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GDP: US$236.7 billion
GDP per head: US$5,100
Annual growth: 3%
Inflation: 5%
Major industries: Steel, cement, chemicals, fertilisers, textiles
Major trading partners: EU( esp. Germany, Italy), Slovenia
Member of EU: No

Events

From 21 March to 4 April, Zagreb snaps its fingers and nods knowingly to the groovy toons of Spring Time Jazz Fever. For still more improv, try Zagreb's International Days of Jazz in mid-October. It's worth checking out spotty pop Dalmatian-style at the Split Summer Festival in July, the same month as Zagreb's Summer Festival, where you can hear classical works by Croatian composers. Dubrovnik's Summer Festival, held in July and August, showcases the country's dramatic and classical music stars. In July and August, Omis throws its tambura out the window for a festival of acapella vocal music.

Zagreb hosts an International Festival of Animation and an International Folklore Festival in July, as well as EUROKAZ, a European theatre festival held in June. Opatja celebrates the traditional music of Istria in July, while Slavonian culture gets its turn in Pozega's Golden Strings Festival in September. In Sibenik, the International Child's Festival is held at the end of June.

Traveling Guidelines

Visas: Citizens of Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, the USA and most European countries can enter Croatia for stays of up to 90 days without a visa.
Health risks: None
Time: GMT/UTC plus 1 hour
Electricity: 220V, 50Hz
Weights & measures: Metric

Ideal Time to Visit

May to September are the best months to visit Croatia weather-wise, though July and August can be busy along the Adriatic coast. September is probably the optimum month since by then the crowds have thinned out, off-season rates apply and fruits such as figs and grapes are abundant. In April and October it may be too cool for camping, but the weather is usually fine along the coast and private rooms are plentiful and inexpensive. You can swim in the sea from mid-June to late September.