Geographic situation
Croatia is situated in the south-eastern part of Europe. Croatia is a medium-size European country; in its position is both Central European and Mediterranean, as well as Pannonian-Adriatic. Croatia is also a sub-Danube country through which flows the Danube River in the east in total length of 188 km. The topography of the country is divided into the lowland basin between the Sava and Drava Rivers (the longest rivers in Croatia: 562 and 505 km respectively) which expands to the mountains and hills in the north, the mountain karst region of the Dinaric Range (with the highest peak in Croatia; Dinara – 1.831m above sea-level) and the littoral which runs from Istria south through Dalmatia along the Adriatic Coast. And what makes this country so attractive to the touristic world is that it shares the Adriatic Sea with a number of other countries.
The area of Croatia comprises of the mainland covering an area of 56.542 km 2 and the coastal sea comprising of the interior and territorial sea which covers an area of 31 067 km 2.

Coast and Borders
The length of the coast is 5.875 km. Along the Adriatic Coastline there are 1.185 offshore islands, islets and reefs, 66 of them are inhabited. The largest are Krk, Cres, Lošinj, Pag and Rab in the north; Dugi Otok in the middle; and Brač, Hvar Korčula, Mljet and Vis in the south.
The total length of the mainland border of the Republic of Croatia is 2.028 km. It borders with Serbia in the north-east, Hungry in the north, Slovenia in the north-west, with Bosnia and Herzegovina in the total length of the cresent, Montenegro in the extreme south, and with Italy and Slovenia on the sea.

Population
Croatia has a population of 4 437 460. Most of the population is of Croatian nationality with a small percentage of ethnic/religious minorities.

Capital City
Zagreb (population: 779 145), is the centre of political, economical, cultural and academic activities in Croatia.

Climate
The climate varies from Mediterranean along the Adriatic coast to continental inland. The sunny coastal areas experience hot, dry summers and mild, rainy winters. The interior regions are cold in winter with rain and snow and hot in summer whereas summers in elevated mountainous areas are very mild.

Currency
Croatian Kuna (HRK 1 = 100 Lipa) is the official Croatian currency. Paper money comes in the following denominations: HRK 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1000, and coins in the nominal value of HRK 1, 2 and 5 as well as in 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 lipa.
Foreign currency can be changed at banks, post offices and private currency exchange offices, hotel reception desks, travel agencies etc…. whereas cheques can be cashed at most banks at a minimum commission. All cities and towns and some villages have automatic teller machines;ATMs (bank-o-mat). Credit cards (AmEx, Diners, EC/MC, Visa) are accepted almost everywhere, however, check before with someone competent as to which credit card is accepted.

Entry Formalities and Customs
Entrance to Croatia is allowed against a valid passort or any other personal identification document recognized by bilateral agreement. Tourists are permited to stay in The Republic of Croatia for a period of 3 months. Owners of vehicles are obligated to show the international motor vehicle insurance card (green card) and driver’s licence.
Foreign visitors are allowed tax-free import of personal luggage. A customs declaration has to be filled out when importing radio instruments, all types of professional, technical and sports equipment, etc., according to which the same items can be taken out of Croatia.There is no restriction on foreign currency being brought in and out of Croatia.Pets (dogs, cats) must have a valid vaccination certificate.

- Ministry of External Affairs (Ministarstvo vanjskih poslova), Telephone: +385 (0)1 45 69 964 or www.mvp.hr
- Customs RH (Carina RH), Telephone: +385 (0)1 61 02 333 or www.carina.hr
- Veterintary Authorities (Veterinarstvo): http://www.veterinarstvo.hr/

Residence Tax
Residence tax is paid by the tourist for each day he resides in the Republic of Croatia. Children aged 12 to 18 are charged half the adult price and those under the age of 12 are not subject to residence tax.
Owners of accommodation facilities are obligated by law to register their guests/tourists with the local official tourist office.

Electricity
Electricity is 220V 50Hz AC. Croatia uses the standard European round-pronged plugs.

Water
Throughout the whole of Croatia water is drinkable from the tap.

Post Offices
Post Office working hours are: Friday to Saturday - 07:00 to 19:00 hrs, Sunday – 07:00 to 13:00 hrs. During the summer months post offices in larger cities and towns are open till 21:00 hrs. Postage stamps can be bought at post offices and newspaper stands. Public telephones function with the use of prepaid phonecards that can be bought at the post office.
In Croatia there are two GSM networks: HTmobile and VIPNet. Both GSM service providers have roaming arrangements with many GSM service providers throughout the world.
Additional information and service can be obtained at the following numbers:
HTmobile: +385 (0)98 1550
VIPNet: +385 (0)91 7700

Important telephone numbers
Emergency First Aid 94
Police 92
Fire Brigade 93

Embassies:
Country Telephone
Austria 01 4881 050
Czech Republic 01 6177 246
Germany 01 6158 100
Hungary 01 4890 900
Italy 01 4846 386
Russian Federation 01 3755 038
Slovenia 01 6311 000
Sweden 01 4925 100
Great Britain 01 6009 100
United States of America 01 6612 200

from: www.htz.hr