Engineering Challenge Cup 05 th to 12 th of May <strong>2012</strong> 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 <strong>2013</strong>. The country is preparing to join the Schengen Area by 2015. Apart from the destinations of the <strong>ECC</strong> <strong>2012</strong> 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. 33
Engineering Challenge Cup 05 th to 12 th of May <strong>2012</strong> As they say, “Croatia like a picture, a picture like Croatia” 34
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