Croatia
The Republic of
Croatia is a European country situated along the Adriatic Sea and its
hinterland. It stretches from the slopes of the Alps and deep into the
Pannonian Valley to the banks of the Danube and Drava rivers.
Thus according to
its natural characteristics, as well as its cultural and historical
development, Croatia can be divided into three geographically distinct
zones:
the Coastal region
the Mountain region
the Pannonian region
Like many countries
in Western Europe, Croatia was founded on the ruins of the Roman Empire.
When they arrived in the territory of present-day Croatia, the Croats
were politicaly organized in principalities. In 925, Croatian King
Tomislav united the principalities, establishing the first Croatian
state. Later, Croatia retained its legal status and autonomy within the
framework of the Hungarian empire, and the Habsburg Monarchy.