Croatians refer to the people who are native to or have Croatian citizenship, and are part of the larger Croatian ethnic group. They primarily reside in Croatia, a country located in southeastern Europe, with significant populations also found in neighboring countries and across the world due to historical and modern migrations.
Croatians are known for their cultural and linguistic identity, speaking the Croatian language, which is a South Slavic language and shares similarities with Serbian and Bosnian. They have a rich historical background dating back to the medieval period when they established their identity within the Kingdom of Croatia. Over the centuries, Croatia experienced different forms of political control, including under the Habsburg Monarchy, the Ottoman Empire, and the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. However, Croatia declared its independence in 1991, leading to the Croatian War of Independence.
Croatians have a diverse cultural heritage that combines influences from various civilizations, including Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman, and Austro-Hungarian. Their cuisine, art, music, and literature highlight this cultural blend. Traditional Croatian dishes are often characterized by the use of fresh ingredients, Mediterranean flavors, and regional specialties. The country is also known for its unique traditional folk costumes, traditional dances, and music, notably the tamburica, a string instrument popular in Croatian folk music.
In recent years, Croatia has become a popular tourist destination, attracting visitors with its picturesque coastal towns, historic cities, and natural beauty. The resilience, strong sense of national identity, and cultural distinctiveness of Croatians contribute to their overall significance and recognition in the global community.
