Croatia

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Croatia

Located in the north-west of the Balkans, Croatia is a country in the Balkans. It is a small but geographically diverse country in the shape of a crescent. The capital is Zagreb in the north. Croatia's varied geography means that the country has an extremely diverse flora and fauna. Grapes and olives are grown for wine and oil on the Dalmatian coast, while pine trees dominate in Istria and there are many oak forests in Slavonia. As for wildlife, the coast is home to lizards, while the inland forests are home to wolves and bears. Rabbits, foxes, wild boars, wild cats and mouflons also live in Croatia. The Adriatic Sea is also rich in wildlife, with numerous coral reefs and underwater caves. There are 37 000 known species of plants and animals in Croatia, but the real number is estimated at between 50 000 and 100 000. Over a thousand species are endemic, particularly in the Velebit and Biokovo mountains, on the Adriatic islands and in karstic rivers. There are 444 protected areas in Croatia, covering 9% of the country. Among these are eight national parks, two strict reserves, and ten nature parks. Plitvice Lakes National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the most famous protected area and the oldest national park in Croatia. The park is one of the most important flora and fauna areas in Croatia, primarily because of its climatic conditions and remote location. Thanks to the limited industrial development of the surrounding area and the early installation of protective measures, the landscape has remained almost untouched. The beech and pine forests, some of which are primeval, are home to many species, including the Brown Bear.