Mining and manufacturing are the most
important industries in Croatia’s
economy. Croatia’s natural resources
include petroleum (oil) and the mineral
gypsum. Factories produce food products,
transportation equipment, electrical
machinery, clothing, chemicals, and
metals. Shipbuilding provides jobs along
the coasts.
Services—for example, education, health
care, and banking—are also important
to the economy. Tourism is a growing
industry.
Farmers grow corn, sugar beets, potatoes,
wheat, and grapes to make wine.
They raise pigs, sheep, and cattle, especially
in the mountainous regions. Along
the coast, fishing provides food and
employment.
History
The Croats probably began to settle in
what is now Croatia in the 500s. In the
900s, Croatia became an independent
kingdom, but in 1091 Hungary conquered
Croatia. For most of the next
eight centuries Croatia remained a part
of Hungary, and later Austria-Hungary.
AfterWorldWar I destroyed the empire
of Austria-Hungary in the early 1900s,
Croatia became independent.
Creation of Yugoslavia
Croatia then joined the newly formed
Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes.
The new nation united the lands of Serbia,
Croatia, Slovenia, Macedonia, Bosnia
and Herzegovina, and Montenegro.
In 1929 the state was renamed the Kingdom
of Yugoslavia. AfterWorldWar II,
Communists took control of the country.
They named it the Federal People’s
Republic of Yugoslavia.
CivilWar
With the end of Communism in the late
1980s, old tensions between the nations
of Yugoslavia resurfaced. In 1991 Croatia
declared its independence from
Yugoslavia, which was dominated by
Serbia. Yugoslav troops invaded to try to
stop Croatia from leaving. Some of the
other republics of Yugoslavia also
declared their independence, and the
fighting spread throughout the area. As
Yugoslavia fell apart, Serbs, Croats, and
Muslims continued to fight. In 1995 the
leaders of Croatia, Serbia, and Bosnia
andHerzegovina finally signed a peace
agreement. Croatia began to rebuild itself
as an independent, democratic state.
..More to explore
Balkan Peninsula • Yugoslavia
An outdoor cafe sits among the remains of
an ancient building in Split, Croatia.
Facts About
CROATIA
Population
(2008 estimate)
4,433,000
Area
21,851 sq mi
(56,594 sq km)
Capital
Zagreb
Form of
government
Republic
Major cities
Zagreb, Split,
Rijeka, Osijek,
Zadar
BRITANNICA STUDENT ENCYCLOPEDIA Croatia 219
Crockett, Davy
Davy Crockett was famous in his own
time as a fighter, lawmaker, and frontiersman
in a coonskin cap. After his
death he became a hero of “tall tales”
and a symbol of the American spirit.
David Crockett was born on August 17,
1786, in eastern Tennessee. To help support
his family, he went to work as a
cattle driver at age 12. He also became
an excellent rifleman and hunter.
Between 1813 and 1815 he served in
the U.S. Army. He fought the British
and their Native American allies during
theWar of 1812.
After returning home, Crockett became
colonel of the Tennessee state militia, a
citizen fighting force. In 1821 he was
elected to the Tennessee legislature. He
later served three terms in the U.S. Congress.
Although he had little schooling,
his Army service and his folksy manner
made him popular.
In 1835 Crockett went west to fight in
Texas’ war for independence from
Mexico. He died on March 6, 1836,
when the Mexican army captured the
Alamo in San Antonio. Crockett’s heroic
death added to his legend.
#More to explore
Alamo
Crocodile
Crocodiles are lizardlike, flesh-eating
animals. They are the largest living
members of the group of animals called
reptiles. They are related to alligators.
Where Crocodiles Live
Crocodiles are found in parts of Asia,
Africa, Australia, and the Americas.Most
live in swamps, lakes, and rivers in hot
and warm regions. Some live in the
ocean. Although they spend most of their
time in water, they also travel on land.
Physical Features
There are more than 10 species, or
types, of crocodile. They vary greatly in
size. The dwarf crocodile measures only
6 feet (1.8 meters) in length. On the
Davy Crockett
The estuarine crocodile is the largest living
reptile in the world.
220 Crockett, Davy BRITANNICA STUDENT ENCYCLOPEDIA
other hand, the estuarine crocodile may
grow to more than 20 feet (6 meters).
Like alligators, crocodiles have tough
skin composed of many large plates and
scales. The eyes, ears, and nostrils are on
top of the head. They allow a crocodile
to see, hear, and breathe even when
most of it is floating underwater. This
helps it surprise and catch large prey.
Although crocodiles look like alligators,
it is easy to tell them apart. When an
alligator closes its mouth, none of its
bottom teeth show. Many large teeth
stick out of both the top and bottom
jaw of a crocodile’s closed mouth.
Crocodiles also tend to have narrower,
pointier snouts than alligators.
Behavior
Crocodiles eat mainly fish, turtles, birds,
and other small animals. They capture
water animals in their jaws with a sideways
motion. They seize land animals by
the feet and drag them toward the water.
After crocodiles mate, the female lays
eggs. Some types can lay more than 100
eggs. The female builds a nest of mud
