Some Intriguing Facts About Croatia You Probably Didn’t Know

(Source: list25)

Thanks to its beautiful Adriatic coast, stunning national parks and sunny climate, Croatia has become a popular tourist destination. However, a vast majority of more than 11 million visitors who come to visit Croatia every year are from other European countries (particularly from Germany, Czech Republic and Italy), which is why Croatia remains relatively unknown for people from other parts of the world. Yet, as you will find out in this post, this little Slavic country should definitely be on every world traveler´s bucket list. To learn more about Croatia, its history, nature, culture and people, check out these some intriguing facts about Croatia you probably didn’t know.

Occupying a total area of just about 57,000 sq km (22,000 sq mi), Croatia is a small country but it has over 1200 islands and islets, 48 of which are permanently inhabited.

Nikola Tesla, the famous Serbian-American inventor, was born in the Croatian town of Smiljan. In 1856, the area was a part of the Austrian Empire.

Located in Northwestern Croatia, Hum is officially listed as the world´s smallest town. It has a population of about 20 people.

Located in Central Croatia, the Plitvice Lakes National Park is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful national parks in Europe. It is famous for unique rock formations, turquoise lakes, caves and breathtaking waterfalls.

Croatia is mainly known as a seaside destination but it also has beautiful mountains and excellent hiking trails. With a height of 1,831 m (6,007 ft), Dinara is the highest peak in the country.

The world’s first torpedo was constructed in Rijeka, the third largest city of Croatia. Ivan Luppis (also known as Ivan Vukic) developed the first prototypes of self-propelled torpedo in 1866.

The Croats invented the necktie. Croatian soldiers had begun tying identifying scarves around their necks by the early 1600s and other nations soon adopted this practice.

Croatia boasts one of the most renowned and spectacular beaches in the world. The Zlatni Rat (translated as the Golden Cape) is a spit of land located off the harbor town of Bol on the southern coast of the Brac Island.

The Island of Brac has one of the weirdest tourist attractions in the world – a house inside another house. In the 19th century, three brothers decided to build a big house around a smaller house that belonged to a peasant who did not want to sell it to the brothers.