Croatia

ONE OF THE constituent republics of the former Yugoslavia, the Republic of Croatia is located in the Balkans and has a land area of 21,831 sq. mi. (56,542 sq. km.), with a population of 4,493,312 (2006 est.), and a population density of 208 people per sq. mi. (81 people per sq. km.). Some 21 percent of Croatia is arable, with another 20 percent used for meadow or pasture. In addition, 37 percent of the country is forested, the pine from the region has been used for making ships since ancient times. The forestry and the lack of heavy industry have helped the environment in Croatia for many centuries, but there is now increased logging; also, up to half of the forests are affected by acid ...