Croatia is located in the south-central part of Europe, in the Mediterranean region, at the Adriatic Sea. It borders with Slovenia to the west, Hungary to the north, Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina to the east, and with Montenegro in the south. The country is predominantly plain on the north and mountainous in the southern part and along the Adriatic Sea. Some of its mountains, none of which is higher than 2000 meters, are Dinara, Biokovo, Velebit, Velika Kapela, Risnjak, and Svilaja. Croatia has several national parks, which are the following:
- Brioni (Brijuni) Islands, Istria (Istra)
- Risnjak Mountain, which is just north from Rijeka
- Plitvice Lakes
- Paklenica, Velebit Mountain
- Kornati Islands
- Krka, beautiful river with waterfalls near Šibenik
- Mljet Island, near Dubrovnik
Croatian capital is Zagreb, which is also the largest city in the country. Other cities are Split, Rijeka, and Osijek, as well as Dubrovnik, Zadar, Šibenik, Pula, and others. The republic is administratively divided into of 21 counties:
- Bjelovarsko-bilogorska
- Brodsko-posavska
- Dubrovačko-neretvanska
- Istarska
- Karlovačka
- Koprivničko-križevačka
- Krapinsko-zagorska
- Ličko-senjska
- Međimurska
- Osječko-baranjska
- Požeško-slavonska
- Primorsko-goranska
- Sisačko-moslavačka
- Splitsko-dalmatinska
- Šibensko-kninska
- Varaždinska
- Virovitičko-podravska
- Vukovarsko-srijemska
- Zadarska
- Zagreb
- Zagrebačka
Croatia is known for its holiday accommodation in summer season. Many people from northern and central parts of Europe come to spend summer holiday and vacation in Croatia. There are many hotels on the Adriatic coast and private apartments, rooms for rent available in Croatia, especially in its littoral near the Adriatic Sea.
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Places and towns that tourists will find interesting to visit are numerous in Croatia. On the western part of the country, there are Pula, Rovinj, Poreč, Umag, and other towns on Istrian peninsula. Pula has several ancient Roman buildings, such as famous and well preserved Pula Arena and August Temple from the first century. In the very center of Rovinj, there is Baroque church of St. Euphemia with bell tower 60 meters high. Poreč has Euphrasios Basilica. Umag hosts Croatia Open tennis tournament, which usually takes place in the middle of summer season.
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The southern region of Croatia, that is known as Dalmatia, is very attractive summer time tourist destination. There are many towns worth visiting, such as Zadar, Šibenik, Primošten, Trogir, Split, Omiš, Makarska, Dubrovnik, and many others, including the islands.
Zadar has Preromanesque church of St. Donat and Sea Organ Riva, which produces characteristic sounds when waves splash against it. Šibenik is the old Croatian royal town. Its attractions include the cathedral of st. Jakov built in 15. century, designed by Juraj Dalmatinac and Nikola Firentinac.
The old town of Primošten is located on a what was once a small island, with houses tightly packed. Trogir also has several old buildings. Split is famous for its ancient buildings, such as Diocletian Palace, the Cathedral of St. Dujam, with its bell tower. There are also ruins of Roman settlement Salona near Solin. Omiš is a town located in the delta of river Cetina, where rafting is available in summer. Makarska has many attractive gravel beaches. Dubrovnik, located in the southern tip of Dalmatia, is an old town with fortresses.
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