Editing Croatia (section)

== Geography ==

Croatia extends from the Pannonian lowlands in the north and east to the Adriatic coast in the south and west. Its irregular shape reflects the separation between the inland regions around Zagreb and Slavonia and the coastal territory of Istria, Dalmatia, and the Croatian Littoral.

Northern Croatia contains plains, river valleys, agricultural districts, and low hills. The Drava flows along much of the northern frontier before joining the Danube near the eastern border. The Sava crosses Zagreb and continues through central Slavonia towards Serbia. The Danube forms part of Croatia's eastern border and provides an inland shipping route towards central and southeastern Europe.

The central region is dominated by the Dinaric Alps. Mountain districts separate much of the continental interior from the coast. The highest point is [[Dinara]], which reaches 1,831 metres near the border with Bosnia and Herzegovina. The mountains contain forests, limestone plateaus, caves, river gorges, and karst fields.

The Adriatic coast extends from the [[Istrian Peninsula]] in the northwest to the border with Montenegro in the southeast. It contains the cities of [[Pula]], [[Rijeka]], [[Zadar]], [[Šibenik]], [[Split]], and [[Dubrovnik]]. The shoreline is heavily indented and is bordered by islands including Cres, Krk, Pag, Brač, Hvar, and Korčula. Channels between the islands provide sheltered maritime routes along the eastern Adriatic.<ref name="adriatic-geography"/>

A short section of the coast around [[Neum]] belongs to Bosnia and Herzegovina and separates the Dubrovnik area from the main Croatian mainland. The [[Pelješac Bridge]], opened on 26 July 2022, provides a direct road connection between the two parts of Croatia through the Pelješac Peninsula.

Continental Croatia has warm summers and cold winters. Mountain areas receive greater snowfall and have lower average temperatures. The Adriatic coast has a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild, wetter winters. Protected landscapes include the Plitvice Lakes, the Krka river system, the Kornati islands, and the mountain areas of Velebit.