Rijeka 12.indd - In Your Pocket

8 BASICS
Customs
All major items brought into the country (laptops, boats,
sauna equipment) must be declared; to do so ensures you
will be allowed to take them back when you leave. Keep your
receipts (500kn minimum on one receipt) in order to qualify
for a VAT refund at all border customs offices. To breeze
through customs you can import up to 200 cigarettes, 1
litre of strong alcohol, plus 2 litres of wine and 2 litres of
dessert wine or champagne. There are no limits on export;
however it does depend on the country you’re flying into
from Croatia. Any Croatian art or cultural works must receive
export approval before departure. Export approval is issued
by the conservatory department of the Ministry of Culture
at Užarska 26 (D-2, Open 09:00 - 13:00, tel.+385 - 51
31 13 00). For further details www.carina.hr.
Electricity
The electricity supply is 220V, 50Hz, so visitors from the
United States will need to use a transformer to run electrical
appliances.
Religion
These days Croatia is fair ly mono tone in re li gious terms. Having
al ways ex ist ed on the frontiers of three religions; Cath o lic,
Orthodox and Mus lim; time was that one could find a right old
mix here. However, since the most recent conflicts the pop ula
tion has be come over whelm ing ly Cath o lic with the 2001 Census
re cord ing 87.83% as loyal to Rome.
Basic data
Population:
Croatia (April 2011): 4,290,612
Rijeka (April 2011): 135,385
Territory Croatia’s land territory takes up 56,542km2.
It borders with Hungary, Slovenia, Serbia, Montenegro,
Bosnia-Herzegovina and there is a sea-border with Italy.
Rijeka is capital of the Primorska-Goranska županija
“Littoral and Highlands County”, which encompasses
the Opatija Riviera to the west, the coast to the east
including Novi Vinodolski, a mountainous hinterland and
the islands as far south as Ilovik. This all covers an area
of 3,582km2 on land; 4,398.64km2 of sea, the coastline
is 1,065km long and the highest point is the Kula peak
of Bjelolasica, the mountain where the Croatian ski team
train, which stands at a proud 1,534m.
Climate Sub-Mediterranean on the coast; temperate
continental to mountainous.
Local time Croatia is part of the Central European Time
Zone (GMT+1): when it is noon in Rijeka it is 12:00 in
Berlin, 11:00 in London, 06:00 in New York, 14:00 in
Moscow, and 21:00 in Sydney.
Climate
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Rijeka In Your Pocket rijeka.inyourpocket.com
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Roads
If you’re under 24 years of age, the 0.0% alcohol rule applies to
you. If you are, however, over that age, a limit of 0.5% applies
to you, effective June 1, 2008. Once again, we’ll leave it to
others to debate the pros and cons of this change, but given
the mountainous terrain along the coast, this law will probably
save lives. And the police are enforcing it. Speed kills more
people on Croatian roads than alcohol does. Speed traps are
common along the Adriatic highway and speed patrol cars
have been introduced on the motorways. The speed limit in
urban areas is 50kph unless otherwise marked; 80kph on
secondary roads and 130kph on highways. On the spot fines
are payable for offences. If you are stopped for any reason, you
will be expected to show your driving licence, car registration
papers and insurance certificate, so make sure to always
keep them with you.
Safety
You will surely find Rijeka to be remarkably safe in comparison
with most Western European cities, even at night. Although
there is little street crime, of course it is always wise to keep
a sensible eye on your personal belongings.
Toilets
Rijeka’s public WCs are clean and free of charge. All offer
disabled access.
Locations: Corner of Žabica square (C-2) and Trpimirova – by
the big church Gospe Lurdske.
Corner of Korzo (D-2) and Trg Republike Hrvatske. On the
Delta – in the park over the modern bridge.
Water
Tap water is absolutely safe for drinking.
National holidays
January 1 New Year’s Day
January 6 Epiphany
April 8 Easter
April 9 Easter Monday
May 1 International Workers' Day
June 7 Corpus Christi
June 22 Anti Fascist Resistance Day
June 25 Statehood Day
August 5 Victory and Homeland
Thanksgiving Day
August 15 Feast of the Assumption
October 8 Independence Day
November 1 All Saints’ Day
December 25 Christmas
December 26 Saint Stephen’s Day
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