a republic in SE Europe: settled by Croats in the 7th century; belonged successively to Hungary, Turkey, and Austria; formed part of Yugoslavia (1918–91); became independent in 1991 but was invaded by Serbia and fighting continued until 1995; involved in the civil war in Bosnia and Herzegovina (1991–95); joined the European Union in 2013. Language: Croatian. Religion: Roman Catholic majority. Currency: kuna. Capital: Zagreb. Pop: 4 189 353 (2017 est). Area: 55 322 sq km (21 359 sq miles)
Croatian name: Hrvatska
Croatia in American English
(kroʊˈeɪʃə)
country in SE Europe: at one time part of Austria-Hungary, it was a constituent republic of Yugoslavia (1946-91): 21,829 sq mi (56,538 sq km); pop. 4,784,000; cap. Zagreb