Interesting facts about Croatia

Instead of a long introduction I would just like to tell You that I prepared some interesting facts about Croatia specially for You.  I hope that You will be pleasantly surprised and that You will broaden your knowledge of Croatia.

1. The smallest city in the world is Croatian Hum (which has a population of around 21 people).
Ah, the little things in life... :)

Source> https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/13/13/43/1313433bd806c13ab4a882b772cb44cf.jpg

2. The owner of the World Record for the largest found white Tartuffe (which You can find in the Guinness Book of World Records) is a Croat Giancarlo Zigante. His discovery weighed 1310 g. As you can see - it's actually a piece of fungus! In finding this trophy Mr. Giancarlo was aided by his faithful dog. 

Source> http://www.istrianet.org/istria/flora/fungi/images/zigante_m.jpg

3. In the "Divine Comedy", written by Dante Alighieri a Croatian pilgrim watches the reflection of Christ's face on Veronica's veil. It is believed that the character was inspired by a Croatian friend of Dante: Bishop Anton Kazotic. Interestingly in the XIV century the grandson of Dante ran a pharmacy in Croatia. It was also the first pharmacy in Zagreb. It has been working to the present day, so if you are in Zagreb and you get a headache because of too many beautiful places: you can go there and buy some aspirin :)

Source> http://www.izaberi.hr/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/prva_zagrebacka_ljekarna.jpg

3. Croatian currency - Kuna gets its name with no coincidence. In the old days goods were paid with skins of kuna (which is a furry, little animal). I have to admit, that I suspected that... 

4. The famous breed: Dalmatian dog that inspired Disney to make a few films - actually came from Croatia. Just like the characteristic Adriatic Sea distinguishes Croatia form other countries, the characteristic coloration of this dog distinguishes it from other breeds. It is impossible to confuse them with others.

Source: http://slobodni.net/t122082/ 

5. Only a few people know that in 1895. the first hydroelectric power plant in Europe and the second in the world started it's operation on the Krka river. It started working only a few days after the Niagara Falls Hydroelectric Power Station designed by Nikola Tesla was built. Here's the evidence a black-and-white photo, very serious, because it is a serious matter.

Source> http://www.npkrka.hr/upload/stranice/2014/08/2014-08-01/111/hidroelektrana1685.jpg

7. The famous inventor and a man far ahead of his time, an enlightened mind and person who delights humanity to the present day with his eyes, inventions and views: the visionary Nikola Tesla - was born on the 10th of June, 1856 in Smiljan, Croatia. 

Source> http://www.activistpost.com/2013/06/nikola-tesla-calling-all-freethinkers-2.html

8. Ties come from Croatia! So if someone does not like ties You know now who to blame.

9. In Dubrovnik in 1296, one of the first sewer systems in Europe was build and it is used to this day. So if you have something to do - do it properly.

10. The writer Agatha Christie spent her second honeymoon in Dubrovnik and Split. No wonder, I'd love to do that as well!

11. According to Alfred Hitchcok Zadar has the most beautiful sunsets in the world. And he said so in May 1964: "Zadar has the most beautiful sunset in the world, more beautiful than the one in Key West, in Florida, applauded at every evening."

Well... I was there and I checked and in fact, there's something in his words...:

12. The family of this famous inventor had Polish-Dutch roots. In 1906, the Croat Slavoljub Penkala patented a mechanical pencil, of course named after his name - Penkala. The patent was registered in 35 countries. Interestingly, his company TOZ Penkala has been successfully working to this day in Zagreb.

Source> http://www.croatianhistory.net/gif/science/penkala_v.jpg

Informations sources - internet