Croatia joined the European Union and became the 28th Member State on 1 July 2013. This historic achievement brings new perspectives for Croatia and lays ground for an efficient enforcement of international standards and EU policies on nature conservation. It should also serve as great impetus for the other countries in South-Eastern Europe to continue with EU accession processes.

Reflecting on this milestone event IUCN introduce Croatia’s remarkable nature and the conservation activities of IUCN Members in the country. As a result of its geographical location and morphology, Croatia encompasses four biogeographical regions, out of nine recognized in the EU. Vast plains in the east, dense forests which cover more than 35% of the central territory and more than 1,000 islands in the Adriatic host Croatia’s extraordinary biodiversity.

Learn about the extraordinary terrestrial biodiversity, the richness of the Adriatic Sea and the ongoing efforts on species conservation in Croatia in the Country Focus.

Additionaly, summer edition of IUCN’s South-eastern European bulletin is available for download. Among other news, this issue brings short note on Association BIOM activities in Nature park Biokovo, Croatia related to Balkan Snow Vole, Golden Eagle and Ortolan Bunting. You can download it from BIOM website or IUCN website (issue 34, summer 2013).