Croatia
Before 1991, Croatia (then part of Yugoslavia) was shaping up as the new Costa del Sol. Planeloads of Western Europeans - 10 million a year - were hitting the Adriatic shores in search of sun, cheap living, medieval quaintness and perhaps a spot of naturism. But with Croatia's push for independence during the violent break-up of Yugoslavia, war inevitably turned the tourism dream into a nightmare.

Despite the many tragedies of recent years, Croatia's charms remain largely intact and it has re-emerged as a hot tourist magnet. Ironically, part of the allure for visitors, beauty aside, are the reminders of the country's painful recent history and the stories which abound.

The aura of medieval Croatia endures in the cobbled streets of Rovinj and the recently restored other-worldliness of Dubrovnik's Stari Grad. The country is also home to some of Europe's finest Roman ruins, including the immense palace of Diocletian in Split. Festivals and carnivals abound throughout the year. The weather and the beaches are as good as they always were and, if that's your bag, Croatia is still the place to get your gear off.

Full country name: Republic of Croatia
Area: 56,538 sq km (22,049 sq mi)
Population: 4.437 million
Capital city: Zagreb (pop: 777,000)
People: Croats (78%), Serbs (12%), Slavic Muslims, Hungarians, Slovenes
Languages: Croatian, Serbian, Italian, Slovene
Religion: Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox
Government: Parliamentary democracy
President: Stipe Mesic

GDP: US$202.6 billion
GDP per head: US$4.566
Annual growth: 3.7%
Inflation: 6.2%
Major industries: Steel, cement, chemicals, fertilisers, textiles
Major trading partners: EU( esp. Germany, Italy), Slovenia
Member of EU: No