Imagine living in a country that no longer exists. That happened to millions of people when Yugoslavia broke apart. Yugoslavia was a country in southeastern Europe. It included many different ethnic groups who spoke different languages. On October 8, 1991, Croatia officially became an independent country. It was one of several nations that split from Yugoslavia. Croatia is shaped like a crescent along the Adriatic Sea. Its long coastline stretches over 1,000 miles. The country has more than 1,200 islands, though only about fifty are inhabited. The capital city is Zagreb, located inland. Croatia's coast features ancient walled cities built by Romans and Venetians hundreds of years ago. The city of Dubrovnik, with its stone walls and red rooftops, is one of the most photographed places in Europe. Today, Croatia is part of the European Union. Tourism is a major part of its economy. Millions of visitors come each year to see the coastline, the islands, and the historic towns.