Natural areas, vegetation and fauna. Amazing nature of Croatia Ancient beauty of Croatia

In the dry language of official guidebooks, this is a small state in southeastern Europe. It borders Slovenia in the northwest, Hungary in the north, Bosnia and Herzegovina in the southeast, Serbia and Montenegro in the east, and has a maritime border with Italy. Its territory is 56,540 square meters. km. Population – 4.5 million people. Of these, 78% are Croats, 12% are Bosnians, and Serbs, Hungarians and Slovenes also live. Language – Croatian. National currency- kuna. The capital is Zagreb. Big cities– Split (Split), Rijeka (Rijeka), Osijek, Pula (Pula), Zadar (Zadar), Dubrovnik (Dubrovnik).

The ancient beauty of Croatia. Mixing of cultures

However, it is unlikely that anyone will be able to speak impartially for a long time about this wonderful, truly magical country. These are fabulous lands that captivate anyone with their incomparable, breathtaking beauty. Since ancient times, they have attracted people of different nationalities and walks of life. Here, at different times, the interests of the Romans, Byzantines, Venetians, Turks, Hungarians, French, and Germans intersected. Their stay, even if short-lived, did not pass without a trace for the Croatian people and their land. It undoubtedly affected the appearance of cities, architectural monuments, literary works, even the lifestyle and habits of the Croats. The interweaving of many cultures is a distinctive feature of Croatia, which gives this country an unforgettable flavor that can charm even an experienced traveler. Preserved from past centuries almost in its original form a large number of monuments of the era Ancient Rome and later times. They are not inferior either in importance or beauty to those for which travelers usually flock to Italy. This is the amphitheater in the city of Pula, Diocletian's Palace in the city of Split, the city-museum of Dubrovnik, the birthplace of Marco Polo - the island of Korcula.

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If we talk about islands, there are a great many of them, namely 1185 (!!!). They are scattered along the intricately indented coastline of Croatia, as if by a generous hand, and some of them are covered with luxurious Mediterranean vegetation, while others are bare and deserted. Most of them are uninhabited. The Croatian islands are especially popular among tourists who dream of solitude and relaxing holiday. Holidays at lighthouses are especially popular among Robinsons.

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Nature lovers will be able to stroll through the fairy-tale park in Plitvice, where turquoise water mirrors of lakes are connected by waterfalls and bordered by wooded hills. They will be interested in visiting the largest bird sanctuary in Europe or national park Paklenica (Paklenica) with its rocks, cliffs, caves, dense pine forests and alpine meadows, as well as a unique botanical garden. And not far from here. Rovinj (Rovinj) you can admire the bay, like two peas in a pod, similar to the Norwegian fjord (Lima Bay).

There is plenty to do here for hunting enthusiasts as well. You can go wild boar, deer, partridge, even bear.

For tourists who dream of improving their health, there are modern, comfortable spa resorts where you can not only have a great rest, but also receive all types of wellness treatments.

Those who are unable to stay in one place for a long time can rent a car and drive along the entire coast, enjoying the wonderful nature, exploring the local attractions, of which there are a great many.

Hospitality

The locals will surely captivate the traveler with their cordiality and hospitality. Wars for the survival of the nation and the establishment of independence are a thing of the past. Now Croatia is one of the most comfortable holiday destinations in Europe.

According to Interpol, Croatia is also one of the safest countries in Europe, so a vacation without unpleasant “adventures” is guaranteed here for tourists of any gender and age. It does not matter where the traveler stays: in a large hotel, small hotel, rent a private room or apartment. Everywhere guests are treated kindly and very cordially.

However, in order to comprehend all the delights of this paradise, reminiscent of a miniature Europe, you need to plunge headlong into its life. This is the only way to fully experience the charming uniqueness of Croatia and get to know local residents, their customs, culture and mentality.

Croatia is a state in the Balkan region, located in southeastern Europe. The country's area is approximately 56.5 thousand km2, its water area occupies almost 33.2 thousand km2.

Croatia is located in the southeastern part of Europe, in the west of the Balkan Peninsula. Its area is more than 56 thousand square kilometers, and its population is about 4.5 million inhabitants. The geography of Croatia is very diverse, since its territory consists of two main parts: continental and Adriatic.

Weather conditions on the continent are characterized by hot summers, long autumns and springs, and not too frosty winters. And on the coast of the Adriatic Sea the Mediterranean reigns.

A characteristic feature of this area is the large number of islands stretched along the coastline. There are more than a thousand of them, but only 47 are inhabited. The largest islands are Cres and Krk, and the smallest are rock peaks protruding from the surface of the water.

The Croatian coast is an ecologically clean region

The geographical position of the country determines its division into two parts: continental and Adriatic. The first is located in the basin of the large Sava River, the second along the coast of the Adriatic Sea.

The region is home to a large number of tourists, where the tourist season lasts from May to October. More than a hundred Croatian resorts are awarded the Blue Flag award every year, because the water off the coast is so clean that it can be seen 50 meters deep. In addition, swimming in it is very easy, since the salinity of the Adriatic Sea is twice as high as that of the Black Sea. Tourists relax here on pebble, sand or concrete artificial beaches.

By land the state borders with Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Hungary, Serbia and Montenegro, and by sea it also borders with Italy. Interesting feature Croatian geography is a 20-kilometer coastal stretch that belongs to Bosnia and Herzegovina and therefore cuts the Croatian coast into two parts.

We know that the Dubrovnik Republic, which existed in the Middle Ages, transferred this small part of the land to the Ottoman Empire in order to protect itself from invasions by the Venetian Republic. Now in this part of Bosnia and Herzegovina the city of Neum is located.

Picturesque lakes and mountains of the country

In a geographical sense, Croatia consists of several regions and is divided into Slavonia, Posava Croatia, Istria, the Adriatic coast, Lika, Gorski Kotar and the islands. Each of them has unique natural features.

There are many lakes in Croatia: they are found in Slavonia, Dalmatia, and the Dalmatian Islands. Some of them are natural monuments, such as Plitvice Lakes. Also well known to tourists are Bačina Lakes and Vransko Lake, located on the island of Cres.

The mountainous geography of Croatia includes the Velebit, Medvednica and Papuk massifs. And the country's largest mountain range, the Dinaric Highlands, got its name from mountain peak Dinara with a height of 1831 m. These are relatively ancient calcareous mountains that are distinguished by varied terrain.

There are many caves here, as well as deciduous forests, which are inhabited not only by chamois and roe deer, but also by wolves and bears. Not far from here, in the province of Gorski Kotar, alpine nature intersects with Adriatic and continental nature. Here is the Risnjak National Park, after visiting which tourists take with them many souvenirs.

Geographical location of Croatia

Croatia is in the south central Europe, has common borders with Bosnia and Herzegovina 932 kilometers, with Slovenia 670 kilometers, with Hungary 329 kilometers, with Serbia 241 kilometers and Montenegro 25 kilometers. The coast of the Adriatic Sea stretches for 1,777 kilometers, and the entire length of the coastline, including the islands, is 4,058 kilometers. Geographical coordinates Croatia 45°8′30″ N 16°13′45″ E

Extreme geographical points of Croatian territory: eastern 45°12′ N. w. 19°27′ E. d. (G) (O), western 45°29′ N. w. 13°30′ E. d. (G) (O), south 42°23′ N. w. 16°21′ E. d. (G) (O), north 46°33′ N. w. 16°22′ E. d. (G) (O).

In the southeast, Croatia interrupts its coastline with the exit of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the Adriatic coast with the city of Neum.

Geography of Croatia

The country's territory is 56,594 square kilometers, which is 127th in the world. Geographically, Croatia can be divided into the Adriatic coast, the Dinaric Highlands and the Central Danube Lowland, 53.54% of Croatia's territory are valleys below 200 meters above sea level, most of them are in the north in the Central Danubian Lowland. The highest points of Croatia are located in the Dinaric Highlands, which are located southeast of the Alps from the Cicarija and Učka mountains in the west in Istria to the Žumberak mountains in the northeast. Mount Dinara is the highest in Croatia and has a height of 1831 meters, in addition, the mountains Sneznik, Svilaya, Risnjak, Kapela, Velika, Plešivica, Velebit and Biokovo have heights of over one and a half kilometers. Speleologists will be interested in the bonfire massif of the Dinaric Highlands with countless caves, fifty of which are over 250 meters long, and three caves are over one kilometer long, including the Kita-Gacheshina cave, which is 20 kilometers long.

The Middle Danube Lowland stretches from the north of Croatia to the territory of Hungary, highest points are mountain ranges Medvednica 1035 meters and Ivanščica 1059 meters in the north of the capital of the country.

The Adriatic coast is the most tasty morsel for tourists; in addition, the islands of Krk, Korcula and Cres are of interest; the high island of Brac, 780 meters high, is picturesque. Most of the coasts of Croatia are cut by castor relief; traces of volcanoes can be found on the islands of Brusnik, Jabuka, Vis and in the vicinity of the city of Komiza.

62% of Croatia's territory belongs to the Black Sea basin. The largest rivers in the country are Kupa 296 kilometers, Mura, Drava 505 kilometers, Sava 562 kilometers, Danube 188 kilometers, the Adriatic Sea basin includes the Neretva River 20 kilometers and Cetina 101 kilometers.

The most large lake in Croatia, Vranskoe with an area of ​​30.7 square kilometers in northern Dalmatia, on the Drava River there is the Dubrava Reservoir, on the Cetina River Peručanskoe. However, tourists are interested in the small but picturesque Plitvice lakes, which are connected by waterfalls but separated from each other by natural dams. You can swim near the waterfalls; all lakes have their own unique color.

Nature of Croatia

In terms of biological diversity, Croatia is the richest country in Europe, forests occupy 47% of the country's territory, and there are 444 protected natural areas in Croatia, accounting for 8.5% of the total area. Including 8 national parks, 11 nature parks and 2 reserves, the most popular nature park is Plitvice Lakes, which is also a World Heritage UNESCO, tourists are also interested in the Velebit Natural Park.

Half of Croatia lives on only 26.8% of the country's territory; for example, in Zagreb, which occupies 6.6% of the territory, more than a quarter of the total population of Croatia lives.

Earthquakes are a common occurrence in Croatia, especially on the resort Adriatic coast. Foreign tourists should know this so as not to be scared in vain; once a decade, quite strong earthquakes occur in Croatia.

The nature of Croatia is very diverse. Here, within a radius of one hundred kilometers, you can see the sea, rocky terrain, forested mountains and fertile fields. This is the place where the Mediterranean, the Alps and Pannonia meet.

Croatia has combined the characteristics of each of these areas into a harmonious whole of unique beauty.

Tourist Croatia is divided into Istria, Kvarner, Dalmatia and the continental part. Among its attractions, a special place belongs to the islands, which, along with the characteristic features of the region to which they belong, have their own specific features.

Closest to Western Europe Istria is the most developed Croatian tourist region. These are the cities of Umag, Porec, Rabac, Vrsar, Rovinj, Pula. Istria harmoniously combines ancient amphitheaters and triumphal arches, medieval basilicas and frescoes, old stone cities and modern tourist complexes with a rich shopping range and life that meets all the needs of a demanding European resident.

The road to the south leads to the Kvarner Riviera, of which Opatija is the symbol. This city, attracting with the spirit of antiquity, emanating from the places winter holidays European aristocracy of the last century, visited by tourists all year round. Modern life, however, has deprived the streets of Opatija of some of the romance of bygone eras, but has enriched them with shops with excellent service at the European level.

Travel along the Croatian coast leads further south. Each of the cities, Zadar, Sibenik, Trogir, Primosten, Makarska, Brela, has something special, unique, and all together - common and blessed: sandy beaches, surrounded by pine forests, cozy hotels and an unforgettable vacation.

You can get away from the noise and bustle of the city, get in touch with nature, enjoy good fish, wine and deserted beaches on islands such as Krk, Losinj, Brac, Hvar, Vis. After all, Croatia owns 1,278 km of coastline of the Adriatic Sea, along which there are 1,185 islands and islets.

The continental part of Croatia is interesting for those who prefer the sea thermal springs, for those who are more attracted by ancient castles in a new radiance, green spaces and the freshness of the continental climate. Or simply for those who want to create for themselves a complete impression of this diverse country.

Among continental cities, each of which could tell something of its own, Zagreb has a special place. Political, diplomatic, cultural, economic and shopping mall state, Zagreb has a long history dating back nine centuries. The squares, monuments and streets of the ancient and romantic Upper Town, the life of the business world and the modern residential areas of the new part of the city - all this is the reason that the city is popular among both business people and tourists.

Ecology
Croatia is one of the most environmentally friendly countries in Europe; there are seven national parks on its territory, three of which are in the mountainous region (Risnjak, Paklenica and Plitvice Lakes), and four on the sea coast (Kornati, Mljet, Briony, Krka) . The Adriatic Sea off the coast of Croatia is visible to a depth of 56 meters. UNESCO regularly awards Croatia Blue Flags for the ecological cleanliness of the coast.

The small country of Croatia is considered one of the most beautiful countries in Europe. Thanks to the unique location of the country, its nature is extremely diverse: there is a sea coast, plains, and mountains. Almost 10% of the country's territory is occupied by protected natural areas. And if you are looking for a place where you can spend an unforgettable vacation in the lap of magnificent and very human-friendly nature, then Croatia is just what you need.

1. Krka National Park

Krka National Park is a true gem of Croatia's natural treasure. on his huge territory(more than 100 sq. km.) an amazing diversity of flora and fauna has been collected. The park has more than 800 species of plants that cannot be found anywhere else in the world.

The park is located in the valley of the Krka River, and on its territory there are seven beautiful waterfalls. The largest of them - Skradinsky beech - has a height of as much as 46 meters. In the immediate vicinity of the famous waterfall there is an ethnographic museum, where, among other exhibits, you can see amazing water mills.

Another top tourist attraction is the tiny island of Visovac, where there is a Franciscan monastery founded in the 14th century.

2. Limsky Canal

The incredibly beautiful Lim Canal is also called the Lim Fjord. It is a narrow bay extending far inland. The canal reaches almost to the center of the Istrian peninsula and is almost 10 km long. The hundred-meter mountains that rise on both sides of the Lima Canal give the entire landscape a special picturesqueness. The nature in this fabulous place is protected especially strictly: it is forbidden to drive any equipment with a gasoline engine, you cannot fish or scuba dive. There are several marine farms in the Lima Canal, where they breed oysters and mussels, as well as several species of fish. There are also restaurants right on the shore of the bay, where tourists can try all these freshest and purest delicacies.

3. Neretva River Valley

The Neretva is one of the largest and most picturesque rivers in Croatia (however, Croatia accounts for only 22 km of its length, the remaining 208 km lie in the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina). In addition, it is also one of the cleanest rivers in Europe - its water (especially in the upper reaches) can still be drunk without any fear, and the land in its valley is particularly fertile. At the source of the Neretva, the water is distinguished not only by its special purity, but also by its particularly low temperature, which even at the height of the summer heat does not exceed 7-8 degrees.

The best time to visit Neretva is the summer months, when the nature here is especially beautiful. The most popular activities for tourists here are walking and cycling, picnics and a variety of water sports.

4. Mljet Island

The width of this is amazing beautiful island is only 3 km, and it stretches 37 km in length. Most of its area is covered with dense, picturesque forest. Among tourists, the island of Mljet is famous for its beautiful bays and wonderful beaches. The entire perimeter of the island is covered by a special road, allowing you to admire the beauty of the local nature.

In the middle of the protected forest there are two most beautiful lakes– Great (Big) and Malo (Small). The big lake has its own island, which is called St. Island. Maria. On this island there is an ancient Benedictine monastery, founded in the 12th century.

The island's climate is particularly mild - the average July temperature is 25 degrees, and the average January temperature is 9 degrees Celsius - which makes it an ideal place for tourist excursions all year round.

5. Plitvice Lakes

Plitvice Lakes National Park is a real decoration of the richest nature of Croatia. Over thousands of years, the waters of the Koran River have built real dams here, forming an incredible cascade beautiful waterfalls and lakes. The map of waterfalls here changes literally every year, as limestone dams grow here at incredible speed.

To preserve the natural balance, many visitors to the park are prohibited from swimming in the lakes, making fires, having picnics, and even taking pets with them for a walk. All vehicles operating in the park operate exclusively on electricity. But such strict restrictions do not in any way reduce the annual flow of tourists to the national park, because the beauty of the local landscapes is so stunning that it more than makes up for the inability to sit by the fire. The nature here is so beautiful that to anyone who sees it, even the thought of lighting a fire seems sacrilege.

6. Paklenica National Park

beauty national park Paklenica is also literally breathtaking. There are incredibly picturesque canyons of the Mala and Velika Paklenica rivers, as well as many karst caves. The sheer cliffs of the canyons always attract a lot of mountaineering enthusiasts. The length of the Velika Paklenica canyon is 14 km, and its width varies from 800 m to only 50. The height of the almost vertically rising walls exceeds 700 m. The width of the Mala Paklenica canyon in some places is only 10 m.

Paklenica Park is the largest park Southern Europe, where you can go mountaineering and at the same time aquatic species sports Today there are more than 360 well-equipped tourist routes varying degrees of complexity. The climbing season begins in spring and ends in late autumn.

7. Kornati Archipelago

Most of this archipelago, located in the Adriatic Sea, is occupied by a national park. It includes 89 islands, and its total coastline exceeds 238 km. The islands of the archipelago are located so close to each other that the straits between them turn into a real rock labyrinth. There are no human settlements on these islands, but plant and animal world, both terrestrial and underwater, is extremely rich and diverse. The local reefs are home to many bizarre corals, fish and pearl shells. On several islands of the archipelago there are ruins of ancient Illyrian settlements, and on the island of Kornat stands the ancient fortress of Tureta, built in the 6th century.

8. Town of Trsteno

The town of Trsteno is located on the southern border of Croatia and looks more like an unusual beautiful village. There is a unique arboretum here, which was founded back in 1492 by the owner of the villa Gucetić-Gozze. Today the arboretum belongs to the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts, and everyone is allowed here. In the park you can see many huge trees, whose age is estimated for centuries, and incredibly beautiful alleys, filled with flowers, lead to a picturesque cliff, from where a wonderful view of the sea opens.

The central part of this small town, whose population is only about 10,000 people, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This part of the city is located on a tiny island located between the mainland and the large island of Ciovo. The beauty of this place is so great that the city receives most of its income from the tourism business. In the old town you can see a surprising mixture of architecture from different eras, from Romanesque to Baroque, the ruins of powerful medieval fortress walls and the picturesque Camerlengo fortress, dating back to the 15th century.

10. River Zrmanja

This amazingly beautiful river flows along the bottom of a deep canyon, which it carved into soft limestone. In some places the depth of this canyon reaches 250 m. Zrmanja is a typical karst river, and sometimes it goes completely underground.

There are a lot of picturesque rapids and small waterfalls on the river (the height of the largest of them is 15 m), which makes it attractive not only for connoisseurs of magnificent landscapes, but also for lovers extreme species sports Rafting is practiced here from spring to autumn, and kayaking and canoeing from July to August.