[kroh-ey-shuh, -shee-uh] 
| a republic in SE Europe: includes the historical regions of Dalmatia, Istria, and Slavonia; formerly a part of Yugoslavia. 5,026,995, 21,835 sq. mi. (56,555 sq. km) Capital: Zagreb. |
Cro·a·tia (krō-ā'shə, -shē-ə)  (click for larger image in new window) A country of southern Europe along the northeast Adriatic coast. It was settled by Croats in the 7th century, became a kingdom in the 10th century, and reached the height of its power in the 11th century before being conquered by Hungary in 1091. After the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1918, Croatia became a part of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes, which later became Yugoslavia. Croatia declared independence from Yugoslavia in 1991. Zagreb is the capital and the largest city. Population: 4,490,000. |
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