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This paper compares the administrative-territorial organisation of Croatia with the organisation in other European countries, with an emphasis on geographical aspects - primarily size (territory) and number of inhabitants of administrative units. The introduction provides an analytical review of the recent papers on this topic, and then an analysis of the current territorial division of Croatia and its former division into regions (groups of municipalities) and so-called “large” municipalities. This is followed by an overview of territorial organisation in other European countries, which is compared with Croatia, with focus on the need to emphasise the relationship between territorial organisation and the size of a particular state. The final part of the paper contains proposals for the administrative division of Croatian territory based on the spatial distribution of the population and the main urban centres, using the application of the best practices in Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper deals with the spatial density of dolines in the Croatian territory covered by karst. The purpose of this paper is to calculate the spatial density of dolines and show a correlation between calculated doline density values and certain geomorphological and geological factors of their origin and development. Therefore, it has been necessary to calculate the spatial density of dolines applying unique GIS methods of data collection and analysis to the entire study area. Doline density per unit area has been calculated based on the mapped doline bottom. 1:25,000 scale digital cartographic models have been used to determine the doline bottom. The given data have been used to calculate the spatial density of dolines applying a simple kernel method to an area of one square kilometre. The analysis of spatial differences in doline density has revealed that certain connections exist between doline development and relief morphometric parameters as well as lithological and structural terrain features. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lagging behind in economic and demographic development has been one of the fundamental features of Croatian peripheral karst areas for a long time. For that reason, the main research goal of this paper was to analyse attitudes of students from the University of Zagreb regarding the revitalisation potential for Croatian peripheral karst areas. A questionnaire survey was conducted using quota sampling, whereby 490 students were included. The willingness of respondents to return or move to peripheral karst areas was examined, as well as the association between the respondents' stated willingness and connection to these areas by place of birth or origin. Furthermore, economic activities that respondents saw as crucial to the revitalisation processes of karst problem areas were identified. Respondents' views on the possible future development of peripheral karst areas were also analysed. The results point to multi-faceted views of the area. A low level of willingness to return or move to peripheral karst areas on the part of the respondents was determined, whereby respondents, who were linked with peripheral karst areas by birthplace or origin, considered moving or returning to these areas significantly more. Rural tourism and organic agriculture were seen as the most important economic activities in the process of revitalisation. Regional self-government units and central state government were defined by respondents as most important actors in the process of revitalisation. Finally, respondents' predictions about the future of peripheral karst areas were predominantly negative. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper analyses the spatial concentration of economic activities/sectors in the Republic of Croatia in the period from 2009 to 2016. For this purpose, absolute, and relative spatial concentrations-Hirfindahl- Hirschman's index and variants of the Gini coefficient of concentration (Gini coefficient, spatial Gini coefficient and Gini location coefficient)-were applied. As a basis for their calculation, data on the number of employees per county are used. The results show that the most spatially-concentrated activities are those of the tertiary sector, in particular activities related to information and communication. Some activities are highly concentrated in the City of Zagreb, while others are highly concentrated in certain coastal counties. Agriculture, forestry, and fishing have the most even spatial arrangement. Most of the researched activities did not show a significant change in degree of spatial concentration between 2009 and 2016. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper closely examines territorial cohesion and rural development policy of the European Union, regional differences in the level of development of the cooperative system, and its spatially differentiated influence on the social and economic development of Croatia. The results confirmed the importance of the cooperative system as a factor of territorial cohesion, and the high level of positive correlation between lagging behind in regional and rural development, and the level of development of the cooperative system. The cooperative system has the greatest influence on regional development in Southern Croatia/Dalmatia (especially on social development) and in Eastern Croatia (especially on economic development). It has the highest impact on rural development in counties with the largest share of local self-government units (administrative towns and municipalities) with a development indeks below 75% of the national average - primarily in Vukovar-Srijem and Osijek-Baranja Counties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper closely examines the fluctuations in development of agricultural cooperatives in Croatia during their 150-year-long tradition, as well as recent development trends, and spatially-differentiated development in the contemporary era. The results show that, despite the long tradition, contemporary Croatian cooperatives have been faced with a series of development problems. The main cause of that situation is inadequate legislation - a poorly adjusted law on cooperatives and correlative laws that are relevant for the functioning of cooperative entrepreneurship. This reflects unfavourably in all cooperative sectors, specifically agricultural cooperatives as its most developed sector. This has resulted in a marginal contribution of cooperatives to the socioeconomic development of the nation's demographically ever more destabilised rural areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper deals with the precipitation variability research that was conducted using precipitation data of 43 stations in Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina for the 1961 - 1990 period. Precipitation variability was analysed for annual, semi-annual and seasonal amounts of precipitation. The results of spatial analysis showed, that the range of precipitation variability is higher in Croatia than in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Lower values of precipitation variability were observed in the stations of the central part of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Nevertheless, further investigations are necessary for a number of stations in Bosnia- Herzegovina to confirm this statement. Lower values of precipitation variability in Bosnia- Herzegovina were obtained for all seasons, but largely for autumn. In the majority of stations, the minimum precipitation variability occurs in the spring. Maximum precipitation variability, which for the largest number of stations occurs in the autumn, is more evident in Croatia than in Bosnia and Herzegovina. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper deals with the study of changes in the composition according to age of the population of Croatia over three decades (1981 - 2011). Consideration is given to the causes and characteristics of demographic ageing and they are compared with European countries. The degree of population old age is analysed in detail and spatial differentiation is made of the basic features of that process (to the level of the local district/town); emphasis is placed on the current situation (in keeping with 2011 Census data). A projection of the process in question up until 2031 is submitted (the trend in the total number of the population and changes in its composition according to age group and degree of ageing). One of the chapters analyses the consequences of the ageing of the population and endeavours to answer the question of how to mitigate such consequences and to impede this destructive process. It is concluded that far reaching solutions should be sought primarily in increasing fertility, by which gradual rejuvenation of the population's age composition could be stimulated. The second group of measures relates to immigration, and the third to increasing the employment rate of young people in order to halt their mass emigration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Free time or leisure activities are usually perceived as a topic of tourism geography. However, all the economic activities that occur during a regular visit to a shopping centre, as one of the most popular places for spending free time, draw it into the scope of retail and, thereby, economic geography as well. Sociologists claim that shopping centres have replaced parks and free time activities. Parents largely welcome this trend, because shopping centres offer some kind of safe and controlled environment. Wandering around shopping centres is becoming more and more popular among young Croatians as well. So far, in foreign literature, different models and frameworks for understanding the mall experience have been put forward. This paper presents factors relevant for young people in making their choice. Finally, a framework or a model for choosing a favourite shopping centre is offered. With the trend of extensive opening of shopping centre, this model could become useful to shopping centre managements in development of shopping centres and their fight for customers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this paper is to work out a synthetic indicator, which would help in identification, evaluation and comparison of demographic resources. The secondary aim is to form a spatial unit typology in the Republic of Croatia according to the synthetic indicator's value. The synthetic indicator has been named demographic resources index (ider ). It consists of two basic components: demographic index (idem ) and education index (io ). Population size is included in the calculation, specifically as a corrective in the form of a coefficient (k). The first index-component consists of eleven variables. It includes a general direction of demographic changes in the past period, the most important indicators of demographic potential and the synthetic indicator of the population natural change and age structure. The second index-component consists of four variables. It includes the characteristics of the population's attained level of education, as well as indications of the most educated contingent's future proportions. Based on the obtained values of the synthetic indicator, a typology of Croatian territorial units has been formed with six types of demographic resources, and their basic characteristics have been determined. The synthetic indicator of demographic resources has turned out to be relevant and applicable on all levels of Croatian territorial units. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper deals with regional characteristics of birth rates in Croatia on different territorial levels: from individual townships and municipalities to counties and larger areas, such as Pannonian and Karst regions (further divided into the islands, the seashore and the inland). The analysis is based on the average birth rates for a three-year period (2001-2003). In order to eliminate the influence of differences in the age composition of population, standardized birth rates are being calculated. Entire female population of Croatia has been chosen for standard population. In all counties and larger regional entities the process of regional homogenization at low birth rates level is prominent. However, a certain polarization of birth rates in hypothetical conditions of a standardized age composition was determined. One pole is located in Bukovica and Dalmatinska Zagora - the area of hypothetically the highest fertility, and the other one is in Istria and around Rijeka - the area of hypothetically the lowest fertility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]