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Croatia
Relevant information about Croatia.
Though Croatia is not a big nation, it is a land that is Mediterranean, Central European, mountainous and flat, coastal and continental. It can as a result be safely said that Croatia is characterized by a variety and wealth of nature seen in much larger European nations; that is to say, within a moderately little area are landscapes that otherwise one would have to seek in widely spaced parts of Europe, and indeed the planet. Which is why Croatia ranks as one of the top five European nations with regard to biodiversity, with some parts being amongst the worlds richest such areas. Therefore, in Croatia we have a richly indented wooded shore line, with many islands, as in the Southern Seas, preserved old Mediterranean towns with stone-built houses and narrow streets, as in Italy, but as well green coastal meadows with dry stone walls that seem to have been transposed from Ireland. The mountainous areas abound in wide expanses of woods and forests, as in Scandinavia, romantic lakes, rushing rivers and settlements, as in the Alps, as well as harsh and barren karstic landscapes with deep gorges and canyons, like those in the "Wild West" of the USA. In the wide plains of lowland Croatia there still exist conserved wetland areas otherwise found just in the easternmost parts of Europe, in Russia or Ukraine, while the nation's mellow, quietly undulating areas are decked with vineyards, medieval castles, burgs and fortresses the likes of which are seen in Germany and Austria. The mainly treasured parts of Croatia's natural heritage include 447 different protected areas covering a total of 5,178 km2, i.e. about 10% of Croatia's land area. The most significant amongst those areas are eight nationwide parks. In addition to public parks, nature parks and strict regime reserves, Croatia has another 426 dissimilar less important areas and objects under protection. Of those, 78 are special reserves; 38 are park woods; 71 are classified as exceptional landscapes, and 104 are natural monuments. Special protection has also been extensive to more than 135 monuments of park architecture: arboretums, botanical gardens, parks, individual trees and groups of trees. A full amount of 846 animal species have been placed under protection, 809 plants species and 314 types of mushroom. The three major natural entities of Croatia: flat, mountainous and coastal, are basically dissimilar in their most important individuality. The largest of these areas comprises fertile and well occupied lowland Croatia, which occupies the south-western edge of the huge Pannonian Plain. Its major natural uniqueness are the centuries-old oak forests of the diluvia plains, numerous rivers, their original courses preserved, and an plentiful plant and animal world on land, in the waters and in the air. Though, even if located within Panonian Plain this area is not always consistently flat. Increasing along the horizons of the fields and meadows are the wine increasing hill slopes and wooded elevations of Pannonia which, like islands, rise above the sea of wheat. In contrast to the lowlands, mountainous Croatia is little and very thinly populated, which explains why it has been so well preserved in its original state. Its thick forests of beech, pine and spruce are the domain of bears, wolves and lynx, while its luminous clean and clear rivers are ruled by otters and trout. The heights reached by Croatian mountains may not be those of Alps, but the shapes of white limestone are often such that they can be a stimulation to even the most imaginative of sculptors, this thanks to the wide range of karstic phenomena within the limestone composition of rocks so particularly representative of Croatia.
The inhabitants were just about 5 million in 2000. Croats make up 78 percent of the inhabitants and are the dominant ethnic group. Serbs account for 12 percent, and the remaining 10 percent includes Bosnians, Hungarians, and Slovenes as well as an extremely little number of Jews and Kosova Albanians. The religious makeup of the country reflects this ethnic breakdown. Roman Catholics constitute 77 percent of the inhabitants; Serbian Orthodox, 11 percent; and Muslims, 1 percent. The Serb populace has decreased since Croatian independence from Yugoslavia and the war that began in 1991. In 1981, Serbs accounted for just about 17 percent of the populace. Croatia is in fact only one of its kinds, not only for its crystal clear, clean blue sea, but as well for a thousand years of dissimilar cultures that have replaced each other and sometimes assimilated in these areas. The Adriatic Sea is not simply a deep gulf in the Mediterranean cut into the Continent of Europe thus creating most economical trade route between Europe and the East; it is as well the support of ancient civilizations. There is much material evidence about that which is lastly beginning to come to light, from the depths of Adriatic caves and from the deep blue sea. The east coast of the Adriatic Sea was occupied as early as the beginning of the early Stone Age, and there is proof that most of the accessible islands were as well populated. Thanks to the favorable geographical individuality of our coast, with its many bays, inlets and coves, the coastal belt has ever been an important mercantile and nautical route. If you select the coast as your starting point, you will have the occasion to see direct influences and inheritance of Mediterranean culture, many ancient monuments, monuments from the Roman era or early middle ages, roman sacral inheritance, and a series of preserved typical Mediterranean urban wholes. Some of them are on the UNESCO World Heritage List, such as Diocletian Palace in Split that Roman Emperor Diocletian had built near his birth place of Aspalathos in Dalmatia. The Town of Trogir represents the top preserved medieval urban whole, not only in the Adriatic, but the complete Central Europe. The City of Dubrovnik, a metropolis of only one of its kind culture and political history, gained its self-government after the 14th century when they developed the Dubrovnik Republic, commonly known for the largest navy in the Mediterranean. At the time, Dubrovnik saved its freedom by commercial and diplomatic relations, as well as strong protective walls and towers that are now the maximum attraction in the metropolis. The Euphrasius Basilica in Porec, its apse magnificently decorated with figurative mosaics that are, in addition to the San Vitale mosaics in Ravena, amongst the most outstanding examples of mosaic art in Europe, and with no doubt represent and imposing example of sacral buildings from the 6th century.
In terms of primary goals of economic policy of the Republic of Croatia, a special position is given to foreign investments which are extremely significant for the future expansion of the nation and further restructuring and transformation of the financial system. In this context, areas of investment environment, legal framework for investments and investment prospects in Croatia’s financial system are described. Croatia is incorporated in the group of nations with little and open economies, which are mainly connected to other foreign markets. The main concern of Croatia’s financial policy is the persistence of making a stabile and strong market-oriented financial system which is competitive in the global market, constant reinforcement of macroeconomic constancy and the continuation of structural reforms for the purpose of securing stabile and sustainable financial enlargement, amplify in production, particularly import and increase in employment. The particular emphasis is on creating a favorable business environment harmonized with the business environment prevalent in the European Union, further expansion of market financial system, stimulation of private investments, promotion of international competitiveness, and entrepreneurial and market freedom. Creating conditions for sustaining elevated financial enlargement rates was also initiated, particularly during enhancing competitiveness and flexibility of the marketplace, which will help in tackling the problem of unemployment. Throughout the increase in production and export and throughout stimulating export activities, restructuring large Croatian companies owned by the state and augment of competitiveness of Croatian products on the worldwide market will have a positive effect on Croatia’s foreign debt and balance of payments deficit. Basic financial goals include export enlargement, excellence standards introduction, meeting ecology requirements and achieving expenditure competence. Climate, relief, and soil variety enables a wide agricultural range of products, while low level of pollution is good for the development of ecological production. Croatia, as one of the important tourist destinations in the Mediterranean, has a long tourist tradition and big development forecast. During the past couple of years Croatia is classified as one of the European destinations with the highest expansion rate. Construction restructuring trend in Croatia, relevant during recent years, is in accordance with contemporary European trends, where it is easier for little and average companies to adapt to contemporary market requirements. A beneficial geographical position provides opportunities for the development of transport infrastructure and activities as one of the significant factors of the entire financial and social development of the nation. One of the primary goals of the financial policy of Croatia’s administration is to create a stimulating business environment, harmonized with the standards used in the EU and nations with developed market economies. The Government plans to attain its dedication to reforming public financial system, with the goal of attracting foreign investors to Croatia, on domestic, as well as on worldwide level. A Directorate called Investment Promotion and Export Directorate at the Ministry of Economy, Labor and Entrepreneurship is in charge for the completion of the Law on incentives for investments and for the granting incentives, tax and customs benefits to domestic, and also to foreign investors. Export orientation is essential for a victorious financial system, higher GDP enlargement, higher standard of living, and further jobs. In January 2007 Ministry of Economy, Labor and Entrepreneurship in cooperation with the association called Croatian Exporters, Croatian Chamber of Economy, Croatian Chamber of Trades and Crafts, Croatian Employers’ Association and Croatian Bank for Reconstruction and Development presented the “Croatian Export Offensive”. The major objectives of the plan are directed towards solving vital issues for export enlargement, such as little capacities, production fragmentation, and inadequate competitiveness. The strategy gets a special meaning from the founding of six export clusters. It can be projected that the EU accession negotiations will have an optimistic effect on a larger inflow of foreign capital, particularly into Greenfield investment projects, which should ultimately boost the financial enlargement and global competitiveness of the Croatian financial system. Croatia achieved its maximum achievement on the intercontinental level on October 4, 2005 by starting the EU accession negotiations, after a positive avis from the Council of the European Union. The screening process is at present in development. Croatia is as well, as a member of the WTO, in the process of active harmonization of its legislation in accordance with the standards of the WTO. Croatia has signed the Stabilization and Association Agreement with the EU, and this agreement came into force in 2005.
Collectively considered the jewel of Croatia, Dubrovnik is best known for its well-preserved historic center contained within 13th-century metropolis walls, its terracotta rooftops, and a stunning location overlooking the Adriatic. Today a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the metropolis was a wealthy sovereign republic up until 1808. The premium monuments date back to those golden years: the 16th-century Rector’s Palace, the Franciscan Monastery, and an amount of pleasant baroque churches, as well as the Cathedral, St Blaise’s Church and the Jesuit Church. Moreover worth visiting is the Maritime Museum, which highlights Dubrovnik’s former significance as a world naval power. Every summer, from mid-July to late August, the city hosts the Dubrovnik Summer Festival, featuring various artistic events plus open-air evening performances of theater, jazz and classical music. The metropolis of Split was founded in the third century AD by the Roman Emperor Diocletian. Nowadays, the traffic-free historic center lays within the impressive walls of Diocletian’s Palace, at the present a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A lively cafe scene focuses on the Roman Peristil, presided over by the grandiose Cathedral with its 13th-century Romanesque bell tower. The Museum of Croatian Archaeological Monuments displays early Croatian religious art, while the MeÅ¡trovic Gallery celebrates the nation’s most-known 20th-century sculptor. Istria is the main peninsula on the Croatian coast and, thanks to its simple transport links with nearby Italy and Austria, has also develop into the nation’s main tourist destination. The region’s organizational center and chief port, Pula, was founded by the Romans in the fifth century BC. Several interesting buildings remain from this period, particularly the Arena, a well-preserved amphitheater, which hosts summer concerts and the annual film festival. The metropolis is a good starting point for excursions to Brijuni National Park, an archipelago of 14 unspool islands. It is likely to stay overnight on the main island, Veli Brijun, where a range of tourist facilities is obtainable. On the west coast of Istria lies Croatia’s most visited resort, Porec. Luckily, the large hotel complexes of Plava Laguna and Zelena Laguna are located out of township, a small way along the shoreline, leaving the historic center intact. Built on a little peninsular, Porec dates back to Roman times, and its star attraction is the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Euphrasius Basilica, adorned with stunning sixth-century Byzantine mosaics. Istria’s second most well-liked resort, Rovinj, was at first built on a little island, although the narrow strait that separated it from the mainland was filled in during the 18th century. Just out of town lies Zlatni Rt, a blissful park affording access to several secluded coves for bathing. Also by the sea, midway between Porec and Rovinj, lies Vrsar, home to Koversada, Europe’s largest nudist resort. Inland Istria, with romantic hill towns such as Motovun and Groznjan, makes a perfect day trip from the shoreline.
Not the first place you would essentially imagine of heading to for medical treatment, Croatia in Central Europe is gradually but certainly establishing a name for itself as a medical tourist center, with low-cost treatment and high standard of care being its most attractive selling points. Following in the paths of nations such as Hungary, Romania, Poland and the Czech Republic, Croatia is waking up to its potential as a medical tourist destination and its administration is taking serious steps to make sure that it receives the worldwide notice that it deserves. It is though still a relative newcomer to the scene and this is helping to keep prices short, a situation which might well modify in the future. Dentistry is the nation’s strongest selling point with a full range of essential and cosmetic treatments obtainable at costs well underneath those on offer in the US. Vodice, in Å ibenik-Knin, has been a popular tourist destination for some time, but is now raising its appeal via its big selection of high quality dental centers offering visitors the chance to fix their smile before exercising it at local places of interest and attractions. Cosmetic surgery is also on the rise, with the lot from face lifts and liposuction to breast enlargements and reductions accessible. Prices are, once more, a major selling point with savings of up to 50 percent against the price of comparable procedures in the US. Croatia has done a lot to progress its image as an admirable visitor destination since its war-torn days. Those coming to avail themselves of economical medical treatment can also take benefit of the nations’ rich history, unrivalled natural loveliness and fine medieval architecture as well as contemporary attractions and activities. Croatia is a tremendously competitive health and medical destination for secure and reasonably priced treatments not only for adjacent Europeans, but for travelers from North and South America as well. Croatia is recognizing for excellent care, treatments and procedures. With state of the art amenities, equipment and expertise, Croatia is building a rising reputation for the most excellent service that still beats medical or health costs from all through Europe and North America. Do not go from side to side the process alone. Croatian Medical Tourism offers populace access to High Quality Medical Tourism: travel for medical treatment abroad to get access to reasonably priced medical procedure delivered with excellence that equals or surpasses that found in their domestic nation. We also do our best to make sure that your treatment and our services are pleasant and offer you a sense of comfort and well-being. Reasonably priced medical treatment alone is not sufficient. From your initial planning phase as well as financing and travel arrangements to coordination between your local physicians and specialists abroad, we will be with you all step of the way.
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