A Picture of Croatia by 4Corners Images, specialist in premium travel stock photography
(PRWEB UK) 2 July 2013 -- Croatia joined the EU on 1st of July 2013; newspapers and the internet are abuzz in anticipation of Croatia becoming the European Union’s newest member state. Croatia’s entry into the Union fires debate and divides opinion both inside and outside the country but whatever the political pros and cons, many agree that Croatia’s culture, history and location have always made it part of Europe. An undeniable truth about Croatia is that the country is spectacularly beautiful and 4Corners Images, a picture library specialising in premium travel stock photography, has one of the most comprehensive collections of images of Croatia.
Throughout history, Croatia has found itself a nation subject to larger empires, republics and federations; the prized “flat land” of Croatian folk song was governed by the Austro-Hungarian Empire and the spectacular coastline formed part of the Venetian Republic. Few people know that the maritime Republic of Ragusa, in existence from 1358 to 1808, and today the famous Croatian city of Dubrovnik, was the first country to officially recognise the United States when they declared themselves independent of Great Britain in 1776. Ragusa’s enormous power, wealth and influence is evident in the architecture and fortress like structure of the old city of Dubrovnik, and walking the city walls and cobbled streets feels very much like being in an open air museum. This rainbow of historical influences has given Croatia numerous diverse cultural treasures and culinary traditions. Go back further in time and Croatia has many splendid architectural reminders of ancient Rome: a grand amphitheatre in the city of Pula in Istria and the Emperor Diocletian’s Palace in Split to name but two.
For most of the latter half of the 20th century Croatia was part of Yugoslavia, a communist country that wasn’t quite as communist as some of its more easterly neighbours. Amongst other differences, the people of Yugoslavia could actually use their passports and see the world. In 1991, the independent Republic of Croatia was established. Some Croats look with bitterness at the “Yugoslav phase” of their history, but being part of communist Yugoslavia to a degree protected Croatia’s azure coast and its myriad islands from over-development. It also helped preserve old traditions, a largely rural lifestyle and perhaps most importantly, the country’s natural treasures, many of them declared National Parks.
Today, on the uber-trendy island of Hvar, the locals’ favourite pastime is mega celebrity spotting as Croatia has earned a very special reputation in the hearts and minds of both the jet set and budget travellers.
Few places illustrate the contrasts of traditional and modern day Croatia as vividly as the largely barren and windswept Island of Pag, where traditional and trendy entwine. On our Solomango blog, 4Corners presents a photo feature by award-winning Croatian photographer Stipe Surac. Stipe’s story documents the production of the prizewinning traditional cheese Paski Sir and contrasts it with the cosmopolitan beach life of Zrce which draws revellers to its marathon beach parties and festivals. See the full travel feature on our Solomango blog.
About 4Corners Images:
4Corners Images was founded in 2004 and quickly established itself as one of the UK’s favourite travel image libraries. From the start our UK and international clients recognised the value that 4Corners’ premium photography gives to their products, advertising and marketing material.
We believe that quality, creativity and a fresh new vision are of paramount importance in travel stock photography and we are proud to work with and support an outstanding team of photographers who share our values and who bring a distinctive contemporary style to our image library.
Rights Managed and Royalty Free images can be licensed through our website.
To enquire about particular license or for help with your image search please contact us in London on +44 208 811 1010; email: [email protected].
Carlo Irek, [email protected], http://www.4cornersimages.com, 020 8811 1010, [email protected]
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