Travel & Places

Visit Croatia – Beautiful Country at Adriatic Sea

June 10, 2013

1407

Croatia or the Republic of Croatia is a country situated in the Balkans, Central Europe on the east side of the Adriatic Sea. The capital and the largest city is Zagreb.

Croatia is one of the ecologically best preserved parts of Europe. Croatia is blessed with outstanding natural beauty and it is a real pearl of the Balkan Peninsula with numerous historical parks and protected nature and national parks.

Croatia is an area with an above average number of land, sea and underwater species. With 8 National Parks and 11 Nature Parks, Croatia is a home to protected species such as the brown bear in Kuterevo, dolphins and Mediterranean monk seal in the Kvarner waters, the griffon vulture on the craggy rocks of Cres or even the white stork in Čigoč and the herd of wild horses in Posavina.

Nature Parks in Croatia: Biokovo, Kopački rit, Lastovsko Otočje, Lonjsko Polje, Medvednica, Papuk, Talasčica, Velebit, Učka, Vransko Lake, Žumberak.

National Parks in Croatia: Brijuni, Kornati, Krka, Mljet, Northern Velebit, Plitvice Lakes, Risnjak, Paklenica.

The most famous National Park in Croatia is Plitvice Lakes. The main attractions of this park, unique in the world, are the 16 small lakes joined by waterfalls. This national park encompasses the source of the river Korana and several caves. Plitvice Lakes are listed on the UNESCO List of World Heritage sites.

UNESCO destination in Croatia: Diokletian Palace and Medieval – Split, Dubrovnik Old Town, National Park Plitvice Lakes, Starigrad Plain, St. Jacob’s Cathedral – Shibenik, Historical Core of Trogir.

Most of Croatia has a moderately warm and rainy continental climate. There is two climate zones: in the interior it is warm and wet and on the highest peaks there is a snowy forest climate. If you want to experience totally different climates in the space of a few hours then you are in the right place. The coldest parts are Lika and Gorski Kotar. The warmest areas are at the Adriatic coast.

The bulk of the tourist industry in Croatia is concentrated along the Adriatic Sea coast. The largest urban centres along the coast are Pula, Rijeka, Zadar, Šibenik, Split and Dubrovnik. The Croatian coastline together with its islands ranks among the most intricate indented coastlines in the world. There is a 1244 islands, islets, cliffs and reefs of which only 50 are inhabited. Some of the largest islands are Lošinj and Cres, Krk, Rab, Brač, Hvar, Vis, Korčula, Mljet.

Croatia offers absolutely all types of beaches. There are family beaches, tidy town beaches and modern beaches for walking and having fun. The most famous beach for fun and great time is Zrće on Island of Pag and it’s called the Adriatic Ibiza.

Croatia was the first country in Europe to start with the concept of commercial naturist resorts. About 15% of all tourists that visit the country are naturists or nudists. Naturist beaches in Croatia are marked as “FKK”. The most popular nudist destinations are Pula, Hvar and Island Rab.