Geographic position:
Croatia extends from the easterly edges of the Alps in the northwest, through the Pannonian lowlands, to the banks of the Danube in the east. Its central region is covered by the Dinara mountain range, while the southern region ends on the Adriatic coast.

Surface area:
The mainland covers an area of 56,594 km2. Its territorial water cover a surface area of 31,067 km2.

Population:
Croatia has 4,437,460 inhabitants.

Demographics:
The majority of the population are Croats, with the largest minorities being Serbs, Bosnians, Slovenes, Hungarians, Czechs, Italians and Albanians.

System of government:
Croatia is a multi-party parliamentary republic.

Capital:
Zagreb (779.145inhabitants ) - the economic, transport, cultural and academic centre of the country.

Length of the coastline:
5.835,3 km, of which 4.058 km is made up of island coastlines, solitary rocks and reefs.

Number of islands, solitary rocks and reefs:
1.244. The largest islands are Krk and Cres; there are 47 inhabited islands.

Highest peak :
Dinara, 1,831 m above sea level.

Climate:
Croatia has three climate zones. The prevailing climate in the country’s continental interior is moderately warm and rainy. Areas of high altitude have a mountain climate which includes snowfall. The areas along the Adriatic coast have a pleasAverage temperatures in the continental interior are: January from 2 to 0 °C, with somewhat lower temperatures at the highest altitudes, August approximately 20 °C, with around 12 °C at the highest altitudes. Average temperatures in the Littoral (Adriatic Coast) are: January from 5 to 9 °C, August od 22 do 25 °C; the sea temperature in winter is 12 °C, and approximately 25 °C in summer.

Currency:
The official currency in Croatia is kuna (1 kuna = 100 lipa). Foreign currency can be exchanged in banks, exchange offices, post offices and in the majority of tourist information offices, hotels and campsites. Credit cards (Eurocard / Mastercard, Visa, American Express and Diners) are accepted in almost all hotels, marinas, restaurants, shops and cash machines.