Croatia

Croatia is a Southeast European country situated along the eastern coast of the Adriatic Sea, covering approximately 56,000 square kilometres. It borders Slovenia and Hungary to the north, Serbia to the east, Bosnia and Herzegovina to the southeast, and Montenegro to the southeast along the coast. Its geography is highly diverse, ranging from the low-lying Pannonian Plain in the north to the Dinaric Alps in the central region and a long, indented Adriatic coastline with more than a thousand islands. Major rivers such as the Sava, Drava, and Danube (forming part of the northern border) play important roles in drainage, transport, and agriculture. The climate varies from continental in the interior, with cold winters and warm summers, to Mediterranean along the coast, characterised by mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers.
The history of Croatia is shaped by its position between Central Europe and the Mediterranean. In the early medieval period, a Croatian kingdom emerged in the 10th century and later entered into a union with Hungary in 1102. Over subsequent centuries, much of the territory came under Habsburg rule, while coastal regions were influenced by the Venetian Republic. Parts of southern Dalmatia were also controlled by the Ottoman Empire, creating a complex historical and cultural landscape. After the First World War, Croatia became part of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes (later Yugoslavia). Following the Second World War, it became one of the socialist republics within the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. Croatia declared independence in 1991, which was followed by the Croatian War of Independence. Since the end of the conflict, the country has developed as a stable independent state and joined the European Union in 2013.

Agriculture in Croatia is shaped by its varied relief and climate conditions. The most productive farmland is located in the Pannonian lowlands, where fertile soils support the cultivation of cereals such as wheat, maize, and barley, as well as sugar beet, sunflower, and oilseed crops. In addition, fruit and vegetable production is widespread, particularly apples, plums, cherries, grapes, and olives in suitable regions. Viticulture is especially important, as Croatia has a long tradition of wine production, with distinct coastal and inland wine-growing zones. Livestock farming, including cattle, pigs, sheep, and poultry, contributes to domestic food supply, although production is often small-scale and regionally distributed.

Forestry is a significant natural resource sector, with forests covering more than one-third of Croatia’s land area. The most common forest types include oak, beech, fir, and pine, which are distributed according to altitude and climate. Oak forests in particular are economically valuable due to their high-quality timber. The forestry sector supports wood processing industries such as sawmilling, furniture production, and paper manufacturing. At the same time, Croatian forests play an important ecological role in soil protection, water regulation, biodiversity conservation, and carbon storage, especially in mountainous and karst regions where soil erosion risk is high.

Although Croatia’s coastline is extensive, its fishery sector is relatively modest compared to agriculture and tourism, but it remains culturally and economically important. Marine fisheries operate primarily in the Adriatic Sea, where species such as sardines, anchovies, mackerel, hake, and tuna are commercially significant. Small-scale coastal fishing and aquaculture, particularly shellfish and fish farming, also contribute to production. Inland fisheries exist along rivers, lakes, and reservoirs, supporting species such as carp, catfish, and trout. However, modern Croatian fisheries increasingly focus on sustainability and EU regulations to protect marine ecosystems and prevent overfishing.

Overall, Croatia’s geography—combining fertile plains, mountainous regions, and a long Adriatic coastline—has strongly influenced its economic structure and historical development. Its past as part of various European empires and Yugoslavia has shaped a diverse cultural heritage, while today agriculture, forestry, and fisheries continue to play supportive roles alongside tourism, services, and industry in the national economy.

Gerold first traveled through Yugoslavia in 1980, when the country was still under Tito's rule and officially socialist, although more independent than the other Eastern Bloc countries. Entering the country was not easy, and bakshish (small bribes) was often expected at border crossings. The route to Greece followed the famous Autoput highway, which carried heavy traffic and was in poor condition.
During this first hitchhiking trip, Gerold and Michael frequently had to change cars. Along the way they stopped in Ljubljana, Zagreb, the Plitvice Lakes, Belgrade, Skopje, and several smaller towns. Altogether they spent about one week traveling through Yugoslavia. Gerold was especially impressed by the Plitvice Lakes, which had served as a filming location for the famous Karl May movies. Nights were spent in the most unusual places—in large concrete drainage pipes beside the road, in unfinished houses, or simply sleeping outdoors. The return journey was made by Rainbow bus, which proved to be much faster.

The second transit through Yugoslavia took place by train in 1983. Traveling with Barbara and Sabine, Gerold saw little of the country because most of the journey was overnight. However, they experienced just how slow the rail service was, taking almost two days to cross the country. They did not return via Yugoslavia. The third journey, together with Gundi in 1988, again lasted about one week. They revisited the Plitvice Lakes before continuing to Split, Niš, Dubrovnik, Belgrade, and several other towns and scenic regions. Although the landscapes were beautiful, Gerold found the people rather reserved. At one lakeside stop their car was broken into, but fortunately nothing was stolen because there were no valuables inside. The return trip was uneventful, as they drove straight through the country.

Following the wars of the 1990s—the last major wars fought in Europe—Yugoslavia dissolved into several independent states, including Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, and North Macedonia. Gerold had already visited Croatia during the 1980s when it was still one of the republics of socialist Yugoslavia. The Plitvice Lakes had made a lasting impression, while the Adriatic coast was also particularly attractive.

In 2004, Gerold traveled to Croatia with Klaudi, Ayla, Kim, Anna-Lea, and Henrik, intending to spend a camping holiday on the Adriatic coast. Unfortunately, they arrived during the height of the tourist season. At around 4:00 p.m. they reached a campsite that had been described as beautiful and comfortable. Instead, they found long queues in front of the few toilet facilities, tents packed tightly together on gravel beneath pine trees, and warm, rocky water that was far from inviting. The overcrowded conditions were so disappointing that by 5:00 p.m. they decided to abandon the holiday. At 6:00 p.m. they had already crossed back into Slovenia. Their Croatian vacation had lasted exactly three hours. Gerold returned to Croatia in April 2015, this time for a six-day tour. Visiting outside the main tourist season made all the difference. The weather was pleasant, the landscapes were beautiful, the people were friendly, and there were hardly any tourists. The route led from Slovenia via Zagreb to Split and Dubrovnik, then back through the Plitvice Lakes and Senj before continuing into Italy. This visit showed Croatia at its very best.