2022 Travel the World - Week 5

I started a 50-week series in 2019 that I called Travel the World. Each week of the series I visited a randomly-selected country, sharing bits of information about that country. I then chose one tidbit of information about that week's country as inspiration for a card. As I explored those 50 countries in 2019, I knew I would continue on until I've visited every one of the 195 countries in the world. By the end of 2021, I'd virtually traveled to 145 countries and plan to complete my journey to all 195 countries by visiting the last 50 this year.

This week's country is...

Croatia

Croatia is a small, beautiful country in southeastern Europe.

It is 5 1/2 times smaller than Poland.

Croatia borders five countries. Hungary to the north, Bosnia, and Herzegovina, as well as Serbia to the east, Montenegro to the south, and Slovenia to the west. The Adriatic Sea borders the majority of Croatia’s southwest region. While it does not directly border with Italy, the two countries share a maritime border.

Croatia has more than 1,200 islands, islets, and crags off the coast of the mainland. However, only 48 are inhabited. 

The terrain here is diverse, with flat plains in the north and low mountains and highlands to the south.

Thirty-eight percent of the country is covered in forests.

Croatia was once part of Yugoslavia, gaining independence on June 25, 1991.

There are nearly as many Croatians living outside of the country as there are living there. The current population is a little over 4 million people. 

Famous Zlatni rat beach changes shape when winds are strong enough.

The beach also is known to change color depending on the conditions.

The world’s smallest town is in Croatia. The town of “Hum” is so small its population is only between 17 to 23 people.

Every first weekend in August since 1715, the Croatian town of Sinj hosts a knight tournament named Sinjska Alka. During the chivalric tournament, knights ride horses along the main street, aiming lances at an iron ring.

Seventy-eight percent of Croatians claim knowledge of at least one foreign language.

Employed Croatians can vote at the age of 16; those without employment must wait until they are 18.

People under 24 can drive a car only if under the care of a person over 24.

Zadar, Croatia has the world’s first pipe organ played by the sea and is also known for its sunset which Alfred Hitchcock said was the most beautiful in the world.

The national flower of Croatia is the iris. It is against the law to pick this protected flower.

Luka is the most popular boys’ name in Croatia, whilst Mia is currently the most popular female name.

Children go to school from the age of 6 years and primary school (up to Grade 8) is mandatory. High school and vocational school starts from Grade 9 and many children then must decide if to continue with schooling at high school or specialize at a school of economics or school of engineering. These take then four years before students can continue with courses to get an university or polytechnic degree. At vocational school students learn a special skill or craft such as plumbing or carpentry.

Eight thousand books, many of which are written in Glagolitic script, reside in a cave monastery on the Island of Brač known as Blaca.

In the Croatian waters lives the last specimen of the Mediterranean seal.

Over 100 mammal species live in the country. Among the mammal species are the brown bear, the grey wolf, the golden jackal and the red fox.

Almost one third of Croatia's amphibians are endemic, that means only are encountered in this country. Among these are the beautiful fire salamanders.

The national animal is a marten forest.

There are around 15 different varieties of snakes living in Croatia, but only three of those are venomous.

Croatia is one of the most verdant and green countries in the world. 10% of the country is home to 11 Nature Parks, 8 national parks, and 2 nature reserves. One of them, Plitvice Lakes National Park, is well known for its numerous waterfalls.

The dog breed Dalmatian can be traced back to Croatia and the Dalmatia region.

There is also Croatian Sheep Dog, which is just as cute.

Shakespeare’s comedy Twelfth Night was set in Dalmatia.

Croatian Slavoljub Penkala was the inventor of the mechanical pencil.

Croatia has a heart-shaped island, Galešnjak, which is also known as the Island of Love or Lover’s Island.

Croatia is very well known for its delicious cuisine, including specialties like Peka and Pag Cheese.

A  person from Croatia holds the Guinness World Record of the biggest white truffle. It weighed 2 pounds 8 ounces.

Croatian embroidery and Croatian lace are known for its delicate and artisan handicraft.

The main exports of Croatia consist of textiles, transport equipment, foodstuffs, chemicals, and fuels.

Croatia enjoys 2,715 hours of sunshine a year. 

Croatians love the outdoors and sports. The most popular sports are soccer, handball, tennis as well as table tennis (ping pong) and water sports. 

If you give birth on a Jadrolinija ferry from Hvar, your child will get free travel on the ferry for life.

The country has 69 airports, 24 of the paved surface.

Only 0.7% of people in Croatia above 15 years of age who can not read or write.

The Croatian military first wore knotted neckties in the 1600s, thus many historians believe the necktie was invented in Croatia. 

My inspiration for this week's card is based on this fact about Croatia... The biggest ever necktie in the world, measuring 2,650 feet, was displayed in Croatia. It took five days to complete.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Stamp Set: QKR Hug Me and Hug Sentiment stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and colored with Copic Markers

Paper: Neenah 110# Solar White and SU Blueberry Bushel CS and DP from my scrap file

Dies: Pink Fresh Diagonal Stitched Rectangles and Spellbinders A2 Matting Basics

Embellishments: Gina Marie Enamel Dots