Croatia

NEED TO KNOW

Language: Croatian
Capital City: Zagreb
Population: 4.5 million
Area: 21,800 square miles
Telephone Calling Code(s): 385
Electricity: 230V, 50 Hz
Currency: As of Jul 4, 2008:
1 Croatia Kuna = $0.22US Calculate Other Amounts
Entry Requirements:

Croatia does not require visas for citizens of the United States. A valid passport is sufficient for a three-month stay.

GOOD TO KNOW

Books and Movies
Croatia's most notable author, Miroslav Krleža, may have died over 20 years ago, but his epic novel, On the Edge of Reason, is still the best introduction to the literature of this area.

Watch the sardonic No Man's Land (2002 Oscar for best foreign film) for insight into the effects of the Bosnian/Serbian/Croat conflicts of the 1990s on the people of the region.

Cuisine
Cute little ravioli stuffed with cheese or apples and tossed in buttered breadcrumbs, called strukli, are a local favorite. They originally came from the Zagreb region, but are now on menus across the country. On the island of Pag, cheese makers produce paski-sir, a firm goat milk variety ripened after a coating of olive oil and ashes. When in the northern plains, be sure to try delicious visovacka begavica (lamb prepared in sheep's milk).

Money
For many transactions, the only accepted currency is the local kuna. But if you are given the opportunity to pay in Euros, take it. Paying in euros will generally save between two and five percent.

Did You Know?
Dame Agatha Christie spent her second honeymoon on the Dalmatian coast, in Split and Dubrovnik.

NATIONAL HOLIDAYS

January: 1, New Year's Day; 6, Epiphany
May: 1, May Day; 30, Republic Day
June: 22, Antifascist Day
August: 5, Victory Day/Homeland Thanksgiving Day; 15, Assumption
October: 8, Independence Day
November: 1, All Saints' Day
December: 25, Christmas Day; 26 St. Stephen's Day/Boxing Day
Spring: Easter; day after Easter, Easter Monday