Croatia can be classified as a Pannonian-Adriatic country due to its Central European and Mediterranean position. It lies along the east coast of the Adriatic Sea and shares a border with Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Hungary, and Slovenia. Croatia extends from the eastern edges of the Alps in the northwest to the Pannonia lowlands and 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.

Government type: presidential/parliamentary democracy
Capital: Zagreb

Administrative divisions: 20 counties and 1 city; Bjelovarsko-Bilogorska, Brodsko-Posavska, Dubrovacko-Neretvanska, Istarska, Karlovacka, Koprivnicko-Krizevacka, Krapinsko-Zagorska, Licko-Senjska, Medimurska, Osjecko-Baranjska, Pozesko - Slavonska, Primorsko - Goranska, Sibensko-Kninska, Sisacko - Moslavacka, Splitsko-Dalmatinska, Varazdinska, Viroviticko-Podravska, Vukovarsko-Srijemska, Zadarska, Zagreb, Zagrebacka

Executive Branch:
Chief of state: President
Head of government: Prime Minister
Cabinet: Council of Ministers named by the prime minister and approved by the parliamentary assembly

Legal System: based on Austro-Hungarian law system

Population: 4,486,881 (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 123

Ethnic Origin: Croat 89.6%, Serb 4.5%, other 5.9% (including Bosniak, Hungarian, Slovene, Czeck, and Roma).

Area total: 56,594 sq km
Country comparison to the world: 126
Land: 55,974 sq km
Water: 620 sq km

Natural Resources: oil, some coal, bauxite, low-grade iron ore, calcium, gypsum, natural asphalt, silica, mica, clays, salt, hydropower
 

There are three climate zones in Croatia. The prevailing climate in the country’s continental interior is moderately warm and rainy. Areas of high altitude, while Croatia’s highest peaks, have a mountain climate which includes snowfall. The areas along the Adriatic coast have a pleasantly mild Mediterranean climate with a large number of sunny days, summers are hot and dry and winters are mild and wet.

The climate affects the position of Croatian in the northern mid-latitudes.

The average temperature in the inland: January 0-2 ° C, August 19 to 23 ° C while the average temperature at the seaside: January 6 to 11 ° C, August 21 to 27 ° C.

The Adriatic coast is one of the sunniest in the Mediterranean, and the average sea temperature in summer is 25 ° C to 27 ° C.

Customs regulations are in accordance with the standards of European Union countries. All personal goods: laguague, objects that are non commercial, resanable amount of cigarettes, alcohol, perfumes, medical products for personal use are exempted from paying customs. For certain kind of goods (national heritage, protected spices, plants and seeds) there are certificates or license requested. Dogs and cats, accompanied by their owner, need to have an International certificate from a registered veterinarian stating that at least 15 days and not more than six months have passed since their last vaccination against rabies. Foreign currency and cheques are freely brought in and taken out of the country; only quantities of money higher than 10.000EUR should be reported. Value added tax (PDV) in Croatia is 22%. Foreign citizens have right on tax refund for goods purchased in Croatia over  500 kuna in value with a valid "Tax cheque" at departure from the country.

The country’s health care standard is quite high. Every major city which includes Cakovec, Osijek, Pula, Rijeka and Split, has hospitals and clinics as well as first aid stations pharmacies scattered across the nation. Most of these facilities have at least one personnel who can speak English. European Union residents are exempted from paying the medical service in accordance with the treat Croatia signed with the European Union. For non-EU residents it would be prudent to have a medical insurance just in case.

SAFETY

It is quite safe to travel all over Croatia and mugging and thefts are not a problem. You can safely walk in any town at night, but use your common sense, as always. In some coastal resorts, as is common all over the Mediterranean, single women may be approached or wolf-whistled at. Say no firmly and you will not be bothered. In case of any problems, approach a policeman or even a soldier, who will assist you. Both the Croatian police and the army are well disciplined. If you have a language problem, approach a younger person (teenagers/students) as they all speak some English and will be eager to help.