Converted to Roman Catholicism in the seventh century, the Croats established an independent kingdom during the 10th century, while the Serbs opted for the Eastern Orthodoxy of the Byzantine Empire, culminating in the Great Schism of 1054. In 1529, following the defeat of the Hungarians by the Ottoman Turks, the Habsburg and Ottoman Empires divided Hungary's territories, thereby creating a militarised border in Croatia between the Islamic and Christian worlds, running roughly along the present border between Croatia and Bosnia & Herzegovina. Serbs settled in areas of Croatia known as Krajina (border lands), the source of much Croat-Serb conflict thereafter.

Following the Communist takeover of 1945, Croatia became a constituent republic of the new Yugoslav federation led by Josip Broz Tito who, although himself an ethnic Croat, opposed any expression of Croatian nationalism. However, Croatian nationalism grew, following Tito's death in 1980.

The disintegration of Yugoslavia began in 1990, after multi-party elections in Slovenia and Croatia. The fighting in Croatia, between the Yugoslav National Army (JNA) and Serb militia on one side and hastily assembled Croat defence forces on the other, was ended by a UN-brokered ceasefire in January 1992.

Although having emerged into the new millennium from a decade in which it experienced a bitter war, and from several years of authoritarian nationalism under the late President, Franjo Tudjman, by early 2003 Croatia had made sufficient progress to apply for EU membership.

With 1778km (1111 miles) of mainland coast, emerald-blue waters, secluded pebble beaches and countless unspoilt islands, Croatia is an ideal destination for lovers of sea and sunshine who want to avoid the crowds. While the vast majority of tourists head straight for the Adriatic coast, inland Croatia also holds several places of interest, notably the capital, Zagreb, while Dubrovnik is considered the jewel of the Adriatic.