Croatia was a former state of Yugoslavia, and Split is Croatia's second-largest city, with a population of 227,000 residents. Split is one of the tourist destinations and lies on the coast. Roman Emperor Diocletian founded the Split in the 3rd century AD. He retired from politics and constructed his magnificent Palace on the rocky shores of the Adriatic Sea. This scenic area is his birthland and a former province of the Roman Empire. The Palace still stands today and is located in the city's centre. Unfortunately, it went through several modifications during the Middle Ages. The Palace was converted into a fortified fortress. Thus, the Palace has elements of architecture from the Romans, Middle Ages, and Renaissance. Furthermore, the Palace has been converted into a shopping mall that sells trinkets and gifts to the passengers of cruise ships that dock on the bay.

Split, a city of beauty and charm, is known for its friendly residents who are always ready to lend a helping hand, even to lost travellers. The only downside to this resort town is its slightly higher prices, a testament to its popularity among tourists.

Croatia

• The country's area spans 21,851 square miles, making Croatia the 126th largest country in the world.
• The currency is the Kuna.
• The capital is Zagreb.
• In 2009, the population was estimated at 4.8 million, making Croatia the 123rd most populous country in the world.
• Zagreb is the country's largest city and financial, manufacturing, and political hub.
• Croatia is north of Bosnia and Herzegovina and wraps itself around the northern part of the country.

Zagreb is the capital of Croatia and is bustling with over 800,000 inhabitants. The metropolis is very European and divided into two sections: the old and the new. Most tourists roam throughout the old section. Tourists have plenty of options for gift shops, restaurants, and coffee shops. Customer service was good, and the people were amiable. Although Zagreb is very European, its prices are more reasonable. Unlike other European cities, Zagreb has almost no stray dogs and cats and very few beggars. The few beggars in the town usually roam the bus and train stations, searching for wealthy travellers. The only problem is that many buildings are defaced with spray-painted graffiti. However, the Austrian-Hungarian architecture dominates the skyline, and a modern network of trams crisscross throughout the city, making most of the city accessible by rail. If you are in the area, Zagreb is worth a couple of days of exploration.