Date of independence, or formation date: 1991
Date when current borders were established: 1991
National day: May 30
Vehicle country identifying code: HR
Time zone (hours plus or minus from GMT): +1
International telephone dialling code: +385
Internet country identifying code: .hr

Though it was controlled by Hungary from medieval times and was a part of the Yugoslav state for much of the 20th century, Croatia still has a strong national identity. The country includes the historic provinces of Slavonia, Istria, and Dalmatia (Dinara). Actively involved in the conflicts which broke up Yugoslavia in the early 1990s, Croatia only regained full control of Serb-occupied Eastern Slavonia, around Vukovar, in 1998.

From "The Financial Times World Desk Reference" © Dorling Kindersley 2004