About Croatia

Croatia lies at the meeting point of the Mediterranean, the Alps and the Pannonian plains. Croatia is also one of the few European countries which can pride itself on its clean environment and rich flora and fauna. About 4,300 plant species can be found in Croatia, while in the Adriatic Sea there are about 400 edible fish, cephalopod, shrimp and shellfish species. Today some 7.5% of Croatian territory is protected within the national park system or under some other regional protection. Three of the seven national parks are in the mountains (Risnjak, Paklenica and Plitvica Lakes), and four are on the coast (Kornati, Mljet, Brijuni and Krka). Of the latter four, all but the park of Krka are on islands.

GENERAL DATA
Surface: 56.542 km2
Surface of the territorial sea: 31.067 km2
Population: 4.381.352 inhabitants
Capital: Zagreb, 770.058 inhabitants
Coastline: 5.835 km (4.058 km being the coastline of islands, cliffs and reefs)
Number of islands, cliffs and reefs: 1.185 - there are 67 inhabited islands; the largest islands are Krk and Cres
Krk 410 km2
Cres 404 km2
Brac 396 km2
Hvar 298 km2
Pag 287 km2
Korcula 273 km2
Highest peak: Dinara 1.831 m above the sea-level

CURRENCY
Kuna (1 Kuna = 100 Lipa). There are 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 Lipa coins, 1, 2, 5 and 25 Kuna coins and 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1,000 Kuna banknotes.
Foreign currencies can be exchanged at banks, exchange offices, post offices and at most tourist agencies, hotels and camping grounds. Banking hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. from Monday to Friday. On Saturdays banks are open until 1 p.m. In the larger cities some banks are also open on Sundays. Credit cards: Most hotels, restaurants and shops accept credit cards (American Express, Diners Club, Eurocard/Mastercard, Visa, Sport Card International). Cash dispensing machines are ubiquitous.

ELECTRICITY
Voltage of city power grid - 220V, frequency 50HZ

WATER
Tap water is potable throughout Croatia.

TELEPHONE CODE
The telephone code for Croatia is +385.

TIME ZONE
GMT plus one hour in winter and GMT plus two in summer.

TRAVEL DOCUMENTATION
Passport or some other internationally recognised identification document. Tourists may remain in Croatia for up to three months.

CUSTOMS REGULATIONS
Customs regulations of the Republic of Croatia are in line with the standards of European Union countries. Foreign currency is freely brought in and taken out of the country; up to a value of 15.000 kn for domestic currency. More expensive professional and technical equipment should be registered at the border. Dogs and cats, accompanied by their owner, need to have an International certificate from a registered veterinarian stating that at least 15 days and not more than six months have passed since their vaccination against rabies. Tax refund for goods purchased in Croatia over 500 kuna in value with a validated "Tax cheque" at departure from the country. Information: Republic of Croatia Customs Administration (tel 01 6102 333);

MEDICAL SERVICE
There are hospitals and clinics in all larger cities and first aid clinics and pharmacies in all places. Foreign tourists do not pay for medical services if the Health Care Convention was signed between Croatia and the country they come from. Expenses of health services provided to persons coming from the countries with which the Health Care Convention was not signed are charged directly to users according to the price list. For patients whose lives are in danger, there is emergency transport by air(helicopter) or sea (speadboat).

POST AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Post Offices are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and on Saturdays until 1 p.m. There are Post Offices in the larger cities which are open until 10 p.m. in the summer. Postage stamps are sold in Post Offices and at newsstands. Public telephones can be used only with phone cards, which can be purchased in Post Offices and at newsstands, in hotels and tourist complexes.

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Protection of the biological diversity is in conjunction with the EU regulations currently in force. The water quality of the Croatia's Adriatic Sea is of high quality for swimming and in conjunction to the EU criteria. In case of an accident or contamination of the sea, please contact the National Centre for Sea Search and Rescue.

FIRE PREVENTION
Ensure that you have done everything to prevent a fire!
Do not throw lit or flammable objects into the environment!
If you see a fire, please inform others in your proximity; report it immediately on the telephone number - 93; try to extinguish the fire till the fire-fighters arrive and in such a manner so as not to endanger yourself or others! Take notice of signs forbidding the lighting of fires!
Take care that your parked vehicle does not obstruct accesses to the fire or roads!

IMPORTANT TELEPHONE NUMBERS
International dialling prefix for Croatia: 385
Ambulance 94
Fire-service 93
Police 92