Croatia is a country in Central and Southeast Europe with a population of over 4 million. It is bordered by Bosnia and Herzegovina to the north, Serbia to the east, Slovenia to the south, and Hungary to the west. The capital city is Zagreb. Croatia borders the Adriatic Sea and has beautiful mountain scenery, including the famous Plitvice Lakes National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is a popular tourist destination with a lively nightlife scene and a vibrant cultural life. Croatian is the official language of the country. People from Croatia are also called Croats. The main religion in Croatia is Roman Catholicism. Other important religions are Islam and Eastern Orthodoxy.

Croatia gained its independence from Yugoslavia in 1991 and was admitted into the United Nations the following year. It was admitted to the European Community in 2013. Tourism is an important part of the Croatian economy. The main tourist destinations are the historic city of Dubrovnik and the islands of Hvar and Korcula.

Culture

Croatian culture is very varied and includes a range of architectural styles ranging from Romanesque churches to Art Nouveau buildings to ultra-modern skyscrapers. Music has a strong tradition in Croatia and classical music is particularly popular. There is also a lively folk tradition and a traditional song known as 'Ljubavi me' is very popular. In recent years modern music has also become very popular. The dancing styles include the so-called dunavska teta from Dalmatia, tambura music from Slavonia, and 'hora' dance from the south.

Cousine

Croatian cuisine is very diverse with strong Italian, Hungarian, Turkish and Serbian influences. The country produces some excellent wines, especially whites like Malvazija and Posip, as well as reds like Teran and Merlot. Many fish dishes are prepared using fresh-caught fish, which is easily available from the surrounding waters. The national dish is burek, a flaky pastry filled with meat or cheese. It is also popular throughout the Balkans.