Split-Dalmatia county

    Split-Dalmatia county is the largest county in Croatia, with an area of 14,045 km² (dry land covers 4,572 km²). It is situated in the central part of the southern Croatia, where the ancient province called Dalmatia used to be. It spreads from Vrlika on the north to the island of Vis and the island of Palagruža (the most distant Croatian island) on the south, and from Marina on the west to Vrgorac town and Gradac on the east.
    Split-Dalmatia county has Mediterranean natural and climate characteristics. Mountain range of Kozjak, Mosor and Biokovo spread over the whole county in the direction northwest – southeast, while the mountain range of Dinara closes the north-eastern border. Cetina River wiggles like a snake between these two mountain ranges and waters fertile Dalmatian fields.
    Due to favourable climate, water, fertile soil and position, this area was inhabited very early in the history. City of Split is important traffic and transit port and also an administrative and cultural centre of the county. Although some towns (Greek colonies) were built in this area long before present Split (Issa – the island of Vis, Pharos – Stari Grad on the island of Hvar, Tragurion – Trogir, Salona – Solin and Epetion – Stobreč), during Roman era, when Diocletian built its palace in the 4th century, Split was becoming commercial and economic centre.
     After becoming the centre of metropole at the beginning of the 10th century, Split flourished in the 14th century by creating an autonomous commune – Civitas Spalatei – with the oldest written and preserved city statute from the year of 1312.
    Many civilisations and governments have left their mark throug thousands of years in this area. The Diocletian’s palace and the old centre of Trogir are included in the register of the World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO. There is also plenty of cultural heritage from the prehistory, the Greek and Roman era, the Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque epoch.
    Since the beginning of mankind this county has been a pleasant place to live. Authorities had been changing constantly throughout centuries, so this county was ruled by the Greeks, the Venetians, the Austro-Hungarian monarchy, the Italians etc.