CROATIA, officially the Republic of Croatia, is a country at the crossroads of the Mediterranean, Central Europe and the Balkans. Its capital is Zagreb. Croatia borders with Slovenia and Hungary to the north, Serbia to the north-east, Bosnia and Herzegovina to the east, Montenegro to the far south-east, and the Adriatic Sea to the south. Croatia is a candidate for membership of the European Union and is expecting NATO membership invitation in April 2008. On 17 October 2007, Croatia became a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the 2008-2009 term.

Croatia's economic, cultural and administrative heart sits on the north bank of the river Sava. Its, historic nuclei, Gradec and Kaptol, in Gornji Grad (Upper Town) were founded in the Middle Ages. Here, a labyrinth of peaceful cobbled links in the city's oldest and finest monuments: The Cathedral, St Mark's Church and the Sabor (seat of the Croatian Parliament). At the foot of the Upper Town lie Trg Bana Jelacic, the main square links the Upper Town to Donji Grad (Lower Town), the commercial center of modern-day Zagreb with theaters, shops, cinemas, museums and cafes. A number of important 19th century public buildings are located here. The museum of Arts and Crafts traces Croatian craftsmanship from Renaissance up to the present days. Also worth visiting are the Museum of Zagreb, the Archaeological Museum and the Gallery of Naive Art. The city boasts one of Europe's very fist planned parks: Maksimir, a magnificent feat of landscaping, with lakes, pavilions and sculptures, dating back to 1794.

Unanimously considered the jewel of Croatia, Dubrovnik is best known for its well-preserved historic center contained within 13th- century city walls, its terracotta rooftops and a stunning location overlooking the Adriatic. Today a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the city was a wealthy indepent republic up until 1808. The finest Monuments date back to those golden years: The 16t-century Rector's Palace, the Franciscan Monastery (home to Europe's oldest pharmacy), and a number of delightful baroque churches, including the Cathedral, St. Blaise's Church and the Jesuit Church. Also worth visiting is the Maritime Museum which hlighlights Dubrovniks's former importance as a world naval power. Each year, from mid-July to late August, the city hosts the Dubrovnik Summer Festival, featuring various cultural events plus open-air evening performances of theater, jazz and classical music.

The city of Split was founded in the third century Ad by the Roman Emperor Diocletian. Today, the traffic-free historic center lies within the imposing walls of Diocletian's Palace, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A vibrant cafe scene focuses on the Roman Peristil, presided over by the majestic Cathedral with its 13th-century Romanesque bell tower. The Museum of Croatian Arcaeological Monuments displays early Croatian religious art, while the Mestrovic Gallery celebrates the country's best-known 20th-century sculptor. On the hill above town, Marjan, an extensive nature reserve planted with pine woods and fragrant Mediterranean shrubs, affords stunning views over the Adriatic. During the Split Summer Festival, held annuallly from mid-July to mid-August, the city becomes an open -air stage with night-time opera and concerts.

Istria

Istria is the largest peninsula on the Croatian coast and thanks to its easy transport links with nearby Italy and Austria, has also become the country's major tourist destination. The region's administrative center and chief port, Pula, was founded by the Romans in the fifth century BC. Several interesting buildings remain from this period, notably the Arena, a well-preserved amphiteather , which hosts summer concerts and the annual film festival. The city is a good starting point for excursions to Brijuni National Park, an archipelago of 14 unspoilt islands. On the west coast of Istria lies Croatia's most visited resort, Porec. Built on a small peninsular, Porec dates back to Roman times and its star attraction is the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Euphrasius Basilica, decorated with stunning sixth century Byzantine Mosaics.

The chief city and port in the region is Zadar, the historic center of which is made up of narrow cobbled streets, some Roman remains and several interesting churches, notably the 12th-century Romanesque Cathedral. However, the region's main attraction is the Kornati National Park, an archipelago consisting of over 90 islands scattered over an area of 300km. Virtually uninhabited, the islands display a harsh, rocky landscape practically devoid of vegetation. The region's second city is Sibenik, worth seeing for its 15th-century UNESCO-listed Cathedral and a good base for visiting Krka National Park. Here, the river Krka has sculpted a picturesque canyon, famed for its spectacular Skradinski buk (Skradin Waterfalls) and the islet of Visovac, home to a Fransiscan Monastery, which can be visited by boat.

Croatia's second-largest city Split, is also the economic and cultural capital of Central Dalmatian. Nearby, the tiny medieval city of Trogit, founded founded by the Greeks in the third century BC, is a Venetian Gothic stone buildings. The resorts of the Makarska Riviera, centered around the pretty town of Makarska, boast long stretches of pebble beaches and are able to accommodate large numbers of holidays-makers. However, the highlight of Central Dalmatian has to be its islands, which are less exploited than those in the north of the country. The largest settlement, Hvar Town, is built around a picturesque harbor presided over by a hilltop fortress.

The chief center of the southernmost region of Croatia is Dubrovnik. Nearby, a group of tiny traffic-free islands, known as the Elaphites, offer secluded beaches and basic tourist amenities. Further up the coast, the island of Korcula Town, a marvel of medieval urban planning which has charmed foreign visitors since the first tourists arrived in the 1920s. During summer, regular perfomances of the colorful Moreska sword dance are staged here. Nearby, the village of Lambarda is home to one of Croatia's few sand beaches. In the center of the larger lake sits the exquisite St.Mary's Island crowned by a Benedictine Monastery. south from here lies the border with Montenegro.

While the vast majority of tourists head straight for the coast, inland Croatia also holds several places of interest, notably the capital, Zagreb. North of Zagreb lies, Zagorje, a rural area of undulating hills and vineyards with several castles open to the public, the most visited being Veliki Tabor and Trakocan. East of Zagreb lies the flat fertile region of Slavonia, the major city of which, Osijek, makes an ideal base for visiting Kopacki Rit Nature Park, a vast expanse of wetland popular with birdwatchers. South Zagreb, on the edge of the Dalmatian hinterland, lies one of Croatia's biggest tourist attractions, the UNESCO-listed Plitvice Lakes National Park. Situated in a densely-forested valley, the park features 16 beautiful blue-green lakes joined together by a succession of spectacular waterfalls.

In the eastern continental regions, spicy sausages kulen and kulenova seka is a must-try. Cobanat (shepherd's stew) is a mixture of several different kinds of meat with a lot of red spicy paprika . In Hrvatsko Zagorje and central Croatia, pasta filled with cheese called strukli is a famous delicacy, as a purica s mlincima (baked turkey with a special kind of pastry) Croats love a bit of oil and you will find plenty of it in piroska. In mountainous regions of Lika and Gorski, kotar meals made of mushrooms, wild berries and wild meat are very popular. Coastal region is well-known for truffle delicacies and soup. Dishes made of fresh fish and other products of the sea (calamari, octopus, crabs, scampi) shouldn't be given a miss!

The market is dominated by globally-ubiquitous hamburgers and pizzas but you will also find burek (cheese pastry) and cevapcici (seasoned minced meat shaped in finger-size portions served in bread and often covered with onions). Sometimes, although very rarely, you may find sok od bazge (elderflower juice) in the continental region. Worth trying! On a more general note, Croatia produces a broad palette of high quality wines and brandies, fruit juices, beers and mineral water. On the coast, people usually serve bevanda with meals, a heavy, richly-flavored red wine mixed with plain water.

* When driving on rural roads, particularly where a driver has to pull in to allow you to pass, it is customary to wave a thanks to the other driver, by raising your hand from the steering wheel.

* There are no vaccination required to enter Croatia.

* In the Eastern Slavonia (particularly around the Kopacki Rit near Osijek), wear long sleeves and take insect repelllent.