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Official name: Republic of Croatia
Area: 56 510 km˛
Administrative divisions: Croatia consists of five historic provinces: Slavonija and Baranja, Central Croatia (around Zagreb), Gorski Kotar and Lika, Istria and Dalmatia.
Administratively, Croatia is divided into 20 counties (županija): Zagrebacka, Krapinsko-Zagorska, Sisacko-Moslavacka, Kralovacka, Varaždinska, Koprivnicko-Križevacka, Bjelovarska-Bjelogorska, Primorsko-Goranska, Licko-Senjska, Viroviticko-Podravska, Požesko-Slavonska, Brodsko-Posavska, Zadarska, Osjecko-Baranjska, Šibensko-Kninska, Vukovarsko-Srijemska, Splitsko-Dalmatinska, Istarska, Dubrovacko-Neretvanska, Medimurska and 1 capital city, Zagreb.
Cities:
Population: 4,5 million inhabitants
Ethnic groups:
Croat (91,5%), Serb (5,1%), Bosniac (0,9%), Hungarian (0,5%), Slovenian (0,5%), Italian (0,4) Others (1,6%)
Official language: Croat
Religion:
Majority is Roman-Catholic, other :Orthodox, Muslim, Protestant
Official currency: Croatian Kuna (HRK)
Exchange rate: 1 EUR = 7,8 HRK (rolling-last update 24.02.03)
Political system: Parliamentary democracy
President: Stijepan Mesic
Prime Minister: Ivo Sanader
Political parties: Socialdemocratic Party (SDP) is a moderate center-right party, embracing the European social democratic values. One wing of the party has its roots in the reformative division of the Croatian Communist League. Currently SDP is committed to secure Crotia’s membership into EU and NATO.
Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) was founded by the former president Franjo Tudman and had been the dominant party in Croatia since 1990 until his death. HDZ is well-known for his nationalist and anti-Serb policies, for its role in the establishment of an independet Croat state and for Tudman’s media manipulation. The party’s members include former leaders of the Croat Communist Party, ardent Catholics, nationalists, veteran ustasha (Croatian fascists) and even market economy liberals.
Croatian Peasant Party (HSS) is a conservative party promoting economic and social stability. Its followers are mainly from the suburban areas and smaller cities.
Croatian Social Liberal Party (HSLS) is a centre-right party whose policies include social and liberal policies. The party has been an ardent opposer of HDZ and Tudman and has entered a coalition with SDP.
Croatian Party of Rights (HSP) is an extreme right-wing party, connected to a black military unit that operated during the beginning of the war.
Istrian Democratic Assembly (IDS), a liberal party, enjoys high popularity in Istria, one of Croatia’s richer regions. IDS advocates the federalisation of Croatia.
Croatian People’s Party (HNS) is a small centrist party whose importance has risen with the election of Stipe Mesic (member of HNS) as president of Croatia.
Serbian People’s Party (SNS) fights for the rights of the Serb minority in Croatia and its policies is focussed mainly on cultural and educational issues.
Elections:
Climate
Climate Moderate continental climate, with warm summer and cold winters; Mediterranean climate along the coast with mild, rainy winters and warm, dry summers.
Average temperature The annual average is 12şC, whereas the average temperature ranges from 0şC to 7şC in January and 20şC to 27şC in July.
Croatia is one hour ahead of standard GMT, in the same time belt as most Western European countries. There is no time difference between Belgium/Germany/the Netherlands and Croatia.
By plane
| Km | Driving time (hours) | |
| Amsterdam | 1 347 | 13,5 |
| Belgrade | 396 | 4,5 |
| Berlin | 1 000 | 11,5 |
| Bratislava | 356 | 5 |
| Brussels | 1 304 | 13 |
| Bucharest | 996 | 11,5 |
| Budapest | 351 | 4,5 |
| Copenhagen | 1 427 | 16,5 |
| Frankfurt | 908 | 9,5 |
| Ljubljana | 142 | 2 |
| London | 1 637 | 16,5 |
| Munich | 557 | 6 |
| Paris | 1 394 | 13,5 |
| Prague | 658 | 7 |
| Rome | 888 | 8,5 |
| Sofia | 779 | 9 |
| Vienna | 370 | 4 |
| Vilnius | 1 432 | 19 |
| Warsaw | 998 | 12,5 |
Croatia’s road network is fairly good, but it needs further improvement (total: 28 274 km). Zagreb is well connected to the neighbouring countries by motorways that are being completed: to Slovenia and further to Austria, to Hungary, to Serbia; pay-motorways do exist almost up to the borders. The link between Zagreb and the long Dalmatian coast however is over small two lane roads. Count on low driving speed along the coast. Projects to improve the existing infrastructure are concerned primarily with the following routes:
Average gross wage (2001): 678 EUR
Average wage for a manual labourer: 240-250
Average wage for economist leaving university: 750 - 1000 EUR
There are considerable regional differences in wage levels. Therefore when looking for staff, it is important not to pay exuberant wages, as they will not motivate your local staff at all, but on the other hand beware not to pay too low wages, as they will without doubt demotivate your local staff. Eastwards takes care of your recruitment of local top management, sales and financial management or specialists, and will consult you which wage packages are most suitable for the job responsibilities and place of employment you offer.
The Croatian economy relies heavily on tourism along the Dalmatian coast. The coast is a growing tourist attraction. Famous American stars have bought huge private estates on the Croat coast.
| 2000 | 2001 | |
| Inflation | 6,2% | 4,9% |
| Real GDP growth rate (change to previous year) | 3,9% | 3,6% |
| GDP per capita | 4 153 USD | 4 403 USD |
| Unemployment | 21,1% | 23,1% |
| 2001 | Percentage of the total | |
| Exports to DE | 796,7 mil. USD | 17,1% |
| Imports from DE | 1 338,4 mil. USD | 14,8% |
| 2001 | Percentage of the total | |
| Export to IT | 1 104,2 mil. USD | 23,7% |
| Imports from IT | 1 546,4 mil. USD | 17,1% |
| 2001 | Percentage of the total | |
| Exports to SI | 428,6 mil. USD | 9,2% |
| Imports from SI | 714,4 mil. USD | 7,9% |
| 2001 | Percentage of the total | |
| Exports to AU | 270,2 mil. USD | 5,8% |
| Imports from AU | 633 mil. USD | 7% |
| 2001 | Percentage of the total | |
| Export to EU | 2 548,6 mil. USD | 54,7% |
| Imports from EU | 5 245,3 mil. USD | 58% |
International passport needed for entering the country, you will be controlled at the border. EU nationals do not need a visa for entering the country.
Cultural heritage & gastronomy
Pertaining to the Mediterranean culture and civilisation, Croatia has a rich cultural heritage and tourism is one of the major branches of Croat economy. Numerous monuments (old city of Dubrovnik, Diocletian’s Palace in Split, city of Trogir, the Cathedral in Šibenik) and national parks (Plitvice National Park) are part of the UNESCO world heritage. The Adriatic Sea coast attracts tourists because of its natural beauties and mild weather as well as rich cultural heritage blending Greek, Roman, Slav, Austrian and Italian influences The old city of Dubrovnik, an important Mediterranean sea power in the 13th century, has been an important centre of culture and trade. Split is famous not only for the ancient Diocletian’s Palace, but also for its medieval forts, Gothic palaces, Romanesque churches. Among the most important Zagreb landmarks are St. Mark’s Cathedral, the Medieval Stone Gate, the Botanical Garden, Popov Toranj (Popov‘s Tower), Lotršcak.
Historic cities: Zagreb, Split, Dubrovnik
Smaller historic places: Trogir, Zadar, Motovun, Grožnjan, Hum, Pazin, Vodnjan
Castles: Bežanec, Trakošcan, Ožalj, Novigrad na Dobri, Ribnik
Nature: Dalmatia, Plitvice National Park, Kornati National Park, Korcula Island, Istria
Gastronomy
The Croat gastronomy is characterised by a high level of diversity which is explained by its diverse landscape and weather conditions. Most of the continental dishes are meat-based whereas on the coast, seafood and vegetables are to be found in most dishes. Croatia has a wide offer of wines, especially red wines; the most famous vineyards are the ones in Dalmatia, Istria and Zagreb county. Renowned wines are Dingac, Pošip and Korculanski grk. The local brandies include loza (herb-flavoured), šljivovica (plum-flavoured), kruškovac (pear-flavoured), orahovaca (walnut brandy). For beer drinkers, Croatia hasn’t much on the offer; the most popular local brands are Karlovacko and Ožujsko.
The dishes in Slavonija and Baranja have been greatly influenced by Hungarian cuisine. Bread, pastries and pork meat are of central importance in the daily diet of this particular region. Some traditional dishes include paprikaš (beef stew), fiš-paprikaš (made of river fish). The north-western cuisine, including the more cosmopolitan version in Zagreb, has been heavily influenced by Italian gastronomy and it includes bread, pasta, dairy products, vegetables mixed with meat as main components for a wide range of more sophisticated dishes. Steaks and roasted meat are also on the offer. A few traditional dishes include purica s mlincima (turkey with "mlinci"), wild mushroom soups, štrukli (dumplings). The Dalmatian cuisine is lighter; its main ingredients are: fish, olive oil, vegetables, sea herbs. The Istrian cuisine abounds in a wide variety of seafood dishes: riblja juha (fish soup) , riblji gulaš (fish stew), škampe na buzaru (boiled prawns), vinska supica (wine soup). The dishes in the Gorski Kotar region are simpler, using basic ingredients like meat (pork, lamb, vernison), corn, beans, various cheeses, mushrooms.
Paprenjak, creme caramel, strudels are traditional Croat desserts.
Regional price differences exist as well. The capital and the major cities are more expensive than the rest of the country.
| HRK | EUR | |
| bread | 5,9 | 0,75 |
| 0,5 l of beer | 10-15 | 1,3-2 |
| 1 cup of coffee | 4,7 | 0,6 |
| 1 bottle of wine | 18-55 | 2,3-7 |
| 1 litre of milk | 4,7 | 0,6 |
| 1 kg of chicken meat | 25-35 | 3,2-4,5 |
| 1 litre of petrol | 7,4 | 0,95 |
| 1 litre of diesel oil | 5,7 | 0,74 |
| Taxi services | 25+7/km | 3,2+0,9/km |
| Average cost of meal | 55-125 | 10 |
| Real estate/m2 | 750- 2 500 EUR/m2 | |
| 1 movie ticket | 25 | 3,2 |
| Average cost of lodging | 60-70 |
Croatia is a safe place to travel to. Most cities are very safe to walk in at any time during night, but always apply the common sense precautions: do not leave your car unlocked, keep an eye on your personal belongings.
| Public institutions | 08.00 - 16.00 |
| Business offices | 08.30 - 16.30 |
| Banks | 08.00 -19.00 (weekdays) |
| 07.00 -12.00 (Saturdays) | |
| 08.00 -16.00 (smaller towns) | |
| Department stores | 08.00 - 20.00 (weekdays) or |
| 08.00 - 12.00 and 17.00 - 20.00(weekdays) | |
| 08.00 - 14.00 (Saturdays) | |
| Shops (grocery stores) | 07.30 - 20.00 (weekdays) |
| 07.30 - 14.00 (Saturdays) | |
| Hypermarkets | 07.30 - 21.00 |
| 07.30-13 (Sundays) |
| 2004 | |
| New Year’s Day | January, 1st |
| The Epiphany | January, 6th |
| Easter Monday | April, 12th |
| Labour Day | May, 1st |
| Corpus Christi | June, 10th |
| Anti-fascsim Day | June, 22nd |
| Statehood Day | June, 25th |
| Victory and Homeland Gratitude Day |
August, 5th |
| Assumption | August, 15th |
| Independence Day | October, 8th |
| All Saints Day | November, 1st |
| Christmas Day | December, 25th |
| St.Stephen’s Day | December, 26th |
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