Croatia

{{main|Names of the Croats and Croatia}}

Croatia's non-native name derives from Medieval Latin {{lang|la-x-medieval|Croātia}}, itself a derivation of North-West Slavic {{lang|zlw|*Xərwate}}, by liquid metathesis from Common Slavic period *Xorvat, from proposed Proto-Slavic *Xъrvátъ which possibly comes from the 3rd-century Scytho-Sarmatian form attested in the Tanais Tablets as {{lang|grc|Χοροάθος|italic=no}} ({{lang|grc-latn|Khoroáthos}}, alternate forms comprise {{Lang|grc-latn|Khoróatos}} and {{lang|grc-latn|Khoroúathos}}).{{cite book|first=Alemko|last=Gluhak|title=Hrvatski etimološki rječnik|trans-title=Croatian Etymological Dictionary|language=hr|publisher=August Cesarec|year=1993|isbn=953-162-000-8}} The origin of the ethnonym is uncertain, but most probably is from Proto-Ossetian / Alanian *xurvæt- or *xurvāt-, in the meaning of "one who guards" ("guardian, protector").{{citation |first=Ranko |last=Matasović |author-link=Ranko Matasović |title=Ime Hrvata |trans-title=The Name of Croats |journal=Jezik (Croatian Philological Society) |location=Zagreb |year=2019 |volume=66 |issue=3 |pages=81–97 |url=https://hrcak.srce.hr/228825?lang=en |language=hr}}

The oldest preserved record of the Croatian ethnonym's native variation *xъrvatъ is of the variable stem, attested in the Baška tablet in style zvъnъmirъ kralъ xrъvatъskъ ("Zvonimir, Croatian king"),{{cite journal |url=http://hrcak.srce.hr/index.php?show=clanak&id_clanak_jezik=21348 |first=Branko | last = Fučić | author-link = Branko Fučić |title=Najstariji hrvatski glagoljski natpisi |trans-title=The Oldest Croatian Glagolitic Inscriptions |journal=Slovo |publisher=Old Church Slavonic Institute |volume=21 |date=September 1971 |language=hr |pages=227–254 |access-date=14 October 2011}} while the Latin variation Croatorum is archaeologically confirmed on a church inscription found in Bijaći near Trogir dated to the end of the 8th or early 9th century.{{cite journal |title=Kulturna kronika: Dvanaest hrvatskih stoljeća |url=http://www.matica.hr/vijenac/291/hrvatski-nacionalni-dan-na-expou-u-japanu-9037/ |journal=Vijenac |publisher=Matica hrvatska |location=Zagreb |issue=291 |date=28 April 2005 |access-date=10 June 2019 |language=hr}} The presumably oldest stone inscription with fully preserved ethnonym is the 9th-century Branimir inscription found near Benkovac, where Duke Branimir is styled Dux Cruatorvm, likely dated between 879 and 892, during his rule.{{sfn|Mužić|2007|p=|pp=195–198}} The Latin term {{Lang|la|Chroatorum}} is attributed to a charter of Duke Trpimir I of Croatia, dated to 852 in a 1568 copy of a lost original, but it is not certain if the original was indeed older than the Branimir inscription.{{sfn|Mužić|2007|p=27}}{{Sfn|Mužić|2007|p=171}}

{{main|History of Croatia}}

{{main|History of Croatia before the Croats}}

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Right: Croatian Apoxyomenos, Ancient Greek statue, 2nd or 1st century BC.

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The area known as Croatia today was inhabited throughout the prehistoric period. Neanderthal fossils dating to the middle Palaeolithic period were unearthed in northern Croatia, best presented at the Krapina site.{{cite journal|journal=Acta medico-historica Adriatica|publisher=Hrvatsko znanstveno društvo za povijest zdravstvene kulture|issn=1334-4366|date=December 2010|volume=8|issue=2|first=Igor|last=Salopek|title=Krapina Neanderthal Museum as a Well of Medical Information|pages=197–202|url=http://hrcak.srce.hr/index.php?show=clanak&id_clanak_jezik=95232|access-date=15 October 2011|pmid=21682056}} Remnants of Neolithic and Chalcolithic cultures were found in all regions.{{cite journal|journal=Opvscvla Archaeologica Radovi Arheološkog Zavoda|publisher=University of Zagreb, Faculty of Philosophy, Archaeological Department|issn=0473-0992|title=Study of the Neolithic and Eneolithic as reflected in articles published over the 50 years of the journal Opuscula archaeologica|pages=93–122|volume=30|issue=1|date=April 2008|first=Tihomila|last=Težak-Gregl|access-date=15 October 2011|url=http://hrcak.srce.hr/index.php?show=clanak&id_clanak_jezik=34026}} The largest proportion of sites is in the valleys of northern Croatia. The most significant are Baden, Starčevo, and Vučedol cultures.{{cite journal|journal=Opvscvla Archaeologica Radovi Arheološkog Zavoda|publisher=University of Zagreb, Faculty of Philosophy, Archaeological Department|issn=0473-0992|title=The Kostolac horizon at Vučedol|pages=25–40|volume=29|issue=1|date=December 2005| first=Jacqueline| last=Balen|access-date=15 October 2011|url=http://hrcak.srce.hr/index.php?show=clanak&id_clanak_jezik=26644}}{{cite journal|journal=Opvscvla Archaeologica Radovi Arheološkog Zavoda|publisher=University of Zagreb, Faculty of Philosophy, Archaeological Department|issn=0473-0992|title=Prilog poznavanju neolitičkih obrednih predmeta u neolitiku sjeverne Hrvatske|trans-title=A Contribution to Understanding Neolithic Ritual Objects in the Northern Croatia Neolithic|language=hr|pages=43–48|volume=27|issue=1|date=December 2003|first=Tihomila|last=Težak-Gregl|access-date=15 October 2011|url=http://hrcak.srce.hr/index.php?show=clanak&id_clanak_jezik=26644}} Iron Age hosted the early Illyrian Hallstatt culture and the Celtic La Tène culture.{{cite journal |last1=Potrebica |first1=Hrvoje |last2=Dizdar |first2=Marko |title=Prilog poznavanju naseljenosti Vinkovaca i okolice u starijem željeznom dobu |trans-title=A Contribution to Understanding Continuous Habitation of Vinkovci and its Surroundings in the Early Iron Age |url=http://hrcak.srce.hr/index.php?show=clanak&id_clanak_jezik=1560 |journal=Prilozi Instituta Za Arheologiju U Zagrebu |publisher=Institut za arheologiju |volume=19 |issue=1 |pages=79–100 |date=July 2002 |access-date=15 October 2011 |issn=1330-0644 |language=hr}}

The region of modern-day Croatia was settled by Illyrians and Liburnians, while the first Greek colonies were established on the islands of Hvar,{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4Nv6SPRKqs8C|first=John|last=Wilkes|title=The Illyrians|year=1995|publisher=Wiley-Blackwell|location=Oxford, UK|isbn=978-0-631-19807-9|page=114|quote=... in the early history of the colony settled in 385 BC on the island Pharos (Hvar) from the Aegean island Paros, famed for its marble. In traditional fashion they accepted the guidance of an oracle, ... |access-date=15 October 2011}} Korčula, and Vis.{{cite book|url=https://www.scribd.com/doc/15826619/John-Wilkes-The-Illyrians|first=John|last=Wilkes|title=The Illyrians|year=1995|publisher=Wiley-Blackwell|location=Oxford, UK|isbn=978-0-631-19807-9|page=115|quote=The third Greek colony known in this central sector of the Dalmatian coast was Issa, on the north side of the island Vis.|access-date=3 April 2012}} In 9 AD, the territory of today's Croatia became part of the Roman Empire. Emperor Diocletian was native to the region. He had a large palace built in Split, to which he retired after abdicating in AD 305.{{cite book|first1=Edward|last1=Gibbon|author2-link=John Bagnell Bury|author2=John Bagnell Bury|author3-link=Daniel J. Boorstin|first3=Daniel J.|last3=Boorstin|title=The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire|publisher=Modern Library|year=1995|location=New York|page=335|isbn=978-0-679-60148-7|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bdKLyie1M50C|access-date=27 October 2011|author1-link=Edward Gibbon}}

During the 5th century, the last de jure Western Roman Emperor Julius Nepos ruled a small realm from the palace after fleeing Italy in 475.{{cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/historyoflaterro01buryuoft|author=J. B. Bury|title=History of the later Roman empire from the death of Theodosius I. to the death of Justinian|page=[https://archive.org/details/historyoflaterro01buryuoft/page/408 408]|publisher=Macmillan Publishers|year=1923|access-date=15 October 2011|author-link=J. B. Bury}}

{{main|Duchy of Croatia|Kingdom of Croatia (925–1102)|Kingdom of Croatia (1102–1526)|Republic of Ragusa}}

File:Balkans925.png c. 925, during the reign of King Tomislav]]

The Roman period ends with Avar and Croat invasions in the late 6th and first half of the 7th century and the destruction of almost all Roman towns. Roman survivors retreated to more favourable sites on the coast, islands, and mountains. The city of Dubrovnik was founded by such survivors from Epidaurum.{{cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_E_NBAAAAYAAJ|title=Researches on the Danube and the Adriatic|author=Andrew Archibald Paton|year=1861|pages=[https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_E_NBAAAAYAAJ/page/n227 218]–219|publisher=Trübner|access-date=15 October 2011}}

There's some uncertainty about the ethnogenesis of Croats. The most accepted theory, the Slavic theory, proposes migration of White Croats from White Croatia during the Migration Period. Conversely, the Iranian theory proposes Sarmatian-Alanic origin of Proto-Croats, based on Tanais Tablets containing Ancient Greek inscriptions of given names Χορούαθος, Χοροάθος, and Χορόαθος (Khoroúathos, Khoroáthos, and Khoróathos) and their interpretation as anthroponyms related to the Croatian ethnonym.{{cite journal|journal=Migracijske i Etničke Teme|issn=1333-2546|publisher=Institute for Migration and Ethnic Studies|date=September 2007|volume=23|issue=3|pages=251–268|first1=Emil|last1=Heršak|first2=Boris|last2=Nikšić|language=hr|title=Hrvatska etnogeneza: pregled komponentnih etapa i interpretacija (s naglaskom na euroazijske/nomadske sadržaje)|trans-title=Croatian Ethnogenesis: A Review of Component Stages and Interpretations (with Emphasis on Eurasian/Nomadic Elements) | url = http://hrcak.srce.hr/index.php?show=clanak&id_clanak_jezik=28729&lang=en}}

According to the work De Administrando Imperio written by 10th-century Byzantine Emperor Constantine VII, Croats settled in the Roman province of Dalmatia in the first half of the 7th century after they defeated the Avars.{{cite journal|last=Katičić|first=Radoslav|date=1989|title=Ivan Mužić o podrijetlu Hrvata|url=https://hrcak.srce.hr/95425|journal=Starohrvatska Prosvjeta|language=hr|volume=III|issue=19|pages=243–270|issn=0351-4536}}{{sfn|Goldstein|1999|p=13}}{{cite journal|last=Birin|first=Ante|title=Pregled političke povijesti Hrvata u ranome srednjem vijeku|url=https://www.academia.edu/30936317|journal=Nova Zraka U Europskom Svjetlu – Hrvatske Zemlje U Ranome Srednjem Vijeku (Oko 550 – Oko 1150)|date=January 2015|language=hr|page=40|via=Academia.edu}} Although there exist some scholarly disputes about the account's reliability and interpretation,{{cite book |last=Bilogrivić |first=Goran |date=2018 |chapter=Carolingian Weapons and the Problem of Croat Migration and Ethnogenesis |title=Migration, Integration and Connectivity on the Southeastern Frontier of the Carolingian Empire |editor=Danijel Dzino |editor2=Ante Milošević |editor3=Trpimir Vedriš |publisher=Brill |pages=86–99 |doi=10.1163/9789004380134_007 |isbn=978-90-04-38013-4 |s2cid=165889390}}{{cite book |first=Danijel |last=Dzino |year=2010 |title=Becoming Slav, Becoming Croat: Identity Transformations in Post-Roman and Early Medieval Dalmatia |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6UbOtJcF8rQC |publisher=BRILL |pages=175, 179–182 |isbn=9789004186460}} recent archaeological data has established that the migration and settlement of the Slavs/Croats was in the late 6th and early 7th century.{{cite journal |last=Belošević |first=Janko |title=Razvoj i osnovne značajke starohrvatskih grobalja horizonta 7.-9. stoljeća na povijesnim prostorima Hrvata |url=https://morepress.unizd.hr/journals/index.php/pov/article/view/2231 |journal=Radovi |volume=39 |issue=26 |pages=71–97 |date=2000 |language=hr |doi=10.15291/radovipov.2231|doi-access=free | issn=0352-6712}}{{cite book |last=Fabijanić |first=Tomislav |date=2013 |chapter=14C date from early Christian basilica gemina in Podvršje (Croatia) in the context of Slavic settlement on the eastern Adriatic coast |title=The early Slavic settlement of Central Europe in the light of new dating evidence |location=Wroclaw |publisher=Institute of Archaeology and Ethnology of the Polish Academy of Sciences |pages=251–260 |isbn=978-83-63760-10-6}}{{cite book |last1=Bekić |first1=Luka |date=2016 |title=Rani srednji vijek između Panonije i Jadrana: ranoslavenski keramički i ostali arheološki nalazi od 6. do 8. stoljeća |trans-title=Early medieval between Pannonia and the Adriatic: early Slavic ceramic and other archaeological finds from the sixth to eighth century |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/348500715 |location=Pula |publisher=Arheološki muzej Istre |language=hr, en |pages=101, 119, 123, 138–140, 157–162, 173–174, 177–179 |isbn=978-953-8082-01-6}} Eventually, a dukedom was formed, Duchy of Croatia, ruled by Borna, as attested by chronicles of Einhard starting in 818. The record represents the first document of Croatian realms, vassal states of Francia at the time.{{sfn|Mužić|2007|pp=157–160}} Its neighbor to the North was Principality of Lower Pannonia, at the time ruled by duke Ljudevit who ruled the territories between the Drava and Sava rivers, centred from his fort at Sisak. This population and territory throughout history was tightly related and connected to Croats and Croatia.{{sfn|Budak|2018|pp=178–185}}

Christianisation of Croats began in the 7th century at the time of archon Porga of Croatia, initially probably encompassed only the elite and related people,{{sfn|Budak|2018|pp=144–145}} but mostly finished by the 9th century.{{cite journal |last=Ivandija |first=Antun |title=Pokrštenje Hrvata prema najnovijim znanstvenim rezultatima |trans-title=Christianization of Croats according to the most recent scientific results |url=http://hrcak.srce.hr/index.php?show=clanak&id_clanak_jezik=64623&lang=en |journal=Bogoslovska smotra |publisher=University of Zagreb, Catholic Faculty of Theology |volume=37 |issue=3–4 |pages=440–444 |date=April 1968 |issn=0352-3101 |language=hr}}{{Cite journal|last=Živković|first=Tibor|author-link=Tibor Živković|title=On the Baptism of the Serbs and Croats in the Time of Basil I (867–886)|journal=Studia Slavica et Balcanica Petropolitana|year=2013a|issue=1|pages=33–53|url=http://slavica-petropolitana.spbu.ru/files/2013_1/Zivkovic.pdf}} The Frankish overlordship ended during the reign of Mislav,{{sfn|Mužić|2007|pp=169–170}} or his successor Trpimir I.{{sfn|Budak|2018|pp=106}} The native Croatian royal dynasty was founded by duke Trpimir I in the mid 9th century, who defeated the Byzantine and Bulgarian forces.{{cite journal|journal=Radovi|publisher=HAZU|place=Zadar|date=2001|issue=43|first=Milko|last=Brković|title=Diplomatička analiza papinskih pisama druge polovice IX. stoljeća destinatarima u Hrvatskoj|trans-title=The Papal Letters of the second half of the IXth Century to addressees in Croatia|language=hr|pages=29–44|url=https://hrcak.srce.hr/en/clanak/18748}} The first native Croatian ruler recognised by the Pope was duke Branimir, who received papal recognition from Pope John VIII on 7 June 879.{{sfn|Mužić|2007|p=|pp=195–198}} Tomislav was the first king of Croatia, noted as such in a letter of Pope John X in 925. Tomislav defeated Hungarian and Bulgarian invasions.{{cite journal|journal=Radovi Zavoda Za Hrvatsku Povijest|volume=30|issue=1|issn=0353-295X|pages=281–290|title=Povijesni zemljovidi i granice Hrvatske u Tomislavovo doba|trans-title= Historical maps and borders of Croatia in age of Tomislav|language=hr|first=Vladimir|last=Posavec|date=March 1998|access-date=16 October 2011|url=http://hrcak.srce.hr/index.php?show=clanak&id_clanak_jezik=62779}} The medieval Croatian kingdom reached its peak in the 11th century during the reigns of Petar Krešimir IV (1058–1074) and Dmitar Zvonimir (1075–1089).{{cite journal|journal=Radovi Zavoda Za Hrvatsku Povijest|volume=29|issue=1|issn=0353-295X|pages=11–20|title=Regnum Croatiae et Dalmatiae u doba Stjepana II.|trans-title=Regnum Croatiae et Dalmatiae in age of Stjepan II|language=hr|first=Lujo|last=Margetić|date=January 1997|access-date=16 October 2011|url= http://hrcak.srce.hr/index.php?show=clanak&id_clanak_jezik=76963|author-link=Lujo Margetić}} When Stjepan II died in 1091, ending the Trpimirović dynasty, Dmitar Zvonimir's brother-in-law Ladislaus I of Hungary claimed the Croatian crown. This led to a war and personal union with Hungary in 1102 under Coloman.{{cite journal|journal=Scrinia Slavonica|issn=1332-4853|publisher=Hrvatski institut za povijest – Podružnica za povijest Slavonije, Srijema i Baranje|title= Hrvatsko-ugarski odnosi od sredinjega vijeka do nagodbe iz 1868. s posebnim osvrtom na pitanja Slavonije|trans-title=Croatian-Hungarian relations from the Middle Ages to the Compromise of 1868, with a special survey of the Slavonian issue|language=hr|url=http://hrcak.srce.hr/index.php?show=clanak&id_clanak_jezik=68144|first= Ladislav|last= Heka|date=October 2008|volume=8|issue=1|pages=152–173|access-date=16 October 2011}}

{{main|Kingdom of Croatia (Habsburg)|Austria-Hungary}}

{{further|Croatian–Ottoman wars}}

File:Dragutin Weingärtner, Hrvatski sabor 1848. god.jpg at the opening of the first modern Croatian Parliament (Sabor), June 5, 1848. The Croatian tricolour flag can be seen in the background.]]

For the next four centuries, the Kingdom of Croatia was ruled by the Sabor (parliament) and a Ban (viceroy) appointed by the king.{{cite web|url=http://www.sabor.hr/Default.aspx?sec=404 |title=Povijest saborovanja |trans-title=History of parliamentarism |language=hr |publisher=Sabor |access-date=18 October 2010 |archive-date=2 December 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101202061135/http://www.sabor.hr/Default.aspx?sec=404}} This period saw the rise of influential nobility such as the Frankopan and Šubić families to prominence, and ultimately numerous Bans from the two families.{{sfn|Font|2005|p=17}} An increasing threat of Ottoman conquest and a struggle against the Republic of Venice for control of coastal areas ensued. The Venetians controlled most of Dalmatia by 1428, except the city-state of Dubrovnik, which became independent. Ottoman conquests led to the 1493 Battle of Krbava field and the 1526 Battle of Mohács, both ending in decisive Ottoman victories. King Louis II died at Mohács, and in 1527, the Croatian Parliament met in Cetin and chose Ferdinand I of the House of Habsburg as the new ruler of Croatia, under the condition that he protects Croatia against the Ottoman Empire while respecting its political rights.{{sfn|Frucht|2005|p=|pp=422–423}}

Following the decisive Ottoman victories, Croatia was split into civilian and military territories in 1538. The military territories became known as the Croatian Military Frontier and were under direct Habsburg control. Ottoman advances in Croatia continued until the 1593 Battle of Sisak, the first decisive Ottoman defeat, when borders stabilised.{{sfn|Frucht|2005|p=|pp=422–423}} During the Great Turkish War (1683–1698), Slavonia was regained, but western Bosnia, which had been part of Croatia before the Ottoman conquest, remained outside Croatian control.{{sfn|Frucht|2005|p=|pp=422–423}} The present-day border between the two countries is a remnant of this outcome. Dalmatia, the southern part of the border, was similarly defined by the Fifth and the Seventh Ottoman–Venetian Wars.{{sfn|Lane|1973|p=409}}

The Ottoman wars drove demographic changes. During the 16th century, Croats from western and northern Bosnia, Lika, Krbava, the area between the rivers Una and Kupa, and especially from western Slavonia, migrated towards Austria. Present-day Burgenland Croats are direct descendants of these settlers.{{cite web|publisher=Croatian Cultural Association in Burgenland|url=http://www.hkd.at/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=61&Itemid=102&lang=hr|language=hr|title=Povijest Gradišćanskih Hrvatov|trans-title=History of Burgenland Croats|access-date=17 October 2011|archive-date=14 November 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121114132821/http://www.hkd.at/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=61&Itemid=102&lang=hr}}{{cite journal|last=Valentić|first=Mirko|date=30 October 1990|title=TURSKI RATOVI i HRVATSKA DIJASPORA u XVI. STOLJEĆU|url=https://hrcak.srce.hr/74388|journal=Senjski Zbornik: Prilozi Za Geografiju, Etnologiju, Gospodarstvo, Povijest I Kulturu|language=hr|volume=17|issue=1|pages=45–60|issn=0582-673X}} To replace the fleeing population, the Habsburgs encouraged Bosnians to provide military service in the Military Frontier.

The Croatian Parliament supported King Charles III's Pragmatic Sanction and signed their own Pragmatic Sanction in 1712.{{cite web|title=Povijest saborovanja|url=http://www.sabor.hr/hr/o-saboru/povijest-saborovanja|website=Hrvatski sabor|language=hr|access-date=30 May 2020}} Subsequently, the emperor pledged to respect all privileges and political rights of the Kingdom of Croatia, and Queen Maria Theresa made significant contributions to Croatian affairs, such as introducing compulsory education.

File:Map of the Kingdom of Croatia-Slavonia (1885).png was an autonomous kingdom within Austria-Hungary created in 1868 following the Croatian–Hungarian Settlement.]]

Between 1797 and 1809, the First French Empire increasingly occupied the eastern Adriatic coastline and its hinterland, ending the Venetian and the Ragusan republics, establishing the Illyrian Provinces.{{sfn|Frucht|2005|p=|pp=422–423}} In response, the Royal Navy blockaded the Adriatic Sea, leading to the Battle of Vis in 1811.{{sfn|Adkins|Adkins|2008|p=|pp=359–362}} The Illyrian provinces were captured by the Austrians in 1813 and absorbed by the Austrian Empire following the Congress of Vienna in 1815. This led to the formation of the Kingdom of Dalmatia and the restoration of the Croatian Littoral to the Kingdom of Croatia under one crown.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZTC3IWC_py8C|first=Harold|last=Nicolson|title=The Congress of Vienna: A Study in Allied Unity: 1812–1822|publisher=Grove Press|isbn=978-0-8021-3744-9|page=180|year=2000|access-date=17 October 2011|author-link=Harold Nicolson}} The 1830s and 1840s featured romantic nationalism that inspired the Croatian National Revival, a political and cultural campaign advocating the unity of South Slavs within the empire. Its primary focus was establishing a standard language as a counterweight to Hungarian while promoting Croatian literature and culture.{{cite journal|journal=Cris: Časopis Povijesnog društva Križevci|issn=1332-2567|url=http://hrcak.srce.hr/index.php?show=clanak&id_clanak_jezik=80164|first=Nikša|last=Stančić|title=Hrvatski narodni preporod – ciljevi i ostvarenja|trans-title=Croatian National Revival – goals and achievements|pages=6–17|volume=10|issue=1|date=February 2009|access-date=7 October 2011|language=hr}} During the Hungarian Revolution of 1848, Croatia sided with Austria. Ban Josip Jelačić helped defeat the Hungarians in 1849 and ushered in a Germanisation policy.{{cite journal|journal=Review of Croatian History|publisher=Croatian Institute of History|issn=1845-4380|volume=4|issue=1|date=December 2008|first=Ante|last=Čuvalo|title=Josip Jelačić – Ban of Croatia|pages=13–27|url=http://hrcak.srce.hr/index.php?show=clanak&id_clanak_jezik=77559|access-date=17 October 2011}}

By the 1860s, the failure of the policy became apparent, leading to the Austro-Hungarian Compromise of 1867. The creation of a personal union between the Austrian Empire and the Kingdom of Hungary followed. The treaty left Croatia's status to Hungary, which was resolved by the Croatian–Hungarian Settlement of 1868 when the kingdoms of Croatia and Slavonia were united.{{cite web|url=http://www.h-net.org/~habsweb/sourcetexts/nagodba1.htm|title=Constitution of Union between Croatia-Slavonia and Hungary|publisher=H-net.org|access-date=16 May 2010}} The Kingdom of Dalmatia remained under de facto Austrian control, while Rijeka retained the status of corpus separatum previously introduced in 1779.

After Austria-Hungary occupied Bosnia and Herzegovina following the 1878 Treaty of Berlin, the Military Frontier was abolished. The Croatian and Slavonian sectors of the Frontier returned to Croatia in 1881,{{sfn|Frucht|2005|p=|pp=422–423}} under provisions of the Croatian–Hungarian Settlement.{{cite journal|journal=Zbornik Pravnog Fakulteta Sveučilišta u Rijeci|issn=1330-349X|publisher=University of Rijeka|url=http://hrcak.srce.hr/index.php?show=clanak&id_clanak_jezik=39787|first=Ladislav|last=Heka|title=Hrvatsko-ugarska nagodba u zrcalu tiska|language=hr|trans-title=Croatian-Hungarian compromise in light of press clips|volume=28|issue=2|date=December 2007|access-date=10 April 2012|pages=931–971}}{{cite journal|journal=Politička Misao|issn=0032-3241|publisher=University of Zagreb, Faculty of Political Sciences|title=Političko-teritorijalna podjela i opseg civilne Hrvatske u godinama sjedinjenja s vojnom Hrvatskom 1871–1886|trans-title=Political and territorial division and scope of civilian Croatia in the period of unification with the Croatian military frontier 1871–1886|language=hr|url=http://hrcak.srce.hr/index.php?show=clanak&id_clanak_jezik=38709&lang=en|first=Branko|last=Dubravica|pages=159–172|volume=38|issue=3|date=January 2002|access-date=20 June 2012}} Renewed efforts to reform Austria-Hungary, entailing federalisation with Croatia as a federal unit, were stopped by World War I.{{cite book|first=Max|last=Polatschek|title=Franz Ferdinand: Europas verlorene Hoffnung|language=de|isbn=978-3-85002-284-2|publisher=Amalthea|year=1989|page=231|access-date=17 October 2011|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SZu0AAAAIAAJ}}

{{clear}}

{{main|Creation of Yugoslavia|Kingdom of Yugoslavia|Banovina of Croatia|World War II in Yugoslavia|Socialist Republic of Croatia}}

File:Demonstracije u Zagrebu 1918.jpg with the Kingdom of Serbia in 1918]]

On 29 October 1918, the Croatian Parliament (Sabor) declared independence and decided to join the newly formed State of Slovenes, Croats, and Serbs, which in turn entered into union with the Kingdom of Serbia on 4 December 1918 to form the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes.{{cite book|title=World War I: encyclopedia, Volume 1|first1=Spencer|last1=Tucker|author2=Priscilla Mary Roberts|isbn=978-1-85109-420-2|page=1286|year=2005|publisher=ABC-CLIO|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2YqjfHLyyj8C}} The Croatian Parliament never ratified the union with Serbia and Montenegro. The 1921 constitution defining the country as a unitary state and abolition of Croatian Parliament and historical administrative divisions effectively ended Croatian autonomy.

The new constitution was opposed by the most widely supported national political party—the Croatian Peasant Party (HSS) led by Stjepan Radić.{{cite journal|journal=Scrinia Slavonica|publisher=Croatian Institute of History – Slavonia, Syrmium and Baranya history branch|issn=1332-4853|url=http://hrcak.srce.hr/index.php?show=clanak&id_clanak_jezik=31497|volume=3|issue=1|date=November 2003|title=Parlamentarni izbori u Brodskom kotaru 1923. godine|language=hr|trans-title=Parliamentary Elections in the Brod District in 1932|access-date=17 October 2011|pages=452–470}}

The political situation deteriorated further as Radić was assassinated in the National Assembly by NRS member, Serbian nationalist politician Puniša Račić in 1928, culminating in King Alexander I's establishment of the 6 January Dictatorship in 1929.{{cite journal|journal=Radovi Zavoda za povijesne znanosti HAZU u Zadru|publisher=Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts|issn=1330-0474|url=http://hrcak.srce.hr/index.php?show=clanak&id_clanak_jezik=74560|pages=203–218|issue=51|date=November 2009|first=Zlatko|last=Begonja|title=Ivan Pernar o hrvatsko-srpskim odnosima nakon atentata u Beogradu 1928. godine|language=hr|trans-title=Ivan Pernar on Croatian-Serbian relations after 1928 Belgrade assassination|access-date=17 October 2011}} The dictatorship formally ended in 1931 when the king imposed a more unitary constitution.{{cite book|title=Yugoslavia's ruin: the bloody lessons of nationalism, a patriot's warning|first=Cvijeto|last=Job|publisher=Rowman & Littlefield|isbn=978-0-7425-1784-4|page=9|year=2002|access-date=27 October 2011|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yH3Hz2AXonwC}} The HSS, now led by Vladko Maček, continued to advocate federalisation, resulting in the Cvetković–Maček Agreement of August 1939 and the autonomous Banovina of Croatia. The Yugoslav government retained control of defence, internal security, foreign affairs, trade, and transport while other matters were left to the Croatian Sabor and a crown-appointed Ban.{{sfn|Klemenčič|Žagar|2004|p=|pp=121–123}}

File:Jelačićev trg 12.5.1945.jpg on 12 May 1945 by Croatian Partisans]]

In April 1941, Yugoslavia was occupied by Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy. Following the invasion, a German-Italian installed puppet state named the Independent State of Croatia (NDH) was established. Most of Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the region of Syrmia were incorporated into this state. Parts of Dalmatia were annexed by Italy, Hungary annexed the northern Croatian regions of Baranja and Međimurje.{{sfn|Klemenčič|Žagar|2004|p=|pp=153–156}} The NDH regime was led by Ante Pavelić and ultranationalist Ustaše, a fringe movement in pre-war Croatia.{{sfn|Tomasevich|2001|p=337}} With German and Italian military and political support,{{sfn|Tomasevich|2001|p=272}} the regime introduced racial laws and launched a genocide campaign against Serbs, Jews, and Roma.{{sfn|Klemenčič|Žagar|2004|p=184}} Many were imprisoned in concentration camps; the largest was the Jasenovac complex.{{cite web|title=koncentracijski logori|url=http://www.enciklopedija.hr/natuknica.aspx?ID=32708|access-date=16 February 2021}} Anti-fascist Croats were targeted by the regime as well.{{sfn|Goldstein|1999|p=138}} Several concentration camps (most notably the Rab, Gonars and Molat camps) were established in Italian-occupied territories, mostly for Slovenes and Croats. At the same time, the Yugoslav Royalist and Serbian nationalist Chetniks pursued a genocidal campaign against Croats and Muslims,{{sfn|Klemenčič|Žagar|2004|p=184}}{{cite journal |last=Hoare |first=Marko Attila |title=Genocide in the former Yugoslavia: a critique of left revisionism's denial (full version) |journal=Journal of Genocide Research |date=1 December 2003 |volume=5 |issue=4 |pages=543–563 |doi=10.1080/1462352032000149495 |s2cid=145169670 |issn=1462-3528}} aided by Italy.{{sfn|Tomasevich|2001|p=744}} Nazi German forces committed crimes and reprisals against civilians in retaliation for Partisan actions, such as in the villages of Kamešnica and Lipa in 1944.{{Cite book|last= Kozlica|first=Ivan|title=Krvava Cetina|trans-title= Bloody Cetina|language =hr|year=2012|publisher=Hrvatski centar za ratne žrtve|location=Zagreb|isbn=978-953-57409-0-2|page=155}}{{Cite book|title="Operacija Braunschweig", Klepsidra|last=Predoević|first=Petra|publisher=Udruga studenata povijesti "Malleus"|year=2007|location=Rijeka|pages=105–129}}

A resistance movement emerged. On 22 June 1941,Dragutin Pavličević, Povijest Hrvatske, Naklada Pavičić, Zagreb, 2007. {{ISBN|978-953-6308-71-2}}, str. 441–442. the 1st Sisak Partisan Detachment was formed near Sisak, the first military unit formed by a resistance movement in occupied Europe.{{cite book|first=Dragutin|last=Pavličević|title=Povijest Hrvatske|year=2007|publisher=Naklada Pavičić|isbn=978-953-6308-71-2|pages=441–442}} That sparked the beginning of the Yugoslav Partisan movement, a communist, multi-ethnic anti-fascist resistance group led by Josip Broz Tito.{{cite news|newspaper=Večernji list |language=hr |url=http://www.vecernji.hr/vijesti/josipovic-antifasizam-je-duhovni-otac-domovinskog-rata-clanak-303250 |title=Josipović: Antifašizam je duhovni otac Domovinskog rata |trans-title=Josipović: Anti-Fascism is a Spiritual Forerunner of the Croatian War of Independence |date=22 June 2011 |first=Matea |last=Vipotnik |access-date=14 October 2011 |archive-date=17 May 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130517085659/http://www.vecernji.hr/vijesti/josipovic-antifasizam-je-duhovni-otac-domovinskog-rata-clanak-303250}} In ethnic terms, Croats were the second-largest contributors to the Partisan movement after Serbs. In per capita terms, Croats contributed proportionately to their population within Yugoslavia.{{cite journal |last=Hoare |first=Marko Attila |year=2002 |title=Whose is the partisan movement? Serbs, Croats and the legacy of a shared resistance |journal=The Journal of Slavic Military Studies |publisher=Informa UK Limited |volume=15 |issue=4 |pages=30 |doi=10.1080/13518040208430537 |issn=1351-8046 |s2cid=145127681}} By May 1944 (according to Tito), Croats made up 30% of the Partisan's ethnic composition, despite making up 22% of the population.{{cite book|last1=Hoare|first1=Marko Attila|author-link=Marko Attila Hoare|editor1-last=Ramet|editor1-first=Sabrina P.|editor2-last=Listhaug|editor2-first=Ola|year=2011|title=Serbia and the Serbs in World War Two |chapter=The Partisans and the Serbs|publisher=Palgrave Macmillan|location=London, England|isbn=978-0-23034-781-6 |pages=207}} The movement grew fast, and at the Tehran Conference in December 1943, the Partisans gained recognition from the Allies.{{cite journal|journal=Historijski Zbornik|issn=0351-2193|publisher=Društvo za hrvatsku povjesnicu|date=December 2008|volume=61|issue= 2|author=Karakaš Obradov Marica|title=Saveznički zračni napadi na Split i okolicu i djelovanje Narodne zaštite u Splitu tijekom Drugog svjetskog rata|trans-title=Allied aerial attacks on Split and its surrounding and Civil Guard activity in Split during the World War II|language=hr|url=http://hrcak.srce.hr/index.php?show=clanak&id_clanak_jezik=74494|pages=323–349|access-date=17 October 2011}}

With Allied support in logistics, equipment, training and airpower, and with the assistance of Soviet troops taking part in the 1944 Belgrade Offensive, the Partisans gained control of Yugoslavia and the border regions of Italy and Austria by May 1945. Members of the NDH armed forces and other Axis troops, as well as civilians, were in retreat towards Austria. Following their surrender, many were killed in the Yugoslav death march of Nazi collaborators.{{Cite web |last1=Bracewell |first1=C.W. |last2=Lampe |first2=John R. |title=Croatia – World War II {{!}} Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Croatia/World-War-II |access-date=2022-11-05 |website=www.britannica.com |language=en}} In the following years, ethnic Germans faced persecution in Yugoslavia, and many were interned.{{sfn|Goldstein|1999|p=158}}

The political aspirations of the Partisan movement were reflected in the State Anti-fascist Council for the National Liberation of Croatia, which developed in 1943 as the bearer of Croatian statehood and later transformed into the Parliament in 1945, and AVNOJ—its counterpart at the Yugoslav level.{{cite journal|journal=Pro Tempore – Časopis Studenata Povijesti|publisher=Klub studenata povijesti ISHA|issn=1334-8302|first=Marko|last=Maurović|title=Josip protiv Josifa|trans-title=Josip vs. Iosif|language=hr|pages=73–83|issue=1|date=May 2004|url=http://hrcak.srce.hr/index.php?show=clanak&id_clanak_jezik=81342|access-date=17 October 2011}}{{cite web|publisher=Sabor|url=http://www.sabor.hr/Default.aspx?art=27859&sec=2867|language=hr|title=Predsjednik Sabora Luka Bebić na obilježavanju 64. obljetnice pobjede nad fašizmom i 65. obljetnice trećeg zasjedanja ZAVNOH-a u Topuskom|trans-title=Speaker of the Parliament, Luka Bebić, at celebration of the 64th anniversary of the victory over fascism and the 65th anniversary of the 3rd session of the ZAVNOH session in Topusko|date=9 May 2009|access-date=17 October 2011|archive-date=19 January 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120119084444/http://www.sabor.hr/Default.aspx?art=27859&sec=2867}}

File:Event in Zagreb in honour of Tito.jpg with the Croatian communist leader Vladimir Bakarić at the celebration of May Day, shortly before Stepinac was arrested and convicted by the communists]]

Based on the studies on wartime and post-war casualties by demographer Vladimir Žerjavić and statistician Bogoljub Kočović, a total of 295,000 people from the territory (not including territories ceded from Italy after the war) died, which amounted to 7.3% of the population,{{cite journal|last=Žerjavić|first=Vladimir|author-link=Vladimir Žerjavić|url=https://hrcak.srce.hr/213638?lang=en|language=hr|title=Demografski i ratni gubici Hrvatske u Drugom svjetskom ratu i poraću|trans-title=Demographic and War Losses of Croatia in the World War Two and in the Postwar Period|pages=551|journal=Journal of Contemporary History|volume=27|number=3|date=1995|location=Zagreb}} among whom were 125–137,000 Serbs, 118–124,000 Croats, 16–17,000 Jews, and 15,000 Roma.{{sfn|Žerjavić|1992|p=159}}{{sfn|Kočović|1985|p=173}} In addition, from areas joined to Croatia after the war, a total of 32,000 people died, among whom 16,000 were Italians and 15,000 were Croats.{{sfn|Žerjavić|1993b|pp=640–641}} Approximately 200,000 Croats from the entirety of Yugoslavia (including Croatia) and abroad were killed in total throughout the war and its immediate aftermath, approximately 5.4% of the population.{{sfn|Kočović|1985|p=126}}{{sfn|Geiger|2012|pp=117–118}}

File:Nixontito19712.jpg led Yugoslavia from 1944 to 1980; Pictured: Tito with the US president Richard Nixon in the White House, 1971]]

After World War II, Croatia became a single-party socialist federal unit of the SFR Yugoslavia, ruled by the Communists, but having a degree of autonomy within the federation. In 1967, Croatian authors and linguists published a Declaration on the Status and Name of the Croatian Standard Language demanding equal treatment for their language.{{cite journal |last=Šute |first=Ivica |title=Deklaracija o nazivu i položaju hrvatskog književnog jezika – Građa za povijest Deklaracije |trans-title=Declaration on the Status and Name of the Croatian Standard Language – Declaration History Articles |url=http://hrcak.srce.hr/index.php?show=clanak&id_clanak_jezik=76413&lang=en |journal=Radovi Zavoda Za Hrvatsku Povijest |volume=31 |issue=1 |pages=317–318 |date=April 1999 |issn=0353-295X |language=hr}}

The declaration contributed to a national movement seeking greater civil rights and redistribution of the Yugoslav economy, culminating in the Croatian Spring of 1971, which was suppressed by Yugoslav leadership.{{cite news |newspaper=Jutarnji list |language=hr |url=http://www.jutarnji.hr/heroina-hrvatskog-proljeca/305499/ |title=Heroina Hrvatskog proljeća |trans-title=Heroine of the Croatian Spring |date=6 August 2009 |first=Vlado |last=Vurušić |access-date=14 October 2011 |archive-date=6 August 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120806045846/http://www.jutarnji.hr/heroina-hrvatskog-proljeca/305499/}} Still, the 1974 Yugoslav Constitution gave increased autonomy to federal units, basically fulfilling a goal of the Croatian Spring and providing a legal basis for independence of the federative constituents.{{cite journal|first=Roland|last=Rich|title=Recognition of States: The Collapse of Yugoslavia and the Soviet Union|journal=European Journal of International Law|year=1993|issue=1|volume=4|pages=36–65|url=http://www.ejil.org/article.php?article=1207&issue=67|access-date=18 October 2011|doi=10.1093/oxfordjournals.ejil.a035834}}

Following Tito's death in 1980, the political situation in Yugoslavia deteriorated. National tension was fanned by the 1986 SANU Memorandum and the 1989 coups in Vojvodina, Kosovo, and Montenegro.{{sfn|Frucht|2005|p=433}}{{cite news|agency=Reuters |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/01/12/world/leaders-of-a-republic-in-yugoslavia-resign.html |title=Leaders of a Republic in Yugoslavia Resign |newspaper=The New York Times |date=12 January 1989 |access-date=7 February 2010 |archive-date=6 November 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121106113747/http://www.nytimes.com/1989/01/12/world/leaders-of-a-republic-in-yugoslavia-resign.html}} In January 1990, the Communist Party fragmented along national lines, with the Croatian faction demanding a looser federation.{{cite journal|first=Davor|last=Pauković|publisher=Centar za politološka istraživanja|url=http://hrcak.srce.hr/index.php?show=clanak&id_clanak_jezik=55640|language=hr|title=Posljednji kongres Saveza komunista Jugoslavije: uzroci, tijek i posljedice raspada|trans-title=Last Congress of the League of Communists of Yugoslavia: Causes, Consequences and Course of Dissolution|date=1 June 2008|journal=Časopis za Suvremenu Povijest|volume=1|issue=1|pages=21–33|issn=1847-2397|access-date=11 December 2010}} In the same year, the first multi-party elections were held in Croatia, while Franjo Tuđman's win exacerbated nationalist tensions.{{cite news|newspaper=The Independent |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/obituary-franjo-tudjman-1132142.html |title=Obituary: Franjo Tudjman |first=Branka |last=Magas |date=13 December 1999 |access-date=17 October 2011 |archive-date=10 November 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110024351/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/obituary-franjo-tudjman-1132142.html}} Some of the Serbs in Croatia left Sabor and declared autonomy of the unrecognised Republic of Serbian Krajina, intent on achieving independence from Croatia.{{cite news|newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1990/10/02/world/croatia-s-serbs-declare-their-autonomy.html |first=Chuck |last=Sudetic |title=Croatia's Serbs Declare Their Autonomy |date=2 October 1990 |access-date=11 December 2010 |archive-date=12 November 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121112065457/http://www.nytimes.com/1990/10/02/world/croatia-s-serbs-declare-their-autonomy.html|author-link=Chuck Sudetic}}{{cite book |title=Eastern Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qmN95fFocsMC |pages=272–278 |isbn=978-1-85743-058-5 |year=1998 |publisher=Routledge |access-date=16 December 2010}}

{{main|Breakup of Yugoslavia|Croatian War of Independence|Independence of Croatia|History of Croatia since 1995}}

As tensions rose, Croatia declared independence on 25 June 1991. However, the full implementation of the declaration only came into effect after a three-month moratorium on the decision on 8 October 1991.{{cite news|newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/06/26/world/2-yugoslav-states-vote-independence-to-press-demands.html |title=2 Yugoslav States Vote Independence To Press Demands |first=Chuck |last=Sudetic |date=26 June 1991 |access-date=12 December 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110162855/http://www.nytimes.com/1991/06/26/world/2-yugoslav-states-vote-independence-to-press-demands.html |archive-date=10 November 2012 |url-status=live}}{{cite web|work=Official web site of the Croatian Parliament|publisher=Sabor|url=http://www.sabor.hr/Default.aspx?art=20091&sec=2462|title=Ceremonial session of the Croatian Parliament on the occasion of the Day of Independence of the Republic of Croatia|date=7 October 2004|access-date=29 July 2012|archive-date=14 March 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120314021206/http://www.sabor.hr/Default.aspx?art=20091&sec=2462}} In the meantime, tensions escalated into overt war when the Serbian-controlled Yugoslav People's Army (JNA) and various Serb paramilitary groups attacked Croatia.{{cite news|newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/11/04/world/army-rushes-to-take-a-croatian-town.html |title=Army Rushes to Take a Croatian Town |first=Chuck |last=Sudetic |date=4 November 1991 |access-date=29 July 2012 |archive-date=29 July 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120729183641/http://www.nytimes.com/1991/11/04/world/army-rushes-to-take-a-croatian-town.html}}

File:Vukovar Memorial Cemetery – Eternal Flame, 20150429160745.jpg, the central place of holding the National Remembrance Day, public holiday on November 18, for all the victims of the war in Croatia and the Vukovar massacre, one of the symbolic and crucial events in the Croatian War of Independence 1991]]

By the end of 1991, a high-intensity conflict fought along a wide front reduced Croatia's control to about two-thirds of its territory.{{cite news|newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/12/20/world/croatia-clashes-rise-mediators-pessimistic.html |title=Croatia Clashes Rise; Mediators Pessimistic |date=19 December 1991 |access-date=29 July 2012 |archive-date=15 November 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121115174401/http://www.nytimes.com/1991/12/20/world/croatia-clashes-rise-mediators-pessimistic.html}}{{cite news|newspaper=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-08-01-mn-177-story.html |title=Serbian Forces Press Fight for Major Chunk of Croatia |first=Charles T. |last=Powers |date=1 August 1991 |access-date=29 July 2012 |archive-date=16 May 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120516054837/http://articles.latimes.com/1991-08-01/news/mn-177_1_defense-force|author-link=Charles T. Powers}} Serb paramilitary groups then began a campaign of killing, terror, and expulsion of the Croats in the occupied territories, killing thousands{{cite web |url=https://www.index.hr/vijesti/clanak/utjecaj-srbijanske-agresije-na-stanovnistvo-hrvatske/175515.aspx |title=Utjecaj srbijanske agresije na stanovništvo Hrvatske |website=Index.hr |date=11 December 2003 |access-date=12 September 2015}} of Croat civilians and expelling or displacing as many as 400,000-500,000 Croats and other non-Serbs from their homes.{{cite web|title= SUMMARY OF JUDGEMENT FOR MILAN MARTIĆ|url= http://www.un.org/icty/pressreal/2007/pr1162e-summary.htm|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20071215084458/http://www.un.org/icty/pressreal/2007/pr1162e-summary.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date= 15 December 2007|access-date=28 August 2019}}{{cite web |title=Croatia marks 25 years since war with tolerance message |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/8/5/croatia-marks-25-years-since-war-with-tolerance-message |website=AlJazeera |date=5 August 2020}} Serbs living in Croatian towns, especially those near the front lines, were subjected to various forms of discrimination.{{sfn|Goldstein|1999|p=233}} Croatian Serbs in Eastern and Western Slavonia and parts of the Krajina were forced to flee or were expelled by Croatian forces, though on a restricted scale and in lesser numbers.{{cite book |last1=Bassiouni |first1=Mahmoud Cherif |last2=Manikas |first2=Peter |title=The Law of the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia |date=1996 |publisher=Transnational Publishers |isbn=978-1-57105-004-5 |page=86}} The Croatian Government publicly deplored these practices and sought to stop them, indicating that they were not a part of the Government's policy.{{sfn|Allen|1996|p=46}}

File:16 obljetnica vojnoredarstvene operacije Oluja 05082011 Kninska tvrdjava 155.jpg raising the flag on the Knin fortress at a commemoration of the Operation Storm, the Croatian military action which liberated occupied Croatian territories in 1995]]

On 15 January 1992, Croatia gained diplomatic recognition by the European Economic Community, followed by the United Nations.{{cite news|newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/12/24/world/slovenia-and-croatia-get-bonn-s-nod.html |title=Slovenia and Croatia Get Bonn's Nod |first=Stephen |last=Kinzer |date=24 December 1991 |access-date=29 July 2012 |archive-date=20 June 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120620034701/http://www.nytimes.com/1991/12/24/world/slovenia-and-croatia-get-bonn-s-nod.html|author-link=Stephen Kinzer}}{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/05/23/world/3-ex-yugoslav-republics-are-accepted-into-un.html |title=3 Ex-Yugoslav Republics Are Accepted into U.N. |newspaper=The New York Times |first=Paul L. |last=Montgomery |date=23 May 1992 |access-date=29 July 2012 |archive-date=11 November 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121111013548/http://www.nytimes.com/1992/05/23/world/3-ex-yugoslav-republics-are-accepted-into-un.html|author-link=Paul L. Montgomery }} The war effectively ended in August 1995 with a decisive victory by Croatia;{{cite news|newspaper=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-08-08-mn-32662-story.html |title=Croats Declare Victory, End Blitz |first=Dean E. |last=Murphy |date=8 August 1995 |access-date=18 December 2010 |archive-date=12 October 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121012140454/http://articles.latimes.com/1995-08-08/news/mn-32662_1_serb-refugees}} the event is commemorated each year on 5 August as Victory and Homeland Thanksgiving Day and the Day of Croatian Defenders.{{cite web|url=https://www.total-croatia-news.com/politics/37611-thanksgiving-day|title=Officials Issue Messages for Victory and Homeland Thanksgiving Day|website=www.total-croatia-news.com|date=4 August 2019|language=en-gb|access-date=4 August 2019|archive-date=5 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405210541/https://www.total-croatia-news.com/politics/37611-thanksgiving-day|url-status=dead}} Following the Croatian victory, about 200,000 Serbs from the self-proclaimed Republic of Serbian Krajina fled the region and hundreds of mainly elderly Serb civilians were killed in the aftermath of the military operation. Approximately half have returned since then. Their homes were subsequently settled by Croat refugees from Bosnia and Herzegovina.{{cite book|author=Janine Natalya Clark|year=2014|title=International Trials and Reconciliation: Assessing the Impact of the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia|publisher=Routledge|location=London|isbn=978-1-31797-475-8|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=373cAwAAQBAJ|page=28}}{{Failed verification|date=November 2024}} The remaining occupied areas were restored to Croatia following the Erdut Agreement of November 1995, concluding with the UNTAES mission in January 1998.{{cite news|newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/01/16/world/an-ethnic-morass-is-returned-to-croatia.html |title=An Ethnic Morass Is Returned to Croatia |first=Chris |last=Hedges |date=16 January 1998 |access-date=18 December 2010 |archive-date=18 May 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130518201803/http://www.nytimes.com/1998/01/16/world/an-ethnic-morass-is-returned-to-croatia.html|author-link=Chris Hedges}} Most sources number the war deaths at around 20,000.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/3095774.stm|title=Presidents apologise over Croatian war |publisher=BBC|work=BBC News|date=September 10, 2003|access-date=February 7, 2010}}{{cite web|url=http://www.setimes.com/cocoon/setimes/xhtml/en_GB/features/setimes/features/2008/11/20/feature-01|title=Serbia to respond to Croatian genocide charges with countersuit at ICJ|work=SETimes.com|publisher=Southeast European Times|date=November 20, 2008|access-date=February 7, 2010}}{{cite news|url=http://www.tehrantimes.com/index_View.asp?code=182811|title=UN to hear Croatia genocide claim against Serbia|newspaper=Tehran Times|date=November 19, 2008|access-date=February 7, 2010}}

After the end of the war, Croatia faced the challenges of post-war reconstruction, the return of refugees, establishing democracy, protecting human rights, and general social and economic development.

The 2000s were characterized by democratization, economic growth, structural and social reforms, and problems such as unemployment, corruption, and the inefficiency of public administration.{{Cite book|last1=Puljiz|first1=Vlado|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=26RVYkUkBXAC&q=hrvatska+nakon+2000&pg=PA43|title=Socijalna politika Hrvatske|last2=Bežovan|first2=Gojko|last3=Matković|first3=Teo|last4=Šućur|first4=dr Zoran|last5=Zrinščak|first5=Siniša|publisher=Pravni fakultet u Zagrebu|year=2008|isbn=978-953-97320-9-5|location=Zagreb|pages=43–52|language=hr}} In November 2000 and March 2001, the Parliament amended the Constitution, first adopted on 22 December 1990, changing its bicameral structure back into its historic unicameral form and reducing presidential powers.{{cite web|title=22 December – Christmas Constitution – the first Constitution of the independent Republic of Croatia|url=https://www.sabor.hr/en/about-parliament/history/important-dates/22-december-christmas-constitution-first-constitution|website=sabor.hr|access-date=27 June 2023}}{{cite web |title=History and Development of Croatian Constitutional Judicature – Constitutional Court of the Republic of Croatia |url=https://www.usud.hr/en/history-and-development-croatian-constitutional-judicature#9 |website=www.usud.hr}}

Croatia joined the Partnership for Peace on 25 May 2000{{cite web|url=http://www.enciklopedija.hr/natuknica.aspx?ID=46827|title=Partnerstvo za mir – Hrvatska enciklopedija|website=www.enciklopedija.hr}} and became a member of the World Trade Organization on 30 November 2000.{{cite web|url=http://www.mvep.hr/hr/vanjska-politika/multilateralni-odnosi-staro-ijvhj/svjetska-trgovinska-organizacija-(wto)/|title=MVEP • Svjetska trgovinska organizacija (WTO)|website=www.mvep.hr}} On 29 October 2001, Croatia signed a Stabilisation and Association Agreement with the European Union,{{cite web|title=Kronologija: Težak put od priznanja do kucanja na vrata EU – Jutarnji List|url=https://www.jutarnji.hr/arhiva/kronologija-tezak-put-od-priznanja-do-kucanja-na-vrata-eu/3756672/|date=2 October 2006|website=www.jutarnji.hr|language=en|access-date=30 May 2020}} submitted a formal application for the EU membership in 2003,{{cite web|url=https://uprava.gov.hr/kada-je-i-kome-republika-hrvatska-podnijela-zahtjev-za-clanstvo-u-europskoj-uniji/13976|title=Kada je i kome Republika Hrvatska podnijela zahtjev za članstvo u Europskoj uniji?|website=uprava.gov.hr}} was given the status of a candidate country in 2004,{{cite web|title=Kako je izgledao put Republike Hrvatske ka punopravnom članstvu u Europskoj uniji?|url=https://uprava.gov.hr/drzavni-strucni-ispit-789/primjeri-pitanja-i-odgovora-za-srednju-strucnu-spremu/osnove-sustava-europske-unije/kako-je-izgledao-put-republike-hrvatske-ka-punopravnom-clanstvu-u-europskoj-uniji/12417|website=uprava.gov.hr|access-date=30 May 2020}} and began accession negotiations in 2005.{{cite web|title=Evo kako je izgledao hrvatski put prema EU!|url=https://dnevnik.hr/vijesti/hrvatska/evo-kako-je-izgledao-hrvatski-put-prema-eu---292731.html|website=Dnevnik.hr|language=hr|access-date=30 May 2020}} Although the Croatian economy had enjoyed a significant boom in the early 2000s, the financial crisis in 2008 forced the government to cut spending, thus provoking a public outcry.{{cite book |first=Ivo |last=Goldstein |author-link=Ivo Goldstein |title=Povijest Hrvatske 1945–2011 |version=3. svezak |publisher=EPH Media d.o.o.}}

Croatia served on the United Nations Security Council in the 2008–2009 term for the first time, assuming the non-permanent seat in December 2008.{{cite web |title=Membership of the Republic of Croatia in the UN Security Council 2008–2009 |url=http://www.mvpei.hr/mvp.asp?pcpid=2531 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130107231744/http://www.mvep.hr/mvp.asp?pcpid=2531 |archive-date=7 January 2013 |access-date=24 September 2011 |publisher=Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration (Croatia)}} On 1 April 2009, Croatia joined NATO.{{cite web|title=Hrvatska postala članica NATO saveza|url=https://dnevnik.hr/vijesti/hrvatska/hrvatska-postala-punopravna-clanica-nato-saveza.html|website=Dnevnik.hr|language=hr|access-date=30 May 2020}}

File:Tratado de Lisboa 13 12 2007 (081).jpg

A wave of anti-government protests in 2011 reflected a general dissatisfaction with the current political and economic situation. The protests brought together diverse political persuasions in response to recent government corruption scandals and called for early elections. On 28 October 2011 MPs voted to dissolve Parliament and the protests gradually subsided. President Ivo Josipović agreed to a dissolution of Sabor on Monday, 31 October and scheduled new elections for Sunday 4 December 2011.{{cite news|url=https://www.economist.com/eastern-approaches/2011/03/06/et-tu-zagreb|title=Et tu, Zagreb?|newspaper=The Economist|date=6 March 2011}}{{cite web|url=http://dnevnik.hr/vijesti/hrvatska/ovo-su-bili-najzanimljiviji-trenuci-u-saboru.html |title=Pogledajte sve snimke sa suđenja Sanaderu |publisher=Dnevnik.hr |date=2011-10-28 |access-date=2011-12-10}}{{cite web |url=http://odluka2011.dnevnik.hr/clanak/vijesti/predsjednik-josipovic-raspisao-izbore.html |title=Predsjednik Josipović raspisao izbore! |publisher=Odluka2011.dnevnik.hr |date=2011-10-31 |access-date=2011-12-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111203150728/http://odluka2011.dnevnik.hr/clanak/vijesti/predsjednik-josipovic-raspisao-izbore.html |archive-date=2011-12-03 |url-status=dead }}

On 30 June 2011, Croatia successfully completed EU accession negotiations.{{cite web |date=30 June 2011 |title=EU closes accession negotiations with Croatia |url=http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/11/824&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en |access-date=24 September 2011 |publisher=European Commission}} The country signed the Accession Treaty on 9 December 2011 and held a referendum on 22 January 2012, where Croatian citizens voted in favor of an EU membership.{{cite web |date=9 December 2011 |title=Croatia signs EU accession treaty |url=http://europa.eu/news/external-relations/2011/03/20110302_en.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120123185048/http://europa.eu/news/external-relations/2011/03/20110302_en.htm |archive-date=23 January 2012 |access-date=12 December 2011 |publisher=European Union}}{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-16670298|title=Croatia voters back EU membership|work=BBC News|date=1 June 2018}} Croatia joined the European Union on 1 July 2013.

Croatia was affected by the 2015 European migrant crisis when Hungary's closure of borders with Serbia pushed over 700,000 refugees and migrants to pass through Croatia on their way to other EU countries.{{cite web|url=https://bib.irb.hr/datoteka/914376.HuB-SpecialEditiononRefugeeCrisis-100_January2017.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://bib.irb.hr/datoteka/914376.HuB-SpecialEditiononRefugeeCrisis-100_January2017.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live|title=Šenada Šelo Šabić, Croatia's response to the refugee crisis, European Expression, Issue 100, 2016}}

On 19 October 2016, Andrej Plenković began serving as the current Croatian Prime Minister.{{cite web |title=Andrej Plenković – O meni |url=https://www.andrejplenkovic.hr/page.php?id=1 |access-date=17 December 2020 |website=www.andrejplenkovic.hr}} The most recent presidential elections, held on 5 January 2020, elected Zoran Milanović as president.{{cite web |title=Održana svečanost prisege predsjednika Republike Hrvatske Zorana Milanovića |url=https://www.predsjednik.hr/vijesti/svecanost-prisege/ |access-date=23 January 2021 |website=Predsjednik Republike Hrvatske – Zoran Milanović |language=hr}}

On 25 January 2022, the OECD Council decided to open accession negotiations with Croatia. Throughout the accession process, Croatia was to implement numerous reforms that will advance all spheres of activity – from public services and the justice system to education, transport, finance, health, and trade. In line with the OECD Accession Roadmap from June 2022, Croatia will undergo technical reviews by 25 OECD committees and is so far progressing at a faster pace than expected. Full membership is expected in 2025 and is the last big foreign policy goal Croatia still has to achieve.{{cite web|title=The OECD and South East Europe|url=https://www.oecd.org/south-east-europe/economies/see-croatia.htm|website=OECD.org|access-date=27 June 2023}}{{cite web|title=OECD membership means benefits for citizens, higher living standard|url=https://mvep.gov.hr/press-22794/oecd-membership-means-benefits-for-citizens-higher-living-standard/253882|website=Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs|access-date=27 June 2023}}{{cite web|title=Croatia's accession to the OECD is progressing faster than expected|url=https://mvep.gov.hr/press-22794/croatia-s-accession-to-the-oecd-is-progressing-faster-than-expected/257332|website=Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs|access-date=27 June 2023}}{{cite web|title=OECD još jedan instrument za unaprjeđenje reformskih procesa, članstvo će nas učiniti još boljom i kvalitetnijom zemljom|url=https://vlada.gov.hr/vijesti/oecd-jos-jedan-instrument-za-unaprjedjenje-reformskih-procesa-clanstvo-ce-nas-uciniti-jos-boljom-i-kvalitetnijom-zemljom/38169|website=GOV.hr|language=hr|access-date=27 June 2023}}

On 1 January 2023, Croatia adopted the euro as its official currency, replacing the kuna, and became the 20th Eurozone member. On the same day, Croatia became the 27th member of the border-free Schengen Area, thus marking its full EU integration.{{cite web |title=Euro and Schengen: Croatia joins the Euro and Schengen areas |url=https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_22_7907 |access-date=27 June 2023 |website=European Commission}}

{{Main|Geography of Croatia}}

File:Satellite image of Croatia in September 2003.jpg]]

Croatia is situated in Central and Southeast Europe, on the coast of the Adriatic Sea. Hungary is to the northeast, Serbia to the east, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro to the southeast and Slovenia to the northwest.{{cite book | url=https://play.google.com/books/reader?id=KEzAEAAAQBAJ&pg=GBS.PT5&hl=en | isbn=978-1-7629-8824-9 | title=Introduction to Croatia | publisher=Gilad James Mystery School }} It lies mostly between latitudes 42° and 47° N and longitudes 13° and 20° E.{{sfn|2018 Statistical Yearbook of the Republic of Croatia|p=44}} Part of the territory in the extreme south surrounding Dubrovnik is a practical exclave connected to the rest of the mainland by territorial waters, but separated on land by a short coastline strip belonging to Bosnia and Herzegovina around Neum. The Pelješac Bridge connects the exclave with mainland Croatia.{{Cite web |date= |title=Croatia opens long-awaited bridge bypassing Bosnia |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/7/26/croatia-opens-long-awaited-bridge-bypassing-bosnia |access-date=26 July 2022 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}}

The territory covers {{convert|56594|km2|sqmi|0|abbr=off}}, consisting of {{convert|56414|km2|sqmi|0|abbr=off}} of land and {{convert|128|km2|sqmi|0|abbr=off}} of water. It is the world's 127th largest country.{{Cite CIA World Factbook|country=Croatia|access-date=9 September 2011}} Elevation ranges from the mountains of the Dinaric Alps with the highest point of the Dinara peak at {{convert|1831|m|ft|abbr=off}} near the border with Bosnia and Herzegovina in the south to the shore of the Adriatic Sea which makes up its entire southwest border. Insular Croatia consists of over a thousand islands and islets varying in size, 48 of which are permanently inhabited. The largest islands are Cres and Krk, each of them having an area of around {{convert|405|km2||abbr=off}}.

File:Dugi otok island.jpg]]

File:20230429.Donau.zwischen km 1255 und 1333.-032.1.jpg on the Danube river, eastern Slavonia]]

The hilly northern parts of Hrvatsko Zagorje and the flat plains of Slavonia in the east which is part of the Pannonian Basin are traversed by major rivers such as Danube, Drava, Kupa, and the Sava. The Danube, Europe's second longest river, runs through the city of Vukovar in the extreme east and forms part of the border with Vojvodina. The central and southern regions near the Adriatic coastline and islands consist of low mountains and forested highlands. Natural resources found in quantities significant enough for production include oil, coal, bauxite, low-grade iron ore, calcium, gypsum, natural asphalt, silica, mica, clays, salt, and hydropower. Karst topography makes up about half of Croatia and is especially prominent in the Dinaric Alps.{{cite web|url=http://www.geografija.hr/clanci/1011/rasirenost-krsa-u-hrvatskoj |title=Raširenost krša u Hrvatskoj |trans-title=Presence of Karst in Croatia |language=hr |publisher=Croatian Geographic Society |date=18 December 2006 |first=Mate |last=Matas |access-date=18 October 2011 |work=geografija.hr |archive-date=9 June 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120609163634/http://www.geografija.hr/clanci/1011/rasirenost-krsa-u-hrvatskoj}} Croatia hosts deep caves, 49 of which are deeper than {{convert|250|m|2|abbr=on}}, 14 deeper than {{convert|500|m|2|abbr=on}} and three deeper than {{convert|1000|m|2|abbr=on}}. Croatia's most famous lakes are the Plitvice lakes, a system of 16 lakes with waterfalls connecting them over dolomite and limestone cascades. The lakes are renowned for their distinctive colours, ranging from turquoise to mint green, grey or blue.{{cite web|work=BBC |url=http://www.bbc.com/travel/feature/20110617-the-best-national-parks-of-europe |title=The best national parks of Europe |date=28 June 2011 |access-date=11 October 2011 |archive-date=1 July 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120701184734/http://www.bbc.com/travel/feature/20110617-the-best-national-parks-of-europe}}

File:Croatia Köppen.svg map of Croatia]]

Most of Croatia has a moderately warm and rainy continental climate as defined by the Köppen climate classification. Mean monthly temperature ranges between {{convert|-3|°C|°F|lk=on}} in January and {{convert|18|°C|°F|lk=off}} in July. The coldest parts of the country are Lika and Gorski Kotar featuring a snowy, forested climate at elevations above {{convert|1200|m|ft|abbr=off}}. The warmest areas are at the Adriatic coast and especially in its immediate hinterland characterised by Mediterranean climate, as the sea moderates temperature highs. Consequently, temperature peaks are more pronounced in continental areas.

The lowest temperature of {{convert|-35.5|°C|°F|lk=off}} was recorded on 3 February 1919 in Čakovec,{{sfn|2018 Statistical Yearbook of the Republic of Croatia|p=40}} and the highest temperature of {{convert|42.8|°C|°F|lk=off}} was recorded on 4 August 1981 in Ploče.{{cite web|title=Najviša izmjerena temperatura zraka u Hrvatskoj za razdoblje od kada postoje meteorološka motrenja|url=http://klima.hr/razno.php?id=priopcenja¶m=pr21072017|website=Klima.hr|publisher=Croatian Meteorological and Hydrological Service|access-date=1 August 2017|language=hr|date=21 July 2017}}

Mean annual precipitation ranges between {{convert|600|mm|in|abbr=off}} and {{convert|3500|mm|in|abbr=off}} depending on geographic region and climate type. The least precipitation is recorded in the outer islands (Biševo, Lastovo, Svetac, Vis) and the eastern parts of Slavonia. However, in the latter case, rain occurs mostly during the growing season. The maximum precipitation levels are observed in the Dinaric Alps, in the Gorski Kotar peaks of Risnjak and Snježnik.{{sfn|2018 Statistical Yearbook of the Republic of Croatia|p=40}}

Prevailing winds in the interior are light to moderate northeast or southwest, and in the coastal area, prevailing winds are determined by local features. Higher wind velocities are more often recorded in cooler months along the coast, generally as the cool northeasterly bura or less frequently as the warm southerly jugo. The sunniest parts are the outer islands, Hvar and Korčula, where more than 2700 hours of sunshine are recorded per year, followed by the middle and southern Adriatic Sea area in general, and northern Adriatic coast, all with more than 2000 hours of sunshine per year.{{sfn|2018 Statistical Yearbook of the Republic of Croatia|p=41}}

{{Main|Protected areas of Croatia}}

{{Further|Register of Protected Natural Values of Croatia|Natural and Cultural Heritage of Croatia}}

File:Waterfalls at Plitvica stream in Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia (48607294088).jpg]]

File:RRI-0036-1962 view to Motovun.jpg in Istrian peninsula]]

Croatia can be subdivided into ecoregions based on climate and geomorphology. The country is one of the richest in Europe in terms of biodiversity.{{cite news|title=Biodiversity-rich Croatia becomes 33rd full EEA member country — European Environment Agency|url=https://www.eea.europa.eu/highlights/biodiversity-rich-croatia-becomes-33rd|access-date=23 January 2021|newspaper=European Environment Agency|language=en}}{{cite web|title=EU 2020 HR|url=https://eu2020.hr/Home/Custom?code=CroatiaEU|access-date=23 January 2021|website=eu2020.hr}} Croatia has four types of biogeographical regions—the Mediterranean along the coast and in its immediate hinterland, Alpine in most of Lika and Gorski Kotar, Pannonian along Drava and Danube, and Continental in the remaining areas. The most significant are karst habitats which include submerged karst, such as Zrmanja and Krka canyons and tufa barriers, as well as underground habitats. The country contains three ecoregions: Dinaric Mountains mixed forests, Pannonian mixed forests, and Illyrian deciduous forests.{{cite journal|last1=Dinerstein|first1=Eric|last2=Olson|first2=David|last3=Joshi|first3=Anup|last4=Vynne|first4=Carly|last5=Burgess|first5=Neil D.|last6=Wikramanayake|first6=Eric|last7=Hahn|first7=Nathan|last8=Palminteri|first8=Suzanne|last9=Hedao|first9=Prashant|last10=Noss|first10=Reed|last11=Hansen|first11=Matt|last12=Locke|first12=Harvey|last13=Ellis|first13=Erle C|last14=Jones|first14=Benjamin|last15=Barber|first15=Charles Victor|last16=Hayes|first16=Randy|last17=Kormos|first17=Cyril|last18=Martin|first18=Vance|last19=Crist|first19=Eileen|last20=Sechrest|first20=Wes|last21=Price|first21=Lori|last22=Baillie|first22=Jonathan E. M.|last23=Weeden|first23=Don|last24=Suckling|first24=Kierán|last25=Davis|first25=Crystal|last26=Sizer|first26=Nigel|last27=Moore|first27=Rebecca|last28=Thau|first28=David|last29=Birch|first29=Tanya|last30=Potapov|first30=Peter|last31=Turubanova|first31=Svetlana|last32=Tyukavina|first32=Alexandra|last33=de Souza|first33=Nadia|last34=Pintea|first34=Lilian|last35=Brito|first35=José C.|last36=Llewellyn|first36=Othman A.|last37=Miller|first37=Anthony G.|last38=Patzelt|first38=Annette|last39=Ghazanfar|first39=Shahina A.|last40=Timberlake|first40=Jonathan|last41=Klöser|first41=Heinz|last42=Shennan-Farpón|first42=Yara|last43=Kindt|first43=Roeland|last44=Lillesø|first44=Jens-Peter Barnekow|last45=van Breugel|first45=Paulo|last46=Graudal|first46=Lars|last47=Voge|first47=Maianna|last48=Al-Shammari|first48=Khalaf F.|last49=Saleem|first49=Muhammad|title=An Ecoregion-Based Approach to Protecting Half the Terrestrial Realm|journal=BioScience|volume=67|issue=6|year=2017|pages=534–545|issn=0006-3568|doi=10.1093/biosci/bix014|pmid=28608869|pmc=5451287}}

The karst geology harbours approximately 7,000 caves and pits, some of which are the habitat of the only known aquatic cave vertebrate—the olm. Forests are abundant, covering {{convert|2490000|ha||abbr=off}} or 44% of Croatian land area. Other habitat types include wetlands, grasslands, bogs, fens, scrub habitats, coastal and marine habitats.{{cite book|publisher=State Institute for Nature Protection, Ministry of Culture (Croatia)|url=http://www.dzzp.hr/dokumenti_upload/20120515/dzzp201205151608230.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://www.dzzp.hr/dokumenti_upload/20120515/dzzp201205151608230.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live|title=Biodiversity of Croatia|year= 2006|editor-first=Jasminka|editor-last=Radović|editor-first2=Kristijan|editor-last2=Čivić|editor-first3= Ramona|editor-last3= Topić|isbn=953-7169-20-0|access-date=13 October 2011}}

In terms of phytogeography, Croatia is a part of the Boreal Kingdom and is a part of Illyrian and Central European provinces of the Circumboreal Region and the Adriatic province of the Mediterranean Region. The World Wide Fund for Nature divides Croatia between three ecoregions—Pannonian mixed forests, Dinaric Mountains mixed forests and Illyrian deciduous forests.{{cite web|publisher=6th Dubrovnik Conference on Sustainable Development of Energy, Water and Environment Systems|url=http://www.dubrovnik2011.sdewes.org/venue.php|title=Venue|access-date=13 October 2011}}

Croatia hosts 37,000 known plant and animal species, but their actual number is estimated to be between 50,000 and 100,000. More than a thousand species are endemic, especially in Velebit and Biokovo mountains, Adriatic islands and karst rivers. Legislation protects 1,131 species. The most serious threat is habitat loss and degradation. A further problem is presented by invasive alien species, especially Caulerpa taxifolia algae.

Invasive algae are regularly monitored and removed to protect benthic habitat. Indigenous cultivated plant strains and domesticated animal breeds are numerous. They include five breeds of horses, five of cattle, eight of sheep, two of pigs, and one poultry. Indigenous breeds include nine that are endangered or critically endangered. Croatia has 444 protected areas, encompassing 9% of the country. Those include eight national parks, two strict reserves, and ten nature parks. The most famous protected area and the oldest national park in Croatia is Plitvice Lakes National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Velebit Nature Park is a part of the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Programme. The strict and special reserves, as well as the national and nature parks, are managed and protected by the central government, while other protected areas are managed by counties. In 2005, the National Ecological Network was set up, as the first step in the preparation of the EU accession and joining of the Natura 2000 network.

{{further|Politics of Croatia|Human rights in Croatia}}

{{multiple image

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| image1 = Zoran Milanović at Palazzo del Quirinale 2021 (11) (cropped).jpg

| width1 = 125

| alt1 = Zoran Milanović

| caption1 = {{flagicon image|Flag of the President of Croatia.svg|size=15x15px}} President
Zoran Milanović

| image2 = Obisk predsednika vlade Hrvaške Andreja Plenkovića - 28. 3. 2023 (52777071695) (cropped).jpg

| width2 = 126

| alt2 = Andrej Plenković

| caption2 = {{flagicon image|Zastava predsjednika Vlade RH.svg|size=15x15px}} Prime Minister
Andrej Plenković

}}

The Republic of Croatia is a unitary, constitutional state using a parliamentary system. Government powers in Croatia are legislative, executive, and judiciary powers.{{cite web|publisher=Government of Croatia|url=http://www.vlada.hr/en/about_croatia/information/political_structure|title=Political Structure|date=6 May 2007|access-date=14 October 2011|archive-date=5 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130905201133/http://www.vlada.hr/en/about_croatia/information/political_structure|url-status=dead}}

The president of the republic ({{langx|hr|Predsjednik Republike}}) is the head of state, directly elected to a five-year term and is limited by the Constitution to two terms. In addition to serving as commander in chief of the armed forces, the president has the procedural duty of appointing the prime minister with the parliament and has some influence on foreign policy.

The Government is headed by the prime minister, who has four deputy prime ministers and 16 ministers in charge of particular sectors.{{cite web|publisher=Government of Croatia|url=http://www.vlada.hr/en/naslovnica/o_vladi_rh/clanovi_vlade|title=Members of the Government|access-date=14 October 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130604052735/http://www.vlada.hr/en/naslovnica/o_vladi_rh/clanovi_vlade|archive-date=4 June 2013}} As the executive branch, it is responsible for proposing legislation and a budget, enforcing the laws, and guiding foreign and internal policies. The Government is seated at Banski dvori in Zagreb.

{{further|Law of Croatia}}

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| caption1 = Croatian Parliament (Sabor) in Zagreb

| caption2 = Banski dvori in Zagreb, seat of the Government of Croatia

}}

A unicameral parliament ({{lang|hr|Sabor}}) holds legislative power. The number of Sabor members can vary from 100 to 160. They are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms. Legislative sessions take place from 15 January to 15 July, and from 15 September to 15 December annually.{{cite web|publisher=Sabor|url=http://www.sabor.hr/Default.aspx?sec=713|title=About the Parliament|access-date=14 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160706061905/http://www.sabor.hr/Default.aspx?sec=713|archive-date=6 July 2016|url-status=dead}} The two largest political parties in Croatia are the Croatian Democratic Union and the Social Democratic Party of Croatia.{{cite web|publisher=Sabor|title=Members of the 6th Parliament|url=http://www.sabor.hr/Default.aspx?sec=776|access-date=14 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160706062229/http://www.sabor.hr/Default.aspx?sec=776|archive-date=6 July 2016|url-status=dead}}

Croatia has a civil law legal system in which law arises primarily from written statutes, with judges serving as implementers and not creators of law. Its development was largely influenced by German and Austrian legal systems. Croatian law is divided into two principal areas—private and public law. Before EU accession negotiations were completed, Croatian legislation had been fully harmonised with the Community acquis.{{cite web|publisher=Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Croatia|url=http://www.delhrv.ec.europa.eu/?lang=en&content=62|title=Overview of EU–Croatia relations|access-date=14 October 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120326105744/http://www.delhrv.ec.europa.eu/?lang=en&content=62|archive-date=26 March 2012}}

The main national courts are the Constitutional Court, which oversees violations of the Constitution, and the Supreme Court, which is the highest court of appeal. Administrative, Commercial, County, Misdemeanor, and Municipal courts handle cases in their respective domains.{{cite web|publisher=Croatian Supreme Court|url=http://www.vsrh.hr/EasyWeb.asp?pcpid=31|language=hr|title=Ustavne odredbe|trans-title=Provisions of the Constitution|date=21 May 2010|access-date=14 October 2011}} Cases falling within judicial jurisdiction are in the first instance decided by a single professional judge, while appeals are deliberated in mixed tribunals of professional judges. Lay magistrates also participate in trials.{{cite web|url=https://narodne-novine.nn.hr/clanci/sluzbeni/2013_03_28_473.html|title=Zakon o sudovima|website=narodne-novine.nn.hr}} The State's Attorney Office is the judicial body constituted of public prosecutors empowered to instigate prosecution of perpetrators of offences.{{cite web|url=http://www.dorh.hr/Default.aspx?sec=627|title=Državno odvjetništvo Republike Hrvatske|website=www.dorh.hr}}

Law enforcement agencies are organised under the authority of the Ministry of the Interior which consist primarily of the national police force. Croatia's security service is the Security and Intelligence Agency (SOA).{{cite web|title=SOA – Security-intelligence system of the Republic of Croatia|url=https://www.soa.hr/en/about-us/security-intelligence-system-of-the-republic-of-croatia/|access-date=23 January 2021|website=www.soa.hr}}{{Cite book|last1=Graaff|first1=Bob de|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_00UDQAAQBAJ&q=Handbook+of+European+Intelligence+Cultures|title=Handbook of European Intelligence Cultures|last2=Nyce|first2=James M.|date=2 August 2016|publisher=Rowman & Littlefield|isbn=978-1-4422-4942-4|location=|page=73|language=en}}

{{clear}}

{{Main|Foreign relations of Croatia|Croatia and the euro}}

Croatia has established diplomatic relations with 194 countries.{{cite web|title=MVEP • Date of Recognition and Establishment of Diplomatic Relations|url=http://www.mvep.hr/en/foreign-politics/bilateral-relations/date-of-recognition-and-establishment-of-diplomatic-relations/|access-date=23 January 2021|website=www.mvep.hr}} supporting 57 embassies, 30 consulates and eight permanent diplomatic missions. 56 foreign embassies and 67 consulates operate in the country in addition to offices of international organisations such as the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), International Organization for Migration (IOM), Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), World Bank, World Health Organization (WHO), International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and UNICEF.{{cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=MVEP • Diplomatski protokol|url=http://www.mvep.hr/hr/ministarstvo/diplomatski-protokol/|access-date=23 January 2021|website=www.mvep.hr|language=hr}}

File:President Joe Biden salutes as the Army Fife and Drum Corps performs a “Troop in Review” during an official arrival ceremony with NATO leaders and their spouses on July 10, 2024 at the White House.jpg Zoran Milanović during an official arrival ceremony with NATO leaders on July 10, 2024 at the White House, Washington, D.C.]]

As of 2019, the Croatian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration employed 1,381{{Update span|text=|date=January 2021}} personnel and expended 765.295 million kunas (€101.17 million).{{cite web|title=MVEP • Godišnje financijsko izvješće za 2019. godinu|url=http://www.mvep.hr/hr/ministarstvo/proracun/godisnje-financijsko-izvjesce-za-2019-godinu/|access-date=23 January 2021|website=www.mvep.hr}} Stated aims of Croatian foreign policy include enhancing relations with neighbouring countries, developing international co-operation and promotion of the Croatian economy and Croatia itself.{{cite web|publisher=Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration (Croatia)|url=http://un.mfa.hr/?mh=151&mv=840|title=Foreign Policy Aims|access-date=24 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120127073846/http://un.mfa.hr/?mh=151&mv=840|archive-date=27 January 2012|url-status=dead}}

Croatia is a member of the European Union. As of 2021, Croatia had unsolved border issues with Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia, and Slovenia.{{cite news|publisher=total-croatia-news.com|url=https://www.total-croatia-news.com/politics/16084-overview-of-croatia-s-border-disputes-with-bij-montenegro-serbia-slovenia-liberland|title=Overview of Croatia's Border Disputes with BiH, Montenegro, Serbia, Slovenia, Liberland|date=22 January 2017|access-date=1 January 2019}} Croatia is a member of NATO.{{cite news|newspaper=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/05/world/europe/05cnd-prexy.html|title=Bush Champions Expansive Mission for NATO|date=5 April 2008|author=Steven Lee Myers|access-date=24 September 2011}}{{cite news|publisher=BBC News|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/7977332.stm|title=Nato welcomes Albania and Croatia|date=1 April 2009|access-date=24 September 2011}} On 1 January 2023, Croatia simultaneously joined both the Schengen Area and the Eurozone,{{cite news|publisher=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-64144309|title=Croatia begins new euro and Schengen zone era|date=1 January 2023|access-date=1 January 2023}} having previously joined the ERM II on 10 July 2020.

{{Main|Croatian diaspora}}

The Croatian diaspora consists of communities of ethnic Croats and Croatian citizens living outside Croatia. Croatia maintains intensive contacts with Croatian communities abroad (e.g., administrative and financial support of cultural, sports activities, and economic initiatives). Croatia actively maintain foreign relations to strengthen and guarantee the rights of the Croatian minority in various host countries.{{Cite web| url= https://hrvatiizvanrh.gov.hr/hrvati-izvan-rh/hrvatska-manjina-u-inozemstvu/hrvatska-manjina-u-republici-srbiji/748|title= Hrvatska manjina u Republici Srbiji|website=hrvatiizvanrh.gov.hr |publisher=Središnji državni ured za Hrvate izvan Republike Hrvatske (Central State Office for Croats Outside the Republic of Croatia)}}{{Cite web|url= https://www.info.hazu.hr/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Glasnik-Broj-2.pdf |quote= The Presidency of the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts, in a session held on 12 September 2014, made the following statement explaining that the Bunjevci Croats form an integral part of the Croatian national corpus. The Presidency of the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts, one of the fundamental institutions of the Croatian nation and of all the citizens of the Republic of Croatia, among the roles of which belongs the preservation of national identity, made the following statement in a session held on 12 September 2014: The Bunjevci, a Croatian ethnic group, are made up of three branches: the Dalmatian-Herzegovinian branch; the Primorje-Lika branch; and the Danube Region branch. Not encroaching on the right of any individual to express their national affiliation based on their origin, history, traditional culture, customs and language – the western new-Štokavian and Ikavian – the Bunjevci Croats form an integral part of the Croatian national corpus.| title= Statement by the Presidency of the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts regarding the Bunjevci Croats| date= 2014| page= 53| publisher= Glasnik HAZU| volume= 2 | website= info.hazu.hr}}{{Cite web|url= https://hrvatiizvanrh.gov.hr/hrvati-izvan-rh/hrvatska-manjina-u-inozemstvu/1616| website= hrvatiizvanrh.gov.hr|title=Hrvatska manjina u inozemstvu}}

{{Main|Armed Forces of Croatia}}

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| image1 = MORH T. Brandt 4.jpg

| image2 = 2nd Mechanized Battalion "Pume".jpg

| caption1 = Croatian Dassault Rafale fighter, 191 Squadron of the Croatian Air Force.

| caption2 = 2nd Mechanized Battalion largest of two mechanized infantry battalions within the Guards Armoured Mechanized Brigade (GOMBR) of the Croatian Army.

}}

The Croatian Armed Forces (CAF) consist of the Air Force, Army, and Navy branches in addition to the Education and Training Command and Support Command. The CAF is headed by the General Staff, which reports to the defence minister, who in turn reports to the president. According to the constitution, the president is the commander-in-chief of the armed forces. In case of immediate threat during wartime, he issues orders directly to the General Staff.{{cite web|url=http://www.osrh.hr/prikaz_en.asp?idi=100&kati=2|title=Chain of Command in the CAF|publisher=Croatian Ministry of Defence|access-date=2 July 2012}}

Following the 1991–95 war, defence spending and CAF size began a constant decline. {{As of|2019}}, military spending was an estimated 1.68% of the country's GDP, 67th globally.{{Cite CIA World Factbook|country=Croatia|access-date=23 January 2021}} In 2005 the budget fell below the NATO-required 2% of GDP, down from the record high of 11.1% in 1994.{{cite web|url=http://milexdata.sipri.org/ |title=SIPRI Military Expenditure Database |publisher=Stockholm International Peace Research Institute |access-date=9 September 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100328072123/http://milexdata.sipri.org/ |archive-date=28 March 2010 }} Traditionally relying on conscripts, the CAF went through a period of reforms focused on downsizing, restructuring and professionalisation in the years before accession to NATO in April 2009. According to a presidential decree issued in 2006, the CAF employed around 18,100 active duty military personnel, 3,000 civilians and 2,000 voluntary conscripts between 18 and 30 years old in peacetime.

Until 2008 military service was obligatory for men at age 18 and conscripts served six-month tours of duty, reduced in 2001 from the earlier scheme of nine months. Conscientious objectors could instead opt for eight months of civilian service.{{cite news |url=http://www.monitor.hr/clanci/vojni-rok-u-hrvatskoj-kraci-nego-drugdje-u-europi-i-nato-u/11191/ |title=Vojni rok u Hrvatskoj kraći, nego drugdje u Europi i NATO-u|first=Milan|last=Jelovac|date=23 January 2001|newspaper=Vjesnik|language=hr|access-date=9 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120127065234/http://www.monitor.hr/clanci/vojni-rok-u-hrvatskoj-kraci-nego-drugdje-u-europi-i-nato-u/11191/|archive-date=27 January 2012|url-status=dead}} Compulsory conscription was abolished in January 2008, but is set to be reintroduced in January 2025 with two months of active duty. The decision was influenced by the rising tensions in Europe and the region, following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.{{Cite web |last=Nova |first=Redazione Agenzia |date=2024-08-16 |title=Croatia: the Minister of Defense announces that compulsory conscription will return into force from 2025 |url=https://www.agenzianova.com/en/news/Croatia's-defense-minister-announces-that-compulsory-conscription-will-be-back-in-force-from-2025/ |access-date=2024-08-20 |website=Agenzia Nova |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2024-08-19 |title=Another European country to reintroduce compulsory military draft as tensions soar |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/croatia-military-draft-russia-conscription-b2598298.html |access-date=2024-08-20 |website=The Independent |language=en}}

{{As of|2019|5}}, the Croatian military had 72 members stationed in foreign countries as part of United Nations-led international peacekeeping forces.{{cite web|title=Hrvatska u najviše misija UN-a|url=https://www.nacional.hr/hrvatska-u-najvise-misija-un-a/|access-date=23 January 2021|website=NACIONAL.HR|date=28 June 2019 |language=hr}} {{As of|2019}}, 323 troops served the NATO-led ISAF force in Afghanistan. Another 156 served with KFOR in Kosovo.{{cite web|title=GODIŠNJE IZVJEŠĆE O OBRANI za 2019. – podnositeljica: Vlada Republike Hrvatske|url=http://sabor.hr/hr/godisnje-izvjesce-o-obrani-za-2019-podnositeljica-vlada-republike-hrvatske|access-date=23 January 2021|website=Hrvatski sabor|date=3 September 2020 |language=hr}}{{cite web|last=|first=|date=3 September 2020|title=Godišnje izvješće o obrani za 2019.|url=https://vlada.gov.hr/UserDocsImages/2016/Sjednice/2020/Rujan/7%20sjednicaVRH/7%20-%2010%20novo.docx|access-date=|website=|publisher=Vlada Republike Hrvatske|page=95|language=hr}}

Croatia has a military-industrial sector that exported around 493 million kunas (€65,176 million) worth of military equipment in 2020.{{cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Izvješće obavijeno tajnom: Prošla je godina za hrvatsku vojnu industriju bila najlošija u proteklih pet, pa i više|url=https://www.poslovni.hr/hrvatska/trump-je-bio-otrovna-pilula-za-nas-izvoz-oruzja-oporaviti-bi-ga-mogla-korona-4234487|access-date=23 January 2021|website=|language=hr}} Croatian-made weapons and vehicles used by CAF include the standard sidearm HS2000 manufactured by HS Produkt and the M-84D battle tank designed by the Đuro Đaković factory. Uniforms and helmets worn by CAF soldiers are locally produced and marketed to other countries.{{cite news|last=Franičević|first=Mile|date=6 March 2011|title=Hrvatski izvoz oružja i opreme lani narastao na 650 milijuna kuna|language=hr|newspaper=Vjesnik|url=http://www.vjesnik.hr/Article.aspx?ID=12C86DFB-1818-459C-B8E6-687AFABF57A2|url-status=dead|access-date=9 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120404120455/http://www.vjesnik.hr/Article.aspx?ID=12C86DFB-1818-459C-B8E6-687AFABF57A2|archive-date=4 April 2012}}

According to the 2024 Global Peace Index, Croatia is the 15th most peaceful country in the world.{{Cite web|url=https://www.economicsandpeace.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/GPI-2024-web.pdf|title=2024 Global Peace Index}}

{{Main|Counties of Croatia}}

{{Further|NUTS of Croatia}}

{{Croatian counties}}

Croatia was first divided into counties in the Middle Ages.{{cite journal |publisher=Školska knjiga |journal=Historijski Zbornik |volume=5 |issue=1–2 |year=1952 |url=http://www.historiografija.hr/hz/1952/HZ_5_11_MANDIC.pdf |first=Oleg |last=Mandić |language=hr |title=O nekim pitanjima društvenog uređenja Hrvatske u srednjem vijeku |trans-title=On some issues of social system of Croatia in the Middle Ages |pages=131–138 |access-date=9 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190808023945/http://www.historiografija.hr/hz/1952/HZ_5_11_MANDIC.pdf |archive-date=8 August 2019 |url-status=dead }} The divisions changed over time to reflect losses of territory to Ottoman conquest and subsequent liberation of the same territory, changes of the political status of Dalmatia, Dubrovnik, and Istria. The traditional division of the country into counties was abolished in the 1920s when the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes and the subsequent Kingdom of Yugoslavia introduced oblasts and banovinas respectively.{{sfn|Frucht|2005|p=429}}

Communist-ruled Croatia, as a constituent part of post-World War II Yugoslavia, abolished earlier divisions and introduced municipalities, subdividing Croatia into approximately one hundred municipalities. Counties were reintroduced in 1992 legislation, significantly altered in terms of territory relative to the pre-1920s subdivisions. In 1918, the Transleithanian part was divided into eight counties with their seats in Bjelovar, Gospić, Ogulin, Osijek, Požega, Varaždin, Vukovar, and Zagreb.{{sfn|Biondich|2000|p=11}}{{cite news|newspaper=Narodne novine |date=30 December 1992 |access-date=9 September 2011 |language=hr |title=Zakon o područjima županija, gradova i općina u Republici Hrvatskoj |trans-title=Territories of Counties, Cities and Municipalities of the Republic of Croatia Act |url=http://narodne-novine.nn.hr/clanci/sluzbeni/1992_12_90_2333.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130828162010/http://narodne-novine.nn.hr/clanci/sluzbeni/1992_12_90_2333.html |archive-date=28 August 2013 }}

File:Castle of Varazdin (17).jpg, capital of Croatia between 1767 and 1776, is the seat of Varaždin county; Pictured: Old Town fortress, one of 15 Croatia's sites inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage tentative list]]

As of 1992, Croatia is divided into 20 counties and the capital city of Zagreb, the latter having the dual authority and legal status of a county and a city. County borders changed in some instances, last revised in 2006. The counties subdivide into 127 cities and 429 municipalities.{{cite news|newspaper=Narodne novine|date=28 July 2006|access-date=9 September 2011|language=hr|title=Zakon o područjima županija, gradova i općina u Republici Hrvatskoj|trans-title=Territories of Counties, Cities and Municipalities of the Republic of Croatia Act|url=http://narodne-novine.nn.hr/clanci/sluzbeni/2006_07_86_2045.html}} Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics (NUTS) division is performed in several tiers. NUTS 1 level considers the entire country in a single unit; three NUTS 2 regions come below that. Those are Northwest Croatia, Central and Eastern (Pannonian) Croatia, and Adriatic Croatia. The latter encompasses the counties along the Adriatic coast. Northwest Croatia includes Koprivnica-Križevci, Krapina-Zagorje, Međimurje, Varaždin, the city of Zagreb, and Zagreb counties and the Central and Eastern (Pannonian) Croatia includes the remaining areas—Bjelovar-Bilogora, Brod-Posavina, Karlovac, Osijek-Baranja, Požega-Slavonia, Sisak-Moslavina, Virovitica-Podravina, and Vukovar-Syrmia counties. Individual counties and the city of Zagreb also represent NUTS 3 level subdivision units in Croatia. The NUTS local administrative unit (LAU) divisions are two-tiered. LAU 1 divisions match the counties and the city of Zagreb in effect making those the same as NUTS 3 units, while LAU 2 subdivisions correspond to cities and municipalities.{{cite web|publisher=Council of Europe|language=hr|url=http://www.coe.int/t/dg4/cultureheritage/heritage/cemat/confminist1-15/15eCEMAT_National_Report_Croatia_2010_HR.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://www.coe.int/t/dg4/cultureheritage/heritage/cemat/confminist1-15/15eCEMAT_National_Report_Croatia_2010_HR.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live|title=Nacionalno izviješće Hrvatska|trans-title=Croatia National Report|date=January 2010|access-date=25 February 2012}}

{{main|Economy of Croatia}}

File:Rimac Nevera.jpg were designed and made in Croatia]]

Croatia's economy qualifies as high-income and developed.{{cite web |url=https://datahelpdesk.worldbank.org/knowledgebase/articles/906519#High_income |title=Country and Lending Groups |publisher=World Bank |access-date=10 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180111190936/https://datahelpdesk.worldbank.org/knowledgebase/articles/906519#High_income |archive-date=11 January 2018 |url-status=dead }} International Monetary Fund data projects that Croatian nominal GDP will reach $88.08 Billion in 2024, or $22,966 per capita. Purchasing power parity (PPP) GDP will increase to $175.269 Billion, or $45,702 per capita.{{Cite web |title=Report for Selected Countries and Subjects |url=https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/WEO/weo-database/2024/April/weo-report |access-date=2024-06-02 |website=IMF |language=en}} According to Eurostat, Croatian GDP per capita in PPS stood at 76% of the EU average in 2023, with real GDP growth for the year being 2.8%.{{Cite web |title=Eurostat - EU Countries by GDP per capita (PPS) to EU Average (%) |url=https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/PRC_PPP_IND__custom_5506145/bookmark/table?lang=en&bookmarkId=0652db29-8c5d-4124-a9ad-974a7c123d64 |access-date=2 June 2024 |website=Statistics{{!}}Eurostat}}{{Cite web |title=Government of the Republic of Croatia - PM Plenković: Croatia's GDP growth of 2.8 percent is among highest in the EU |url=https://vlada.gov.hr/news/pm-plenkovic-croatia-s-gdp-growth-of-2-8-percent-is-among-highest-in-the-eu/42035#:~:text=%22GDP%20growth%20in%202023%20was,Croatian-Italian%20Ministerial%20Coordination%20Committee. |access-date=2024-06-02 |website=vlada.gov.hr}} The average net salary of a Croatian worker in April 2024 was €1,326 per month, the average gross salary roughly €1,834 per month.{{Cite web |title=Web |url=https://podaci.dzs.hr/en/ |access-date=2024-06-02 |website=Državni zavod za statistiku |language=hr}} The unemployment rate dropped to 5.6% in that month, down from 7.2% in July 2019 and 9.6% in December 2018. The unemployment rate between 1996 and 2018 averaged 17.38%, reaching an all-time high of 23.60% in January 2002 and a record low of 8.40% in September 2018.{{cite web|url=https://www.theglobaleconomy.com/Croatia/Unemployment_rate/ |title=Croatia Unemployment Rate |publisher=The Global Economy.com |access-date=3 February 2019}} In 2017, economic output was dominated by the service sector — accounting for 70.1% of GDP — followed by the industrial sector with 26.2% and agriculture accounting for 3.7%.{{Cite CIA World Factbook|country=Croatia|date=22 September 2021}}

According to 2017 data, 1.9% of the workforce were employed in agriculture, 27.3% by industry and 70.8% in services. Shipbuilding, food processing, pharmaceuticals, information technology, biochemical, and timber industry dominate the industrial sector. In 2018, Croatian exports were valued at 108 Billion kunas (€14.61 Billion) with 176 Billion kunas (€23.82 Billion) worth of imports. Croatia's largest trading partner was the rest of the European Union, led by Germany, Italy, and Slovenia.{{cite web|url=https://web.dzs.hr/Hrv_Eng/publication/2019/04-02-02_01_2019.htm|title=ROBNA RAZMJENA REPUBLIKE HRVATSKE S INOZEMSTVOM u 2018.KONAČNI PODACI/FOREIGN TRADE IN GOODS OF THE REPUBLIC OF CROATIA, 2018 FINAL DATA | publisher = Croatian Bureau of Statistics|language=hr }} According to Eurostat, Croatia has the highest quantity of water resources per capita in the EU (30,000 m³).{{cite web|url=https://www.croatiaweek.com/croatia-water-resources-eurostat-ranking/|title=Croatia ranks No.1 in EU for water resources per capita|publisher=Croatia Week|date=25 March 2024}}

As a result of the war, economic infrastructure sustained massive damage, particularly the tourism industry. From 1989 to 1993, the GDP fell 40.5%. The Croatian state still controls significant economic sectors, with government expenditures accounting for 40% of GDP.{{cite web|url=http://m.state.gov/md3166.htm|title=Background Note: Croatia|publisher=United States Department of State|access-date=4 December 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100527221958/http://m.state.gov/md3166.htm|archive-date=27 May 2010}} A particular concern is a backlogged judiciary system, with inefficient public administration and corruption, upending land ownership. In the 2022 Corruption Perceptions Index, published by Transparency International, the country ranked 57th.{{cite web |title=CPI 2022 |date=31 January 2023 |url=https://www.transparency.org/en/cpi/2022 |access-date=18 April 2023 |publisher=Transparency International}} At the end of June 2020, the national debt stood at 85.3% of GDP.{{cite web|date=14 October 2020|title=Novac – Javni dug dosegnuo rekord: njegov udjel u BDP-u narastao na 85,3 posto|url=https://novac.jutarnji.hr/novac/aktualno/javni-dug-dosegnuo-rekord-njegov-udjel-u-bdp-u-narastao-na-85-3-posto-15025143|access-date=23 January 2021|website=novac.jutarnji.hr|language=hr-hr}}

{{main|Tourism in Croatia|Croatian National Tourist Board}}

File:Dubrovnik june 2011..JPG is Croatia's most visited and most popular destination.]]

File:Island Brac (20785918360).jpg beach on the Island of Brač is one of the foremost spots of tourism in Croatia.]]

Tourism dominates the Croatian service sector and accounts for up to 20% of GDP. Tourism income for 2019 was estimated to be €10.5 billion.{{cite web|title=Hrvatsku posjetilo 6,8 milijuna gostiju, otkrivamo kolika će biti zarada od turizma|url=https://www.vecernji.hr/vijesti/hrvatsku-posjetilo-68-milijuna-gostiju-otkrivamo-kolika-ce-ove-godine-biti-zarada-od-turizma-1428221|access-date=23 January 2021|website=www.vecernji.hr|language=hr}} Its positive effects are felt throughout the economy, increasing retail business, and increasing seasonal employment. The industry is counted as an export business because foreign visitor spending significantly reduces the country's trade imbalance.{{cite news|newspaper=Vjesnik|url=http://www.vjesnik.hr/Article.aspx?ID=D37B6CB1-C728-44FE-94C7-8C80B4EA582F|archive-date=5 October 2022|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221005203957/http://www.vjesnik.hr/Article.aspx?ID=D37B6CB1-C728-44FE-94C7-8C80B4EA582F|language=hr|title=Iako čini gotovo petinu BDP-a, i dalje niskoprofitabilna grana domaće privrede|trans-title=Even though it comprises nearly a fifth of the GDP, it is still a low-profit branch of the national economy|first1=Tomislav|last1=Pili|first2=Davor|last2=Verković|date=1 October 2011|access-date=20 October 2011}}

The tourist industry has rapidly grown, recording a sharp rise in tourist numbers since independence, attracting more than 17 million visitors each year ({{as of|2017|lc=on}}).{{sfn|2018 Statistical Yearbook of the Republic of Croatia|p=425}} Germany, Slovenia, Austria, Italy, United Kingdom, Czechia, Poland, Hungary, France, Netherlands, Slovakia and Croatia itself provide the most visitors.{{sfn|2018 Statistical Yearbook of the Republic of Croatia|p=427}} Tourist stays averaged 4.7 days in 2019.{{cite web|last=|first=|date=28 February 2020|title=DOLASCI i NOĆENJA TURISTA u 2019.|url=https://web.dzs.hr/Hrv_Eng/publication/2019/04-03-02_01_2019.htm|access-date= | publisher = Croatian Bureau of Statistics}}

Much of the tourist industry is concentrated along the coast. Opatija was the first holiday resort. It first became popular in the middle of the 19th century. By the 1890s, it had become one of the largest European health resorts.{{cite web|publisher=Opatija Tourist Board|url=http://www.opatija-tourism.hr/en/Home.aspx?PageID=5|title=History of Opatija|access-date=21 October 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120429102936/http://www.opatija-tourism.hr/en/Home.aspx?PageID=5|archive-date=29 April 2012}} Resorts sprang up along the coast and islands, offering services catering to mass tourism and various niche markets. The most significant are nautical tourism, supported by marinas with more than 16 thousand berths, cultural tourism relying on the appeal of medieval coastal cities and cultural events taking place during the summer. Inland areas offer agrotourism, mountain resorts, and spas. Zagreb is a significant destination, rivalling major coastal cities and resorts.{{cite web|publisher=Croatian National Tourist Board|url=http://croatia.hr/en-GB/Activities-and-attractions|title=Activities and attractions|access-date=21 October 2011}}

Croatia has unpolluted marine areas with nature reserves and 116 Blue Flag beaches.{{cite web|url=http://www.blueflag.org/Menu/Awarded+sites/2011/Northern+Hemisphere/Croatia|title=Croatia|access-date=21 October 2011|publisher=Foundation for Environmental Education|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111202124844/http://www.blueflag.org/Menu/Awarded+sites/2011/Northern+Hemisphere/Croatia|archive-date=2 December 2011}} Croatia was ranked first in Europe for swimming water quality in 2022 by European Environmental Agency.{{cite web |url=https://www.croatiaweek.com/croatia-again-top-in-europe-for-swimming-water-quality/ |title=Croatia again top in Europe for swimming water quality |website=croariaweek.com |agency=Croatia Week |date=10 June 2023 |access-date=10 June 2023}}

Croatia ranked as the 23rd-most popular tourist destination in the world according to the World Tourism Organization in 2019.{{cite journal |title=UNWTO World Tourism Barometer and Statistical Annex, May 2019 |journal=UNWTO World Tourism Barometer |volume=17 |issue=2 |pages=1–40 |date=22 May 2019 |issn=1728-9246 |s2cid=243009713 |doi=10.18111/wtobarometereng.2019.17.1.2}} About 15% of these visitors,{{which|date=June 2023}}{{quantify|date=June 2023}} or over one million per year, participate in naturism, for which Croatia is famous. It was the first European country to develop commercial naturist resorts.{{cite web |url=http://www.euro-poi.com/croatian-highlights-croatia-278.html |title=Croatian highlights, Croatia |publisher=Euro-poi.com |access-date=26 March 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130224034343/http://www.euro-poi.com/croatian-highlights-croatia-278.html |archive-date=24 February 2013}} In 2023, luggage storage company Bounce gave Croatia the highest solo travel index in the world (7.58),{{Cite web|url=https://usebounce.com/blog/the-2023-solo-travel-index|title=The 2023 solo travel index|publisher=Bounce|date=24 May 2023}} while a joint Pinterest and Zola wedding trends report from 2023 put Croatia among the most popular honeymoon destinations.{{Cite web|url=https://newsroom.pinterest.com/en/post/the-pinterest-x-zola-2023-wedding-trends-report|title=The Pinterest x Zola 2023 Wedding Trends Report|publisher= Pinterest Newsroom|date=25 April 2023|access-date=11 June 2023}}

{{see also|Transport in Croatia|Energy in Croatia}}{{Multiple image

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| image1 = Airbus A320-232 Croatia Airlines 9A-CTJ (cn 1009).JPG

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| caption1 = Croatia Airlines is the national airline of Croatia and was formed in 1989.

| caption2 = HŽ series 6112 manufactured by the Croatian company Končar Group, operated by Croatian Railways

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The motorway network was largely built in the late 1990s and the 2000s. As of December 2020, Croatia had completed {{convert|1313.8|km|abbr=off}} of motorways, connecting Zagreb to other regions and following various European routes and four Pan-European corridors.{{cite journal|publisher=University of Rijeka, Faculty of Maritime Studies|url =http://hrcak.srce.hr/file/6570|title=The integration of the Republic of Croatia into the Pan-European transport corridor network|author=Tanja Poletan Jugović|journal=Pomorstvo|volume=20|issue=1|pages=49–65|date=11 April 2006|access-date=14 October 2010}}{{cite news|newspaper=Narodne Novine|language=hr|url=http://narodne-novine.nn.hr/clanci/sluzbeni/2009_01_13_296.html|title=Odluka o izmjenama i dopunama odluke o razvrstavanju javnih cesta u autoceste|trans-title=Decision on amendments and additions to the Decision on classification of public roads as motorways|date=30 January 2009|access-date=18 October 2010}}{{cite web|title=Mreža autocesta – HUKA|url=http://www.huka.hr/mreza-autocesta|access-date=16 December 2020|website=www.huka.hr}} The busiest motorways are the A1, connecting Zagreb to Split and the A3, passing east to west through northwest Croatia and Slavonia.{{cite web|publisher=Hrvatske ceste |url=http://www.hrvatske-ceste.hr/WEB%20-%20Legislativa/brojenje-prometa/CroDig2009.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110221195254/http://www.hrvatske-ceste.hr/WEB%20-%20Legislativa/brojenje-prometa/CroDig2009.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=21 February 2011 |title=Traffic counting on the roadways of Croatia in 2009 – digest |access-date=1 May 2010 }}

A widespread network of state roads in Croatia acts as motorway feeder roads while connecting major settlements. The high quality and safety levels of the Croatian motorway network were tested and confirmed by EuroTAP and EuroTest programmes.{{cite web|url=http://www.eurotestmobility.com/news.php?item=25&PHPSESSID=a7d9b4decd981bb3cdc3494656b0104d|title=EuroTest|publisher=Eurotestmobility.com|access-date=3 January 2009|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110430010646/http://www.eurotestmobility.com/news.php?item=25&PHPSESSID=a7d9b4decd981bb3cdc3494656b0104d|archive-date=30 April 2011}}{{cite web|url=http://www.javno.com/en/croatia/clanak.php?id=38990|title=Brinje Tunnel Best European Tunnel|publisher=Javno.com|access-date=3 January 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090115220041/http://www.javno.com/en/croatia/clanak.php?id=38990|archive-date=15 January 2009}}

Croatia has an extensive rail network spanning {{convert|2604|km|abbr=off}}, including {{convert|984|km|abbr=off}} of electrified railways and {{convert|254|km|abbr=off}} of double track railways.{{sfn|2018 Statistical Yearbook of the Republic of Croatia|p=350}} The most significant railways in Croatia are within the Pan-European transport corridors Vb and X connecting Rijeka to Budapest and Ljubljana to Belgrade, both via Zagreb. Croatian Railways operates all rail services.{{cite news|newspaper=Vjesnik|title=Skuplje korištenje pruga uništava HŽ|trans-title=More Expensive Railway Fees Ruin Croatian Railways|language=hr|date=10 May 2011|first=Tomislav|last=Pili|url=http://www.vjesnik.hr/Article.aspx?ID=B93764C8-6505-4A87-BDDF-B22148331E6E|archive-date=26 May 2024|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20240526010235/https://www.webcitation.org/68PYpf0Jp?url=http://www.vjesnik.hr/Article.aspx%3FID=B93764C8-6505-4A87-BDDF-B22148331E6E|access-date=26 October 2011}} In 2024, the European Investment Bank committed €400 million to support the revitalization of the railway system, focusing on green and digital transformations.{{Cite web |title=Croatia: EIB commits €400 million in green funding to modernise railways |url=https://www.eib.org/en/press/all/2024-044-eib-commits-eur400-million-in-green-funding-to-modernise-croatia-s-railways |access-date=2025-04-05 |website=European Investment Bank |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Modernizing mobility: A new era in rail travel {{!}} Končar |url=https://www.koncar.hr/en/news/modernizing-mobility-new-era-rail-travel |access-date=2025-04-05 |website=www.koncar.hr}} In July 2024, a significant agreement was signed for the acquisition of six electro-diesel multiple units (EDMUs) to improve connectivity between Split and Zagreb. Valued at €57.3 million and financed through an EIB loan, this project is part of the broader initiative to modernize Croatia's railway infrastructure.

File:Pelješac bridge - Most Pelješac - Croatia - 2022-06-16.jpg connects the peninsula of Pelješac and through it the southernmost part, including Dubrovnik, with the Croatian mainland.]]

The construction of 2.4-kilometre-long Pelješac Bridge, the biggest infrastructure project in Croatia connects the two halves of Dubrovnik-Neretva County and shortens the route from the West to the Pelješac peninsula and the islands of Korčula and Lastovo by more than 32 km. The construction of the Pelješac Bridge started in July 2018 after Croatian road operator Hrvatske ceste (HC) signed a 2.08 billion kuna deal for the works with a Chinese consortium led by China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC). The project is co-financed by the European Union with 357 million euro. The construction was completed in July 2022.{{Cite web |title=Croatia opens long-awaited bridge bypassing Bosnia |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/7/26/croatia-opens-long-awaited-bridge-bypassing-bosnia |access-date=2022-11-05 |website=www.aljazeera.com |language=en}}

There are international airports in Dubrovnik, Osijek, Pula, Rijeka, Split, Zadar, and Zagreb.{{cite web|publisher=Ministry of the Sea, Transport and Infrastructure (Croatia)|url=http://www.mppi.hr/default.aspx?id=675|title=Air transport|access-date=10 October 2011|archive-date=3 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160703104330/http://www.mppi.hr/default.aspx?id=675|url-status=dead}} The largest and busiest is Franjo Tuđman Airport in Zagreb.{{Cite thesis |last=Meštrović|first=Damjan|date=2018|title=Utjecaj izgradnje novog terminala na poslovanje Zračne luke Franjo Tuđman|url=https://www.bib.irb.hr/972752|language=hr}} In July 2024, the airline took delivery of its first Airbus A220-300 aircraft, marking the beginning of a transition to a more modern and efficient fleet.{{Cite web |date=2024-07-29 |title=Croatia Airlines takes delivery of its first A220 in new livery {{!}} Airbus |url=https://www.airbus.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2024-07-croatia-airlines-takes-delivery-of-its-first-a220-in-new-livery |access-date=2025-04-05 |website=www.airbus.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2024-07-30 |title=Croatia Airlines takes delivery of its first A220 in new livery {{!}} Airbus |url=https://aircraft.airbus.com/en/newsroom/news/2024-07-croatia-airlines-takes-delivery-of-its-first-a220-in-new-livery |access-date=2025-04-05 |website=aircraft.airbus.com |language=en}} This initiative includes the acquisition of 13 A220-300 and two A220-100 aircraft, aiming to enhance operational efficiency with 25% lower fuel consumption and reduced emissions. As of 2024, Croatia Airlines expanded its international network by introducing direct flights from Zagreb to Tirana, Berlin, and Stockholm.{{Cite web |last=Peters |first=Luke |date=2024-03-07 |title=Croatia Airlines reveals 2024 expansion plans and new routes |url=https://www.aerotime.aero/articles/croatia-airlines-summer-2024-routes |access-date=2025-04-05 |website=www.aerotime.aero |language=en-US}} Additionally, the airline launched services connecting Hamburg to Zagreb starting 1 July 2024.{{Cite web |title=Sommerflugplan : Neue Ziele ab Hamburg liegen vor allem im Osten - WELT |url=https://www.welt.de/regionales/hamburg/article255803710/Sommerflugplan-Neue-Ziele-ab-Hamburg-liegen-vor-allem-im-Osten.html |access-date=2025-04-05 |website=DIE WELT |language=de}}

The busiest cargo seaport is the Port of Rijeka. The busiest passenger ports are Split and Zadar.{{cite web|publisher=World Bank|language=hr|title=Riječka luka –jadranski "prolaz" prema Europi|trans-title=The Port of Rijeka – Adriatic "gateway" to Europe|date=3 March 2006|access-date=13 October 2011|url=http://go.worldbank.org/V9N60RX7L0|archive-url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20120805200119/http://go.worldbank.org/V9N60RX7L0|url-status=dead|archive-date=5 August 2012}}{{cite web|publisher=Ministry of the Sea, Transport and Infrastructure (Croatia)|url=http://www.mppi.hr/default.aspx?id=480|title=Luke|trans-title=Ports|language=hr|access-date=24 August 2011|archive-date=16 December 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121216063733/http://www.mppi.hr/default.aspx?id=480|url-status=dead}} Many minor ports serve ferries connecting numerous islands and coastal cities with ferry lines to several cities in Italy.{{cite web|publisher=Agencija za obalni linijski pomorski promet|url=http://www.agencija-zolpp.hr/Brodskelinije/tabid/1267/Default.aspx|language=hr|title=Plovidbeni red za 2011. godinu|trans-title=Sailing Schedule for Year 2011|access-date=27 August 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110715203314/http://www.agencija-zolpp.hr/Brodskelinije/tabid/1267/Default.aspx|archive-date=15 July 2011}} The largest river port is Vukovar, located on the Danube, representing the nation's outlet to the Pan-European transport corridor VII.{{cite web|publisher=Ministry of the Sea, Transport and Infrastructure (Croatia)|url=http://www.mppi.hr/default.aspx?id=890|title=Plovni putovi|trans-title=Navigable routes|language=hr|access-date=10 September 2011|archive-date=16 December 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121216060844/http://www.mppi.hr/default.aspx?id=890|url-status=dead}}

{{See also|Energy in Croatia}}

File:Gračac (HR), Poštak -- 2022 -- 0004.jpg, Zadar County.]]

{{convert|610|km|abbr=off}} of crude oil pipelines serve Croatia, connecting the Rijeka oil terminal with refineries in Rijeka and Sisak, and several transhipment terminals.

The system has a capacity of 20 million tonnes per year.{{cite web|publisher=Jadranski naftovod|url=http://www.janaf.hr/index.php?option=sustav&lang=en|title=The JANAF system|access-date=8 October 2011}} The natural gas transportation system comprises {{convert|2113|km|abbr=off}} of trunk and regional pipelines, and more than 300 associated structures, connecting production rigs, the Okoli natural gas storage facility, 27 end-users and 37 distribution systems.{{cite web|publisher=Plinacro|url=http://www.plinacro.hr/default.aspx?id=264|title=Transportni sustav|trans-title=Transport system|language=hr|access-date=8 October 2011}} Croatia also plays an important role in regional energy security. The floating liquefied natural gas import terminal off Krk island LNG Hrvatska commenced operations on January 1, 2021, positioning Croatia as a regional energy leader and contributing to diversification of Europe's energy supply.

In 2010, Croatian energy production covered 85% of nationwide natural gas and 19% of oil demand.{{sfn|2010 Statistical Yearbook of the Republic of Croatia|pages=298-302}} In 2016, Croatia's primary energy production involved natural gas (24.8%), hydropower (28.3%), crude oil (13.6%), fuelwood (27.6%), and heat pumps and other renewable energy sources (5.7%).{{sfn|2018 Statistical Yearbook of the Republic of Croatia|p=307}} In 2017, net total electrical power production reached 11,543 GWh, while it imported 12,157 GWh or about 40% of its electric power energy needs.{{sfn|2018 Statistical Yearbook of the Republic of Croatia|p=304}}

Krško Nuclear Power Plant (Slovenia) supplies a large part of Croatian imports. 50% is owned by Hrvatska elektroprivreda, providing 15% of Croatia's electricity.{{cite web|publisher=EU Business|url=http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/japan-disaster.9bc|title=Croatia, Slovenia's nuclear plant safe: Croatian president|date=28 March 2011|access-date=8 October 2011}}

{{Main|Demographics of Croatia|Croats}}

{{see also|List of cities and towns in Croatia}}

File:Croatia ethnicities 2021.svgEthnic map of Croatia by municipalities (2021)

{{bar box

|width =

|float = right

|title = Ethnic composition (2021)

|titlebar = #ddd

|bars =

{{bar percent|Croats|blue|91.6}}

{{bar percent|Serbs|cyan|3.2}}

{{bar percent|Other|gray|5.2}}

|caption = 2021 Croatian Census}}

With an estimated population of 3.87 million in 2021,{{Croatian Census 2021|S}} Croatia ranks 127th by population in the world.{{citation needed|date=February 2024}} Its 2018 population density was 72.9 inhabitants per square kilometre, making Croatia one of the more sparsely populated European countries.{{cite web

|url=https://web.dzs.hr/Hrv_Eng/CroInFig/croinfig_2018.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://www.dzs.hr/Hrv_Eng/CroInFig/croinfig_2018.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live

|title=Croatia in Figures

|access-date=9 September 2019

|publisher=Croatian Bureau of Statistics

|year=2018}} The overall life expectancy in Croatia at birth was 76.3 years in 2018.

The total fertility rate of 1.41 children per mother, is one of the lowest in the world, far below the replacement rate of 2.1; it remains considerably below the high of 6.18 children rate in 1885.{{citation|url=https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/children-born-per-woman?year=1800&country=AUT|title=Total Fertility Rate around the world over the last two centuries|first=Max|last=Roser|date=2014|work=Our World in Data, Gapminder Foundation|access-date=6 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180807185806/https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/children-born-per-woman?year=1800&country=AUT|archive-date=7 August 2018|url-status=dead}} Croatia's death rate has continuously exceeded its birth rate since 1998.{{sfn|2018 Statistical Yearbook of the Republic of Croatia|p=113}} Croatia subsequently has one of the world's oldest populations, with an average age of 43.3 years.{{citation|url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/croatia/|title= The World FactBook – Croatia|date=12 July 2018|work=The World Factbook}}{{PD-notice}} The population rose steadily from 2.1 million in 1857 until 1991, when it peaked at 4.7 million, with the exceptions of censuses taken in 1921 and 1948, i.e., following the world wars.{{sfn|2018 Statistical Yearbook of the Republic of Croatia|p=107}} The natural growth rate is negative with the demographic transition completed in the 1970s.{{cite journal|first1=Snježana|last1=Mrđen|first2=Mladen|last2=Friganović|date=June 1998|title=The demographic situation in Croatia|journal=Geoadria|publisher=Hrvatsko geografsko društvo – Zadar|issn=1331-2294|volume=3|issue=1|pages=29–56|doi=10.15291/geoadria.45|pmid=12294962 |doi-access=free}} In recent years, the Croatian government has been pressured to increase permit quotas for foreign workers, reaching an all-time high of 68.100 in 2019.{{cite web|url=https://www.vecernji.hr/vijesti/vlada-povecala-kvotu-za-zaposljavanje-stranih-radnika-1326987|title=Vlada uslišila molbe: Povećane kvote dozvola za strane radnike|website=www.vecernji.hr}} In accordance with its immigration policy, Croatia is trying to entice emigrants to return.{{cite journal|journal=Politička Misao: Croatian Political Science Review|issn=0032-3241|volume=35|issue=5|year=2008|url=http://hrcak.srce.hr/index.php?show=clanak&id_clanak_jezik=51084|title=The Policy of Immigration in Croatia| first=Nick| last=Vidak|pages=57–75|publisher=University of Zagreb, Faculty of Political Science|access-date=15 October 2010}} From 2008 to 2018, Croatia's population dropped by 10%.{{cite web|url=https://www.euronews.com/2022/01/14/croatia-s-population-has-dropped-10-in-a-decade-reveals-census|title=Croatia's population has dropped 10% in a decade, reveals census|work=Euronews|date=14 January 2022|access-date=23 January 2022}}

The population decrease was greater a result of war for independence. The war displaced large numbers of the population and emigration increased. In 1991, in predominantly occupied areas, more than 400,000 Croats were either removed from their homes by Serb forces or fled the violence.{{cite web|url=https://www.un.org/icty/pressreal/2007/pr1162e-summary.htm|title=Summary of judgement for Milan Martić|date=12 June 2007|publisher=United Nations|access-date=21 June 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071215084458/http://www.un.org/icty/pressreal/2007/pr1162e-summary.htm|archive-date=15 December 2007|url-status=dead}} During the war's final days, about 150–200,000 Serbs fled before the arrival of Croatian forces during Operation Storm.{{cite news|ref={{harvid|BBC News|5 August 2005}}|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4747379.stm|work=BBC News|title=Evicted Serbs remember Storm|date=5 August 2005|first=Matt|last=Prodger|author-link=Matt Prodger|archive-date=23 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023091143/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4747379.stm|url-status=live}}{{cite web|ref={{harvid|UNSC|23 August 1995}}|url=https://www.un.org/ga/search/view_doc.asp?symbol=S/1995/730|date=23 August 1995|publisher=United Nations Security Council|title=Report of the Secretary-General Submitted Pursuant to Security Council Resolution 1009 (1995)|page=3}} After the war, the number of displaced persons fell to about 250,000. The Croatian government cared for displaced persons via the social security system and the Office of Displaced Persons and Refugees.{{cite web|title=Domovinski rat – Hrvatska enciklopedija|url=http://www.enciklopedija.hr/natuknica.aspx?ID=15884|access-date=24 December 2018}} Most of the territories abandoned during the war were settled by Croat refugees from Bosnia and Herzegovina, mostly from north-western Bosnia, while some displaced people returned to their homes.{{cite web|publisher=Index.hr|url=http://www.index.hr/vijesti/clanak/savez-udruga-hrvataiz-bih-izabrao-novo-celnistvo/145769.aspx|language=hr|title=Savez udruga Hrvata iz BiH izabrao novo čelništvo|trans-title=Union of associations of Bosnia and Herzegovina Croats elects new leadership|date=28 June 2003|access-date=12 October 2011}}{{cite web|publisher=Office of the President of Croatia|url=http://www.predsjednik.hr/29062010|language=hr|title=29 06 2010 – Benkovac|date=29 June 2010|access-date=12 October 2011|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101127220818/http://predsjednik.hr/29062010|archive-date=27 November 2010}}

{{multiple image

| align = center

| total_width = 500

| image1 = Religious belief in Croatia, 2011.svg

| caption1 = Religious believers according to the 2011 census

| image2 = CroatianDialectsByMunicipality.png

| caption2 = Map of the Shtokavian, Chakavian and Kajkavian dialects in Croatia by municipality

| image3 = Croatia, population density.svg

| caption3 = 2011 Croatian population density by county in persons per km²

}}

According to the 2013 United Nations report, 17.6% of Croatia's population were immigrants.{{cite web|url=https://esa.un.org/unmigration/TIMSA2013/migrantstocks2013.htm|title=International Migration and Development|website=esa.un.org|access-date=25 August 2019|archive-date=7 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230107123721/https://esa.un.org/unmigration/TIMSA2013/migrantstocks2013.htm|url-status=dead}} According to the 2021 census, the majority of inhabitants are Croats (91.6%), followed by Serbs (3.2%), Bosniaks (0.62%), Roma (0.46%), Albanians (0.36%), Italians (0.36%), Hungarians (0.27%), Czechs (0.20%), Slovenes (0.20%), Slovaks (0.10%), Macedonians (0.09%), Germans (0.09%), Montenegrins (0.08%), and others (1.56%). Approximately 4 million Croats live abroad.{{cite web|url=https://dnevnik.hr/vijesti/hrvatska/hrvatska-fenomen-vise-hrvata-zivi-u-inozemstvu-nego-u-domovini---465670.html|title=U Hrvatskoj je loše i preporučam svakom mladom čovjeku da ode u Njemačku|website=Dnevnik.hr}}

{{Largest cities of Croatia}}

{{Main|Religion in Croatia}}

{{Further|List of cathedrals in Croatia|Catholic Church in Croatia}}

Croatia has no official religion. Freedom of religion is a Constitutional right that protects all religious communities as equal before the law and considers them separated from the state.

file:HR-Sibenik-Kathedrale-01.jpg, since 2000 on the UNESCO World Heritage List]]

According to the 2011 census, 91.36% of Croatians identify as Christian; of these, Catholics make up the largest group, accounting for 86.28% of the population, after which follows Eastern Orthodoxy (4.44%), Protestantism (0.34%), and other Christians (0.30%). The largest religion after Christianity is Islam (1.47%). 4.57% of the population describe itself as non-religious.{{Croatian Census 2011|R}} In the Eurostat Eurobarometer Poll of 2010, 69% of the population responded that "they believe there is a God".{{cite web|title=Special Eurobarometer 341, "Biotechnology"|url=https://ec.europa.eu/commfrontoffice/publicopinion/archives/ebs/ebs_341_en.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://ec.europa.eu/commfrontoffice/publicopinion/archives/ebs/ebs_341_en.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live|page=209}} In a 2009 Gallup poll, 70% answered yes to the question "Is religion an important part of your daily life?"{{cite web|url=http://www.gallup.com/poll/128210/Gallup-Global-Reports.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131014034457/http://www.gallup.com/poll/128210/Gallup-Global-Reports.aspx|archive-date=14 October 2013|title=Gallup Global Reports|publisher=Gallup|access-date=7 October 2013}} Yet, only 24% of the population attends religious services regularly.{{cite web|url=http://assets.pewresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2017/05/09154356/Central-and-Eastern-Europe-Topline_FINAL-FOR-PUBLICATION.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://assets.pewresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2017/05/09154356/Central-and-Eastern-Europe-Topline_FINAL-FOR-PUBLICATION.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live|title=Final Topline|access-date=19 June 2017|publisher=Pew}}

{{Main|Croatian language|Languages of Croatia|Minority languages of Croatia |Bunjevac dialect}}

Croatian is the official language of the Republic of Croatia. Minority languages are in official use in local government units where more than a third of the population consists of national minorities or where local enabling legislation applies. Those languages are Czech, Hungarian, Italian, Serbian, and Slovak.{{cite web|publisher=Sabor|url=http://www.sabor.hr/Default.aspx?art=23872|title=Izviješće o provođenju ustavnog zakona o pravima nacionalnih manjina i utrošku sredstava osiguranih u državnom proračunu Republike Hrvatske za 2007. godinu za potrebe nacionalnih manjina|language=hr|trans-title=Report on Implementation of Constitutional Act on National Minority Rights and Expenditure of Funds Appropriated by the 2007 State Budget for Use by the National Minorities|date=28 November 2008|access-date=27 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130509061001/http://www.sabor.hr/Default.aspx?art=23872|archive-date=9 May 2013|url-status=dead}} The following minority languages are also recognised: Albanian, Bosnian, Bulgarian, German, Hebrew, Macedonian, Montenegrin, Polish, Romanian, Istro-Romanian, Romani, Russian, Rusyn, Slovene, Turkish, and Ukrainian.{{cite book|last=Franceschini|first=Rita|chapter=Italy and the Italian-Speaking Regions|editor-last=Fäcke|editor-first=Christiane|title=Manual of Language Acquisition|year=2014|publisher=Walter de Gruyter GmbH|isbn=9783110394146|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zM_mBQAAQBAJ&q=Manual+of+Language+Acquisition&pg=PA1|page=546}}

According to the 2011 Census, 95.6% of citizens declared Croatian as their native language, 1.2% declared Serbian as their native language, while no other language reaches more than 0.5%.{{Croatian Census 2011|T}} Croatian is a member of the South Slavic languages and is written using the Latin alphabet. There are three major dialects spoken on the territory of Croatia, with standard Croatian based on the Shtokavian dialect. The Chakavian and Kajkavian dialects are distinguished from Shtokavian by their lexicon, phonology and syntax.{{cite web|publisher=Institute of Croatian Language and Linguistics|language=hr|title=Organska podloga hrvatskog jezika|trans-title=The Organic Base of Croatian|url=http://www.ihjj.hr/oHrJeziku-povijest-1.html|access-date=11 October 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110807082335/http://www.ihjj.hr/oHrJeziku-povijest-1.html|archive-date=7 August 2011}}

A 2011 survey revealed that 78% of Croats claim knowledge of at least one foreign language.{{cite web|publisher=Index.hr|url=http://www.index.hr/vijesti/clanak/istrazivanje-tri-posto-visokoobrazovanih-ne-zna-niti-jedan-strani-jezik-hrvati-uglavnom-znaju-engleski/545687.aspx|language=hr|title=Istraživanje: Tri posto visokoobrazovanih ne zna niti jedan strani jezik, Hrvati uglavnom znaju engleski|trans-title=Survey: Three per cent of higher educated people can not speak any foreign languages, Croats mostly speak English|date=5 April 2011|access-date=11 October 2011}} According to a 2005 EC survey, 49% of Croats speak English as the second language, 34% speak German, 14% speak Italian, 10% speak French, 4% speak Russian and 2% speak Spanish. However several large municipalities support minority languages. A majority of Slovenes (59%) have some knowledge of Croatian.{{cite web|url=http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_243_en.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_243_en.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live|date=February 2006|title=Europeans and their languages – European commission special barometer FEB2006|publisher=European Commission|access-date=15 January 2010}} The country is a part of various language-based international associations, most notably the European Union Language Association.{{cite web|url=https://europa.eu/european-union/about-eu/countries/member-countries/croatia_en|title=Croatia |date=5 July 2016|website=European Union|publisher=European Commission|language=en|access-date=2 March 2018}}

{{Main|Education in Croatia}}{{multiple image

| align = left

| direction = vertical

| image1 = National and University Library in Zagreb.jpg

| caption1 = National and University Library

| image2 = University of Zagreb.jpg

| caption2 = University of Zagreb is the largest Croatian university and the oldest university in the area covering Central Europe south of Vienna and all of Southeastern Europe.

}}

As of 2021, the literacy rate in Croatia was 99.45%.{{Cite web |title=Croatia Literacy Rate 1991-2025 |url=https://www.macrotrends.net/global-metrics/countries/HRV/croatia/literacy-rate |access-date=2025-04-05 |website=www.macrotrends.net}}{{Cite web |title=Croatia Literacy rate - data, chart |url=https://www.theglobaleconomy.com/croatia/Literacy_rate/ |access-date=2025-04-05 |website=TheGlobalEconomy.com |language=en}} Primary education in Croatia starts at the age of six or seven and consists of eight grades. In 2007 a law was passed to increase free, noncompulsory education until 18 years of age. Compulsory education consists of eight grades of elementary school.

Secondary education is provided by gymnasiums and vocational schools. As of the 2022/2023 school year, there were 2,073 elementary schools and 738 upper secondary schools in Croatia.{{Cite web |title=OBR-2024-2-2 Upper Secondary Schools, End of 2022/2023 School Year and Beginning of 2023/2024 School Year |url=https://podaci.dzs.hr/2024/en/76964 |access-date=2025-04-05 |website=Državni zavod za statistiku |language=hr}} Primary and secondary education are also available in languages of recognised minorities in Croatia, where classes are held in Czech, Hungarian, Italian, Serbian, German and Slovak languages.{{sfn|2018 Statistical Yearbook of the Republic of Croatia|pp=488-489}}

There are 133 elementary and secondary level music and art schools,{{sfn|2018 Statistical Yearbook of the Republic of Croatia|p=486}} as well as 83 elementary and 44 secondary schools for disabled children and youth{{sfn|2018 Statistical Yearbook of the Republic of Croatia|p=484-485}} and 11 elementary and 52 secondary schools for adults.{{sfn|2018 Statistical Yearbook of the Republic of Croatia|p=485}} Nationwide leaving exams ({{langx|hr|državna matura}}) were introduced for secondary education students in the school year 2009–2010. It comprises three compulsory subjects (Croatian language, mathematics, and a foreign language) and optional subjects and is a prerequisite for university education.{{cite web|publisher=Ministry of Science, Education and Sports (Croatia)|language=hr|url=http://public.mzos.hr/Default.aspx?sec=2246|title=Državna matura|access-date=12 October 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160326060402/http://public.mzos.hr/Default.aspx?sec=2246|archive-date=26 March 2016}}

Croatia has eight public universities and two private universities.{{cite web |url=http://www.iro.hr/hr/informiranje-i-savjetovanje-o-visokom-obrazovanju/studiranje-u-hrvatskoj/pregled-institucija/ |title=Institut za razvoj obrazovanja – Pregled institucija |publisher=Iro.hr |access-date=6 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170306211642/http://www.iro.hr/hr/informiranje-i-savjetovanje-o-visokom-obrazovanju/studiranje-u-hrvatskoj/pregled-institucija/ |archive-date=6 March 2017 |url-status=dead}} The University of Zadar, the first university in Croatia, was founded in 1396 and remained active until 1807, when other institutions of higher education took over until the foundation of the renewed University of Zadar in 2002.{{cite web|publisher=University of Zadar|url=http://www.unizd.hr/Onama/tabid/55/Default.aspx|language=hr|title=O nama|trans-title=About us|access-date=15 October 2011}} The University of Zagreb, founded in 1669, is the oldest continuously operating university in Southeast Europe.{{cite web|publisher=University of Zagreb|url= http://www.unizg.hr/homepage/about-university/history/|title=University of Zagreb 1699–2005|access-date=15 October 2011}} There are also 15 polytechnics, of which two are private, and 30 higher education institutions, of which 27 are private. In total, there are 131 institutions of higher education in Croatia, attended by more than 160 thousand students.{{sfn|2018 Statistical Yearbook of the Republic of Croatia|p=490}}

In 2022, Croatia's research and development (R&D) expenditure was approximately 1.43% of GDP, reflecting a commitment to fostering innovation and technological advancement. Among the scientific institutes operating in Croatia, the largest is the Ruđer Bošković Institute in Zagreb.{{Cite web |title=Croatia Innovation index |url=https://co-investin.eu/project-items/croatia-innovation-index/ |access-date=2025-04-05 |website=CO-INVESTIN |language=en-GB}} The Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts in Zagreb is a learned society promoting language, culture, arts and science from its inception in 1866.{{cite web|publisher=Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts|url=http://info.hazu.hr/foundation_of_academy|title=The Founding of the Academy|access-date=12 October 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100606084626/http://info.hazu.hr/foundation_of_academy|archive-date=6 June 2010}} Croatia was ranked 43rd in the Global Innovation Index in 2024.{{Cite book |author=World Intellectual Property Organization |year=2024 |title=Global Innovation Index 2024: Unlocking the Promise of Social Entrepreneurship |url=https://www.wipo.int/web-publications/global-innovation-index-2024/en/ |access-date=2024-10-06 |website=www.wipo.int |page=18 |publisher=World Intellectual Property Organization |language=en |doi=10.34667/tind.50062 |isbn=978-92-805-3681-2}}

The European Investment Bank provided digital infrastructure and equipment to around 150 primary and secondary schools in Croatia. Twenty of these schools got specialised assistance in the form of gear, software, and services to help them integrate the teaching and administrative operations.{{cite web|title=Infrastructure for an era of crisis|url=https://www.eib.org/en/stories/coronavirus-infrastructure-investment|access-date=2021-06-07|website=European Investment Bank|language=en}}{{cite web|title=E-Schools in Croatia|url=https://jaspers.eib.org/stories/e-schools-in-croatia|website=JASPERS}} In 2024, the EIB extended a €207 million loan to the City of Zagreb for infrastructure upgrades, including investments in renewable energy, energy efficiency projects, social and affordable housing, schools, and kindergartens.{{Cite web|url=https://www.eib.org/en/press/all/2024-042-croatia-eib-signs-eur49-million-loan-to-support-green-and-digital-transition-and-urban-development-in-split|title=Croatia: EIB signs €49 million loan to support green and digital transition and urban development in Split|website=European Investment Bank}}{{Cite web |title=Croatian capital Zagreb to get vital infrastructure upgrades with €207 million EIB loan |url=https://www.eib.org/en/press/all/2024-235-croatian-capital-zagreb-to-get-vital-infrastructure-upgrades-with-eur207-million-eib-loan |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250206170339/https://www.eib.org/en/press/all/2024-235-croatian-capital-zagreb-to-get-vital-infrastructure-upgrades-with-eur207-million-eib-loan |archive-date=2025-02-06 |access-date=2025-04-05 |website=European Investment Bank}} Additionally, the EIB signed a €49 million loan with the City of Split to co-finance its 2023–2027 multi-sector investment programme, which includes refurbishing public buildings, increasing energy efficiency, and improving technical equipment for public information and communication.

{{Main|Healthcare in Croatia}}

File:KBC Rebro aerial.jpg is the largest hospital in Croatia and the teaching hospital of the University of Zagreb.]]

Croatia has a universal health care system, whose roots can be traced back to the Hungarian-Croatian Parliament Act of 1891, providing a form of mandatory insurance of all factory workers and craftsmen.{{cite journal|journal=Revija za socijalnu politiku|issn=1330-2965|first=Siniša|last=Zrinščak|language=hr|title=Socijalna politika u kontekstu korjenite društvene transformacije postkomunističkih zemalja|trans-title=Social Policy in the Context of Thorough Social Transformation of Post-Communist Countries|pages=135–159|date=February 2003|volume=10|issue=2|doi=10.3935/rsp.v10i2.124|doi-access=free}} The population is covered by a basic health insurance plan provided by statute and optional insurance. In 2017, annual healthcare related expenditures reached 22.2 billion kuna (around €3.0 billion).{{sfn|2018 Statistical Yearbook of the Republic of Croatia|p=546}} Healthcare expenditures comprise only 0.6% of private health insurance and public spending.{{cite news|newspaper=Vjesnik|language=hr|url=http://www.vjesnik.hr/Article.aspx?ID=B02A10F4-BFE5-4EC0-B0E5-BFCAFE8F2062|archive-date=17 December 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111217063855/http://www.vjesnik.hr/Article.aspx?ID=B02A10F4-BFE5-4EC0-B0E5-BFCAFE8F2062|title=Ulaskom u EU Hrvatska će imati najveću potrošnju za zdravstvo|trans-title=After the EU accession Croatia will have the maximum healthcare spending|first=Marijana|last=Matković|date=27 September 2011|access-date=12 October 2011|url-status=dead}} In 2017, Croatia spent around 6.6% of its GDP on healthcare.{{cite web|url=https://www.slobodnadalmacija.hr/novosti/hrvatska/clanak/id/474180/puni-dzepovi-europski-smo-rekorderi-potrosnje-imamo-najskuplju-vlast-u-cijeloj-europskoj-uniji|title=Puni džepovi: europski smo rekorderi potrošnje, imamo najskuplju vlast u cijeloj Europskoj uniji!|date=19 March 2017|access-date=30 March 2018}}

In 2020, Croatia ranked 41st in the world in life expectancy with 76.0 years for men and 82.0 years for women, and it had a low infant mortality rate of 3.4 per 1,000 live births.{{cite web|title=Croatia Demographics 2020 (Population, Age, Sex, Trends) – Worldometer|url=https://www.worldometers.info/demographics/croatia-demographics/#life-exp|access-date=24 January 2021|website=www.worldometers.info|language=en}}

There are hundreds of healthcare institutions in Croatia, including 75 hospitals, and 13 clinics with 23,049 beds. The hospitals and clinics care for more than 700 thousand patients per year and employ 6,642 medical doctors, including 4,773 specialists.{{sfn|2018 Statistical Yearbook of the Republic of Croatia|p=525}} There is a total of 69,841 health workers.{{sfn|2018 Statistical Yearbook of the Republic of Croatia|p=524}} There are 119 emergency units in health centres, responding to more than a million calls.{{sfn|2018 Statistical Yearbook of the Republic of Croatia|p=532}} The principal cause of death in 2016 was cardiovascular disease at 39.7% for men and 50.1% for women, followed by tumours, at 32.5% for men and 23.4% for women.{{sfn|2018 Statistical Yearbook of the Republic of Croatia|p=118}} In 2016 it was estimated that 37.0% of Croatians are smokers.{{Cite journal|last1=Ritchie|first1=Hannah|author1-link=Hannah Ritchie |last2=Roser|first2=Max|author2-link=Max Roser |date=23 May 2013|title=Smoking|url=https://ourworldindata.org/smoking|journal=Our World in Data}} According to 2016 data, 24.40% of the Croatian adult population is obese.{{Cite journal|last1=Ritchie|first1=Hannah|last2=Roser|first2=Max|date=11 August 2017|title=Obesity|url=https://ourworldindata.org/obesity|journal=Our World in Data}}

{{Main|Croatian language}}

{{See also|Shtokavian dialect|Chakavian dialect|Kajkavian dialect}}

Standard Croatian is the official language of the Republic of Croatia,{{cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/croatia/ |title=Croatia |publisher=Cia.gov |access-date=2010-12-21}} and has been an official language of the European Union since Croatia's accession in 2013.{{cite news|newspaper=Narodne Novine|language=hr|url=http://narodne-novine.nn.hr/clanci/sluzbeni/2010_07_85_2422.html|title=Ustav Republike Hrvatske|trans-title=Constitution of the Republic of Croatia|date=9 July 2010|access-date=11 October 2011}}{{cite news|newspaper=Večernji list|language=hr|url=http://www.vecernji.hr/vijesti/hrvatski-postaje-24-sluzbeni-jezik-europske-unije-clanak-211879|title=Hrvatski postaje 24. službeni jezik Europske unije|trans-title=Croatian Becomes the 24th Official Language of the European Union|date=5 November 2011|first1=Sandra|last1=Veljković|author2=Stojan de Prato|access-date=11 October 2011}} Croatian replaced Latin as the official language of the Croatian government in the 19th century.{{cite journal|journal=Croatica et Slavica Iadertina|issn=1845-6839|title=Značenje narodnoga preporoda za hrvatski jezik|trans-title=Significance of the National Revival for Croatian |language=hr|first=Branka|last=Tafra|date=February 2007|volume=2|url=http://hrcak.srce.hr/index.php?show=clanak&id_clanak_jezik=26666|pages=43–55|access-date=10 October 2011}} Following the Vienna Literary Agreement in 1850, the language and its Latin alphabet underwent reforms to create an unified "Croatian or Serbian" or "Serbo-Croatian" standard, which under various names became the official language of Yugoslavia.{{cite book |last=Greenberg |first=Robert D. |title=Language and Identity in the Balkans: Serbo-Croatian and its Disintegration |year=2004 |edition=1st |location=New York, NY |publisher=Oxford University Press |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=_lNjHgr3QioC |isbn=9780191514555}} In SFR Yugoslavia, from 1972 to 1989, the language was constitutionally designated as the "Croatian literary language" and the "Croatian or Serbian language". It was the result of a resistance to and secession from "Serbo-Croatian" in the form of the Declaration on the Status and Name of the Croatian Literary Language as part of the Croatian Spring.{{cite journal | journal = Kolo | publisher=Matica hrvatska|issn=1331-0992|year=2009|issue=1–2|url=http://www.matica.hr/kolo/kolo2009_1.nsf/AllWebDocs/Polozaj_hrvatskoga_jezika_u_svijetu_danas|title=Položaj hrvatskoga jezika u svijetu danas|trans-title=The Position of Croatian in the World Today|language=hr|first=Mate|last=Kapović|access-date=26 October 2011}} Since gaining independence in the early 1990s, the Republic of Croatia constitutionally designates the language as "Croatian language" and regulates it through linguistic prescription. The long-standing aspiration for development of its own expressions and thus enrichment of the language, as opposed to the adoption of foreign solutions in the form of loanwords, has been described by linguists as Croatian linguistic purism.{{Cite journal|last=Turk|first=Marija|date=1996|title=Jezični purizam|url=https://hrcak.srce.hr/132668|journal=Fluminensia: Časopis za filološka istraživanja|language=hr|volume=8|issue=1–2|pages=63–79|issn=0353-4642}}

{{Main|Culture of Croatia}}

{{Further|World Heritage Sites in Croatia|Register of Cultural Goods of Croatia}}

File:Trogir promenáda Bána Berislaviće.jpg has been included in the UNESCO list of World Heritage Site since 1997.{{cite web|url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/810/|title=Historic City of Trogir|publisher=UNESCO World Heritage Centre |access-date=1 August 2015}}]]

File:Pola, anfiteatro, 01.jpg, Roman amphitheatre located in Pula, constructed between 27 BC and AD 68.]]

Because of its geographical position, Croatia represents a blend of four different cultural spheres. It has been a crossroads of influences from western culture and the east since the schism between the Western Roman Empire and the Byzantine Empire, and also from Central Europe and Mediterranean culture.{{cite web|publisher=Croatian National Tourist Board|url=http://croatia.hr/en-GB/Discover-Croatia/Culture-and-History|title=Culture and History|access-date=7 October 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111016185426/http://croatia.hr/en-GB/Discover-Croatia/Culture-and-History|archive-date=16 October 2011}} The Illyrian movement was the most significant period of national cultural history, as the 19th century proved crucial to the emancipation of Croatians and saw unprecedented developments in all fields of art and culture, giving rise to many historical figures.

The Ministry of Culture is tasked with preserving the nation's cultural and natural heritage and overseeing its development. Further activities supporting the development of culture are undertaken at the local government level.{{cite web|publisher=Ministry of Culture (Croatia)|url=http://www.min-kulture.hr/default.aspx?id=348|language=hr|title=Djelokrug|trans-title=Scope of authority|access-date=7 October 2011}} The UNESCO's World Heritage List includes ten sites in Croatia and a list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Croatia.{{cite web|url=https://ich.unesco.org/en/state/croatia-HR?info=elements-on-the-lists|title= Croatia - intangible heritage - Culture Sector|access-date= 26 April 2024}} The country is also rich with intangible culture and holds 15 of UNESCO's World's intangible culture masterpieces, ranking fourth in the world.{{cite web|url=https://ich.unesco.org/en/lists?text=&multinational=3&display1=countryIDs#tabs|title=Browse the Lists of Intangible Cultural Heritage and the Register of good safeguarding practices – intangible heritage |publisher=UNESCO – Culture Sector |website=ich.unesco.org}} A global cultural contribution from Croatia is the necktie, derived from the cravat originally worn by the 17th-century Croatian mercenaries in France.{{cite news|newspaper=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/07/30/magazine/style-dressed-to-kill.html|title=STYLE; Dressed to Kill|first=Eric P.|last=Nash|date=30 July 1995|access-date=12 October 2011}}{{cite journal|journal=Povijesni prilozi|url=http://hrcak.srce.hr/index.php?show=clanak&id_clanak_jezik=43829|issn= 0351-9767|publisher=Croatian Institute of History|date=July 2008|volume=34|issue=34|pages=103–120|first=Vladimir|last=Huzjan|title=Pokušaj otkrivanja nastanka i razvoja kravate kao riječi i odjevnoga predmeta|language=hr|trans-title=The origin and development of the tie (kravata) as a word and as a garment|access-date=17 October 2011}}

In 2019, Croatia had 95 professional theatres, 30 professional children's theatres, and 51 amateur theatres visited by more than 2.27 million viewers per year. Professional theatres employ 1,195 artists. There are 42 professional orchestras, ensembles, and choirs, attracting an annual attendance of 297 thousand. There are 75 cinemas with 166 screens and attendance of 5.026 million.{{sfn|2018 Statistical Yearbook of the Republic of Croatia|pp=512–513}}

Croatia has 222 museums, visited by more than 2.71 million people in 2016. Furthermore, there are 1,768 libraries, containing 26.8 million volumes, and 19 state archives.{{sfn|2018 Statistical Yearbook of the Republic of Croatia|pp=516–521}} The book publishing market is dominated by several major publishers and the industry's centrepiece event—Interliber exhibition held annually at Zagreb Fair.{{cite news|newspaper=Jutarnji list|url=http://www.jutarnji.hr/interliber--nobelovci-za-20--bestseleri-za-50--remek-djela-za-100-kuna/902783/|title=Interliber: Nobelovci se prodaju za 20, bestseleri za 50, remek-djela za 100 kuna|trans-title=Interliber: Nobel Laureates Sold for 20, Bestsellers for 50, Masterpieces for 100 Kuna|language=hr|first=Adriana|last=Piteša|date=10 November 2010|access-date=13 October 2011|archive-date=24 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120124020747/http://www.jutarnji.hr/interliber--nobelovci-za-20--bestseleri-za-50--remek-djela-za-100-kuna/902783/|url-status=dead}}

{{main|Croatian art|Architecture of Croatia|Croatian literature|Croatian music}}

{{multiple image

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| align = right

| image1 = Peristyle, Split 2.jpg

| alt1 =

| caption1 = Historical nucleus of Split with the 4th-century Diocletian's Palace was inscribed on the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites in 1979.

| image2 = EuphrasiusBasilika.jpg

| alt2 =

| caption2 = Euphrasian Basilica in Poreč, example of early Byzantine architecture, on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1997

}}

Architecture in Croatia reflects influences of bordering nations. Austrian and Hungarian influence is visible in public spaces and buildings in the north and the central regions, architecture found along coasts of Dalmatia and Istria exhibits Venetian influence.{{cite book|title=A short history of Yugoslavia from early times to 1966|publisher=CUP Archive|isbn=978-0-521-09531-0|first1=Stephen|last1=Clissold|author2=Henry Clifford Darby|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_G43AAAAIAAJ|year=1968|pages=51–52|access-date=30 November 2011}} Squares named after culture heroes, parks, and pedestrian-only zones, are features of Croatian towns and cities, especially where large scale Baroque urban planning took place, for instance in Osijek (Tvrđa), Varaždin, and Karlovac.{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/croatia/10124483/Varazdin-Croatias-little-Vienna.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/croatia/10124483/Varazdin-Croatias-little-Vienna.html |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Varaždin: Croatia's 'little Vienna'|date=17 June 2013|last=MacGregor|first=Sandra|newspaper=Telegraph Media Group|access-date=4 September 2013}}{{cbignore}}{{cite news|newspaper=Jutarnji list|url=http://www.jutarnji.hr/najljepsi-gradovi-sjeverne-hrvatske---karlovac--ozalj--ogulin/877654/| title= Najljepši gradovi Sjeverne Hrvatske – Karlovac, Ozalj, Ogulin|trans-title=The Most Beautiful Cities of the Northern Croatia – Karlovac, Ozalj, Ogulin|language=hr|date=14 August 2010|access-date=10 October 2011}} The subsequent influence of the Art Nouveau was reflected in contemporary architecture.{{cite journal|journal=Radovi Instituta Za Povijest Umjetnosti|issn=0350-3437|publisher=Institute of Art History (Croatia)|language=hr|url=http://www.hart.hr/uploads/documents/354.pdf|author=Darja Radović Mahečić|title=Sekvenca secesije – arhitekt Lav Kalda|trans-title=Sequence of the Art Nouveau – Architect Lav Kalda|year=2006|volume=30|pages=241–264|access-date=10 October 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721100230/http://www.hart.hr/uploads/documents/354.pdf|archive-date=21 July 2011}} The architecture is the Mediterranean with a Venetian and Renaissance influence in major coastal urban areas exemplified in works of Giorgio da Sebenico and Nicolas of Florence such as the Cathedral of St. James in Šibenik. The oldest preserved examples of Croatian architecture are the 9th-century churches, with the largest and the most representative among them being Church of St. Donatus in Zadar.{{cite web|publisher=Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration (Croatia) |url=http://www.mfa.hr/MVP.asp?pcpid=1467 |title=Croatian Art History – Overview of Prehistory |access-date=10 October 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111007184122/http://www.mfa.hr/MVP.asp?pcpid=1467 |archive-date=7 October 2011}}{{cite web|publisher=Zadar Tourist Board|url=http://www.tzzadar.hr/en/city-guide/historical-monuments/23-05-2007/church-of-saint-donat|title=Church of Saint Donat|access-date=10 October 2011|archive-date=24 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140324042000/http://www.tzzadar.hr/en/city-guide/historical-monuments/23-05-2007/church-of-saint-donat|url-status=dead}}

File:Marco Marulo 1903 Ljetopis društva hrvatskih književnika za 1900-1903.jpg (18 August 1450 – 5 January 1524), Croatian poet, lawyer, judge, and Renaissance humanist who coined the term "psychology". He is the national poet of Croatia.]]

Besides the architecture encompassing the oldest artworks, there is a history of artists in Croatia reaching the Middle Ages. In that period the stone portal of the Trogir Cathedral was made by Radovan, representing the most important monument of Romanesque sculpture from Medieval Croatia. The Renaissance had the greatest impact on the Adriatic Sea coast since the remainder was embroiled in the Hundred Years' Croatian–Ottoman War. With the waning of the Ottoman Empire, art flourished during the Baroque and Rococo. The 19th and 20th centuries brought affirmation of numerous Croatian artisans, helped by several patrons of the arts such as bishop Josip Juraj Strossmayer.{{cite journal|journal=Essehist|publisher=University of Osijek – Faculty of Philosophy|issn=1847-6236|date=September 2011|volume=2|url=http://hrcak.srce.hr/index.php?show=clanak&id_clanak_jezik=95675|title=Josip Juraj Strossmayer – Rođeni Osječanin|trans-title=Josip Juraj Strossmayer – Native of Osijek|language=hr|pages=70–73|first=Pavao|last=Nujić|access-date=10 October 2011}} Croatian artists of the period achieving renown were Vlaho Bukovac, Ivan Meštrović, and Ivan Generalić.{{cite book|last=Hintz|first=Martin|title=Croatia: Enchantment of the World|publisher=Scholastic|year=2004|isbn=0-516-24253-9|pages=105–107}}

The Baška tablet, a stone inscribed with the glagolitic alphabet found on the Krk island and dated to {{Circa|1100}}, is considered to be the oldest surviving prose in Croatian.{{cite web|publisher=Island of Krk Tourist Board|url=http://www.krk.hr/en/offer/attractions/the_baska_tablet|title=The Baška tablet|access-date=13 October 2011|archive-date=2 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190502052935/http://www.krk.hr/en/offer/attractions/the_baska_tablet|url-status=dead}} The beginning of more vigorous development of Croatian literature is marked by the Renaissance and Marko Marulić. Besides Marulić, Renaissance playwright Marin Držić, Baroque poet Ivan Gundulić, Croatian national revival poet Ivan Mažuranić, novelist, playwright, and poet August Šenoa, children's writer Ivana Brlić-Mažuranić, writer and journalist Marija Jurić Zagorka, poet and writer Antun Gustav Matoš, poet Antun Branko Šimić, expressionist and realist writer Miroslav Krleža, poet Tin Ujević and novelist, and short story writer Ivo Andrić are often cited as the greatest figures in Croatian literature.{{cite web|publisher=Miroslav Krleža Institute of Lexicography|url=http://www.lzmk.hr/hr/vijesti-zavoda/iz-medija/524-hrvatska-knjizevnost-u-270000-redaka-vjesnik|date=11 February 2011|language=hr|title=Hrvatska književnost u 270.000 redaka|trans-title=Croatian Literature in 270,000 Lines|access-date=13 October 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111217062534/http://www.lzmk.hr/hr/vijesti-zavoda/iz-medija/524-hrvatska-knjizevnost-u-270000-redaka-vjesnik|archive-date=17 December 2011}}{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/04/18/books/a-reader-s-guide-to-the-balkans.html|title= A Reader's Guide to the Balkans|first=Robert D.|last=Kaplan|date=18 April 1993|newspaper=The New York Times}}

Croatian music varies from classical operas to modern-day rock. Vatroslav Lisinski created the country's first opera, Love and Malice, in 1846. Ivan Zajc composed more than a thousand pieces of music, including masses and oratorios. Pianist Ivo Pogorelić has performed across the world.

{{main|Media of Croatia|Cinema of Croatia|Television in Croatia|List of radio stations in Croatia}}

In Croatia, the Constitution guarantees the freedom of the press and the freedom of speech.{{cite encyclopedia|last=Benfield|first=Richard W.|editor=Quick, Amanda C.|encyclopedia=World Press Encyclopedia|title=Croatia|url=http://www.pressreference.com/Co-Fa/Croatia.html|access-date=13 September 2011|edition=2|publisher=Gale|volume=1|location=Detroit|isbn=0-7876-5583-X|year=2003}} Croatia ranked 64th in the 2019 Press Freedom Index report compiled by Reporters Without Borders which noted that journalists who investigate corruption, organised crime or war crimes face challenges and that the Government was trying to influence the public broadcaster HRT's editorial policies.{{cite web |url=https://rsf.org/en/ranking/2019 |title=Press Freedom Index 2019 |publisher=Reporters Without Borders |access-date=10 September 2019}} In its 2019 Freedom in the World report, the Freedom House classified freedoms of press and speech in Croatia as generally free from political interference and manipulation, noting that journalists still face threats and occasional attacks.{{cite web|url=https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-world/2019/croatia|title=Croatia|date=28 January 2019|website=freedomhouse.org|access-date=10 September 2019|archive-date=19 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190719030207/https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-world/2019/croatia|url-status=dead}} The state-owned news agency HINA runs a wire service in Croatian and English on politics, economics, society, and culture.{{cite web|publisher=HINA|url=http://websrv2.hina.hr/hina/web/view.action?view=hina|title=About Hina|access-date=13 October 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111011031419/http://websrv2.hina.hr/hina/web/view.action?view=hina|archive-date=11 October 2011}}

File:Zgrada HRT Zagreb.jpg, now a part of Croatian national public broadcasting company, Croatian Radiotelevision, was the first public radio station in Southeast Europe.{{cite journal|journal=Politička Misao|publisher=University of Zagreb, Faculty of Political Sciences|issn=0032-3241|volume=38|issue=5|date=July 2002|title=Marina Mučalo: Radio in Croatia, book review|first=Darko|last=Tomorad|pages=150–152}}]]

{{as of|2021|January}}, there are thirteen nationwide free-to-air DVB-T television channels, with Croatian Radiotelevision (HRT) operating four, RTL Televizija three, and Nova TV operating two channels, and the Croatian Olympic Committee, Kapital Net d.o.o., and Author d.o.o. companies operate the remaining three.{{cite web|title=Popis programa DTV {{!}} OIV digitalni signali i mreže|url=https://oiv.hr/hr/usluge-i-platforme/oiv-dtv-dvb-t2-digitalna-zemaljska-televizija/popis-programa-dtv/|access-date=23 January 2021|website=oiv.hr|language=hr}} Also, there are 21 regional or local DVB-T television channels.{{cite web|publisher=Odašiljači i veze|url=https://www.oiv.hr/broadcasting/tables/dtv_channel_hr.aspx|title=Popis programa digitalne televizije|trans-title=List of Digital Television Programmes|language=hr|access-date=23 December 2018|archive-date=6 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181106185209/https://www.oiv.hr/broadcasting/tables/dtv_channel_hr.aspx|url-status=dead}} The HRT is also broadcasting a satellite TV channel.{{cite web|publisher=Croatian Radiotelevision|url=http://www.hrt.hr/index.php?id=186&tx_ttnews%5Bcat%5D=126&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=1787&tx_ttnews%5BbackPid%5D=185&cHash=ac69c865cd|title=HRT broadcasting via satellite|date=20 May 2008|access-date=13 October 2011|archive-date=28 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130828125903/http://www.hrt.hr/index.php?id=186&tx_ttnews%5Bcat%5D=126&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=1787&tx_ttnews%5BbackPid%5D=185&cHash=ac69c865cd|url-status=dead}} In 2020, there were 147 radio stations and 27 TV stations in Croatia.{{sfn|2018 Statistical Yearbook of the Republic of Croatia|p=510}}{{cite web|last=v.k.|date=11 October 2020|title=Radio stanice u Zagrebu i Zagrebačkoj županiji|url=https://www.zgportal.com/zgservis/radio-stanice-u-zagrebu-i-zagrebackoj-zupaniji/|access-date=23 January 2021|website=ZGportal Zagreb|language=hr}} Cable television and IPTV networks are gaining ground. Cable television already serves 450 thousand people, around 10% of the total population of the country.{{cite web|publisher=Lider|url=http://www.liderpress.hr/Default.aspx?sid=11836|title=Prva Internet televizija u Hrvatskoj|trans-title=The First Internet Television in Croatia|language=hr|first=Sandra|last=Babić|date=15 January 2007|access-date=13 October 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120111153124/http://www.liderpress.hr/Default.aspx?sid=11836|archive-date=11 January 2012}}{{cite news|newspaper=Jutarnji list|url=http://www.jutarnji.hr/kabelska-televizija--vec-je-450--tisuca-hrvata-preslo-na-kabelsku-i-gleda-200-tv-programa/901119/|language=hr|title=Već je 450 tisuća Hrvata prešlo na kabelsku i gleda 200 TV programa|trans-title=450 thousand Croats already switched to cable, watching 200 TV channels|first=Merita|last=Arslani|date=6 November 2010|access-date=13 October 2011|archive-date=24 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120124011955/http://www.jutarnji.hr/kabelska-televizija--vec-je-450--tisuca-hrvata-preslo-na-kabelsku-i-gleda-200-tv-programa/901119/|url-status=dead}}

In 2010, 267 newspapers and 2,676 magazines were published in Croatia.{{sfn|2018 Statistical Yearbook of the Republic of Croatia|p=510}} The print media market is dominated by the Croatian-owned Hanza Media and Austrian-owned Styria Media Group who publish their flagship dailies {{lang|hr|Jutarnji list}}, {{lang|hr|Večernji list}} and {{lang|hr|24sata}}. Other influential newspapers are Novi list and Slobodna Dalmacija.{{cite web|publisher=Europapress Holding |url=http://www.eph.hr/eng/products_and_services/index.html |title=Print Products |access-date=13 October 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111008011534/http://www.eph.hr/eng/products_and_services/index.html |archive-date=8 October 2011 }}{{cite web|publisher=Styria Media Group |url=http://www.styria.com/en/konzernunternehmen/kategorie.php?&cat=1 |title=Daily papers |access-date=13 October 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110921110603/http://www.styria.com/en/konzernunternehmen/kategorie.php?&cat=1 |archive-date=21 September 2011 }} In 2020, 24sata was the most widely circulated daily newspaper, followed by Večernji list and Jutarnji list.{{cite journal|url=http://hrcak.srce.hr/135683|title=Tisak u krizi: analiza trendova u Hrvatskoj od 2008. do 2013.|journal=Medijske Studije|volume=5|issue=10|date=December 2014|last=Vozab|first=Dina|language=hr|access-date=26 December 2015|page=141}}{{cite web|title=AZTN: Prodaja dnevnih i tjednih novina nastavlja padati|url=https://www.tportal.hr/vijesti/clanak/aztn-prodaja-dnevnih-i-tjednih-novina-nastavlja-padati-20200617|access-date=23 January 2021|website=tportal.hr}}

Croatia competed in the Eurovision Song Contest as part of Yugoslavia since 1961. The first and only victory Yugoslavia achieved in the competition was accomplished by the Croatian pop band Riva in 1989. Since its debut at the 1993 contest, Croatia won two fourth places at the 1996 and 1999 contests, and one second place at the 2024 contest, marking the country's best result to date as an independent nation.{{Cite web |url=https://eurovision.tv/country/croatia |title=Croatia |website=eurovision.tv |access-date=19 May 2024}}

{{main|Cinema of Croatia|Television in Croatia|}}

Croatia's film industry is small and heavily subsidised by the government, mainly through grants approved by the Ministry of Culture with films often being co-produced by HRT.{{cite news|newspaper=Jutarnji list|url=http://www.jutarnji.hr/ministarstvo-financira-rekordan-broj-filmova/154303/|title=Ministarstvo financira rekordan broj filmova|trans-title=Ministry [of Culture] funding a record number of films|language=hr|date=12 September 2006|first=Adriana|last=Piteša|access-date=13 October 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120126125752/http://www.jutarnji.hr/ministarstvo-financira-rekordan-broj-filmova/154303/|archive-date=26 January 2012}}{{cite web|publisher=Croatian Radiotelevision|url=http://www.hrt.hr/index.php?id=94&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=108897&tx_ttnews%5BbackPid%5D=23&cHash=348879aae9|language=hr|title=Potpora hrvatskim filmovima i koprodukcijama|trans-title=Supporting Croatian Films and Co-Productions|date=18 March 2011|access-date=13 October 2011|archive-date=28 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130828143142/http://www.hrt.hr/index.php?id=94&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=108897&tx_ttnews%5BbackPid%5D=23&cHash=348879aae9|url-status=dead}} Croatian cinema produces between five and ten feature films per year.{{cite book |title=International Film Guide 2012 |first=Ian Hayden |last=Smith |year= 2012 |isbn= 978-1908215017 |page= 94|publisher=International Film Guide }} Pula Film Festival, the national film awards event held annually in Pula, is the most prestigious film event featuring national and international productions.{{cite news|newspaper=Vjesnik|url=http://www.vjesnik.hr/Article.aspx?ID=4D920144-9B74-462C-82CF-ED90611927CA|archive-date=17 December 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111217063907/http://www.vjesnik.hr/Article.aspx?ID=4D920144-9B74-462C-82CF-ED90611927CA|title=Trierova trijumfalna apokalipsa|trans-title=Trier's Triumphant Apocalypse|first=Vedran|last=Jerbić|date=12 July 2011|access-date=13 October 2011|language=hr}} Animafest Zagreb, founded in 1972, is the prestigious annual film festival dedicated to the animated film. The first greatest accomplishment by Croatian filmmakers was achieved by Dušan Vukotić when he won the 1961 Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film for Ersatz ({{langx|hr|Surogat}}).{{cite news|newspaper=Vjesnik|url=http://www.vjesnik.hr/Article.aspx?ID=7C537DEE-B4AE-4879-9F79-7C68D6294510|archive-date=17 December 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111217063842/http://www.vjesnik.hr/Article.aspx?ID=7C537DEE-B4AE-4879-9F79-7C68D6294510|title="Surogat" napunio pola stoljeća|trans-title="Ersatz" celebrates half a century|language=hr|first=Božidar|last=Trkulja|date=29 May 2011|access-date=13 October 2011}} Croatian film producer Branko Lustig won the Academy Awards for Best Picture for Schindler's List and Gladiator.{{cite web|publisher=Total Croatia News|url=https://www.total-croatia-news.com/lifestyle/36240-branko-lustig|title=Film Producer Branko Lustig Becomes Honorary Citizen of Zagreb|date=23 April 2019|access-date=10 September 2019|archive-date=5 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405110503/https://www.total-croatia-news.com/lifestyle/36240-branko-lustig|url-status=dead}} In addition to that, Croatian filmmaker Nebojša Slijepčević got nominated for 97th Academy Awards in category for Best Live Action Short Film for his 2024 movie The Man Who Could Not Remain Silent (Croatian: {{lang|hr|Čovjek koji nije mogao šutjeti}}), making it first Croatian nomination in that category, and first since its independence.{{cite web |last1=Stošić |first1=Dino |title=Gdje pogledati film 'Čovjek koji nije mogao šutjeti', koji je sad i službeno nominiran za Oscara? |url=https://www.24sata.hr/show/gdje-pogledati-film-covjek-koji-nije-mogao-sutjeti-u-uzem-je-izboru-za-nominaciju-za-oscara-1022690?24sata_ref=frontpage-home |website=24sata.hr |date=23 January 2025 |access-date=23 January 2025}}

Before and since its independence, Croatia has become a popular filming destination amongs international filming productions, and a lot of blockbuster films and TV series have been filmed in Croatia including: Game of Thrones, Star Wars: The Last Jedi, Robin Hood in Dubrovnik, Speak No Evil and Season of the Witch in Istria, Infinity Pool in Šibenik, Canary Black, Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard, Sophie's Choice, Armour of God and Fiddler on the roof in Zagreb, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again on island of Vis, Succession on the island of Korčula, Hercules, The Weekend Away, Bliss in Split, The Peacemaker and many others.{{cite web |title=Filming Locations in Croatia |url=https://www.imdb.com/search/title/?locations=croatia |website=Imdb.com |access-date=12 October 2024}}{{cite web |title=Movies and TV Shows filmed in Croatia |url=https://saltymiles.com/en/10-cool-films-and-series-shot-in-croatia |website=SaltyMiles |access-date=12 October 2024}} Croatia became international filming location due to its biodiversity, landscape that can accommodate every visual requirements and cheaper filming costs.{{cite web |title=Why Croatia is a Filming and Production Paradise |url=https://lbbonline.com/news/why-croatia-is-a-filming-and-production-paradise#:~:text=Croatia%20has%20it%20all.,film%20possibilities%20within%20one%20region. |website=Lbbonline |access-date=12 October 2024}}{{cite web |title=Filming in Croatia |url=https://filmingincroatia.hr/ |website=Hrvatski audiovizualni centar |access-date=12 October 2024}} In last 11 years there has been 122 projects for international films in Croatia, and €263 million spent as part of the Filming in Croatia which increased in last years due to high demand for its location.{{cite web |title=How Croatia has become a hub for filmmakers |url=https://www.croatiaweek.com/how-croatia-has-become-a-hub-for-filmmakers/ |website=Croatia Week |date=2 October 2023 |access-date=12 October 2024}}

{{Main|Croatian cuisine|Croatian wine}}

File:Kuhane_strukle_0210_1.jpg]]

Croatian traditional cuisine varies from one region to another. Dalmatia and Istria have culinary influences of Italian and other Mediterranean cuisines which prominently feature various seafood, cooked vegetables and pasta, and condiments such as olive oil and garlic. Austrian, Hungarian, Turkish, and Balkan culinary styles influenced continental cuisine. In that area, meats, freshwater fish, and vegetable dishes are predominant.{{cite web|publisher=Croatian National Tourist Board|url=http://croatia.hr/en-GB/Discover-Croatia/Gastronomy-and-enology|access-date=13 October 2011|title=Gastronomy and enology}}

There are two distinct wine-producing regions in Croatia. The continental in the northeast of the country, especially Slavonia, produces premium wines, particularly whites. Along the north coast, Istrian and Krk wines are similar to those in neighbouring Italy, while further south in Dalmatia, Mediterranean-style red wines are the norm. Annual production of wine exceeds 72 million litres {{as of|2017|lc=on}}.{{sfn|2018 Statistical Yearbook of the Republic of Croatia|p=265}} Croatia was almost exclusively a wine-consuming country up until the late 18th century when a more massive beer production and consumption started.{{cite news|url=http://www.matica.hr/HRRevija/revija032.nsf/AllWebDocs/skenderovic|title=Kako je pivo došlo u Hrvatsku|last=Skenderović|first=Robert|year=2002|work=Hrvatska revija|language=hr|access-date=10 September 2011}}

There are 11 restaurants in Croatia with a Michelin star and 89 restaurants bearing some of the Michelin's marks.{{Cite web|url=https://guide.michelin.com/hr/en/selection/croatia/restaurants|title=Michelin guide: Croatia|access-date=15 June 2023}}

{{Main|Sport in Croatia|Croatia at the Olympics}}

File:Croatia WC2018 final.jpg in World Cup 2018 in Russia]]

Croatia has a long tradition of sports dating back to Roman times, followed by popular medieval knights' tournaments.{{cite web | title=Croatia.eu – land and people | website=Croatia.eu – land and people | url=https://croatia.eu/index.php/en/home-en/society-and-way-of-life/sport | access-date=2025-03-02}} Modern organized sports began in the late 19th century with the founding of sports associations like Hrvatski Sokol in 1874. By the early 20th century, many sports organizations emerged, including the Croatian Sports Association established in 1909.Sanela Škorić, Zlatko Hodak • [https://hrcak.srce.hr/file/111666&ved=2ahUKEwjaysq7jOqLAxUZkIkEHRTHIl4QFnoECC8QAQ&usg=AOvVaw2QS0nJVGCz7Ih_cPGS3D1m The system of sports financing and management]. Zb. rad. Ekon. fak. Rij. • 2011 • vol. 29 • sv. 2 • 443-464 Croatian sports' development has been closely related to the Olympic movement, with Franjo Bučar playing a key role in promoting sports for Croatian independence. Sport is part of the school curriculum, and many children engage in extracurricular activities.{{cite journal | last1=Pedišić | first1=Željko | last2=Strika | first2=Melanija | last3=Matolić | first3=Tena| title=Physical Activity of Children and Adolescents in Croatia: A Global Matrix 4.0 Systematic Review of Its Prevalence and Associated Personal, Social, Environmental, and Policy Factors | journal=Journal of Physical Activity and Health | publisher=Human Kinetics | volume=20 | issue=6 | date=2023-06-01 | issn=1543-3080 | doi=10.1123/jpah.2022-0500 | doi-access=free | pages=487–499 | pmid=37076241 | url=https://journals.humankinetics.com/downloadpdf/journals/jpah/20/6/article-p487.pdf | access-date=2025-03-02}} To support sports development, Croatia enacted the National Sport Programme in 2019.{{cite web | title=News | website=Croatian Parliament | date=1970-01-01 | url=https://www.sabor.hr/en/press/news?page=17#:~:text=12%20July%202019.%20Parliament%20adopts%202019-2026%20national,the%202019-2026%20National%20Sports%20Programme%2C%20as%20the | access-date=2025-03-02}} Funding for sports comes from the state budget, sponsorship, and membership fees.{{cite journal | last1=Škorić | first1=Sanela | last2=Hodak | first2=Zlatko | title=The System of Sports Financing and Management in the Republic of Croatia | journal=Zbornik Radova Ekonomskog Fakulteta u Rijeci / Proceedings of Rijeka School of Economics | publisher=University of Rijeka, Faculty of Economics | volume=29 | issue=2 | date=2011-12-16 | issn=1846-7520 | url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/256062354 | access-date=2025-03-02 | page=}} The Croatian Olympic Committee, established in 1991, oversees over 80 national sports associations.{{cite web | title=National Sports Federations | website=Croatian Olympic Committee | url=https://stara.hoo.hr/en/croatian-olympic-committee/national-sports-federations | access-date=2025-03-02}}

The most popular sports in Croatia are football, basketball, handball, and water polo. With about 12,500 sports associations, football is the most popular sport, hosting nearly 1,500 clubs and 110,000 players, achieving significant milestones, including bronze at the 1998 World Cup, silver at the 2018 World Cup and another bronze at 2022 World Cup. Croatians have participated in the Olympics since 1992 and have won 59 Olympic medals, including 20 gold.{{cite web | title=Croatians at the Olympic Games | website=Expat In Croatia | date=2024-07-22 | url=https://www.expatincroatia.com/croatians-olympic-games/ | access-date=2025-03-02}} The national tennis team has won two Davis Cup titles and won a gold medal at the 2020 Summer Olympics in men's doubles.{{cite web | title=Tennis in Croatia | website=tennis-academies.com | date=2021-04-18 | url=https://www.tennis-academies.com/europe/croatia | access-date=2025-03-02}} The national handball and water polo teams are also been successful, each achieving multiple championships and medals.{{cite web | title=Croatia the only nation with medals in football, handball & waterpolo world cups | website=Croatia Week | date=2025-02-03 | url=https://www.croatiaweek.com/croatia-the-only-nation-with-medals-in-football-handball-waterpolo-world-cups/ | access-date=2025-03-02}} Rowing has seen success as well, winning multiple Olympic and World Championship medals.{{cite web | title=Sportska Hrvatska | website=Sportska Hrvatska | date=2019-11-25 | url=https://cro-sports.com/en/sports-country/croatian-sport-achievements/ | access-date=2025-03-02}} In gymnastics, athletes have also made their mark, winning medals in European and World Championships.{{cite web | title=History | website=DOBRO World Cup | date=2019-02-20 | url=https://osijekgym.com/en/history/ | language=la | access-date=2025-03-02}}

Croatia hosted several major sports competitions, including the 2009 World Men's Handball Championship, the 2007 World Table Tennis Championships, the 2000 World Rowing Championships, the 1987 Summer Universiade, the 1979 Mediterranean Games, and several European Championships, including the 2000, 2018 and 2025 World Men's Handball Championship, 2024 Men's European Water Polo Championship.

In November 1992, the first international connection linking Zagreb and Vienna became operational, making it the first internet in Croatia.{{Cite web|url=https://www.carnet.hr/en/today-is-the-25th-anniversary-of-the-internet-in-the-republic-of-croatia/|title=Today is the 25th anniversary of the Internet in the Republic of Croatia|date=17 November 2017|website=CARNET}}{{Cite web|url=https://vlada.gov.hr/print.aspx?id=22874&url=print|title=Government of the Republic of Croatia - 25th years of Internet in Croatia marked|website=vlada.gov.hr}}

70% of the Croatia's population regularly uses the internet and 55% have been reported to have basic technological skills.{{Cite web|url=https://www.privacyshield.gov/ps/article?id=Croatia-Smart-Technologies|title=Croatia - Smart Technologies | Privacy Shield|website=www.privacyshield.gov}}

{{Portal|Croatia|Countries|Europe}}

• Outline of Croatia
• Index of Croatia-related articles

{{Notelist|group=efn}}

{{Reflist|30em}}

{{Refbegin|30em}}

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• {{cite book|last=Kočović|first=Bogoljub|author-link=Bogoljub Kočović|title=Žrtve Drugog svetskog rata u Jugoslaviji|trans-title=World War II Victims in Yugoslavia|date=1985|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sPxmAAAAMAAJ|publisher=Naše delo|language=sr}}
• {{cite book|first=Frederic Chapin|last=Lane|author-link=Frederic C. Lane|title=Venice, a Maritime Republic|publisher=JHU Press|year=1973|isbn=978-0-8018-1460-0|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PQpU2JGJCMwC|access-date=18 October 2011}}
• {{cite book|first=Manus I.|last=Midlarsky|title=The Killing Trap: Genocide in the Twentieth Century|url=https://archive.org/details/killingtrapgenoc0000midl|url-access=registration|access-date=25 March 2013|edition=First|date=20 October 2005|publisher=Cambridge University Press|location=Cambridge|isbn=978-1-139-44539-9}}
• {{cite book|first=Branka|last=Magaš|title=Croatia Through History: The Making of a European State|publisher=Saqi Books|year=2007|isbn=978-0-86356-775-9|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OY5pAAAAMAAJ|access-date=18 October 2011}}
• {{cite book|first=Ivan|last=Mužić|title=Hrvatska povijest devetoga stoljeća|trans-title=Croatian Ninth Century History|language=hr|url=http://www.muzic-ivan.info/hrvatska_povijest.pdf|isbn=978-953-263-034-3|year=2007|publisher=Naklada Bošković|access-date=14 October 2011|archive-date=8 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190808024028/http://www.muzic-ivan.info/hrvatska_povijest.pdf|url-status=dead}}
• {{cite book|last=Tomasevich|first=Jozo|year=2001|title=War and Revolution in Yugoslavia, 1941–1945: Occupation and Collaboration|publisher=Stanford University Press|location=Stanford Univ|isbn=978-0-8047-3615-2|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fqUSGevFe5MC}}
• {{cite journal|last=Žerjavić|first=Vladimir|author-link=Vladimir Žerjavić|url=https://hrcak.srce.hr/index.php?show=clanak&id_clanak_jezik=52846|language=hr|title=Doseljavanja i iseljavanja s područja Istre, Rijeke i Zadra u razdoblju 1910–1971.|trans-title=Immigration and emigration from the Istria, Rijeka and Zadar areas in the period from 1910 to 1971|pages=631–653|journal=Journal for General Social Issues|volume=2|number=4-5(6–7)|date=1993|location=Zagreb, Croatia|ref={{harvid|Žerjavić|1993b}}}}
• {{cite book|last=Žerjavić|first=Vladimir|author-link=Vladimir Žerjavić|year=1992|title=Opsesije i megalomanije oko Jasenovca i Bleiburga|trans-title=Obsession and Megalomania over Jasenovac and Bleiburg|publisher=Globus|isbn=86-343-0661-5|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OCotAAAAMAAJ|language=hr}}
• {{cite web|ref={{harvid|DIP|1990 (a)}}|year=1990|publisher=Croatian State Electoral Committee|location=Zagreb, Croatia|language=hr|url=http://www.izbori.hr/arhiva/pdf/1990/1990_2_1_Sabor_Statistika_Stat_podaci.pdf|title=Statistički pokazatelji o provedenim izborima za zastupnike u Sabor Socijalističke Republike Hrvatske – Prilog|trans-title=Statistical Indicators on Performed Elections of Representatives in the Parliament of the Socialist Republic of Croatia – Annex|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150514021334/http://www.izbori.hr/arhiva/pdf/1990/1990_2_1_Sabor_Statistika_Stat_podaci.pdf|archive-date=14 May 2015}}
• {{cite book | issn = 1333-3305 | publisher=Croatian Bureau of Statistics | url=http://web.dzs.hr/Hrv_Eng/ljetopis/2010/SLJH2010.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://www.dzs.hr/Hrv_Eng/ljetopis/2010/SLJH2010.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live | title=2010 – Statistical Yearbook of the Republic of Croatia |date=December 2010 | access-date=7 October 2011 | ref ={{SfnRef|2010 Statistical Yearbook of the Republic of Croatia}} }}
• {{Croatia Yearbook 2018|ref={{SfnRef|2018 Statistical Yearbook of the Republic of Croatia}}}}

{{Refend}}

{{sfn whitelist|CITEREF2018_Statistical_Yearbook_of_the_Republic_of_Croatia}}

{{refend}}

{{Sister project links|voy=Croatia}}

• {{Wikiatlas|Croatia}}
• {{osmrelation-inline|214885|bullet=no}}
• [http://www.ifs.du.edu/ifs/frm_CountryProfile.aspx?Country=HR Key Development Forecasts for Croatia] from International Futures

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