Regions in Brief

There are many ways to designate Croatia's regions -- coastal and inland, islands and mainland, northern and southern -- and the best way to get a feel for the diverse charms of its geography is to look at each from a variety of perspectives.

Dalmatian Coast -- Croatia's Dalmatian Coast is characterized by extremes. From Zadar in the north to Dubrovnik in the south, the terrain that extends westward from the dramatic backdrop of the rugged Dinaric mountain range becomes a sun-washed 3-D mosaic of red-tiled roofs, graceful bell towers, lush vegetation, and shimmering beaches as the land rolls toward the sea. The coast also is a repository of history with very visible Roman and Venetian influences. Add to that a mild Mediterranean climate that supports a thriving fishing industry and an agricultural economy rich in olives and grapes, and you have the formula for tourism gold. Offshore, Croatia's many islands (1,168) lure boating and watersports enthusiasts, sun worshipers, Europeans on vacation, and celebrities trying to get away from it all. They are part of Dalmatia's mystique and some of its most valuable assets.

The picture isn't so rosy on the Dinaric's eastern side. There the sun's rays become harsh spotlights that emphasize the landscape's stark and rocky personality, its struggling economy, and the effects of war.

Inland Croatia -- The area resembles a melting pot of cultures, each distinct, but all Croatian. The country's largest city, Zagreb, is there, a thriving metropolis of more than one million people. Zagreb is the economic and political center of this part of Croatia, which is a gateway to the spectacular natural wonders in the south and to the hilly, winegrowing regions to the north. The extreme northern part of the country is home to many Hapsburg-inspired towns and castles set at regular intervals across the rolling farmland east of Zagreb and all the way to the Danube. The countryside flattens out into farmland and historic towns and villages that have been the subject of battles for centuries. This area was severely affected by the 1991 war.

Istria -- Istria is a peninsula that hangs off the northwestern end of Croatia into the northern Adriatic. Istria is Croatia's de facto league of nations: It is the part of the country that abuts western Europe, and it has a complex identity thanks to cultural osmosis and a long history of occupation by Romans, Venetians, Austro-Hungarians, Italians, and Yugoslavs prior to becoming part of independent Croatia. Part of Istria's charm is due to its foresight in letting the region's coastal towns and interior medieval settlements retain their personalities through the centuries. These places still possess unique architecture and customs that are a strong draw for people both outside and within Croatia. Istria knows how to be an excellent host to visitors, who have been flocking to the region's seaside resorts and Roman ruins from western Europe -- and now from everywhere -- for more than a century. Istria also is known as one of Croatia's food and wine capitals thanks to the excellent wines produced in its vineyards, the rich supply of truffles found in its forests, and the refined cuisine served in its restaurants, a mix that reflects the region's cultural past and future.