ecc 2012 logbook - ECC 2013

Engineering Challenge Cup
05 th to 12 th of May 2012
Archaeological findings prove that in the 6th century BC the
ancient Greeks had founded first colonies on the Adriatic
Islands. Around 100 BC, the Romans arrived, and built
palaces and summer residences, including the palace of the
Roman Emperor Diocletian in the present Split around 305.
In 925, Croatia became a kingdom under the rule of King Tomislav. In 1102, after the death of
Petar Svacic, the last Croatian king, Croatia formed a union with Hungary which, while going
through numerous attacks and occupations by the Turks, the French and the Hungarians and the
rule of the Habsburg dynasty and the Venetians, lasted until 1918 when, upon the downfall of the
Austro-Hungarian monarchy in World War I, Croatia became part of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats
and Slovenes, later proclaimed Yugoslavia.
In 1941, German and Italian forces occupied Yugoslavia, facing enormous resistance by the
organised partisans led by Croatian antifascists under the guidance of Josip Broz Tito. In 1945, the
Federative Socialist Republic of Yugoslavia was proclaimed with Croatia being a federative republic
within Yugoslavia.
In 1990, the first elections after World War II were held in Croatia with Dr. Franco Tudjman
becoming the first President. In 1991 Croatia declared its independence, resulting in a Serbian
rebellion supported by the Yugoslav National Army and the occupation of one third of the Croatian
territory. In May 1992, the Republic of Croatia joined the United Nations and in 1998, the last
occupied parts were integrated into the country. In December 1999, Dr. Franco Tudjman died and
in February 2000, Stjepan Mesic was declared the new President.
Since 23. December 2011 the Croatian government is headed by
the Prime Minister Zoran Milanovic. Croatia signed an EU
accession treaty on the 9 th of December 2011. The Croatian EU
membership is scheduled starting on the 1 st of July 2013. The
country is preparing to join the Schengen Area by 2015.
Apart from the destinations of the ECC 2012 which are described in more detail in the later chapter
“Itinerary and Route”, Croatia has numerous places to visit, from historical towns and UNESCO
world heritage sites like Dubrovnik with the stunning old town, Trogir with the famous St. Lawrence
church, Split with the Diocletian palace, Korčula (the alleged birthplace of Marco Polo) and the like,
to beautiful beaches with crystal water, quiet bays and various sailing areas and eight National
Parks, including the Krka waterfalls and the Plitvice lakes. Do make sure to taste the great Croatian
cuisine influenced by many Mediterranean regions including Pršut (Dalmatian smoked ham), pag
cheese, numerous fish dishes and great wines.
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