Croatia's many faces
March 8, 1997
(CNN) -- Though a small country, Croatia defies categorization. It's often considered both Mediterranean and European because of its location; The horseshoe-shaped republic is nestled between Hungary, Slovenia, Bosnia and Yugoslavia, and lies across the Adriatic Sea from Italy. The diverse cultural influences have resulted in distinctive architecture and a rich stew of traditions.
Author George Bernard Shaw summed it up as "paradise on earth." For most of this decade, however, the Balkan War overshadowed the beauty of the landscape. Croatia declared independence from Yugoslavia in 1991, and t ethnic tensions escalated into bloodshed. The Dayton Peace Accord was signed in late 1995, helping return the region to less turbulent times.
Today, Croatia is working to lure wary travelers. It's trying to recapture its traditional Western European tourist base, and to entice new visitors, especially from the United States.
Before the war, Croatia's warm shores were a popular destination among Western Europeans. Four and a half million are expected to make the trip in 1997. Few Americans have visited in the past, but this year the country expects several thousand.
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