Zagreb - CROATIA

Zagreb, capital city and the cultural, scientific, economic and governmental center of the Republic of Croatia, has 779.000 inhabitants within the city boundaries (approx. 220 km2). 1.088.841 people live in the Zagreb metropolitan area, which includes smaller cities of Samobor, Velika Gorica and Zaprešić (approx. 600 km2). At present, some 12.000 new residents move to Zagreb every year, while another 10.000 leave Zagreb and move to its surroundings.

First important expansion occurred by mid-19th century. After WW2 growth resulted from people who left rural areas towards employment in the industrial sector. Latest significant transformation was in early 1990s with Zagreb becoming capital of the self-depended Republic of Croatia. Being a relatively large city situated on the fastest route that connects Central with Southeastern Europe, Zagreb has great potential for investment and development.

Zagreb has over 50.000 full-time students. Besides Zagreb University another 11 institutions of higher education and colleges, as well as 58 scientific institutions, exist in the city. Zagreb is comparatively rich in cultural institutions and hosts numerous international annual/biennial cultural events.