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Tourism in Croatia is a well-developed industry as Croatia is an attractive tourist destination, particularly because of its extensive coastline and well-preserved coastal Renaissance towns. In 2005 Croatia had 10 million tourist visitors.

The interior of the country, with the exception of the capital Zagreb, the erstwhile Baroque capital Varaždin and a plethora of medieval castles, has fewer tourist attractions. Eight areas in the country have been designated national parks, and the landscape in these areas is afforded extra protection from development.

Several companies run flotillas of yachts along different stretches of the coastline, which is also popular with divers.

According to the survey conducted by the European Tour Operators Association, Croatia has emerged as Europe’s top tourism destination in 2006 gaining the most mentions for both excitement and value for money.

Some of the tourist attractions in Croatia include:

• Zagreb;
• the Kornati National Park;
• the fortified city of Dubrovnik;
• the Krka waterfalls, part of the Krka National Park;
• the Plitvice Lakes; and
• the town of Varaždin (former capital of Croatia)

UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Croatia

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has included the following Croatian sites on its World Heritage List:

• Historical Complex of Split with the Palace of Diocletian
• Old City of Dubrovnik
• Plitvice Lakes National Park
• Episcopal Complex of the Euphrasian Basilica in the Historic Centre of Poreč
• Historic City of Trogir
• The Cathedral of St James in Šibenik

Safety issues

The unexploded land mines are the most serious safety issue.

Quote from the travel advice issued by the British embassy in Zagreb:

Unexploded land mines are still a danger. Highly populated areas and major routes are now clear of mines and are safe to visit. However, isolated areas in the mountains and countryside have not all been cleared. You should therefore be careful not to stray from roads and paved areas without an experienced guide.

Quote from the Lonely Planet guide to Croatia (1999):

Land mines left over from the recent war in Croatia pose no threat to the average visitor but it's important to be aware that certain areas of the country are still dangerous. Although the government moved with lightning speed to remove mines from any area even remotely interesting to tourists, the former confrontation line between Croat and federal forces is still undergoing de-mining operations which will not be complete for many years.

More details and links to maps of the areas with mine risks can be found in the article minefields in Croatia. However, ever since the end of the war in Croatia in 1995 there have been no reports of injured tourists.

External links

• Croatian National Tourist Board
• Croatian Ministry of the Sea, Tourism, Transport and Development
• Dalmacija.net - Dalmatia Travel Guide
• Visit Croatia
• Croatia Travel Guide

• Tourism in Croatia