About Croatia

Croatia geography
Croatia, pronunced, extends from the furthest eastern edges of the Alps in the north-west to the Pannonian lowlands and the banks of the Danube in the east; its central region is covered by the Dinara mountain range, and its southern parts extend to the coast of the Adriatic Sea.

Surface:
the mainland covers 56,594 km2; surface area of territorial waters totals 31,067 km2.

Population:
4,437,460 inhabitants; composition of population: the majority of the population are Croats; national minorities are Serbs, Slovenes, Hungarians, Bosnians, Italians, Czechs and others.

System of government:
Multi-party parliamentary republic.

Capital:
Zagreb (779,145 inhabitants), the economic, traffic, cultural and academic centre of the country.

Coastline:
5,835.3 km, of which 4,058 km comprise the coastlines of islands, solitary rocks and reefs. Number of islands, solitary rocks and reefs: 1,185; the largest islands are Cres and Krk; there are 47 inhabited islands.

Highest peak:
Dinara: 1,831 m above sea level.

Climate:
Croatia has three climate zones; the prevailing climate in the country’s interior is moderately rainy; on the highest peaks, a forest climate with snow falls, while the areas along the Adriatic coast have a pleasantly mild Mediterranean climate with a large number of sunny days; summers are dry and hot, winters mild and wet with significant precipitations. Average temperatures in the interior: January -2 to 0o C, somewhat lower at the highest altitudes; August - from 18 C to 35 C on the highest peaks. Average temperature in the littoral: January : 5 to 9 C, August: 22 to 35 C; sea temperature in winter: 2 C; in summer: 25 C.

Currency:
kuna (1 kuna = 100 lipa). Foreign currency can be exchanged in banks, exchange offices, post offices, travel agencies, hotels, camps, marinas; cheques can be cashed in banks.

Croats are family orientated people, the family is still the basis of the social structure. The extended family is the norm and relatives remain quite close with both the mother and the father’s sides. Even though it is becoming common for the nuclear family to have its own house, Croatians will take in elderly parents rather than send them to a nursing home. Weekends are considered family time. Few Croatians will allow business concerns to interfere with this important part of their lives.

Customs and Etiquette in Croatia

Greetings on initial meetings will tend to be formal and reserved.
A handshake, both to women and men, direct eye contact and the appropriate greeting are standard: "Dobro jutro" (good morning), "dobar dan" (good day), and "dobro vecer" (good evening).
Address people with "Gospodin" for Mr, "Gospodja" for Mrs and "Gospodice" for Miss. Close friends may greet each other with an embrace and a kiss on each cheek, again, wait until the Croatian initiates this form of greeting.

Gift giving in Croatia

When invited to someone’s house, bring flowers for the hostess make sure there are an odd number of stems. The host may be given a bottle of wine.

Table manners in Croatia

Table manners are casual as people like to eat and chat at meal times. There are however standards of good behaviour that should be adhered to:

- Wait to be shown where to sit.
- Table manners are Continental, i.e. the fork is held in the left hand and the knife in the right while eating.
- Do not begin eating until the host signals to begin.
- Refusing second helpings initially is polite. After the host insists you should take more.

Business Meetings in Croatia

Business in Croatia is formal and consequently initially reserved. Once a relationship develops this will change. Initially at least:

- Use the handshake with eye contact and a smile.
- Use professional business titles.
- Business cards are exchanged without formal ritual.

Meeting schedules are not very rigid in Croatia, may be an agenda but it serves more as a guideline for the discussion than anything else.
There may be some small talk at the beginning of meetings. Never jump straight into business as this may come across as rude.
Building the relationship is more important initially and should be focused upon.