands. Natural resources found in quantities significant enough for production include oil, coal, bauxite, low-grade iron ore, calcium, gypsum, natural asphalt, silica, mica, clays, salt, and hydropower.<ref name="CIA"/> [[Karst topography]] makes up about half of Croatia and is especially prominent in the Dinaric Alps.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.geografija.hr/clanci/1011/rasirenost-krsa-u-hrvatskoj |title=Raširenost krša u Hrvatskoj |trans-title=Presence of Karst in Croatia |language=hr |publisher=Croatian Geographic Society |date=18 December 2006 |first=Mate |last=Matas |access-date=18 October 2011 |work=geografija.hr |archive-date=9 June 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120609163634/http://www.geografija.hr/clanci/1011/rasirenost-krsa-u-hrvatskoj}}</ref> Croatia hosts [[List of caves in Croatia|deep caves]], 49 of which are deeper than {{convert|250|m|2|abbr=on}}, 14 deeper than {{convert|500|m|2|abbr=on}} and three deeper than {{convert|1000|m|2|abbr=on}}. Croatia's most famous lakes are the [[Plitvice lakes]], a system of 16 lakes with waterfalls connecting them over [[Dolomite (mineral)|dolomite]] and [[limestone]] cascades. The lakes are renowned for their distinctive colours, ranging from turquoise to mint green, grey or blue.<ref name="BBC-Plitvice">{{cite web|work=BBC |url=http://www.bbc.com/travel/feature/20110617-the-best-national-parks-of-europe |title=The best national parks of Europe |date=28 June 2011 |access-date=11 October 2011 |archive-date=1 July 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120701184734/http://www.bbc.com/travel/feature/20110617-the-best-national-parks-of-europe}}</ref>

=== Climate ===
Most of Croatia has a moderately warm and rainy [[continental climate]] as defined by the [[Köppen climate classification]]. Mean monthly temperature ranges between {{convert|-3|°C|°F|lk=on}} in January and {{convert|18|°C|°F|lk=off}} in July. The coldest parts of the country are [[Lika]] and [[Gorski Kotar]] featuring a snowy, forested climate at elevations above {{convert|1200|m|ft|abbr=off}}. The warmest areas are at the Adriatic coast and especially in its immediate hinterland characterised by [[Mediterranean climate]], as the sea moderates temperature highs. Consequently, temperature peaks are more pronounced in continental areas. 
[[File:Winter bora in Senj.jpg|thumb|left|[[Bora (wind)|Bora]] is a dry, cold wind which blows from the mainland out to sea, whose gusts can reach hurricane strength, particularly in the channel below [[Velebit]]. On the picture Bora in the town of [[Senj]].]]
The lowest temperature of {{convert|-35.5|°C|°F|lk=off}} was recorded on 3 February 1919 in [[Čakovec]], and the highest temperature of {{convert|42.8|°C|°F|lk=off}} was recorded on 4 August 1981 in [[Ploče]].{{sfn|Statistical Yearbook of the Republic of Croatia 2015|p=42}}<ref name="record temp">{{cite web|title=Najviša izmjerena temperatura zraka u Hrvatskoj za razdoblje od kada postoje meteorološka motrenja|url=http://klima.hr/razno.php?id=priopcenja&param=pr21072017|website=Klima.hr|publisher=[[Croatian Meteorological and Hydrological Service]]|access-date=1 August 2017|language=hr|date=21 July 2017}}</ref>

Mean annual precipitation ranges between {{convert|600|mm|in|abbr=off}} and {{convert|3500|mm|in|abbr=off}} depending on geographic region and climate type. The least precipitation is recorded in the outer islands ([[Biševo]], [[Lastovo]], [[Svetac]], [[Vis (island)|Vis]]) and the eastern parts of Slavonia. However, in the latter case, rain occurs mostly during the [[growing season]]. The maximum precipitation levels are observed on the Dinara mountain range and in Gorski Kotar.{{sfn|Statistical Yearbook of the Republic of Croatia 2015|p=42}}

Prevailing winds in the interior are light to moderate northeast or southwest, and in the coastal area, prevailing winds are determined by local features. Higher wind velocities are more often recorded in cooler months along the coast, generally as the cool northeasterly [[Bora (wind)|bura]] or less frequently as the warm southerly [[jugo]]. The sunniest parts are the outer islands, Hvar and Korčula, where more than 2700 hours of sunshine are recorded per year, followed by the middle and southern Adriatic Sea area in general, and northern Adriatic coast, all with more than 2000 hours of sunshine per year.{{sfn|Statistical Yearbook of the Republic of Croatia 2015|p=43}}

=== Biodiversity ===
{{Main|Protected areas of Croatia}}
{{Further|Register of Protected Natural Values of Croatia|Natural and Cultural Heritage of Croatia}}
[[File:Pearls_of_River_Krka.jpg|thumb|right|[[Krka National Park]], cascade waterfalls of [[Krka (Croatia)|river Krka]] called "Necklaces"]]
Croatia can be subdivided into [[ecoregion]]s based on climate and geomorphology. The country is one of the richest in Europe in terms of biodiversity.<ref>{{cite web|title=Biodiversity-rich Croatia becomes 33rd full EEA member country — European Environment Agency|url=https://www.eea.europa.eu/highlights/biodiversity-rich-croatia-becomes-33rd|access-date=23 January 2021|website=www.eea.europa.eu|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=EU 2020 HR|url=https://eu2020.hr/Home/Custom?code=CroatiaEU|access-date=23 January 2021|website=eu2020.hr}}</ref> Croatia has four types of biogeographical regions—the [[Mediterranean Biogeographic Region|Mediterranean]] along the coast and in its immediate hinterland, [[Alpine Biogeographic Region|Alpine]] in most of Lika and Gorski Kotar, [[Pannonian Biogeographic Region|Pannonian]] along Drava and Danube, and [[Continental Biogeographic Region|Continental]] in the remaining areas. The most significant are [[karst]] habitats which include submerged karst, such as [[Zrmanja]] and [[Krka (Croatia)|Krka]] canyons and tufa barriers, as well as underground habitats. The country contains three ecoregions: [[Dinaric Mountains mixed forests]], [[Pannonian mixed forests]], and [[Illyrian deciduous forests]].<ref name="DinersteinOlson2017">{{cite journal|last1=Dinerstein|first1=Eric|last2=Olson|first2=David|last3=Joshi|first3=Anup|last4=Vynne|first4=Carly|last5=Burgess|first5=Neil D.|last6=Wikramanayake|first6=Eric|last7=Hahn|first7=Nathan|last8=Palminteri|first8=Suzanne|last9=Hedao|first9=Prashant|last10=Noss|first10=Reed|last11=Hansen|first11=Matt|last12=Locke|first12=Harvey|last13=Ellis|first13=Erle C|last14=Jones|first14=Benjamin|last15=Barber|first15=Charles Victor|last16=Hayes|first16=Randy|last17=Kormos|first17=Cyril|last18=Martin|first18=Vance|last19=Crist|first19=Eileen|last20=Sechrest|first20=Wes|last21=Price|first21=Lori|last22=Baillie|first22=Jonathan E. M.|last23=Weeden|first23=Don|last24=Suckling|first24=Kierán|last25=Davis|first25=Crystal|last26=Sizer|first26=Nigel|last27=Moore|first27=Rebecca|last28=Thau|first28=David|last29=Birch|first29=Tanya|last30=Potapov|first30=Peter|last31=Turubanova|first31=Svetlana|last32=Tyukavina|first32=Alexandra|last33=de Souza|first33=Nadia|last34=Pintea|first34=Lilian|last35=Brito|first35=José C.|last36=Llewellyn|first36=Othman A.|last37=Miller|first37=Anthony G.|last38=Patzelt|first38=Annette|last39=Ghazanfar|first39=Shahina A.|last40=Timberlake|first40=Jonathan|last41=Klöser|first41=Heinz|last42=Shennan-Farpón|first42=Yara|last43=Kindt|first43=Roeland|last44=Lillesø|first44=Jens-Peter Barnekow|last45=van Breugel|first45=Paulo|last46=Graudal|first46=Lars|last47=Voge|first47=Maianna|last48=Al-Shammari|first48=Khalaf F.|last49=Saleem|first49=Muhammad|title=An Ecoregion-Based Approach to Protecting Half the Terrestrial Realm|journal=BioScience|volume=67|issue=6|year=2017|pages=534–545|issn=0006-3568|doi=10.1093/biosci/bix014|pmid=28608869|pmc=5451287}}</ref>

The karst geology harbours approximately [[List of caves in Croatia|7,000 caves and pits]], some of which are the habitat of the only known aquatic cave [[vertebrate]]—the [[olm]]. Forests are significantly present, as they cover {{convert|2490000|ha||abbr=off}} representing 44% of Croatian land area. Other habitat types include wetlands, grasslands, bogs, fens, scrub habitats, coastal and marine habitats.<ref name="MCult-Biodiversity">{{cite book|publisher=State Institute for Nature Protection, [[Ministry of Culture (Croatia)]]|url=http://www.dzzp.hr/dokumenti_upload/20120515/dzzp201205151608230.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://www.dzzp.hr/dokumenti_upload/20120515/dzzp201205151608230.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live|title=Biodiversity of Croatia|year= 2006|editor-first=Jasminka|editor-last=Radović|editor-first2=Kristijan|editor-last2=Čivić|editor-first3= Ramona|editor-last3= Topić|isbn=953-7169-20-0|access-date=13 October 2011}}</ref>

In terms of [[phytogeography]], Croatia is a part of the [[Boreal Kingdom]] and is a part of Illyrian and Central European provinces of the [[Circumboreal Region]] and the Adriatic province of the [[Mediterranean Region]]. The [[World Wide Fund for Nature]] divides Croatia between three ecoregions—Pannonian mixed forests, [[Dinaric Mountains mixed forests]] and [[Illyrian deciduous forests]].<ref name="DU-Sustdev">{{cite web|publisher=6th Dubrovnik Conference on Sustainable Development of Energy, Water and Environment Systems|url=http://www.dubrovnik2011.sdewes.org/venue.php|title=Venue|access-date=13 October 2011}}</ref>
[[File:8. SKYWALK (BIOKOVO).jpg|thumb|left|Skywalk in [[Biokovo Nature Park]]]]

Croatia hosts 37,000 known plant and animal species, but their actual number is estimated to be between 50,000 and 100,000.<ref name="MCult-Biodiversity"/> More than a thousand species are endemic, especially in Velebit and Biokovo mountains, Adriatic islands and karst rivers. Legislation protects 1,131 species.<ref name="MCult-Biodiversity"/> The most serious threat is habitat loss and degradation. A further problem is presented by invasive alien species, especially ''[[Caulerpa taxifolia]]'' algae. Croatia had a 2018 [[Forest Landscape Integrity Index]] mean score of 4.92/10, ranking it 113th of 172 countries.<ref name="FLII-Supplementary">{{cite journal|last1=Grantham|first1=H. S.|last2=Duncan|first2=A.|last3=Evans|first3=T. D.|last4=Jones|first4=K. R.|last5=Beyer|first5=H. L.|last6=Schuster|first6=R.|last7=Walston|first7=J.|last8=Ray|first8=J. C.|last9=Robinson|first9=J. G.|last10=Callow|first10=M.|last11=Clements|first11=T.|last12=Costa|first12=H. M.|last13=DeGemmis|first13=A.|last14=Elsen|first14=P. R.|last15=Ervin|first15=J.|last16=Franco|first16=P.|last17=Goldman|first17=E.|last18=Goetz|first18=S.|last19=Hansen|first19=A.|last20=Hofsvang|first20=E.|last21=Jantz|first21=P.|last22=Jupiter|first22=S.|last23=Kang|first23=A.|last24=Langhammer|first24=P.|last25=Laurance|first25=W. F.|last26=Lieberman|first26=S.|last27=Linkie|first27=M.|last28=Malhi|first28=Y.|last29=Maxwell|first29=S.|last30=Mendez|first30=M.|last31=Mittermeier|first31=R.|last32=Murray|first32=N. J.|last33=Possingham|first33=H.|last34=Radachowsky|first34=J.|last35=Saatchi|first35=S.|last36=Samper|first36=C.|last37=Silverman|first37=J.|last38=Shapiro|first38=A.|last39=Strassburg|first39=B.|last40=Stevens|first40=T.|last41=Stokes|first41=E.|last42=Taylor|first42=R.|last43=Tear|first43=T.|last44=Tizard|first44=R.|last45=Venter|first45=O.|last46=Visconti|first46=P.|last47=Wang|first47=S.|last48=Watson|first48=J. E. M.|title=Anthropogenic modification of forests means only 40% of remaining forests have high ecosystem integrity – Supplementary Material|journal=Nature Communications|volume=11|issue=1|year=2020|page=5978|issn=2041-1723|doi=10.1038/s41467-020-19493-3|pmid=33293507|pmc=7723057|bibcode=2020NatCo..11.5978G }}</ref>

Invasive algae are regularly monitored and removed to protect [[benthic habitat]]. Indigenous cultivated plant strains and domesticated animal breeds are numerous. They include five breeds of horses, five of cattle, eight of sheep, two of pigs, and one poultry. Indigenous breeds include nine that are endangered or critically endangered.<ref name="MCult-Biodiversity"/> Croatia has 444 [[protected areas of Croatia|protected areas]], encompassing 9% of the country. Those include eight [[List of national parks of Croatia|national parks]], two strict reserves, and ten [[nature park]]s. The most famous protected area and the oldest [[national park]] in Croatia is [[Plitvice Lakes National Park]], a [[World Heritage Sites in Croatia|UNESCO World Heritage Site]]. Velebit Nature Park is a part of the UNESCO [[Man and the Biosphere Programme]]. The strict and special reserves, as well as the national and nature parks, are managed and protected by the central government, while other protected areas are managed by counties. In 2005, the National Ecological Network was set up, as the first step in the preparation of the EU accession and joining of the [[Natura 2000]] network.<ref name="MCult-Biodiversity"/>

== Governance ==
{{further|Politics of Croatia|Human rights in Croatia}}

The Republic of Croatia is a unitary, constitutional state using a [[parliamentary system]]. Government powers in Croatia are legislative, executive, and judiciary powers.<ref name="VRH-PoliticalStructure">{{cite web|publisher=[[Government of Croatia]]|url=http://www.vlada.hr/en/about_croatia/information/political_structure|title=Political Structure|date=6 May 2007|access-date=14 October 2011|archive-date=5 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130905201133/http://www.vlada.hr/en/about_croatia/information/political_structure|url-status=dead}}</ref>
The [[President of Croatia|president of the republic]] ({{lang-hr|Predsjednik Republike}}) is the [[head of state]], directly elected to a five-year term and is limited by the Constitution to two terms. In addition to serving as [[commander in chief]] of the armed forces, the president has the procedural duty of appointing the prime minister with the parliament and has some influence on foreign policy.<ref name="VRH-PoliticalStructure"/>
{{Multiple image
| caption_align     = center
| align             = right
| direction         = vertical
| image1            = Sabor-pročelje.jpg
| image2            = St._Mark's_Square_(13023806233).jpg
| caption1          = [[Croatian Parliament|Croatian Parliament (Sabor)]] 
| caption2          = [[Banski dvori]], seat of the [[Government of Croatia]]
}}
The [[Croatian Government|Government]] is headed by the [[Prime Minister of Croatia|prime minister]], who has four deputy prime ministers and 16 ministers in charge of particular sectors.<ref name="Govt-Ministers">{{cite web|publisher=Government of Croatia|url=http://www.vlada.hr/en/naslovnica/o_vladi_rh/clanovi_vlade|title=Members of the Government|access-date=14 October 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130604052735/http://www.vlada.hr/en/naslovnica/o_vladi_rh/clanovi_vlade|archive-date=4 June 2013}}</ref> As the [[Executive (government)|executive branch]], it is responsible for proposing legislation and a budget, enforcing the laws, and guiding foreign and internal policies. The Government is seated at [[Banski dvori]] in Zagreb.<ref name="VRH-PoliticalStructure" />

=== Law and judicial system ===
{{further|Law of Croatia}}
A [[unicameral]] parliament (''{{lang|hr|Sabor}}'') holds [[legislative power]]. The number of Sabor members can vary from 100 to 160. They are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms. Legislative sessions take place from 15 January to 15 July, and from 15 September to 15 December annually.<ref name="Sabor-about">{{cite web|publisher=Sabor|url=http://www.sabor.hr/Default.aspx?sec=713|title=About the Parliament|access-date=14 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160706061905/http://www.sabor.hr/Default.aspx?sec=713|archive-date=6 July 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> The two largest [[political parties in Croatia]] are the [[Croatian Democratic Union]] and the [[Social Democratic Party of Croatia]].<ref name="Sabor-MPs">{{cite web|publisher=Sabor|title=Members of the 6th Parliament|url=http://www.sabor.hr/Default.aspx?sec=776|access-date=14 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160706062229/http://www.sabor.hr/Default.aspx?sec=776|archive-date=6 July 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Croatia has a [[civil law (legal system)|civil law]] legal system in which law arises primarily from written statutes, with judges serving as implementers and not creators of law. Its development was largely influenced by German and Austrian legal systems. Croatian law is divided into two principal areas—[[Private law|private]] and [[public law]]. Before [[Accession of Croatia to the European Union|EU accession negotiations]] were completed, Croatian legislation had been fully harmonised with the [[Community acquis]].<ref name="DELHRV-overview">{{cite web|publisher=Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Croatia|url=http://www.delhrv.ec.europa.eu/?lang=en&content=62|title=Overview of EU–Croatia relations|access-date=14 October 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120326105744/http://www.delhrv.ec.europa.eu/?lang=en&content=62|archive-date=26 March 2012}}</ref>

The main national courts are the [[Constitutional Court of Croatia|Constitutional Court]], which oversees violations of the Constitution, and the [[Supreme Court of Croatia|Supreme Court]], which is the highest court of appeal. Administrative, Commercial, [[County Court|County]], Misdemeanor, and Municipal courts handle cases in their respective domains.<ref name="VSRH-about">{{cite web|publisher=[[Croatian Supreme Court]]|url=http://www.vsrh.hr/EasyWeb.asp?pcpid=31|language=hr|title=Ustavne odredbe|trans-title=Provisions of the Constitution|date=21 May 2010|access-date=14 October 2011}}</ref> Cases falling within judicial jurisdiction are in the first instance decided by a single professional judge, while appeals are deliberated in mixed tribunals of professional judges. Lay magistrates also participate in trials.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://narodne-novine.nn.hr/clanci/sluzbeni/2013_03_28_473.html|title=Zakon o sudovima|website=narodne-novine.nn.hr}}</ref> The [[State's Attorney Office of the Republic of Croatia|State's Attorney Office]] is the judicial body constituted of public prosecutors empowered to instigate prosecution of perpetrators of offences.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dorh.hr/Default.aspx?sec=627|title=Državno odvjetništvo Republike Hrvatske|website=www.dorh.hr}}</ref>

Law enforcement agencies are organised under the authority of the [[Ministry of the Interior (Croatia)|Ministry of the Interior]] which consist primarily of the national police force. Croatia's security service is the [[Security and Intelligence Agency (Croatia)|Security and Intelligence Agency]] (SOA).<ref>{{cite web|title=SOA – Security-intelligence system of the Republic of Croatia|url=https://www.soa.hr/en/about-us/security-intelligence-system-of-the-republic-of-croatia/|access-date=23 January 2021|website=www.soa.hr}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last1=Graaff|first1=Bob de|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_00UDQAAQBAJ&q=Handbook+of+European+Intelligence+Cultures|title=Handbook of European Intelligence Cultures|last2=Nyce|first2=James M.|date=2 August 2016|publisher=Rowman & Littlefield|isbn=978-1-4422-4942-4|location=|page=73|language=en}}</ref>

=== Foreign relations ===
{{Main|Foreign relations of Croatia|Croatia and the euro}}
Croatia has established diplomatic relations with 194 countries.<ref>{{cite web|title=MVEP • Date of Recognition and Establishment of Diplomatic Relations|url=http://www.mvep.hr/en/foreign-politics/bilateral-relations/date-of-recognition-and-establishment-of-diplomatic-relations/|access-date=23 January 2021|website=www.mvep.hr}}</ref> supporting 57 embassies, 30 consulates and eight permanent diplomatic missions. 56 foreign embassies and 67 [[Consul (representative)|consulates]] operate in the country in addition to offices of international organisations such as the [[European Bank for Reconstruction and Development]] (EBRD), [[International Organization for Migration]] (IOM), [[Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe]] (OSCE), [[World Bank]], [[World Health Organization]] (WHO), [[International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia]] (ICTY), [[United Nations Development Programme]] (UNDP), [[United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees]] (UNHCR), and [[UNICEF]].<ref>{{cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=MVEP • Diplomatski protokol|url=http://www.mvep.hr/hr/ministarstvo/diplomatski-protokol/|access-date=23 January 2021|website=www.mvep.hr|language=hr}}</ref>
[[File:Family photo from 2023 NATO Vilnius summit (53038388599).jpg|thumb|President [[Zoran Milanović]] on [[NATO]] summit on 11 July 2023, [[Vilnius]], Lithuania. The accession of Croatia to [[NATO]] took place in 2009.]]

As of 2019, the Croatian [[Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration (Croatia)|Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration]] employed 1,381{{Update span|text=|date=January 2021}} personnel and expended 765.295&nbsp;million kunas (€101.17&nbsp;million).<ref>{{cite web|title=MVEP • Godišnje financijsko izvješće za 2019. godinu|url=http://www.mvep.hr/hr/ministarstvo/proracun/godisnje-financijsko-izvjesce-za-2019-godinu/|access-date=23 January 2021|website=www.mvep.hr}}</ref> Stated aims of Croatian foreign policy include enhancing relations with neighbouring countries, developing international co-operation and promotion of the Croatian economy and Croatia itself.<ref name="MVPEI-Goals">{{cite web|publisher=Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration (Croatia)|url=http://un.mfa.hr/?mh=151&mv=840|title=Foreign Policy Aims|access-date=24 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120127073846/http://un.mfa.hr/?mh=151&mv=840|archive-date=27 January 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Croatia is a member of the European Union. As of 2021, Croatia had unsolved border issues with Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia, and Slovenia.<ref name="Border issues">{{cite news|publisher=total-croatia-news.com|url=https://www.total-croatia-news.com/politics/16084-overview-of-croatia-s-border-disputes-with-bij-montenegro-serbia-slovenia-liberland|title=Overview of Croatia's Border Disputes with BiH, Montenegro, Serbia, Slovenia, Liberland|date=22 January 2017|access-date=1 January 2019}}</ref> Croatia is a member of NATO.<ref name="NYTimes-Bush-Zagreb">{{cite news|newspaper=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/05/world/europe/05cnd-prexy.html|title=Bush Champions Expansive Mission for NATO|date=5 April 2008|author=Steven Lee Myers|access-date=24 September 2011}}</ref><ref name="BBC-Croatia-NATO">{{cite news|publisher=BBC News|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/7977332.stm|title=Nato welcomes Albania and Croatia|date=1 April 2009|access-date=24 September 2011}}</ref> On 1 January 2023, Croatia simultaneously joined both the [[Schengen Area]] and the [[Eurozone]],<ref name="BBC-Croatia-EU">{{cite news|publisher=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-64144309|title=Croatia begins new euro and Schengen zone era|date=1 January 2023|access-date=1 January 2023}}</ref> having previously joined the ERM II on 10 July 2020.

===Croatian diaspora===
{{Main|Croatian diaspora}}
The Croatian diaspora consists of communities of ethnic [[Croats]] and Croatian citizens living outside Croatia. Croatia maintains intensive contacts with Croatian communities abroad (e.g., administrative and financial support of cultural, sports activities, and economic initiatives). Croatia actively maintain foreign relations to strengthen and guarantee the rights of the Croatian minority in various host countries.<ref>{{Cite web| url= https://hrvatiizvanrh.gov.hr/hrvati-izvan-rh/hrvatska-manjina-u-inozemstvu/hrvatska-manjina-u-republici-srbiji/748|title= Hrvatska manjina u Republici Srbiji|website=hrvatiizvanrh.gov.hr |publisher=Središnji državni ured za Hrvate izvan Republike Hrvatske (Central State Office for Croats Outside the Republic of Croatia)}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url= https://www.info.hazu.hr/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Glasnik-Broj-2.pdf |quote= The Presidency of the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts, in a session held on 12 September 2014, made the following statement explaining that the Bunjevci Croats form an integral part of the Croatian national corpus. The Presidency of the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts, one of the fundamental institutions of the Croatian nation and of all the citizens of the Republic of Croatia, among the roles of which belongs the preservation of national identity, made the following statement in a session held on 12 September 2014: The Bunjevci, a Croatian ethnic group, are made up of three branches: the Dalmatian-Herzegovinian branch; the Primorje-Lika branch; and the Danube Region branch. Not encroaching on the right of any individual to express their national affiliation based on their origin, history, traditional culture, customs and language – the western new-Štokavian and Ikavian – the Bunjevci Croats form an integral part of the Croatian national corpus.| title= Statement by the Presidency of the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts regarding the Bunjevci Croats| date= 2014| page= 53| publisher= Glasnik HAZU| volume= 2 | website= info.hazu.hr}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url= https://hrvatiizvanrh.gov.hr/hrvati-izvan-rh/hrvatska-manjina-u-inozemstvu/1616| website= hrvatiizvanrh.gov.hr|title=Hrvatska manjina u inozemstvu}}</ref>

=== Military ===
{{Main|Armed Forces of Croatia}}
{{Multiple image
| caption_align     = center
| align             = right
| direction         = vertical
| image1            = US Navy 021029-N-1955P-020 Navy aircraft participate in Joint Wings 2002.jpg
| image2            = 16 obljetnica vojnoredarstvene operacije Oluja 05082011 Kninska tvrdjava 155.jpg
| caption1          = [[Croatian Air Force]] and [[US Navy]] aircraft participate in multinational training, 2002
| caption2          = [[Army of Croatia|Croatian soldiers]] raising the flag on the [[Knin fortress]] at a commemoration of the [[Operation Storm]], the Croatian military action which liberated occupied Croatian territories in 1995
}}

The Croatian Armed Forces (CAF) consist of the [[Croatian Air Force and Air Defence|Air Force]], [[Croatian Army|Army]], and [[Croatian Navy|Navy]] branches in addition to the Education and Training Command and Support Command. The CAF is headed by the [[General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Croatia|General Staff]], which reports to the [[Ministry of Defence (Croatia)|defence minister]], who in turn reports to the president. According to the constitution, the president is the [[commander-in-chief]] of the armed forces. In case of immediate threat during wartime, he issues orders directly to the General Staff.<ref name="CAFstructure">{{cite web|url=http://www.osrh.hr/prikaz_en.asp?idi=100&kati=2|title=Chain of Command in the CAF|publisher=Croatian Ministry of Defence|access-date=2 July 2012}}</ref>

Following the 1991–95 war, defence spending and CAF size began a constant decline. {{As of|2019}}, military spending was an estimated 1.68% of the country's GDP, 67th globally.<ref>{{Cite CIA World Factbook|country=Croatia|access-date=23 January 2021}}</ref> In 2005 the budget fell below the NATO-required 2% of GDP, down from the record high of 11.1% in 1994.<ref name="sipri">{{cite web|url=http://milexdata.sipri.org/ |title=SIPRI Military Expenditure Database |publisher=[[Stockholm International Peace Research Institute]] |access-date=9 September 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100328072123/http://milexdata.sipri.org/ |archive-date=28 March 2010 }}</ref> Traditionally relying on conscripts, the CAF went through a period of reforms focused on downsizing, restructuring and [[professionalisation]] in the years before [[Accession of Croatia to NATO|accession to NATO]] in April 2009. According to a presidential decree issued in 2006, the CAF employed around 18,100 active duty military personnel, 3,000 civilians and 2,000 voluntary conscripts between 18 and 30 years old in peacetime.<ref name="CAFstructure"/>

Compulsory conscription was abolished in January 2008.<ref name="CIA"/> Until 2008 military service was obligatory for men at age 18 and conscripts served six-month tours of duty, reduced in 2001 from the earlier scheme of nine months. Conscientious objectors could instead opt for eight months of civilian service.<ref name="vojnirokkraci">{{cite news |url=http://www.monitor.hr/clanci/vojni-rok-u-hrvatskoj-kraci-nego-drugdje-u-europi-i-nato-u/11191/ |title=Vojni rok u Hrvatskoj kraći, nego drugdje u Europi i NATO-u|first=Milan|last=Jelovac|date=23 January 2001|newspaper=Vjesnik|language=hr|access-date=9 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120127065234/http://www.monitor.hr/clanci/vojni-rok-u-hrvatskoj-kraci-nego-drugdje-u-europi-i-nato-u/11191/|archive-date=27 January 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>

{{As of|2019|5}}, the Croatian military had 72 members stationed in foreign countries as part of United Nations-led international peacekeeping forces.<ref>{{cite web|title=Hrvatska u najviše misija UN-a|url=https://www.nacional.hr/hrvatska-u-najvise-misija-un-a/|access-date=23 January 2021|website=NACIONAL.HR|date=28 June 2019 |language=hr}}</ref> {{As of|2019}}, 323 troops served the NATO-led [[International Security Assistance Force|ISAF]] force in Afghanistan. Another 156 served with [[Kosovo Force|KFOR]] in Kosovo.<ref>{{cite web|title=GODIŠNJE IZVJEŠĆE O OBRANI za 2019. – podnositeljica: Vlada Republike Hrvatske|url=http://sabor.hr/hr/godisnje-izvjesce-o-obrani-za-2019-podnositeljica-vlada-republike-hrvatske|access-date=23 January 2021|website=Hrvatski sabor|date=3 September 2020 |language=hr}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=|first=|date=3 September 2020|title=Godišnje izvješće o obrani za 2019.|url=https://vlada.gov.hr/UserDocsImages/2016/Sjednice/2020/Rujan/7%20sjednicaVRH/7%20-%2010%20novo.docx|access-date=|website=|publisher=[[Government of Croatia|Vlada Republike Hrvatske]]|page=95|language=hr}}</ref>

Croatia has a [[military industry|military-industrial]] sector that exported around 493&nbsp;million kunas (€65,176&nbsp;million) worth of military equipment in 2020.<ref>{{cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Izvješće obavijeno tajnom: Prošla je godina za hrvatsku vojnu industriju bila najlošija u proteklih pet, pa i više|url=https://www.poslovni.hr/hrvatska/trump-je-bio-otrovna-pilula-za-nas-izvoz-oruzja-oporaviti-bi-ga-mogla-korona-4234487|access-date=23 January 2021|website=|language=hr}}</ref> Croatian-made weapons and vehicles used by CAF include the standard sidearm [[HS2000]] manufactured by [[HS Produkt]] and the [[M-84D]] battle tank designed by the [[Đuro Đaković factory]]. Uniforms and helmets worn by CAF soldiers are locally produced and marketed to other countries.<ref name="vojna ind">{{cite news|last=Franičević|first=Mile|date=6 March 2011|title=Hrvatski izvoz oružja i opreme lani narastao na 650 milijuna kuna|language=hr|newspaper=Vjesnik|url=http://www.vjesnik.hr/Article.aspx?ID=12C86DFB-1818-459C-B8E6-687AFABF57A2|url-status=dead|access-date=9 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120404120455/http://www.vjesnik.hr/Article.aspx?ID=12C86DFB-1818-459C-B8E6-687AFABF57A2|archive-date=4 April 2012}}</ref>

=== Administrative divisions ===
{{Main|Counties of Croatia}}
{{Further|NUTS of Croatia}}

Croatia was first divided into counties in the [[Middle Ages]].<ref name="Medieval-Counties">{{cite journal |publisher=[[Školska knjiga]] |journal=Historijski Zbornik |volume=5 |issue=1–2 |year=1952 |url=http://www.historiografija.hr/hz/1952/HZ_5_11_MANDIC.pdf |first=Oleg |last=Mandić |language=hr |title=O nekim pitanjima društvenog uređenja Hrvatske u srednjem vijeku |trans-title=On some issues of social system of Croatia in the Middle Ages |pages=131–138 |access-date=9 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190808023945/http://www.historiografija.hr/hz/1952/HZ_5_11_MANDIC.pdf |archive-date=8 August 2019 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The divisions changed over time to reflect losses of territory to Ottoman conquest and subsequent liberation of the same territory, changes of the political status of Dalmatia, Dubrovnik, and [[Istria]]. The traditional division of the country into counties was abolished in the 1920s when the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes and the subsequent Kingdom of Yugoslavia introduced [[oblast]]s and [[Subdivisions of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia|banovinas]] respectively.{{sfn|Frucht|2005|p=429}}
[[File:Castle of Varazdin (17).jpg|thumb|[[Varaždin]], capital of Croatia between 1767 and 1776, is the seat of [[Varaždin county]]; Pictured: Old Town fortress, one of 15 Croatia's sites inscribed on the [[List of World Heritage Sites in Croatia#Tentative list|UNESCO World Heritage tentative list]]]]

Communist-ruled Croatia, as a constituent part of post-World War II Yugoslavia, abolished earlier divisions and introduced municipalities, subdividing Croatia into approximately one hundred municipalities. Counties were reintroduced in 1992 legislation, significantly altered in terms of territory relative to the pre-1920s subdivisions. In 1918, the [[Transleithania]]n part was divided into eight counties with their seats in [[Bjelovar]], [[Gospić]], [[Ogulin]], [[Osijek]], [[Požega, Croatia|Požega]], [[Varaždin]], Vukovar, and Zagreb.{{sfn|Biondich|2000|p=11}}<ref name="CountiesAct1992">{{cite news|newspaper=[[Narodne novine]] |date=30 December 1992 |access-date=9 September 2011 |language=hr |title=Zakon o područjima županija, gradova i općina u Republici Hrvatskoj |trans-title=Territories of Counties, Cities and Municipalities of the Republic of Croatia Act |url=http://narodne-novine.nn.hr/clanci/sluzbeni/1992_12_90_2333.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130828162010/http://narodne-novine.nn.hr/clanci/sluzbeni/1992_12_90_2333.html |archive-date=28 August 2013 }}</ref>

As of 1992, Croatia is divided into [[Counties of Croatia|20 counties]] and the [[capital city of Zagreb]], the latter having the dual authority and legal status of a county and a city. County borders changed in some instances, last revised in 2006. The counties subdivide into [[List of cities in Croatia|127 cities]] and [[Municipalities of Croatia|429 municipalities]].<ref name="CountiesAct2006">{{cite news|newspaper=Narodne novine|date=28 July 2006|access-date=9 September 2011|language=hr|title=Zakon o područjima županija, gradova i općina u Republici Hrvatskoj|trans-title=Territories of Counties, Cities and Municipalities of the Republic of Croatia Act|url=http://narodne-novine.nn.hr/clanci/sluzbeni/2006_07_86_2045.html}}</ref> [[Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics]] (NUTS) [[division of Croatia|division]] is performed in several tiers. NUTS 1 level considers the entire country in a single unit; three NUTS 2 regions come below that. Those are Northwest Croatia, Central and Eastern (Pannonian) Croatia, and Adriatic Croatia. The latter encompasses the counties along the Adriatic coast. Northwest Croatia includes Koprivnica-Križevci, Krapina-Zagorje, Međimurje, Varaždin, the city of Zagreb, and Zagreb counties and the Central and Eastern (Pannonian) Croatia includes the remaining areas—Bjelovar-Bilogora, Brod-Posavina, Karlovac, Osijek-Baranja, Požega-Slavonia, Sisak-Moslavina, Virovitica-Podravina, and Vukovar-Syrmia counties. Individual counties and the city of Zagreb also represent NUTS 3 level subdivision units in Croatia. The NUTS [[Administrative division|local administrative unit]] divisions are two-tiered. LAU 1 divisions match the counties and the city of Zagreb in effect making those the same as NUTS 3 units, while LAU 2 subdivisions correspond to cities and municipalities.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=[[Council of Europe]]|language=hr|url=http://www.coe.int/t/dg4/cultureheritage/heritage/cemat/confminist1-15/15eCEMAT_National_Report_Croatia_2010_HR.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://www.coe.int/t/dg4/cultureheritage/heritage/cemat/confminist1-15/15eCEMAT_National_Report_Croatia_2010_HR.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live|title=Nacionalno izviješće Hrvatska|trans-title=Croatia National Report|date=January 2010|access-date=25 February 2012}}</ref>

{{Croatian counties}}{{-}}

== Economy ==
{{main|Economy of Croatia}}
{{Update section|date=June 2022}}
[[File:Eurozone.svg|thumb|left|upright=1.0|On January 1, 2023, Croatia replaced the [[Croatian kuna|kuna]] as its national currency and adopted the [[euro]], on the same day Croatia became part of the [[Schengen zone]].]]

Croatia's economy qualifies as [[high-income]].<ref name="World Bank Country Classification">{{cite web |url=https://datahelpdesk.worldbank.org/knowledgebase/articles/906519#High_income |title=Country and Lending Groups |publisher=World Bank |access-date=10 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180111190936/https://datahelpdesk.worldbank.org/knowledgebase/articles/906519#High_income |archive-date=11 January 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[International Monetary Fund]] data projected that Croatian [[nominal GDP]] reached $67,84 billion, or $17.398 per capita for 2021<ref>{{cite web |title=Croatia {{!}} Data |url=https://data.worldbank.org/country/croatia?view=chart |access-date=2022-08-26 |website=data.worldbank.org}}</ref> while [[purchasing power parity]] GDP was $132,88 billion, or $32.942 per capita.<ref>{{cite web |title=Report for Selected Countries and Subjects |url=https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/WEO/weo-database/2022/April/weo-report |access-date=2022-08-26 |website=IMF |language=en}}</ref> According to [[Eurostat]], Croatian GDP per capita in PPS stood at 65% of the EU average in 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/tgm/graph.do?tab=graph&plugin=1&pcode=tec00114&language=en&toolbox=type |title=GDP per capita in PPS |publisher=[[Eurostat]] |website=ec.europa.eu |access-date=18 June 2020}}</ref> Real GDP growth in 2022 was 6.2 per cent.<ref name="Eurostat-GDPGrowth">{{cite web |url=https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/tec00115/default/table?lang=en |title=Real GDP growth rate – volume |publisher=Eurostat |access-date=24 July 2023}}</ref> The average net salary of a Croatian worker in October 2019 was 6,496 [[Croatian kuna|HRK]] per month (roughly 873 EUR), and the average gross salary was 8,813 HRK per month (roughly 1,185 EUR).<ref name="salary7161">{{cite web|url=http://www.dzs.hr/default_e.htm |title=Republic of Croatia – Croatian Bureau of Statistics |publisher=Dzs.hr |access-date=23 March 2017}}</ref> {{as of|2019|July}}, the unemployment rate dropped to 7.2% from 9.6% in December 2018. The number of unemployed persons was 106.703. The unemployment rate between 1996 and 2018 averaged 17.38%, reaching an all-time high of 23.60% in January 2002 and a record low of 8.40% in September 2018.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theglobaleconomy.com/Croatia/Unemployment_rate/ |title=Croatia Unemployment Rate |publisher=The Global Economy.com |access-date=3 February 2019}}</ref> In 2017, economic output was dominated by the [[service sector]] — accounting for 70.1% of GDP — followed by the [[industrial sector]] with 26.2% and agriculture accounting for 3.7%.<ref name="cia">{{Cite CIA World Factbook|country=Croatia|date=22 September 2021}}</ref>

According to 2017 data, 1.9% of the workforce were employed in agriculture, 27.3% by industry and 70.8% in services.<ref name="cia"/> Shipbuilding, food processing, pharmaceuticals, information technology, biochemical, and timber industry dominate the industrial sector. In 2018, Croatian exports were valued at 108&nbsp;billion kunas (€14.61&nbsp;billion) with 176&nbsp;billion kunas (€23.82&nbsp;billion) worth of imports. Croatia's largest [[international trade|trading partner]] was the rest of the European Union, led by Germany, Italy, and Slovenia.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dzs.hr/Hrv_Eng/publication/2019/04-02-02_01_2019.htm|title=ROBNA RAZMJENA REPUBLIKE HRVATSKE S INOZEMSTVOM u 2018.KONAČNI PODACI/FOREIGN TRADE IN GOODS OF THE REPUBLIC OF CROATIA, 2018 FINAL DATA|website=www.dzs.hr}}</ref>

As a result of the war, economic infrastructure sustained massive damage, particularly the tourism industry. From 1989 to 1993, the GDP fell 40.5%. The Croatian state still controls significant economic sectors, with government expenditures accounting for 40% of GDP.<ref name="DOS">{{cite web|url=http://m.state.gov/md3166.htm|title=Background Note: Croatia|publisher=[[United States Department of State]]|access-date=4 December 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100527221958/http://m.state.gov/md3166.htm|archive-date=27 May 2010}}</ref> A particular concern is a backlogged judiciary system, with inefficient [[public administration]] and corruption, upending land ownership. In the 2022 [[Corruption Perceptions Index]], published by [[Transparency International]], the country ranked 57th.<ref name="ti_2022">{{cite web |title=CPI 2022 |date=31 January 2023 |url=https://www.transparency.org/en/cpi/2022 |access-date=18 April 2023 |publisher=[[Transparency International]]}}</ref> At the end of June 2020, the national debt stood at 85.3% of GDP.<ref>{{cite web|date=14 October 2020|title=Novac – Javni dug dosegnuo rekord: njegov udjel u BDP-u narastao na 85,3 posto|url=https://novac.jutarnji.hr/novac/aktualno/javni-dug-dosegnuo-rekord-njegov-udjel-u-bdp-u-narastao-na-85-3-posto-15025143|access-date=23 January 2021|website=novac.jutarnji.hr|language=hr-hr}}</ref>

=== Tourism ===
{{main|Tourism in Croatia|Croatian National Tourist Board}}
[[File:1 dubrovnik pano - edit1.jpg|thumb|upright=1.0|[[Dubrovnik]] is one of Croatia's most popular tourist destinations.]]
[[File:Island Brac (20785918360).jpg|thumb|upright=1.0|[[Zlatni Rat]] beach on the Island of [[Brač]] is one of the foremost spots of [[tourism in Croatia]].]]
Tourism dominates the Croatian service sector and accounts for up to 20% of GDP. Tourism income for 2019 was estimated to be €10.5&nbsp;billion.<ref>{{cite web|title=Hrvatsku posjetilo 6,8 milijuna gostiju, otkrivamo kolika će biti zarada od turizma|url=https://www.vecernji.hr/vijesti/hrvatsku-posjetilo-68-milijuna-gostiju-otkrivamo-kolika-ce-ove-godine-biti-zarada-od-turizma-1428221|access-date=23 January 2021|website=www.vecernji.hr|language=hr}}</ref> Its positive effects are felt throughout the economy, increasing retail business, and increasing seasonal employment. The industry is counted as an export business because foreign visitor spending significantly reduces the country's trade imbalance.<ref>{{cite news|newspaper=Vjesnik|url=http://www.vjesnik.hr/Article.aspx?ID=D37B6CB1-C728-44FE-94C7-8C80B4EA582F|archive-date=14 June 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/68PYhbBry?url=http://www.vjesnik.hr/Article.aspx?ID=D37B6CB1-C728-44FE-94C7-8C80B4EA582F|language=hr|title=Iako čini gotovo petinu BDP-a, i dalje niskoprofitabilna grana domaće privrede|trans-title=Even though it comprises nearly a fifth of the GDP, it is still a low-profit branch of the national economy|first1=Tomislav|last1=Pili|first2=Davor|last2=Verković|date=1 October 2011|access-date=20 October 2011}}</ref> The tourist industry has rapidly grown, recording a fourfold rise in tourist numbers since independence, attracting more than 11&nbsp;million visitors each year.{{sfn|2013 Statistical Yearbook of the Republic of Croatia|p=412}} Germany, Slovenia, Austria, Italy, Poland and Croatia itself provide the most visitors.{{sfn|2013 Statistical Yearbook of the Republic of Croatia|p=415}} Tourist stays averaged 4.7 days in 2019.<ref>{{cite web|last=|first=|date=28 February 2020|title=DOLASCI i NOĆENJA TURISTA u 2019.|url=https://www.dzs.hr/Hrv_Eng/publication/2019/04-03-02_01_2019.htm|access-date=|website=[[Croatian Bureau of Statistics]]}}</ref>

Much of the tourist industry is concentrated along the coast. [[Opatija]] was the first holiday resort. It first became popular in the middle of the 19th century. By the 1890s, it had become one of the largest European health resorts.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=Opatija Tourist Board|url=http://www.opatija-tourism.hr/en/Home.aspx?PageID=5|title=History of Opatija|access-date=21 October 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120429102936/http://www.opatija-tourism.hr/en/Home.aspx?PageID=5|archive-date=29 April 2012}}</ref> Resorts sprang up along the coast and islands, offering services catering to [[mass tourism]] and various niche markets. The most significant are [[nautical tourism]], supported by marinas with more than 16&nbsp;thousand berths, [[cultural tourism]] relying on the appeal of medieval coastal cities and cultural events taking place during the summer. Inland areas offer [[agrotourism]], [[mountain resort]]s, and [[spa]]s. Zagreb is a significant destination, rivalling major coastal cities and resorts.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=[[Croatian National Tourist Board]]|url=http://croatia.hr/en-GB/Activities-and-attractions|title=Activities and attractions|access-date=21 October 2011}}</ref>

Croatia has unpolluted marine areas with nature reserves and 116 [[Blue Flag beach]]es.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blueflag.org/Menu/Awarded+sites/2011/Northern+Hemisphere/Croatia|title=Croatia|access-date=21 October 2011|publisher=[[Foundation for Environmental Education]]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111202124844/http://www.blueflag.org/Menu/Awarded+sites/2011/Northern+Hemisphere/Croatia|archive-date=2 December 2011}}</ref> Croatia was ranked first in Europe for swimming water quality in 2022 by [[European Environmental Agency]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.croatiaweek.com/croatia-again-top-in-europe-for-swimming-water-quality/ |title=Croatia again top in Europe for swimming water quality |website=croariaweek.com |agency=Croatia Week |date=10 June 2023 |access-date=10 June 2023}}</ref>

Croatia ranked as the 23rd-most popular tourist destination in the world according to the [[World Tourism Organization]] in 2019.<ref name="UNWTO">{{cite journal |title=UNWTO World Tourism Barometer and Statistical Annex, May 2019 |journal=UNWTO World Tourism Barometer |volume=17 |issue=2 |pages=1–40 |date=22 May 2019 |issn=1728-9246 |s2cid=243009713 |doi=10.18111/wtobarometereng.2019.17.1.2}}</ref> About 15% of these visitors,{{which?|date=June 2023}}{{quantify|date=June 2023}} or over one million per year, participate in [[naturism]], for which Croatia is famous. It was the first European country to develop commercial naturist resorts.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.euro-poi.com/croatian-highlights-croatia-278.html |title=Croatian highlights, Croatia |publisher=Euro-poi.com |access-date=26 March 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130224034343/http://www.euro-poi.com/croatian-highlights-croatia-278.html |archive-date=24 February 2013}}</ref> In 2023, luggage storage company Bounce gave Croatia the highest solo travel index in the world (7.58),<ref> {{Cite web|url=https://usebounce.com/blog/the-2023-solo-travel-index|title=The 2023 solo travel index|publisher=Bounce|date=24 May 2023}}</ref> while a joint [[Pinterest]] and [[Zola (company)|Zola]] wedding trends report from 2023 put Croatia among the most popular [[honeymoon]] destinations.<ref> {{Cite web|url=https://newsroom.pinterest.com/en/post/the-pinterest-x-zola-2023-wedding-trends-report|title=The Pinterest x Zola 2023 Wedding Trends Report|publisher= Pinterest Newsroom|date=25 April 2023|access-date=11 June 2023}}</ref>

=== Infrastructure ===

==== Transport ====
{{see also|Transport in Croatia|Energy in Croatia}}
{{Update section|date=December 2020}}
{{Multiple image
| caption_align     = center
| align             = left
| direction         = vertical
| image1            = Pelješac bridge - Most Pelješac - Croatia - 2022-06-16.jpg
| image2            = Zagreb_Glavni_kolodvor_1p_-_pruga_prema_zapadu.jpg
| caption1          = [[Pelješac Bridge]] connects the peninsula of [[Pelješac]] and through it the southernmost part, including [[Dubrovnik]], with the [[Croatia proper|Croatian mainland]].
| caption2          = [[HŽ series 6112]] manufactured by the Croatian company [[Končar Group]], operated by [[Croatian Railways]]
}}
The [[Motorways in Croatia|motorway network]] was largely built in the late 1990s and the 2000s (decade). As of December 2020, Croatia had completed {{convert|1313.8|km|abbr=off}} of motorways, connecting Zagreb to other regions and following various [[International E-road network|European routes]] and four [[Pan-European corridors]].<ref name="Helsinki-1997">{{cite journal|publisher=[[University of Rijeka]], Faculty of Maritime Studies|url =http://hrcak.srce.hr/file/6570|title=The integration of the Republic of Croatia into the Pan-European transport corridor network|author=Tanja Poletan Jugović|journal=Pomorstvo|volume=20|issue=1|pages=49–65|date=11 April 2006|access-date=14 October 2010}}</ref><ref name="NN-Motorways2009">{{cite news|newspaper=Narodne Novine|language=hr|url=http://narodne-novine.nn.hr/clanci/sluzbeni/2009_01_13_296.html|title=Odluka o izmjenama i dopunama odluke o razvrstavanju javnih cesta u autoceste|trans-title=Decision on amendments and additions to the Decision on classification of public roads as motorways|date=30 January 2009|access-date=18 October 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Mreža autocesta – HUKA|url=http://www.huka.hr/mreza-autocesta|access-date=16 December 2020|website=www.huka.hr}}</ref> The busiest motorways are the [[A1 (Croatia)|A1]], connecting Zagreb to Split and the [[A3 (Croatia)|A3]], passing east to west through northwest Croatia and Slavonia.<ref name="HC-promet">{{cite web|publisher=[[Hrvatske ceste]] |url=http://www.hrvatske-ceste.hr/WEB%20-%20Legislativa/brojenje-prometa/CroDig2009.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110221195254/http://www.hrvatske-ceste.hr/WEB%20-%20Legislativa/brojenje-prometa/CroDig2009.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=21 February 2011 |title=Traffic counting on the roadways of Croatia in 2009 – digest |access-date=1 May 2010 }}</ref>

A widespread network of [[state roads in Croatia]] acts as motorway [[Feeder line (network)|feeder roads]] while connecting major settlements. The high quality and safety levels of the Croatian motorway network were tested and confirmed by EuroTAP and EuroTest programmes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eurotestmobility.com/news.php?item=25&PHPSESSID=a7d9b4decd981bb3cdc3494656b0104d|title=EuroTest|publisher=Eurotestmobility.com|access-date=3 January 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110430010646/http://www.eurotestmobility.com/news.php?item=25&PHPSESSID=a7d9b4decd981bb3cdc3494656b0104d|archive-date=30 April 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.javno.com/en/croatia/clanak.php?id=38990|title=Brinje Tunnel Best European Tunnel|publisher=Javno.com|access-date=3 January 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090115220041/http://www.javno.com/en/croatia/clanak.php?id=38990|archive-date=15 January 2009}}</ref>

Croatia has an [[List of railways in Croatia|extensive rail network]] spanning {{convert|2722|km|abbr=off}}, including {{convert|984|km|abbr=off}} of electrified railways and {{convert|254|km|abbr=off}} of double track railways.{{sfn|2013 Statistical Yearbook of the Republic of Croatia|p=346}} The most significant railways in Croatia are within the Pan-European transport corridors Vb and X connecting [[Rijeka]] to [[Budapest]] and Ljubljana to Belgrade, both via [[Zagreb]].<ref name="Helsinki-1997"/> [[Croatian Railways]] operates all rail services.<ref>{{cite news|newspaper=Vjesnik|title=Skuplje korištenje pruga uništava HŽ|trans-title=More Expensive Railway Fees Ruin Croatian Railways|language=hr|date=10 May 2011|first=Tomislav|last=Pili|url=http://www.vjesnik.hr/Article.aspx?ID=B93764C8-6505-4A87-BDDF-B22148331E6E|archive-date=14 June 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/68PYpf0Jp?url=http://www.vjesnik.hr/Article.aspx?ID=B93764C8-6505-4A87-BDDF-B22148331E6E|access-date=26 October 2011}}</ref>

The construction of 2.4-kilometre-long [[Pelješac Bridge]], the biggest infrastructure project in Croatia connects the two halves of Dubrovnik-Neretva County and shortens the route from the West to the [[Pelješac]] peninsula and the islands of [[Korčula]] and [[Lastovo]] by more than 32&nbsp;km. The construction of the Pelješac Bridge started in July 2018 after Croatian road operator [[Hrvatske ceste]] (HC) signed a 2.08 billion [[Croatian kuna|kuna]] deal for the works with a Chinese consortium led by [[China Road and Bridge Corporation]] (CRBC). The project is co-financed by the [[European Union]] with 357 million euro. The construction was completed in July 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Croatia opens long-awaited bridge bypassing Bosnia |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/7/26/croatia-opens-long-awaited-bridge-bypassing-bosnia |access-date=2022-11-05 |website=www.aljazeera.com |language=en}}</ref>
[[File:Kroatien Autobahnen (aktueller Stand).svg|thumb|upright=1.3|[[Highway network in Croatia]]]]

There are [[international airport]]s in [[Dubrovnik Airport|Dubrovnik]], [[Osijek Airport|Osijek]], [[Pula Airport|Pula]], [[Rijeka Airport|Rijeka]], [[Split Airport|Split]], [[Zadar Airport|Zadar]], and [[Zagreb International Airport|Zagreb]].<ref name="MMPI-Airports">{{cite web|publisher=[[Ministry of the Sea, Transport and Infrastructure (Croatia)]]|url=http://www.mppi.hr/default.aspx?id=675|title=Air transport|access-date=10 October 2011|archive-date=3 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160703104330/http://www.mppi.hr/default.aspx?id=675|url-status=dead}}</ref> The largest and busiest is Franjo Tuđman Airport in Zagreb.<ref>{{Cite thesis |last=Meštrović|first=Damjan|date=2018|title=Utjecaj izgradnje novog terminala na poslovanje Zračne luke Franjo Tuđman|url=https://www.bib.irb.hr/972752|language=hr}}</ref>{{better source needed|date=March 2021}} {{as of|2011|January}}, Croatia complies with [[International Civil Aviation Organization]] aviation safety standards and the [[Federal Aviation Administration]] upgraded it to Category 1 rating.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.faa.gov/news/press_releases/news_story.cfm?newsId=12337|title=FAA Raises Safety Rating for Croatia|publisher=[[Federal Aviation Administration]]|date=26 January 2011|access-date=27 January 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130626094211/http://www.faa.gov/news/press_releases/news_story.cfm?newsId=12337|archive-date=26 June 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==== Ports ====
The busiest cargo seaport is the [[Port of Rijeka]]. The busiest passenger ports are [[Port of Split|Split]] and Zadar.<ref name="WB-Rijeka">{{cite web|publisher=World Bank|language=hr|title=Riječka luka –jadranski "prolaz" prema Europi|trans-title=The Port of Rijeka – Adriatic "gateway" to Europe|date=3 March 2006|access-date=13 October 2011|url=http://go.worldbank.org/V9N60RX7L0|archive-url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20120805200119/http://go.worldbank.org/V9N60RX7L0|url-status=dead|archive-date=5 August 2012}}</ref><ref name="MMPI-RL-plan">{{cite web|publisher=Ministry of the Sea, Transport and Infrastructure (Croatia)|url=http://www.mppi.hr/default.aspx?id=480|title=Luke|trans-title=Ports|language=hr|access-date=24 August 2011|archive-date=16 December 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121216063733/http://www.mppi.hr/default.aspx?id=480|url-status=dead}}</ref> Many minor ports serve ferries connecting numerous islands and coastal cities with ferry lines to several cities in Italy.<ref name="AOLPP-Rijeka">{{cite web|publisher=Agencija za obalni linijski pomorski promet|url=http://www.agencija-zolpp.hr/Brodskelinije/tabid/1267/Default.aspx|language=hr|title=Plovidbeni red za 2011. godinu|trans-title=Sailing Schedule for Year 2011|access-date=27 August 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110715203314/http://www.agencija-zolpp.hr/Brodskelinije/tabid/1267/Default.aspx|archive-date=15 July 2011}}</ref> The largest [[inland port|river port]] is [[Vukovar]], located on the [[Danube]], representing the nation's outlet to the Pan-European transport corridor VII.<ref name="Helsinki-1997" /><ref name="MMPI-River-Navigation">{{cite web|publisher=Ministry of the Sea, Transport and Infrastructure (Croatia)|url=http://www.mppi.hr/default.aspx?id=890|title=Plovni putovi|trans-title=Navigable routes|language=hr|access-date=10 September 2011|archive-date=16 December 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121216060844/http://www.mppi.hr/default.aspx?id=890|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==== Energy ====
{{See also|Energy in Croatia}}
{{convert|610|km|abbr=off}} of crude oil pipelines serve Croatia, connecting the [[Rijeka]] oil terminal with refineries in Rijeka and [[Sisak]], and several transhipment terminals. The system has a capacity of 20&nbsp;million tonnes per year.<ref name="JANAF-system">{{cite web|publisher=[[Jadranski naftovod]]|url=http://www.janaf.hr/index.php?option=sustav&lang=en|title=The JANAF system|access-date=8 October 2011}}</ref> The natural gas transportation system comprises {{convert|2113|km|abbr=off}} of trunk and regional pipelines, and more than 300 associated structures, connecting production rigs, the Okoli natural gas storage facility, 27 end-users and 37 distribution systems.<ref name="Plinacro-system">{{cite web|publisher=[[Plinacro]]|url=http://www.plinacro.hr/default.aspx?id=264|title=Transportni sustav|trans-title=Transport system|language=hr|access-date=8 October 2011}}</ref> Croatia also plays an important role in regional energy security. The floating [[liquefied natural gas]] import terminal off [[Krk]] island [[LNG Hrvatska]] commenced operations on January 1, 2021, positioning Croatia as a regional energy leader and contributing to diversification of Europe's energy supply.<ref name="lng" />

Croatian energy production covers 85% of nationwide natural gas and 19% of oil demand. In 2008, 47.6% of Croatia's primary energy production involved natural gas (47.7%), hydropower (25.4%), crude oil (18.0%), fuelwood (8.4%), and other renewable energy sources (0.5%). In 2009, net total electrical power production reached 12,725&nbsp;GWh, while it imported 28.5% of its electric power energy needs.<ref name="DZS-Stat2010" />

[[Krško Nuclear Power Plant]] (Slovenia) supplies a large part of Croatian imports. 50% is owned by [[Hrvatska elektroprivreda]], providing 15% of Croatia's electricity.<ref name="EUB-NEK">{{cite web|publisher=EU Business|url=http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/japan-disaster.9bc|title=Croatia, Slovenia's nuclear plant safe: Croatian president|date=28 March 2011|access-date=8 October 2011}}</ref>

== Demographics ==
{{Update section|date=September 2022}}
{{Main|Demographics of Croatia|Croats}}
{{see also|List of cities and towns in Croatia}}

{{bar box
|width = 
|float = right
|title = Ethnic composition (2021)
|titlebar = #ddd
|bars =
{{bar percent|[[Croats]]|blue|91.6}}
{{bar percent|[[Serbs]]|cyan|3.2}}
{{bar percent|[[Ethnic groups in Croatia|Other]]|gray|5.2}}
|caption = 2021 Croatian Census<ref name="Census 2021"/>
}}

With an estimated population of 3.87&nbsp;million in 2021, Croatia [[List of countries by population|ranks 127th by population]] in the world.<ref>https://www.dzs.hr/Hrv_Eng/Pokazatelji/Popis%202021-Prvi%20rezultati.xlsx</ref> Its 2018 [[List of sovereign states and dependent territories by population density|population density]] was 72.9 inhabitants per square kilometre, making Croatia one of the more sparsely populated European countries.<ref name=who0>{{cite web
|url=https://www.dzs.hr/Hrv_Eng/CroInFig/croinfig_2018.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://www.dzs.hr/Hrv_Eng/CroInFig/croinfig_2018.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live
|title=Croatia in Figures
|access-date=9 September 2019
|publisher=[[Croatian Bureau of Statistics]]
|year=2018}}</ref> The overall [[List of countries by life expectancy|life expectancy in Croatia]] at birth was 76.3 years in 2018.<ref name="cia"/>

The [[total fertility rate]] of 1.41 children per mother, is one of the [[List of sovereign states and dependent territories by fertility rate|lowest in the world]], far below the replacement rate of 2.1, it remains considerably below the high of 6.18 children rate in 1885.<ref name="cia"/><ref>{{citation|url=https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/children-born-per-woman?year=1800&country=AUT|title=Total Fertility Rate around the world over the last two centuries|first=Max|last=Roser|date=2014|work=[[Our World in Data]], [[Gapminder Foundation]]|access-date=6 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180807185806/https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/children-born-per-woman?year=1800&country=AUT|archive-date=7 August 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> Croatia's [[death rate]] has continuously exceeded its [[birth rate]] since 1991.<ref name="DZS-Stat2010"/> Croatia subsequently has one of the world's oldest populations, with an average age of 43.3 years.<ref>{{citation|url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/croatia/|title= The World FactBook – Croatia|date=12 July 2018|work=[[The World Factbook]]}}{{PD-notice}}</ref> The population rose steadily from 2.1&nbsp;million in 1857 until 1991, when it peaked at 4.7&nbsp;million, with the exceptions of censuses taken in 1921 and 1948, i.e. following the world wars.<ref name="DZS-Stat2010"/> The natural growth rate is negative<ref name="CIA"/> with the [[demographic transition]] completed in the 1970s.<ref>{{cite journal|first1=Snježana|last1=Mrđen|first2=Mladen|last2=Friganović|date=June 1998|title=The demographic situation in Croatia|journal=Geoadria|publisher=Hrvatsko geografsko društvo – Zadar|issn=1331-2294|volume=3|issue=1|pages=29–56|url=https://hrcak.srce.hr/9740|doi=10.15291/geoadria.45|pmid=12294962 |access-date=7 January 2020|doi-access=free}}</ref> In recent years, the Croatian government has been pressured to increase permit quotas for foreign workers, reaching an all-time high of 68.100 in 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vecernji.hr/vijesti/vlada-povecala-kvotu-za-zaposljavanje-stranih-radnika-1326987|title=Vlada uslišila molbe: Povećane kvote dozvola za strane radnike|website=www.vecernji.hr}}</ref> In accordance with its immigration policy, Croatia is trying to entice emigrants to return.<ref>{{cite journal|journal=Politička Misao: Croatian Political Science Review|issn=0032-3241|volume=35|issue=5|year=2008|url=http://hrcak.srce.hr/index.php?show=clanak&id_clanak_jezik=51084|title=The Policy of Immigration in Croatia| first=Nick| last=Vidak|pages=57–75|publisher=University of Zagreb, Faculty of Political Science|access-date=15 October 2010}}</ref> From 2008 to 2018, Croatia's population dropped by 10%.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.euronews.com/2022/01/14/croatia-s-population-has-dropped-10-in-a-decade-reveals-census|title=Croatia's population has dropped 10% in a decade, reveals census|work=[[Euronews]]|date=14 January 2022|access-date=23 January 2022}}</ref>

The population decrease was greater a result of war for independence. The war displaced large numbers of the population and emigration increased. In 1991, in predominantly occupied areas, more than 400,000 Croats were either removed from their homes by [[Serbs in Croatia|Serb]] forces or fled the violence.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.un.org/icty/pressreal/2007/pr1162e-summary.htm|title=Summary of judgement for Milan Martić|date=12 June 2007|publisher=United Nations|access-date=21 June 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071215084458/http://www.un.org/icty/pressreal/2007/pr1162e-summary.htm|archive-date=15 December 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref> During the war's final days, about 150–200,000 Serbs fled before the arrival of Croatian forces during [[Operation Storm]].<ref name="bbc-storm">{{cite news|ref={{harvid|BBC News|5 August 2005}}|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4747379.stm|work=[[BBC News]]|title=Evicted Serbs remember Storm|date=5 August 2005|first=Matt|last=Prodger|author-link=Matt Prodger|archive-date=23 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023091143/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4747379.stm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|ref={{harvid|UNSC|23 August 1995}}|url=https://www.un.org/ga/search/view_doc.asp?symbol=S/1995/730|date=23 August 1995|publisher=[[United Nations Security Council]]|title=Report of the Secretary-General Submitted Pursuant to Security Council Resolution 1009 (1995)|page=3}}</ref> After the war, the number of displaced persons fell to about 250,000. The Croatian government cared for displaced persons via the social security system and the Office of Displaced Persons and Refugees.<ref>{{cite web|title=Domovinski rat – Hrvatska enciklopedija|url=http://www.enciklopedija.hr/natuknica.aspx?ID=15884|access-date=24 December 2018}}</ref> Most of the territories abandoned during the war were settled by Croat refugees from Bosnia and Herzegovina, mostly from north-western Bosnia, while some displaced people returned to their homes.<ref name="Index-Cro-Refugees">{{cite web|publisher=Index.hr|url=http://www.index.hr/vijesti/clanak/savez-udruga-hrvataiz-bih-izabrao-novo-celnistvo/145769.aspx|language=hr|title=Savez udruga Hrvata iz BiH izabrao novo čelništvo|trans-title=Union of associations of Bosnia and Herzegovina Croats elects new leadership|date=28 June 2003|access-date=12 October 2011}}</ref><ref name="PresidentRH-refugees">{{cite web|publisher=Office of the [[President of Croatia]]|url=http://www.predsjednik.hr/29062010|language=hr|title=29 06 2010 – Benkovac|date=29 June 2010|access-date=12 October 2011|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101127220818/http://predsjednik.hr/29062010|archive-date=27 November 2010}}</ref>
{{multiple image
 | align = center
 | total_width = 500
 | image1 = Religious belief in Croatia, 2011.svg
 | caption1 = Religious believers according to the 2011 census
 | image2 = CroatianDialectsByMunicipality.png
 | caption2 = Map of the [[Shtokavian]], [[Chakavian]] and [[Kajkavian]] dialects in Croatia by municipality
 | image3 = Croatia, population density.svg
 | caption3 = 2011 Croatian [[population density]] by county in persons per km<sup>2</sup>
}}
According to the 2013 United Nations report, 17.6% of Croatia's population were immigrants.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://esa.un.org/unmigration/TIMSA2013/migrantstocks2013.htm|title=International Migration and Development|website=esa.un.org}}</ref> According to the 2021 census, the majority of inhabitants are Croats (91.6%), followed by Serbs (3.2%), [[Bosniaks of Croatia|Bosniaks]] (0.62%), [[Romani people in Croatia|Roma]] (0.46%), [[Albanians of Croatia|Albanians]] (0.36%), [[Italians of Croatia|Italians]] (0.36%), [[Hungarians of Croatia|Hungarians]] (0.27%), [[Czechs of Croatia|Czechs]] (0.20%), [[Slovenes of Croatia|Slovenes]] (0.20%), [[Slovaks of Croatia|Slovaks]] (0.10%), [[Macedonians of Croatia|Macedonians]] (0.09%), [[Germans of Croatia|Germans]] (0.09%), [[Montenegrins of Croatia|Montenegrins]] (0.08%), and others (1.56%).<ref name="Census 2021"/> Approximately 4&nbsp;million Croats [[Croatian diaspora|live abroad]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dnevnik.hr/vijesti/hrvatska/hrvatska-fenomen-vise-hrvata-zivi-u-inozemstvu-nego-u-domovini---465670.html|title=U Hrvatskoj je loše i preporučam svakom mladom čovjeku da ode u Njemačku|website=Dnevnik.hr}}</ref>

{{Largest cities of Croatia}}

=== Religion ===
{{Main|Religion in Croatia}}
Croatia has no official religion. [[Freedom of religion]] is a Constitutional right that protects all [[religious denomination|religious communities]] as [[separation of church and state|equal before the law and separated from the state]].
[[File:Šibenik, Katedrala sv. Jakova - sjeveroistok.jpg|thumb|[[Šibenik Cathedral]], since [[2000]] on the [[UNESCO]] [[World Heritage List]]]]
Croatian Constitution, Article 41</ref> According to the 2011 census, 91.36% of Croatians identify as Christian; of these, Catholics make up the largest group, accounting for 86.28% of the population, after which follows [[Eastern Orthodoxy]] (4.44%), [[Protestantism]] (0.34%), and other Christians (0.30%).The largest religion after Christianity is [[Islam]] (1.47%). 4.57% of the population describe themselves as non-religious.<ref name="Census2011-religion">{{Croatian Census 2011|R}}</ref> In the [[Eurostat]] Eurobarometer Poll of 2010, 69% of the population responded that "they believe there is a God".<ref>{{cite web|title=Special Eurobarometer 341, "Biotechnology"|url=https://ec.europa.eu/commfrontoffice/publicopinion/archives/ebs/ebs_341_en.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://ec.europa.eu/commfrontoffice/publicopinion/archives/ebs/ebs_341_en.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live|page=209}}</ref> In a 2009 Gallup poll, 70% answered yes to the question "Is religion an important part of your daily life?"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gallup.com/poll/128210/Gallup-Global-Reports.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131014034457/http://www.gallup.com/poll/128210/Gallup-Global-Reports.aspx|archive-date=14 October 2013|title=Gallup Global Reports|publisher=[[Gallup (company)|Gallup]]|access-date=7 October 2013}}</ref> However, only 24% of the population attends religious services regularly.<ref name="Pew Survey 2017 - Final Topline">{{cite web|url=http://assets.pewresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2017/05/09154356/Central-and-Eastern-Europe-Topline_FINAL-FOR-PUBLICATION.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://assets.pewresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2017/05/09154356/Central-and-Eastern-Europe-Topline_FINAL-FOR-PUBLICATION.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live|title=Final Topline|access-date=19 June 2017|publisher=Pew}}</ref>

=== Languages ===
{{Main|Croatian language|Languages of Croatia|Minority languages of Croatia |Bunjevac dialect}}
Croatian is the official language of the Republic of Croatia. Minority languages are in official use in local government units where more than a third of the population consists of national minorities or where local enabling legislation applies. Those languages are [[Czech language|Czech]], [[Hungarian language|Hungarian]], [[Italian language in Croatia|Italian]], [[Serbian language in Croatia|Serbian]], and [[Slovak language|Slovak]].<ref>{{cite web|publisher=Sabor|url=http://www.sabor.hr/Default.aspx?art=23872|title=Izviješće o provođenju ustavnog zakona o pravima nacionalnih manjina i utrošku sredstava osiguranih u državnom proračunu Republike Hrvatske za 2007. godinu za potrebe nacionalnih manjina|language=hr|trans-title=Report on Implementation of Constitutional Act on National Minority Rights and Expenditure of Funds Appropriated by the 2007 State Budget for Use by the National Minorities|date=28 November 2008|access-date=27 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130509061001/http://www.sabor.hr/Default.aspx?art=23872|archive-date=9 May 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Franceschini546"/> The following minority languages are also recognised: [[Albanian language|Albanian]], [[Bosnian language|Bosnian]], [[Bulgarian language|Bulgarian]], German, [[Hebrew language|Hebrew]], [[Macedonian language|Macedonian]], [[Montenegrin language|Montenegrin]], [[Polish language|Polish]], [[Romanian language|Romanian]], [[Istro-Romanian language|Istro-Romanian]], [[Romani language|Romani]], Russian, [[Rusyn language|Rusyn]], [[Slovene language|Slovene]], [[Turkish language|Turkish]], and [[Ukrainian language|Ukrainian]].<ref name="Franceschini546">{{cite book|last=Franceschini|first=Rita|chapter=Italy and the Italian-Speaking Regions|editor-last=Fäcke|editor-first=Christiane|title=Manual of Language Acquisition|year=2014|publisher=Walter de Gruyter GmbH|isbn=9783110394146|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zM_mBQAAQBAJ&q=Manual+of+Language+Acquisition&pg=PA1|page=546}}</ref>

According to the 2011 Census, 95.6% of citizens declared Croatian as their native language, 1.2% declared Serbian as their native language, while no other language reaches more than 0.5%.<ref name="Census-2011-languages">{{Croatian Census 2011|T}}</ref> Croatian is a member of the [[South Slavic languages]] of [[Slavic languages]] group and is written using the [[Latin alphabet]]. There are three major dialects spoken on the territory of Croatia, with standard Croatian based on the [[Shtokavian]] dialect. The [[Chakavian]] and [[Kajkavian]] dialects are distinguished from Shtokavian by their [[lexicon]], [[phonology]] and [[syntax]].<ref name="Brozović-HRV">{{cite web|publisher=[[Institute of Croatian Language and Linguistics]]|language=hr|title=Organska podloga hrvatskog jezika|trans-title=The Organic Base of Croatian|url=http://www.ihjj.hr/oHrJeziku-povijest-1.html|access-date=11 October 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110807082335/http://www.ihjj.hr/oHrJeziku-povijest-1.html|archive-date=7 August 2011}}</ref>

A 2011 survey revealed that 78% of Croats claim knowledge of at least one foreign language.<ref name="Index-lang">{{cite web|publisher=Index.hr|url=http://www.index.hr/vijesti/clanak/istrazivanje-tri-posto-visokoobrazovanih-ne-zna-niti-jedan-strani-jezik-hrvati-uglavnom-znaju-engleski/545687.aspx|language=hr|title=Istraživanje: Tri posto visokoobrazovanih ne zna niti jedan strani jezik, Hrvati uglavnom znaju engleski|trans-title=Survey: Three per cent of higher educated people can not speak any foreign languages, Croats mostly speak English|date=5 April 2011|access-date=11 October 2011}}</ref> According to a 2005 EC survey, 49% of Croats speak English as the second language, 34% speak German, 14% speak Italian, and 10% speak French. Russian is spoken by 4%, and 2% of Croats speak Spanish. However several large municipalities support [[Minority languages of Croatia|minority languages]]. A majority of Slovenes (59%) have some knowledge of Croatian.<ref name="EBS-243">{{cite web|url=http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_243_en.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_243_en.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live|date=February 2006|title=Europeans and their languages – European commission special barometer FEB2006|publisher=[[European Commission]]|access-date=15 January 2010}}</ref> The country is a part of various language-based international associations, most notably the [[Languages of the European Union|European Union Language Association.]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://europa.eu/european-union/about-eu/countries/member-countries/croatia_en|title=Croatia |date=5 July 2016|website=European Union|publisher=European Commission|language=en|access-date=2 March 2018}}</ref>

=== Education ===
{{Main|Education in Croatia}}
{{Update section|date=December 2020}}
{{multiple image
|align = right
|direction = vertical
|image1 = National and University Library in Zagreb.jpg
|caption1 = [[National and University Library in Zagreb|National and University Library]]
|image2 = University of Zagreb.jpg
|caption2 = [[University of Zagreb]] is the largest Croatian university and the oldest university in the area covering Central Europe south of [[Vienna]] and all of Southeastern Europe ([[1669]]).
}}
Literacy in Croatia stands at 99.2 per cent.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=[[Croatian Bureau of Statistics]]|url=http://www.dzs.hr/Eng/censuses/census2011/results/htm/e01_01_33/E01_01_33.html|title=Population aged 10 and over by sex and illiterates by age, 2011 census|access-date=26 December 2015}}</ref> Primary education in Croatia starts at the age of six or seven and consists of eight grades. In 2007 a law was passed to increase free, noncompulsory education until 18 years of age. Compulsory education consists of eight grades of elementary school.

Secondary education is provided by [[Gymnasium (school)|gymnasiums]] and vocational schools. As of 2019, there are 2,103 elementary schools and 738 schools providing various forms of secondary education.<ref>{{cite web|year=2019|title=Statističke informacije 2020|url=https://www.dzs.hr/Hrv_Eng/StatInfo/pdf/StatInfo2020.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://www.dzs.hr/Hrv_Eng/StatInfo/pdf/StatInfo2020.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live|website=[[Croatian Bureau of Statistics|Državni zavod za statistiku]]|page=33}}</ref> Primary and secondary education are also available in languages of recognised minorities in Croatia, where classes are held in Czech, German, Hungarian, Italian, and Serbian languages.{{sfn|2017 Statistical Yearbook of the Republic of Croatia|p=488}}

There are 137 elementary and secondary level [[music school|music]] and [[art schools]], as well as 120 schools for disabled children and youth and 74 schools for adults.<ref name="dzs">{{cite journal|url=http://www.dzs.hr/Hrv_Eng/ljetopis/2016/sljh2016.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://www.dzs.hr/Hrv_Eng/ljetopis/2016/sljh2016.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live|date=8 December 2016|title=Statistički ljetopis Republike Hrvatske 2016 Statistical Yearbook of the Republic of Croatia|journal=Statistički Ljetopis Republike Hrvatske|issn=1333-3305|access-date=17 January 2021}}</ref> Nationwide [[leaving exams]] ({{lang-hr|državna matura}}) were introduced for secondary education students in the school year 2009–2010. It comprises three compulsory subjects (Croatian language, mathematics, and a foreign language) and optional subjects and is a prerequisite for university education.<ref name="MZOS-Matura">{{cite web|publisher=[[Ministry of Science, Education and Sports (Croatia)]]|language=hr|url=http://public.mzos.hr/Default.aspx?sec=2246|title=Državna matura|access-date=12 October 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160326060402/http://public.mzos.hr/Default.aspx?sec=2246|archive-date=26 March 2016}}</ref>
Croatia has eight public universities and two private universities.<ref name="iro">{{cite web |url=http://www.iro.hr/hr/informiranje-i-savjetovanje-o-visokom-obrazovanju/studiranje-u-hrvatskoj/pregled-institucija/ |title=Institut za razvoj obrazovanja – Pregled institucija |publisher=Iro.hr |access-date=6 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170306211642/http://www.iro.hr/hr/informiranje-i-savjetovanje-o-visokom-obrazovanju/studiranje-u-hrvatskoj/pregled-institucija/ |archive-date=6 March 2017 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The [[University of Zadar]], the first university in Croatia, was founded in 1396 and remained active until 1807, when other institutions of higher education took over until the foundation of the renewed University of Zadar in 2002.<ref name="Zadar-Uni">{{cite web|publisher=University of Zadar|url=http://www.unizd.hr/Onama/tabid/55/Default.aspx|language=hr|title=O nama|trans-title=About us|access-date=15 October 2011}}</ref> The [[University of Zagreb]], founded in 1669, is the oldest continuously operating university in Southeast Europe.<ref name="Zagreb-Uni">{{cite web|publisher=University of Zagreb|url= http://www.unizg.hr/homepage/about-university/history/|title=University of Zagreb 1699–2005|access-date=15 October 2011}}</ref> There are also 15 [[institute of technology|polytechnics]], of which two are private, and 30 higher education institutions, of which 27 are private.<ref name="iro"/> In total, there are 55 institutions of higher education in Croatia, attended by more than 157&nbsp;thousand students.<ref name="dzs"/>

There are 205 companies, government or education system institutions and non-profit organisations in Croatia pursuing scientific research and development of technology. Combined, they spent more than 3&nbsp;billion kuna (€400&nbsp;million) and employed 10,191 full-time research staff in 2008.<ref name="DZS-Stat2010"/> Among the scientific institutes operating in Croatia, the largest is the [[Ruđer Bošković Institute]] in Zagreb.<ref name="JL-IRB">{{cite news|newspaper=Jutarnji list|language=hr|url=http://www.jutarnji.hr/ciklotron--spojevi-i-novi-katalizatori---to-je-institut-ruder-boskovic-dao-svijetu-/823851/|title=60. rođendan Instituta Ruđer Bošković: Svijetu je dao ciklotron, spojeve i novi katalizator|trans-title=The 60th Anniversary of the Ruđer Bošković Institute: It Presented the World with a Cyclotron, Compounds and a New Catalyst|date=9 June 2010|access-date=12 October 2011|archive-date=3 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303222206/http://www.jutarnji.hr/ciklotron--spojevi-i-novi-katalizatori---to-je-institut-ruder-boskovic-dao-svijetu-/823851/|url-status=dead}}</ref> The [[Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts]] in Zagreb is a [[learned society]] promoting language, culture, arts and science from its inception in 1866.<ref name="HAZU-founding">{{cite web|publisher=[[Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts]]|url=http://info.hazu.hr/foundation_of_academy|title=The Founding of the Academy|access-date=12 October 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100606084626/http://info.hazu.hr/foundation_of_academy|archive-date=6 June 2010}}</ref> Croatia was ranked 44th in the [[Global Innovation Index]] in 2023.<ref>{{Cite book |last=WIPO |title=Global Innovation Index 2023, 15th Edition |url=https://www.wipo.int/global_innovation_index/en/2023/index.html |access-date=2023-10-28 |website=www.wipo.int |date=3 January 2024 |publisher=World Intellectual Property Organization |doi=10.34667/tind.46596 |isbn=978-92-805-3432-0 |language=en}}</ref>

The [[European Investment Bank]] provided digital infrastructure and equipment to around 150 primary and secondary schools in Croatia. Twenty of these schools got specialised assistance in the form of gear, software, and services to help them integrate the teaching and administrative operations.<ref name=":13">{{cite web|title=Infrastructure for an era of crisis|url=https://www.eib.org/en/stories/coronavirus-infrastructure-investment|access-date=2021-06-07|website=European Investment Bank|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=E-Schools in Croatia|url=https://jaspers.eib.org/stories/e-schools-in-croatia|website=JASPERS}}</ref>

=== Healthcare ===
{{Main|Healthcare in Croatia}}
[[File:KBC Rebro aerial.jpg|thumb|upright=1.0|[[University Hospital Centre Zagreb]] is the largest hospital in Croatia and the teaching hospital of the [[University of Zagreb]].]]

Croatia has a [[universal health care]] system, whose roots can be traced back to the Hungarian-Croatian Parliament Act of 1891, providing a form of mandatory insurance of all factory workers and craftsmen.<ref name="RSP-1891">{{cite journal|journal=Revija za socijalnu politiku|issn=1330-2965|first=Siniša|last=Zrinščak|language=hr|title=Socijalna politika u kontekstu korjenite društvene transformacije postkomunističkih zemalja|trans-title=Social Policy in the Context of Thorough Social Transformation of Post-Communist Countries|pages=135–159|date=February 2003|volume=10|issue=2|url=http://hrcak.srce.hr/index.php?show=clanak&id_clanak_jezik=47595|access-date=12 October 2011|doi=10.3935/rsp.v10i2.124|doi-access=free}}</ref> The population is covered by a basic health insurance plan provided by statute and optional insurance. In 2017, annual healthcare related expenditures reached 22.0&nbsp;billion kuna (€3.0&nbsp;billion).{{sfn|2017 Statistical Yearbook of the Republic of Croatia|p=549}} Healthcare expenditures comprise only 0.6% of private health insurance and public spending.<ref name="Vjesnik-Zdravstvo">{{cite news|newspaper=Vjesnik|language=hr|url=http://www.vjesnik.hr/Article.aspx?ID=B02A10F4-BFE5-4EC0-B0E5-BFCAFE8F2062|archive-date=17 December 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111217063855/http://www.vjesnik.hr/Article.aspx?ID=B02A10F4-BFE5-4EC0-B0E5-BFCAFE8F2062|title=Ulaskom u EU Hrvatska će imati najveću potrošnju za zdravstvo|trans-title=After the EU accession Croatia will have the maximum healthcare spending|first=Marijana|last=Matković|date=27 September 2011|access-date=12 October 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2017, Croatia spent around 6.6% of its GDP on healthcare.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.slobodnadalmacija.hr/novosti/hrvatska/clanak/id/474180/puni-dzepovi-europski-smo-rekorderi-potrosnje-imamo-najskuplju-vlast-u-cijeloj-europskoj-uniji|title=Puni džepovi: europski smo rekorderi potrošnje, imamo najskuplju vlast u cijeloj Europskoj uniji!|date=19 March 2017|access-date=30 March 2018}}</ref>
In 2020, Croatia ranked 41st in the world in life expectancy with 76.0 years for men and 82.0 years for women, and it had a low [[infant mortality rate]] of 3.4 per 1,000 [[Live birth (human)|live births]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Croatia Demographics 2020 (Population, Age, Sex, Trends) – Worldometer|url=https://www.worldometers.info/demographics/croatia-demographics/#life-exp|access-date=24 January 2021|website=www.worldometers.info|language=en}}</ref>

There are hundreds of healthcare institutions in Croatia, including 75 hospitals, and 13 clinics with 23,049 beds. The hospitals and clinics care for more than 700&nbsp;thousand patients per year and employ 6,642 [[medical doctors]], including 4,773 specialists. There is total of 69,841&nbsp;health workers. There are 119 emergency units in health centres, responding to more than a million calls.{{citation needed|date=January 2022}} The principal cause of death in 2016 was [[cardiovascular disease]] at 39.7% for men and 50.1% for women, followed by tumours, at 32.5% for men and 23.4% for women.{{sfn|2018 Statistical Yearbook of the Republic of Croatia|p=118}} In 2016 it was estimated that 37.0% of Croatians are smokers.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Ritchie|first1=Hannah|last2=Roser|first2=Max|date=23 May 2013|title=Smoking|url=https://ourworldindata.org/smoking|journal=Our World in Data}}</ref> According to 2016 data, 24.40% of the Croatian adult population is obese.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Ritchie|first1=Hannah|last2=Roser|first2=Max|date=11 August 2017|title=Obesity|url=https://ourworldindata.org/obesity|journal=Our World in Data}}</ref>

== Language ==
[[File:Bascanska ploca.jpg|thumb|right|The [[Baška tablet]] is the oldest [[Glagolitic script|Glagolitic]] monument in Croatia. It documents the donation of land gifted by [[List of rulers of Croatia|Croatian]] [[Demetrius Zvonimir of Croatia|King Dmitar Zvonimir]] to the [[Benedictines|Benedictine]] monastery of St Lucy.]]
{{Main|Croatian language|Bunjevac dialect}}
Standard [[Croatian language|Croatian]] is the official language of the Republic of Croatia,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/croatia/ |title=Croatia |publisher=Cia.gov |access-date=2010-12-21}}</ref> and became the 24th official language of the [[European Union]] upon its accession in 2013.<ref name="Ustav-RH">{{cite news|newspaper=Narodne Novine|language=hr|url=http://narodne-novine.nn.hr/clanci/sluzbeni/2010_07_85_2422.html|title=Ustav Republike Hrvatske|trans-title=Constitution of the Republic of Croatia|date=9 July 2010|access-date=11 October 2011}}</ref><ref name="VL-Hrvatski-EU">{{cite news|newspaper=Večernji list|language=hr|url=http://www.vecernji.hr/vijesti/hrvatski-postaje-24-sluzbeni-jezik-europske-unije-clanak-211879|title=Hrvatski postaje 24. službeni jezik Europske unije|trans-title=Croatian Becomes the 24th Official Language of the European Union|date=5 November 2011|first1=Sandra|last1=Veljković|author2=Stojan de Prato|access-date=11 October 2011}}</ref>

Croatian replaced [[Latin]] as the official language of the Croatian government in the 19th century.<ref name="Iadertina-Hr">{{cite journal|journal=Croatica et Slavica Iadertina|issn=1845-6839|title=Značenje narodnoga preporoda za hrvatski jezik|trans-title=Significance of the National Revival for Croatian |language=hr|first=Branka|last=Tafra|date=February 2007|volume=2|url=http://hrcak.srce.hr/index.php?show=clanak&id_clanak_jezik=26666|pages=43–55|access-date=10 October 2011}}</ref> Following the [[Vienna Literary Agreement]] in 1850, the language and its Latin script underwent reforms to create an unified "Croatian or Serbian" or "[[Serbo-Croatian]]" standard, which under various names became the official language of [[Yugoslavia]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Greenberg |first=Robert D. |title=Language and Identity in the Balkans: Serbo-Croatian and its Disintegration |year=2004 |edition=1st |location=New York, NY |publisher=Oxford University Press |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=_lNjHgr3QioC |isbn=9780191514555}}</ref> In [[Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia|SFR Yugoslavia]], from 1972 to 1989, the language was constitutionally designated as the "Croatian literary language" and the "Croatian or Serbian language". It was the result of a resistance to and [[Language secessionism|secession]] from "[[Serbo-Croatian]]" in the form of the [[Declaration on the Status and Name of the Croatian Literary Language]] as part of the [[Croatian Spring]].<ref>{{cite journal | journal = [[Kolo (magazine)|Kolo]] | publisher=[[Matica hrvatska]]|issn=1331-0992|year=2009|issue=1–2|url=http://www.matica.hr/kolo/kolo2009_1.nsf/AllWebDocs/Polozaj_hrvatskoga_jezika_u_svijetu_danas|title=Položaj hrvatskoga jezika u svijetu danas|trans-title=The Position of Croatian in the World Today|language=hr|first=Mate|last=Kapović|access-date=26 October 2011}}</ref> Since gaining independence in the early 1990s, the Republic of Croatia constitutionally designates the language as "Croatian language" and regulates it through [[linguistic prescription]]. The long-standing aspiration to developing its own  expressions, thus enriching itself, as opposed to taking over foreign solutions in the form of [[loanwords]] has been described as [[Croatian linguistic purism]].<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Turk|first=Marija|date=1996|title=Jezični purizam|url=https://hrcak.srce.hr/132668|journal=Fluminensia: Časopis za filološka istraživanja|language=hr|volume=8|issue=1–2|pages=63–79|issn=0353-4642}}</ref>

Croatia introduced in 2021 a new model of linguistic categorisation of [[Bunjevac dialect]] (as New-Shtokavian [[Younger Ikavian dialect|Ikavian dialects]] of the [[Shtokavian dialect]] of the Croatian language) in three sub-branches: Dalmatian (also called Bosnian-Dalmatian), Danubian (also called Bunjevac), and Littoral-Lika.<ref>{{Cite web|title= Bunjevački govori |url= https://registar.kulturnadobra.hr/#/details/Z-7471| quote= Bunjevački govori pripadaju novoštokavskom ikavskom dijalektu štokavskoga narječja hrvatskoga jezika. |access-date= 7 August 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= https://registar.kulturnadobra.hr/#/details/Z-7471 |quote= Razlikuju se tri ogranka Bunjevačkih govora – podunavski, primorsko-lički i dalmatinski, a svi su kulturno bliski prema povijesnim, etnološkim i lingvističkim istraživanjima.|title= Bunjevački govori}}</ref> Its speakers largely use the [[Gaj's Latin alphabet|Latin alphabet]] and are living in parts of [[Bosnia and Herzegovina]], different parts of Croatia, southern parts (inc. [[Budapest]]) of [[Hungary]] as well in the autonomous province [[Vojvodina]] of [[Serbia]].
The [[Institute of Croatian Language and Linguistics]] added the Bunjevac dialect to the List of Protected [[Intangible Cultural Heritage]] of the Republic of Croatia on 8 October 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|title= Prijedlog za proglašenje bunjevačkoga govora nematerijalnom kulturnom baštinom |url = http://ihjj.hr/clanak/prijedlog-za-proglasenje-bunjevackoga-govora-nematerijalnom-kulturnom-bastinom/7513/ |access-date= 3 March 2022 |quote= Institut za hrvatski jezik i jezikoslovlje uputio je Ministarstvu kulture RH prijedlog da se bunjevački govor proglasi hrvatskom nematerijalnom kulturnom baštinom, kao važan čin pomoći bunjevačkomu govoru i svim Bunjevcima u Hrvatskoj i inozemstvu.| author=Institut za hrvatski jezik i jezikoslovlje}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title= Bunjevački govori upisani u Registar kulturnih dobara Republike Hrvatske kao nematerijalno kulturno dobro |url=https://min-kulture.gov.hr/vijesti-8/bunjevacki-govori-upisani-u-registar-kulturnih-dobara-republike-hrvatske-kao-nematerijalno-kulturno-dobro/21475 | date= 8 October 2021|access-date= 26 July 2022 |author= Fajin Deran, Ministry of Culture and Media of the Republic of Croatia}}</ref>{{undue inline|reason=An entire paragraph about a specific sub-dialect where none other are covered.|date=June 2023}}

== Culture ==
{{Main|Culture of Croatia}}
{{Further|World Heritage Sites in Croatia|Register of Cultural Goods of Croatia}}
[[File:TrogirView.jpg|thumb|right|Historic centre of [[Trogir]] has been included in the [[UNESCO]] list of [[World Heritage Site]] since 1997.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/810/|title=Historic City of Trogir|publisher=UNESCO World Heritage Centre |access-date=1 August 2015}}</ref>]]

Because of its geographical position, Croatia represents a blend of four different cultural spheres. It has been a crossroads of influences from western culture and the east since the schism between the [[Western Roman Empire]] and the [[Byzantine Empire]], and also from [[Central Europe]] and [[Mediterranean culture]].<ref name="HTZ-History-Culture">{{cite web|publisher=Croatian National Tourist Board|url=http://croatia.hr/en-GB/Discover-Croatia/Culture-and-History|title=Culture and History|access-date=7 October 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111016185426/http://croatia.hr/en-GB/Discover-Croatia/Culture-and-History|archive-date=16 October 2011}}</ref> The [[Illyrian movement]] was the most significant period of national cultural history, as the 19th century proved crucial to the emancipation of Croatians and saw unprecedented developments in all fields of art and culture, giving rise to many [[List of people from Croatia|historical figures]].<ref name="CRIS-Stančić"/>

The [[Ministry of Culture (Croatia)|Ministry of Culture]] is tasked with preserving the nation's [[Natural and Cultural Heritage of Croatia|cultural and natural heritage]] and overseeing its development. Further activities supporting the development of culture are undertaken at the local government level.<ref name="MKult-Djelokrug">{{cite web|publisher=[[Ministry of Culture (Croatia)]]|url=http://www.min-kulture.hr/default.aspx?id=348|language=hr|title=Djelokrug|trans-title=Scope of authority|access-date=7 October 2011}}</ref> The [[UNESCO]]'s [[World Heritage Sites by country|World Heritage List]] includes [[ten sites in Croatia]]. The country is also rich with [[intangible culture]] and holds 15 of [[UNESCO's World's intangible culture masterpieces]], ranking fourth in the world.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ich.unesco.org/en/lists?text=&multinational=3&display1=countryIDs#tabs|title=Browse the Lists of Intangible Cultural Heritage and the Register of good safeguarding practices – intangible heritage |publisher=UNESCO – Culture Sector |website=ich.unesco.org}}</ref> A global cultural contribution from Croatia is the necktie, derived from the [[Cravat (early)|cravat]] originally worn by the 17th-century Croatian mercenaries in France.<ref name="NYT-tie">{{cite news|newspaper=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/07/30/magazine/style-dressed-to-kill.html|title=STYLE; Dressed to Kill|first=Eric P.|last=Nash|date=30 July 1995|access-date=12 October 2011}}</ref><ref name="Huzjan">{{cite journal|journal=Povijesni prilozi|url=http://hrcak.srce.hr/index.php?show=clanak&id_clanak_jezik=43829|issn= 0351-9767|publisher=Croatian Institute of History|date=July 2008|volume=34|issue=34|pages=103–120|first=Vladimir|last=Huzjan|title=Pokušaj otkrivanja nastanka i razvoja kravate kao riječi i odjevnoga predmeta|language=hr|trans-title=The origin and development of the tie (kravata) as a word and as a garment|access-date=17 October 2011}}</ref>

In 2019, Croatia had 95 professional theatres, 30 professional children's theatres, and 51 amateur theatres visited by more than 2.27&nbsp;million viewers per year. Professional theatres employ 1,195 artists. There are 42 professional orchestras, ensembles, and choirs, attracting an annual attendance of 297&nbsp;thousand. There are 75 cinemas with 166 screens and attendance of 5.026&nbsp;million.{{sfn|2018 Statistical Yearbook of the Republic of Croatia|pp=512–513}}

Croatia has 222 museums, visited by more than 2.71&nbsp;million people in 2016. Furthermore, there are 1,768 libraries, containing 26.8&nbsp;million volumes, and 19 state archives.{{sfn|2018 Statistical Yearbook of the Republic of Croatia|pp=516–521}} The book publishing market is dominated by several major publishers and the industry's centrepiece event—[[Interliber]] exhibition held annually at [[Zagreb Fair]].<ref name="JL-Interliber">{{cite news|newspaper=Jutarnji list|url=http://www.jutarnji.hr/interliber--nobelovci-za-20--bestseleri-za-50--remek-djela-za-100-kuna/902783/|title=Interliber: Nobelovci se prodaju za 20, bestseleri za 50, remek-djela za 100 kuna|trans-title=Interliber: Nobel Laureates Sold for 20, Bestsellers for 50, Masterpieces for 100 Kuna|language=hr|first=Adriana|last=Piteša|date=10 November 2010|access-date=13 October 2011|archive-date=24 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120124020747/http://www.jutarnji.hr/interliber--nobelovci-za-20--bestseleri-za-50--remek-djela-za-100-kuna/902783/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== Arts, literature, and music===
{{main|Croatian art|Architecture of Croatia|Croatian literature|Croatian music}}
{{multiple image
 | total_width = 225
 | align = right
 | image1 = Peristyle, Split 2.jpg
 | alt1 = 
 | caption1 = Historical nucleus of [[Split, Croatia|Split]] with the 4th-century [[Diocletian's Palace]] was inscribed on the [[UNESCO]] list of [[World Heritage Site]]s in 1979.
 | image2 = EuphrasiusBasilika.jpg
 | alt2 = 
 | caption2 = [[Euphrasian Basilica]] in [[Poreč]], example of early [[Byzantine architecture]], on the [[UNESCO]] [[World Heritage List]] since 1997.
}}
Architecture in Croatia reflects influences of bordering nations. Austrian and Hungarian influence is visible in public spaces and buildings in the north and the central regions, architecture found along coasts of Dalmatia and Istria exhibits Venetian influence.<ref>{{cite book|title=A short history of Yugoslavia from early times to 1966|publisher=[[Cambridge University Press|CUP Archive]]|isbn=978-0-521-09531-0|first1=Stephen|last1=Clissold|author2=Henry Clifford Darby|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_G43AAAAIAAJ|year=1968|pages=51–52|access-date=30 November 2011}}</ref> Squares named after culture heroes, parks, and pedestrian-only zones, are features of Croatian towns and cities, especially where large scale [[Baroque architecture|Baroque]] urban planning took place, for instance in Osijek ([[Tvrđa]]), Varaždin, and Karlovac.<ref name="Telegraph-Baroque">{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/croatia/10124483/Varazdin-Croatias-little-Vienna.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/croatia/10124483/Varazdin-Croatias-little-Vienna.html |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Varaždin: Croatia's 'little Vienna'|date=17 June 2013|last=MacGregor|first=Sandra|newspaper=[[Telegraph Media Group]]|access-date=4 September 2013}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref name="JL-Karlovac-Baroque">{{cite news|newspaper=Jutarnji list|url=http://www.jutarnji.hr/najljepsi-gradovi-sjeverne-hrvatske---karlovac--ozalj--ogulin/877654/| title= Najljepši gradovi Sjeverne Hrvatske – Karlovac, Ozalj, Ogulin|trans-title=The Most Beautiful Cities of the Northern Croatia – Karlovac, Ozalj, Ogulin|language=hr|date=14 August 2010|access-date=10 October 2011}}</ref> The subsequent influence of the [[Art Nouveau]] was reflected in contemporary architecture.<ref name="IPU-Art-Nouveau">{{cite journal|journal=Radovi Instituta Za Povijest Umjetnosti|issn=0350-3437|publisher=Institute of Art History (Croatia)|language=hr|url=http://www.hart.hr/uploads/documents/354.pdf|author=Darja Radović Mahečić|title=Sekvenca secesije – arhitekt Lav Kalda|trans-title=Sequence of the Art Nouveau – Architect Lav Kalda|year=2006|volume=30|pages=241–264|access-date=10 October 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721100230/http://www.hart.hr/uploads/documents/354.pdf|archive-date=21 July 2011}}</ref> The architecture is the Mediterranean with a Venetian and Renaissance influence in major coastal urban areas exemplified in works of [[Giorgio da Sebenico]] and [[Nicolas of Florence]] such as the [[Šibenik Cathedral|Cathedral of St. James]] in Šibenik. The oldest preserved examples of Croatian architecture are the 9th-century churches, with the largest and the most representative among them being [[Church of St. Donatus]] in [[Zadar]].<ref name="MVPEI-Art">{{cite web|publisher=Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration (Croatia) |url=http://www.mfa.hr/MVP.asp?pcpid=1467 |title=Croatian Art History – Overview of Prehistory |access-date=10 October 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111007184122/http://www.mfa.hr/MVP.asp?pcpid=1467 |archive-date=7 October 2011}}</ref><ref name="TZZadar-Donat">{{cite web|publisher=Zadar Tourist Board|url=http://www.tzzadar.hr/en/city-guide/historical-monuments/23-05-2007/church-of-saint-donat|title=Church of Saint Donat|access-date=10 October 2011|archive-date=24 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140324042000/http://www.tzzadar.hr/en/city-guide/historical-monuments/23-05-2007/church-of-saint-donat|url-status=dead}}</ref>
[[File:Marco Marulo 1903 Ljetopis društva hrvatskih književnika za 1900-1903.jpg|upright|left|thumb|[[Marko Marulić]] (18 August 1450 – 5 January 1524), Croatian poet, lawyer, judge, and Renaissance humanist who coined the term "[[psychology]]". He is the [[national poet]] of Croatia.]]
Besides the architecture encompassing the oldest artworks, there is a history of artists in Croatia reaching the Middle Ages. In that period the stone portal of the [[Trogir Cathedral]] was made by [[Radovan (master)|Radovan]], representing the most important monument of [[Romanesque art|Romanesque]] sculpture from [[Croatia in the union with Hungary|Medieval Croatia]]. The [[Renaissance in Croatia|Renaissance]] had the greatest impact on the Adriatic Sea coast since the remainder was embroiled in the Hundred Years' Croatian–Ottoman War. With the waning of the Ottoman Empire, art flourished during the [[Baroque]] and [[Rococo]]. The 19th and 20th centuries brought affirmation of numerous Croatian artisans, helped by several patrons of the arts such as bishop [[Josip Juraj Strossmayer]].<ref name="Essehist-Strossmayer">{{cite journal|journal=Essehist|publisher=[[University of Osijek]] – Faculty of Philosophy|issn=1847-6236|date=September 2011|volume=2|url=http://hrcak.srce.hr/index.php?show=clanak&id_clanak_jezik=95675|title=Josip Juraj Strossmayer – Rođeni Osječanin|trans-title=Josip Juraj Strossmayer – Native of Osijek|language=hr|pages=70–73|first=Pavao|last=Nujić|access-date=10 October 2011}}</ref> Croatian artists of the period achieving renown were [[Vlaho Bukovac]], [[Ivan Meštrović]], and [[Ivan Generalić]].<ref name="MVPEI-Art"/><ref name=":0">{{cite book|last=Hintz|first=Martin|title=Croatia: Enchantment of the World|publisher=[[Scholastic Corporation|Scholastic]]|year=2004|isbn=0-516-24253-9|pages=105–107}}</ref>

The Baška tablet, a stone inscribed with the [[glagolitic alphabet]] found on the Krk island and dated to {{Circa|1100}}, is considered to be the oldest surviving prose in Croatian.<ref name="KRK-Baška">{{cite web|publisher=Island of Krk Tourist Board|url=http://www.krk.hr/en/offer/attractions/the_baska_tablet|title=The Baška tablet|access-date=13 October 2011|archive-date=2 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190502052935/http://www.krk.hr/en/offer/attractions/the_baska_tablet|url-status=dead}}</ref> The beginning of more vigorous development of Croatian literature is marked by the Renaissance and [[Marko Marulić]]. Besides Marulić, Renaissance playwright [[Marin Držić]], Baroque poet [[Ivan Gundulić]], [[Croatian national revival]] poet [[Ivan Mažuranić]], novelist, playwright, and poet [[August Šenoa]], children's writer [[Ivana Brlić-Mažuranić]], writer and journalist [[Marija Jurić Zagorka]], poet and writer [[Antun Gustav Matoš]], poet [[Antun Branko Šimić]], [[expressionist]] and [[Realism (arts)|realist]] writer [[Miroslav Krleža]], poet [[Tin Ujević]] and novelist, and short story writer [[Ivo Andrić]] are often cited as the greatest figures in Croatian literature.<ref name="LZMK">{{cite web|publisher=[[Miroslav Krleža Institute of Lexicography]]|url=http://www.lzmk.hr/hr/vijesti-zavoda/iz-medija/524-hrvatska-knjizevnost-u-270000-redaka-vjesnik|date=11 February 2011|language=hr|title=Hrvatska književnost u 270.000 redaka|trans-title=Croatian Literature in 270,000 Lines|access-date=13 October 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111217062534/http://www.lzmk.hr/hr/vijesti-zavoda/iz-medija/524-hrvatska-knjizevnost-u-270000-redaka-vjesnik|archive-date=17 December 2011}}</ref><ref name="NYT-Readerguide">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/04/18/books/a-reader-s-guide-to-the-balkans.html|title= A Reader's Guide to the Balkans|first=Robert D.|last=Kaplan|date=18 April 1993|newspaper=The New York Times}}</ref>

Croatian music varies from classical operas to modern-day rock. [[Vatroslav Lisinski]] created the country's first opera, ''Love and Malice'', in 1846. [[Ivan Zajc]] composed more than a thousand pieces of music, including masses and oratorios. Pianist [[Ivo Pogorelić]] has performed across the world.<ref name=":0" />

=== Media ===
{{main|Media of Croatia|Cinema of Croatia|Television in Croatia|List of radio stations in Croatia}}
In Croatia, the Constitution guarantees the freedom of the press and the freedom of speech.<ref name="worldpress">{{cite encyclopedia|last=Benfield|first=Richard W.|editor=Quick, Amanda C.|encyclopedia=World Press Encyclopedia|title=Croatia|url=http://www.pressreference.com/Co-Fa/Croatia.html|access-date=13 September 2011|edition=2|publisher=[[Gale (publisher)|Gale]]|volume=1|location=Detroit|isbn=0-7876-5583-X|year=2003}}</ref> Croatia ranked 64th in the 2019 [[Press Freedom Index]] report compiled by [[Reporters Without Borders]] which noted that journalists who investigate corruption, organised crime or war crimes face challenges and that the Government was trying to influence the public broadcaster [[Croatian Radiotelevision|HRT]]'s editorial policies.<ref name="index">{{cite web |url=https://rsf.org/en/ranking/2019 |title=Press Freedom Index 2019 |publisher=Reporters Without Borders |access-date=10 September 2019}}</ref> In its 2019 Freedom in the World report, the [[Freedom House]] classified freedoms of press and speech in Croatia as generally free from political interference and manipulation, noting that journalists still face threats and occasional attacks.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-world/2019/croatia|title=Croatia|date=28 January 2019|website=freedomhouse.org|access-date=10 September 2019|archive-date=19 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190719030207/https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-world/2019/croatia|url-status=dead}}</ref> The state-owned news agency [[HINA]] runs a [[wire service]] in Croatian and English on politics, economics, society, and culture.<ref name="HINA-about">{{cite web|publisher=[[HINA]]|url=http://websrv2.hina.hr/hina/web/view.action?view=hina|title=About Hina|access-date=13 October 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111011031419/http://websrv2.hina.hr/hina/web/view.action?view=hina|archive-date=11 October 2011}}</ref>
[[File:Zgrada HRT Zagreb.jpg|thumb|[[Croatian Radio|Radio Zagreb]], now a part of [[Croatian Radiotelevision]], was the first public radio station in Southeast Europe.<ref>{{cite journal|journal=Politička Misao|publisher=University of Zagreb, Faculty of Political Sciences|issn=0032-3241|volume=38|issue=5|date=July 2002|title=Marina Mučalo: Radio in Croatia, book review|first=Darko|last=Tomorad|pages=150–152}}</ref>]]

{{as of|2021|January}}, there are thirteen nationwide free-to-air [[DVB-T]] television channels, with [[Croatian Radiotelevision]] (HRT) operating four, [[RTL (Croatian TV channel)|RTL Televizija]] three, and [[Nova TV (Croatia)|Nova TV]] operating two channels, and the [[Croatian Olympic Committee]], Kapital Net d.o.o., and Author d.o.o. companies operate the remaining three.<ref>{{cite web|title=Popis programa DTV {{!}} OIV digitalni signali i mreže|url=https://oiv.hr/hr/usluge-i-platforme/oiv-dtv-dvb-t2-digitalna-zemaljska-televizija/popis-programa-dtv/|access-date=23 January 2021|website=oiv.hr|language=hr}}</ref> Also, there are 21 regional or local DVB-T television channels.<ref name="OIV-DVBT">{{cite web|publisher=[[Odašiljači i veze]]|url=https://www.oiv.hr/broadcasting/tables/dtv_channel_hr.aspx|title=Popis programa digitalne televizije|trans-title=List of Digital Television Programmes|language=hr|access-date=23 December 2018|archive-date=6 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181106185209/https://www.oiv.hr/broadcasting/tables/dtv_channel_hr.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref> The HRT is also broadcasting a satellite TV channel.<ref name="HRT-Sat">{{cite web|publisher=[[Croatian Radiotelevision]]|url=http://www.hrt.hr/index.php?id=186&tx_ttnews%5Bcat%5D=126&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=1787&tx_ttnews%5BbackPid%5D=185&cHash=ac69c865cd|title=HRT broadcasting via satellite|date=20 May 2008|access-date=13 October 2011|archive-date=28 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130828125903/http://www.hrt.hr/index.php?id=186&tx_ttnews%5Bcat%5D=126&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=1787&tx_ttnews%5BbackPid%5D=185&cHash=ac69c865cd|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2020, there were 155 radio stations and 27 TV stations in Croatia.<ref name="dzs2">{{cite journal|url=https://www.dzs.hr/Hrv_Eng/ljetopis/2018/sljh2018.pdf|date=2 November 2018|title=Statistički ljetopis Republike Hrvatske 2018 Statistical Yearbook of the Republic of Croatia|journal=Statistički Ljetopis Republike Hrvatske|issn=1333-3305 |access-date=17 January 2021 |ref={{harvid|2018 Statistical Yearbook of the Republic of Croatia}}}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=v.k.|date=11 October 2020|title=Radio stanice u Zagrebu i Zagrebačkoj županiji|url=https://www.zgportal.com/zgservis/radio-stanice-u-zagrebu-i-zagrebackoj-zupaniji/|access-date=23 January 2021|website=ZGportal Zagreb|language=hr}}</ref> Cable television and [[IPTV]] networks are gaining ground. Cable television already serves 450&nbsp;thousand people, around 10% of the total population of the country.<ref name="Lider-IPTV">{{cite web|publisher=Lider|url=http://www.liderpress.hr/Default.aspx?sid=11836|title=Prva Internet televizija u Hrvatskoj|trans-title=The First Internet Television in Croatia|language=hr|first=Sandra|last=Babić|date=15 January 2007|access-date=13 October 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120111153124/http://www.liderpress.hr/Default.aspx?sid=11836|archive-date=11 January 2012}}</ref><ref name="JL-cableTV">{{cite news|newspaper=Jutarnji list|url=http://www.jutarnji.hr/kabelska-televizija--vec-je-450--tisuca-hrvata-preslo-na-kabelsku-i-gleda-200-tv-programa/901119/|language=hr|title=Već je 450 tisuća Hrvata prešlo na kabelsku i gleda 200 TV programa|trans-title=450 thousand Croats already switched to cable, watching 200 TV channels|first=Merita|last=Arslani|date=6 November 2010|access-date=13 October 2011|archive-date=24 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120124011955/http://www.jutarnji.hr/kabelska-televizija--vec-je-450--tisuca-hrvata-preslo-na-kabelsku-i-gleda-200-tv-programa/901119/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In 2010, 314 newspapers and 2,678 magazines were published in Croatia.<ref name="DZS-Stat2010"/> The print media market is dominated by the Croatian-owned [[Hanza Media]] and Austrian-owned [[Styria Media Group]] who publish their flagship dailies {{lang|hr|[[Jutarnji list]]}}, ''[[Večernji list]]'' and ''[[24sata (Croatia)|24sata]]''. Other influential newspapers are ''[[Novi list]]'' and ''[[Slobodna Dalmacija]]''.<ref name="EPH-Print">{{cite web|publisher=[[Europapress Holding]] |url=http://www.eph.hr/eng/products_and_services/index.html |title=Print Products |access-date=13 October 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111008011534/http://www.eph.hr/eng/products_and_services/index.html |archive-date=8 October 2011 }}</ref><ref name="Styria-dailies">{{cite web|publisher=[[Styria Media Group]] |url=http://www.styria.com/en/konzernunternehmen/kategorie.php?&cat=1 |title=Daily papers |access-date=13 October 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110921110603/http://www.styria.com/en/konzernunternehmen/kategorie.php?&cat=1 |archive-date=21 September 2011 }}</ref> In 2020, ''24sata'' was the most widely circulated daily newspaper, followed by ''Večernji list'' and ''Jutarnji list''.<ref>{{cite journal|url=http://hrcak.srce.hr/135683|title=Tisak u krizi: analiza trendova u Hrvatskoj od 2008. do 2013.|journal=Medijske Studije|volume=5|issue=10|date=December 2014|last=Vozab|first=Dina|language=hr|access-date=26 December 2015|page=141}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=AZTN: Prodaja dnevnih i tjednih novina nastavlja padati|url=https://www.tportal.hr/vijesti/clanak/aztn-prodaja-dnevnih-i-tjednih-novina-nastavlja-padati-20200617|access-date=23 January 2021|website=tportal.hr}}</ref>

[[Cinema of Croatia|Croatia's film industry]] is small and heavily subsidised by the government, mainly through grants approved by the Ministry of Culture with films often being co-produced by HRT.<ref name="JL-Film">{{cite news|newspaper=Jutarnji list|url=http://www.jutarnji.hr/ministarstvo-financira-rekordan-broj-filmova/154303/|title=Ministarstvo financira rekordan broj filmova|trans-title=Ministry [of Culture] funding a record number of films|language=hr|date=12 September 2006|first=Adriana|last=Piteša|access-date=13 October 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120126125752/http://www.jutarnji.hr/ministarstvo-financira-rekordan-broj-filmova/154303/|archive-date=26 January 2012}}</ref><ref name="HRT-coproducing">{{cite web|publisher=Croatian Radiotelevision|url=http://www.hrt.hr/index.php?id=94&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=108897&tx_ttnews%5BbackPid%5D=23&cHash=348879aae9|language=hr|title=Potpora hrvatskim filmovima i koprodukcijama|trans-title=Supporting Croatian Films and Co-Productions|date=18 March 2011|access-date=13 October 2011|archive-date=28 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130828143142/http://www.hrt.hr/index.php?id=94&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=108897&tx_ttnews%5BbackPid%5D=23&cHash=348879aae9|url-status=dead}}</ref> Croatian cinema produces between five and ten feature films per year.<ref>{{cite book |title=International Film Guide 2012 |first=Ian Hayden |last=Smith |year= 2012 |isbn= 978-1908215017 |page= 94|publisher=International Film Guide }}</ref> [[Pula Film Festival]], the national film awards event held annually in [[Pula]], is the most prestigious film event featuring national and international productions.<ref name="Vjesnik-PulaFilm">{{cite news|newspaper=Vjesnik|url=http://www.vjesnik.hr/Article.aspx?ID=4D920144-9B74-462C-82CF-ED90611927CA|archive-date=17 December 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111217063907/http://www.vjesnik.hr/Article.aspx?ID=4D920144-9B74-462C-82CF-ED90611927CA|title=Trierova trijumfalna apokalipsa|trans-title=Trier's Triumphant Apocalypse|first=Vedran|last=Jerbić|date=12 July 2011|access-date=13 October 2011|language=hr}}</ref> [[Animafest Zagreb]], founded in 1972, is the prestigious annual film festival dedicated to the animated film. The first greatest accomplishment by Croatian filmmakers was achieved by [[Dušan Vukotić]] when he won the 1961 [[Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film]] for ''[[Surogat|Ersatz]]'' ({{lang-hr|Surogat}}).<ref name="Vjesnik-surogat">{{cite news|newspaper=Vjesnik|url=http://www.vjesnik.hr/Article.aspx?ID=7C537DEE-B4AE-4879-9F79-7C68D6294510|archive-date=17 December 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111217063842/http://www.vjesnik.hr/Article.aspx?ID=7C537DEE-B4AE-4879-9F79-7C68D6294510|title="Surogat" napunio pola stoljeća|trans-title="Ersatz" celebrates half a century|language=hr|first=Božidar|last=Trkulja|date=29 May 2011|access-date=13 October 2011}}</ref> Croatian film producer [[Branko Lustig]] won the [[Academy Award for Best Picture|Academy Awards for Best Picture]] for ''[[Schindler's List]]'' and ''[[Gladiator (2000 film)|Gladiator]]''.<ref name="Film Producer Branko Lustig Becomes Honorary Citizen of Zagreb">{{cite web|publisher=Total Croatia News|url=https://www.total-croatia-news.com/lifestyle/36240-branko-lustig|title=Film Producer Branko Lustig Becomes Honorary Citizen of Zagreb|date=23 April 2019|access-date=10 September 2019|archive-date=5 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405110503/https://www.total-croatia-news.com/lifestyle/36240-branko-lustig|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== Cuisine ===
{{Main|Croatian cuisine|Croatian wine}}
{{multiple image|perrow = 2|total_width=250
|image1 = Skripavac_0808.jpg|width1= 1012 |height1= 716
|image3 = Strukli1.jpg |width2= 1012 |height2= 716
|image2 = Hobotnica_na_salatu_0909.jpg|width3= 1012 |height3= 716
|image4 = Vino Teran (Croatia).jpg |width4= 1012 |height4= 716
|footer = Specialties of [[Croatian cuisine]] and [[Croatian wine]]s.
}}
Croatian traditional cuisine varies from one region to another. Dalmatia and Istria have culinary influences of [[Italian cuisine|Italian]] and other [[Mediterranean cuisine]]s which prominently feature various seafood, cooked vegetables and pasta, and condiments such as olive oil and garlic. [[Austrian cuisine|Austrian]], [[Hungarian cuisine|Hungarian]], [[Turkish cuisine|Turkish]], and [[Balkan cuisine| Balkan]] culinary styles influenced continental cuisine. In that area, meats, freshwater fish, and vegetable dishes are predominant.<ref name="HTZ-cuisine">{{cite web|publisher=Croatian National Tourist Board|url=http://croatia.hr/en-GB/Discover-Croatia/Gastronomy-and-enology|access-date=13 October 2011|title=Gastronomy and enology}}</ref>

There are two distinct wine-producing regions in Croatia. The continental in the northeast of the country, especially Slavonia, produces premium wines, particularly whites. Along the north coast, Istrian and Krk wines are similar to those in neighbouring Italy, while further south in Dalmatia, Mediterranean-style red wines are the norm.<ref name="HTZ-cuisine"/> Annual production of wine exceeds 140&nbsp;million litres.<ref name="DZS-Stat2010"/> Croatia was almost exclusively a wine-consuming country up until the late 18th century when a more massive beer production and consumption started.<ref name="skenderovic">{{cite news|url=http://www.matica.hr/HRRevija/revija032.nsf/AllWebDocs/skenderovic|title=Kako je pivo došlo u Hrvatsku|last=Skenderović|first=Robert|year=2002|work=[[Hrvatska revija]]|language=hr|access-date=10 September 2011}}</ref> The annual consumption of beer in 2020 was 78.7 litres per capita which placed Croatia in 15th place among the world's countries.<ref>{{cite web|title=Beer Consumption by Country 2020|url=https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/beer-consumption-by-country|access-date=24 January 2021|website=worldpopulationreview.com}}</ref>

There are 11 restaurants in Croatia with a [[Michelin star]] and 89 restaurants bearing some of the Michelin's marks.<ref> {{Cite web|url=https://guide.michelin.com/hr/en/selection/croatia/restaurants|title=Michelin guide: Croatia|access-date=15 June 2023}}</ref>

=== Sports ===
{{Main|Sport in Croatia|Croatia at the Olympics}}
{{Update section|date=January 2021}}
{{more citations needed section|date=January 2022}}
[[File:Croatia WC2018 final.jpg|thumb|left|[[Croatia national football team]] came in second at the [[2018 FIFA World Cup|2018 World Cup]] in Russia.|200px]]
There are more than 400,000 active sportspeople in Croatia.<ref name="Perman-400">{{cite journal|journal=Jahr: Europski Časopis za bioetiku|publisher=University of Rijeka|url=http://hrcak.srce.hr/index.php?show=clanak&id_clanak_jezik=102603|title=Is sports system fair?|issn=1847-6376|volume=2|issue=3|date=May 2011|first=Biserka|last=Perman|access-date=8 October 2011|pages=159–171}}</ref> Out of that number, 277,000 are members of sports associations and nearly 4,000 are [[chess]] members and [[contract bridge]] associations.<ref name="DZS-Stat2010"/> Association football is the most popular sport. The [[Croatian Football Federation]] ({{lang-hr|Hrvatski nogometni savez}}), with more than 118,000 registered players, is the largest sporting association.<ref name="CFF-members">{{cite web|publisher=[[Croatian Football Federation]]|url=http://www.hns-cff.hr/?ln=en&w=o_hns|title=About Croatian Football Federation|access-date=8 October 2011}}</ref> The [[Croatia national football team|Croatian national football team]] came in third in [[1998 FIFA World Cup|1998]] and [[2022 FIFA World Cup|2022]] and second in the [[2018 FIFA World Cup]]. The [[Prva HNL]] football league attracts the highest [[List of sports attendance figures|average attendance]] of any professional sports league. In [[2010–11 Prva HNL|season 2010–11]], it attracted 458,746 spectators.<ref name="Index-attendance">{{cite web|publisher=Index.hr|language=hr|url=http://www.index.hr/sport/clanak/evo-vam-lige-16-na-utakmicama-hnla-prosjecno-1911-ljudi/553229.aspx|title=Evo vam Lige 16: Na utakmicama HNL-a prosječno 1911|trans-title= There's league 16: Average attendance at HNL matches stands at 1911|date=24 May 2011|access-date=8 October 2011}}</ref>

[[File:Força Croata.jpg|thumb|Croatia is one of the most successful [[Croatia men's national water polo team|water polo nations]]. National water polo team has won three world championships, [[Water polo at the 2007 World Aquatics Championships – Men's tournament|Melbourne 2007]], [[Water polo at the 2017 World Aquatics Championships – Men's tournament|Budapest 2017]] and  [[Water polo at the 2024 World Aquatics Championships – Men's tournament|Doha 2024]].|200px]]

Croatian athletes competing at international events since Croatian independence in 1991 won 44 [[Croatia at the Olympics|Olympic medals]], including 15 gold medals.<ref name="HOO-medalists">{{cite web|title=Olympic medalists|publisher=[[Croatian Olympic Committee]]|url=http://www.hoo.hr/en/olimpijske_popis.aspx|access-date=9 October 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120121013401/http://www.hoo.hr/en/olimpijske_popis.aspx|archive-date=21 January 2012}}</ref> Also, Croatian athletes won 16 gold medals at world championships, including four in athletics at the World Championships in Athletics. Croatia won their first major trophy at the [[2003 World Men's Handball Championship]]. In tennis, they won [[Davis Cup]] in 2005 and 2018. Croatia's most successful male players [[Goran Ivanišević]] and [[Marin Čilić]] have both won [[Grand Slam (tennis)|Grand Slam]] titles and have got into the top 3 of the [[ATP rankings]]. [[Ognjen Cvitan]] won the [[World Junior Chess Championship]] in 1981. In waterpolo, they have three world titles. [[Iva Majoli]] became the first Croatian female player to win the French Open when she won it in [[1997 French Open – Women's Singles|1997]]. Croatia hosted several major sports competitions, including the [[2009 World Men's Handball Championship]], the [[2007 World Table Tennis Championships]], the [[2000 World Rowing Championships]], the [[1987 Summer Universiade]], the [[1979 Mediterranean Games]], and several [[European Championship]]s, including the [[2000 European Men's Handball Championship|2000]] and [[2018 European Men's Handball Championship|2018]] [[European Men's Handball Championship]].

The governing sports authority is the [[Croatian Olympic Committee]] ({{lang-hr|Hrvatski olimpijski odbor}}), founded on 10 September 1991 and recognised by the [[International Olympic Committee]] since 17 January 1992, in time to permit the Croatian athletes to appear at the [[1992 Winter Olympics]] in [[Albertville]], France representing the newly independent nation for the first time at the [[Olympic Games]].<ref name="HOO-COO">{{cite web|publisher=Croatian Olympic Committee|url=http://www.hoo.hr/en/hoo.aspx|title=Croatian Olympic Committee|work=hoo.hr|access-date=9 October 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110704233649/http://www.hoo.hr/en/hoo.aspx|archive-date=4 July 2011}}</ref>

== See also ==
{{Portal|Croatia|Countries|Europe}}
* [[Outline of Croatia]]
* [[Index of Croatia-related articles]]{{-}}

== Explanatory notes ==
{{Notelist|group=efn}}

== Citations ==
{{Reflist|30em}}

== General and cited references ==
{{sfn whitelist|CITEREF2017_Statistical_Yearbook_of_the_Republic_of_Croatia}}
{{Refbegin|30em}}
* {{cite book|first1=Roy|last1=Adkins|first2=Lesley|last2=Adkins|year=2008|title=The War for All the Oceans|publisher=[[Penguin Books]]|isbn=978-0-14-311392-8|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3u9jdSlnGiMC|access-date=18 October 2011}}
* {{cite book|first1=Damir|last1=Agičić|first2=Dragutin|last2=Feletar|first3=Anita|last3=Filipčić|first4=Tomislav|last4=Jelić|first5=Zoran|last5=Stiperski|title=Povijest i zemljopis Hrvatske: priručnik za hrvatske manjinske škole|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9SArPwAACAAJ|year=2000|publisher=Nakladna kuća "Dr. Feletar" |isbn=978-953-6235-40-7|language=hr|trans-title=History and Geography of Croatia: Minority School Manual|access-date=18 October 2011}}
*{{cite book|first=Beverly|last=Allen|title=Rape Warfare: The Hidden Genocide in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Croatia|year=1996|publisher=University of Minnesota Press|isbn=978-0816628186|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/rapewarfarehidde00alle}}
* {{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KfqbujXqQBkC|first=Ivo|last=Banac|author-link=Ivo Banac|title=The national question in Yugoslavia: origins, history, politics|publisher=[[Cornell University Press]]|isbn=978-0-8014-9493-2|year=1984|access-date=18 October 2011}}
* {{cite book|first=Mark|last=Biondich|title=Stjepan Radić, the Croat Peasant Party, and the politics of mass mobilization, 1904–1928|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dZBgIIZ18WMC|year=2000|publisher=[[University of Toronto Press]]|isbn=978-0-8020-8294-7|access-date=18 October 2011}}
*{{cite book |first=Neven |last=Budak |author-link=Neven Budak |year=2018 |title=Hrvatska povijest od 550. do 1100. |trans-title=Croatian history from 550 until 1100 |url=http://www.leykam-international.hr/publikacija.php?id=167 |publisher=Leykam international |isbn=978-953-340-061-7}}
* {{cite book|first=Peterjon|last=Cresswell|title=Time Out Croatia|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kwOYuX-Oy18C|access-date=10 March 2010|edition=First|date=10 July 2006|publisher=Time Out Group Ltd & Ebury Publishing, [[Random House]]|location=London, Berkeley & Toronto|isbn=978-1-904978-70-1}}
* {{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7TiFZQHwAjQC|first=Sharon|last=Fisher|title=Political change in post-Communist Slovakia and Croatia: from nationalist to Europeanist|year=2006|publisher=[[Palgrave Macmillan]]|isbn=978-1-4039-7286-6|access-date=18 October 2011}}
* {{cite journal|journal=Povijesni prilozi|url=http://hrcak.srce.hr/index.php?show=clanak&id_clanak_jezik=13778|issn=0351-9767|publisher=Croatian Institute of History|date=July 2005|volume=28|issue=28|pages=7–22|first=Márta|last=Font|title=Ugarsko Kraljevstvo i Hrvatska u srednjem vijeku|language=hr|trans-title=Hungarian Kingdom and Croatia in the Middle Ages|access-date=17 October 2011}}
* {{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MWTrLQAACAAJ|first1=Joerg|last1=Forbrig|first2=Pavol|last2=Demeš|title=Reclaiming democracy: civil society and electoral change in central and eastern Europe|year=2007|isbn=978-80-969639-0-4|publisher=[[The German Marshall Fund of the United States]]|access-date=18 October 2011}}
* {{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lVBB1a0rC70C|first=Richard C.|last=Frucht|title=Eastern Europe: An Introduction to the People, Lands, and Culture|year=2005|publisher=ABC-CLIO|isbn=978-1-57607-800-6|access-date=18 October 2011}}
* {{cite journal|last=Geiger|first=Vladimir|title=Human losses of Croats in World War II and the immediate post-war period caused by the Chetniks (Yugoslav Army in the Fatherland) and the Partizans (People's Liberation Army and the partizan detachment of Yugoslavia/Yugoslav Army) and the Yugoslav Communist authoritities. Numerical indicators|journal=Review of Croatian History|volume=VIII|issue=1|year=2012|pages=77–121|url=https://hrcak.srce.hr/103223?lang=en}}
* {{cite book|last=Goldstein|first=Ivo|author-link=Ivo Goldstein|title=Croatia: A History|publisher=[[C. Hurst & Co.]]|year=1999|isbn=9781850655251}}
* {{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=z7sVAQAAIAAJ|editor-first=Mirjana|editor-last=Kasapović|language=hr|title=Hrvatska Politika 1990–2000|trans-title=Croatian Politics 1990–2000|publisher=[[University of Zagreb]], Faculty of Political Science|year=2001|isbn=978-953-6457-08-3|access-date=18 October 2011}}
* {{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ORSMBFwjAKcC|first1=Matjaž|last1=Klemenčič|first2=Mitja|last2=Žagar|title=The former Yugoslavia's diverse peoples: a reference sourcebook|publisher=[[ABC-CLIO]]|year=2004|isbn=978-1-57607-294-3|access-date=17 October 2011}}
* {{cite book|last=Kočović|first=Bogoljub|author-link=Bogoljub Kočović|title=Žrtve Drugog svetskog rata u Jugoslaviji|trans-title=World War II Victims in Yugoslavia|date=1985|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sPxmAAAAMAAJ|publisher=Naše delo|language=sr}}
* {{cite book|first=Frederic Chapin|last=Lane|author-link=Frederic C. Lane|title=Venice, a Maritime Republic|publisher=JHU Press|year=1973|isbn=978-0-8018-1460-0|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PQpU2JGJCMwC|access-date=18 October 2011}}
* {{cite book|first=Manus I.|last=Midlarsky|title=The Killing Trap: Genocide in the Twentieth Century|url=https://archive.org/details/killingtrapgenoc0000midl|url-access=registration|access-date=25 March 2013|edition=First|date=20 October 2005|publisher=[[Cambridge University Press]]|location=[[Cambridge]]|isbn=978-1-139-44539-9}}
* {{cite book|first=Branka|last=Magaš|title=Croatia Through History: The Making of a European State|publisher=Saqi Books|year=2007|isbn=978-0-86356-775-9|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OY5pAAAAMAAJ|access-date=18 October 2011}}
* {{cite book|first=Ivan|last=Mužić|title=Hrvatska povijest devetoga stoljeća|trans-title=Croatian Ninth Century History|language=hr|url=http://www.muzic-ivan.info/hrvatska_povijest.pdf|isbn=978-953-263-034-3|year=2007|publisher=Naklada Bošković|access-date=14 October 2011|archive-date=8 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190808024028/http://www.muzic-ivan.info/hrvatska_povijest.pdf|url-status=dead}}
* {{cite book|last=Tomasevich|first=Jozo|year=2001|title=War and Revolution in Yugoslavia, 1941–1945: Occupation and Collaboration|publisher=Stanford University Press|location=Stanford Univ|isbn=978-0-8047-3615-2|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fqUSGevFe5MC}}
*{{cite journal|last=Žerjavić|first=Vladimir|author-link=Vladimir Žerjavić|url=https://hrcak.srce.hr/index.php?show=clanak&id_clanak_jezik=52846|language=hr|title=Doseljavanja i iseljavanja s područja Istre, Rijeke i Zadra u razdoblju 1910–1971.|trans-title=Immigration and emigration from the Istria, Rijeka and Zadar areas in the period from 1910 to 1971|pages=631–653|journal=Journal for General Social Issues|volume=2|number=4-5(6–7)|date=1993|location=[[Zagreb]], Croatia|ref={{harvid|Žerjavić|1993b}}}}
*{{cite book|last=Žerjavić|first=Vladimir|author-link=Vladimir Žerjavić|year=1992|title=Opsesije i megalomanije oko Jasenovca i Bleiburga|trans-title=Obsession and Megalomania over Jasenovac and Bleiburg|publisher=Globus|isbn=86-343-0661-5|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OCotAAAAMAAJ|language=hr}}
* {{cite web|ref={{harvid|DIP|1990 (a)}}|year=1990|publisher=Croatian State Electoral Committee|location=Zagreb, Croatia|language=hr|url=http://www.izbori.hr/arhiva/pdf/1990/1990_2_1_Sabor_Statistika_Stat_podaci.pdf|title=Statistički pokazatelji o provedenim izborima za zastupnike u Sabor Socijalističke Republike Hrvatske – Prilog|trans-title=Statistical Indicators on Performed Elections of Representatives in the Parliament of the Socialist Republic of Croatia – Annex|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150514021334/http://www.izbori.hr/arhiva/pdf/1990/1990_2_1_Sabor_Statistika_Stat_podaci.pdf|archive-date=14 May 2015}}
* {{Croatia Yearbook 2013|ref={{SfnRef|2013 Statistical Yearbook of the Republic of Croatia}}}}
* {{Croatia Yearbook 2015|ref={{SfnRef|Statistical Yearbook of the Republic of Croatia 2015}}}}
* {{Croatia Yearbook 2017|ref={{SfnRef|2017 Statistical Yearbook of the Republic of Croatia}}}}
{{Refend}}

== External links ==
{{Sister project links|voy=Croatia}}
* {{curlie|Regional/Europe/Croatia}}
* {{Wikiatlas|Croatia}}
* {{osmrelation-inline|214885|bullet=no}}
* [http://www.ifs.du.edu/ifs/frm_CountryProfile.aspx?Country=HR Key Development Forecasts for Croatia] from [[International Futures]]

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