GENERAL INFO - CROATIA
Geographical position:
Croatia extends from the furthest eastern edges of the Alps in the north-west to the Pannonian lowlands and the banks of the Danube in the east; its central region is covered by the Dinara mountain range, and its southern parts extend to the coast of the Adriatic Sea.
Climate:
There are two climate zones; a temperate continental climate, locally also a mountainous climate, prevails in the interior, whereas a pleasant Mediterranean climate prevails along the Adriatic Sea, with an overwhelming number of sunny days, dry and hot summers, mild and humid winters; average temperature at the seaside: January 6 to 11°C, August 21 to 27 °C; the temperature is about 12°C in winter, and 25°C in summer. Temperature to expect during the conference: 17 to 22°C.
Currency:
Kuna (1 Kuna = 100 Lipa). There are 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 Lipa coins, 1, 2, 5 and 25 Kuna coins and 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1,000 Kuna banknotes.
Foreign currency can be exchanged in banks, exchange offices, post offices, travel agencies, hotels, camps, marinas; cheques can be cashed in banks. Exchange rate as of 20.02.2008: 1 EUR = 7,30 kuna; 1 USD = 5,10 kuna).
Water:
Tap water is potable in all parts of Croatia.
Time zone:
GMT plus one hour in winter and GMT plus two in summer.
Health services:
There are hospitals and clinics located in all the larger towns and cities, while smaller centres have dispensaries and chemist's.
Foreign visitors are not obliged to pay for medical services if a convention on Social Security has been signed between Croatia and visitors' country of origin, i.e. if they have in their possession a certificate stipulated by such a convention confirming their right to health care. Health care (including transport) is used for emergency cases in the manner and according to regulations valid for Croatian citizens covered by Social Security, with the costs of health care being participated in, in the same way (participation and administrative duty). Persons coming from countries with which no such convention has been signed bear the costs of health services rendered personally.
Working hours:
Most shops are open from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. on weekdays and until 2 or 3 p.m. on Saturdays. Many shops stay open until 10 p.m., even on Sundays, especially in summer, while certain shops in the larger cities are open for business 24 hours a day.Public services and business offices work from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m., Mondays to Fridays.
