Croatia

Discover Croatia

Croatia, a country situated at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe. The area of present-day Croatia has been inhabited since prehistoric times. In antiquity, the region was part of the Illyrian and Roman civilizations. With the fall of the Western Roman Empire, the Croatian tribes migrated to the area and established their own kingdom in the 9th century.

During the Middle Ages, Croatia faced numerous challenges and conflicts, including wars with the Mongols and Ottoman Empire. In the 16th century, Croatia entered into a union with the Kingdom of Hungary, forming the Habsburg-controlled Kingdom of Croatia.

In the 19th century, Croatia was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, experiencing cultural and political reawakening. The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw the rise of nationalist movements, leading to the creation of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia after World War I.

During World War II, Croatia was part of the Axis-aligned Independent State of Croatia, which was marred by collaboration with Nazi Germany and the brutal persecution of minorities. After the war, Croatia became a constituent republic within socialist Yugoslavia under Marshal Tito's rule.

In the 1990s, Croatia declared independence from Yugoslavia, leading to the Croatian War of Independence. The conflict resulted in significant loss of life and displacement, but Croatia emerged as an independent nation in 1991.

Since then, Croatia has made strides in political stability, economic development, and cultural preservation. In 2013, it became a member of the European Union.

Today, Croatia is known for its stunning Adriatic coastline, historic cities such as Dubrovnik and Split, and a vibrant blend of Mediterranean, Central European, and Balkan influences.