Croatia: the Mediterranean of years gone by
Croatia boasts one of the most dramatic stretches of coastline that Europe has to offer, with almost 6,000 kilometres of shoreline and over 1,000 islands, reefs and cliffs. Over-exploitation of the coast has been avoided and there are still enough sparsely populated islands, quiet coves and stone-built fishing villages to make you feel you are visiting one of the Mediterranean’s most unspoilt areas. This is the Mediterranean of years gone by – from the Istrian peninsula in the north along the glorious Dalmatian Coast down to Dubrovnik in the south.
Croatia has a beautiful rugged terrain rich with flora and fauna including fields of lavender, vines, olive trees, peach trees, laurel, cypresses, wild cats, bears and lynx. Today some 7.5% of Croatian territory is protected within the national park system or under other regional protection. The national parks include the archipelagos of Brijuni and Kornati, the island of Mljet, Paklenica Canyons, Mount Risnjak and Mount North Velebit, the Plitvice Lakes area and the Krka River area.
Croatian culture is based on a history dating back to Roman times, with influences reflecting its geographical position between east and west including Byzantine, Italianate and Slavic styles. Two Nobel prize winners came from Croatia, as did numerous important inventors. Croatia also has a place in the history of clothing as the origin of the necktie (cravat).
