Before start describing Croatian national parks, it might be valuable to know that within only 100 km you can see the sea, rocky landscape (karst), woods, mountains and plains. Croatia is one of the ecologically friendliest countries in Europe and population thereof can be proud of drinking water coming from its public water supply. Bearing in mind those facts, it is no wonder that there are eight national parks and eleven nature parks within such a small area.
	Brijuni (the Brioni Islands) Brijuni are a group of two bigger and twelve smaller islands located along the western coast of Istria. They are famous for their rich cultural heritage dating from the Roman and Byzantine period, for their safari park and exotic animal species and well-preserved Mediterranean vegetation. URL: www.brijuni.hr
	Kornati (the Kornati archipelago) Kornati are probably the most famous Croatian national park, at least among navigation experts. They consist of 140 unpopulated islands, inlets and cliffs and they represent a real labyrinth of stone and sea. URL: www.kornati.hr
	Krka (the Krka river and the Krka National Park) Krka is famous for its numerous waterfalls emerged by limestone sedimentation. Its flow is remarkable and exquisite, particularly Skardinski buk and Roški slap (waterfalls) and the inlet of Visovac with a Franciscan monastery. URL: www.npkrka.hr
	Mljet (the island of Mljet) Mljet is an island in the southern Adriatic, westwards from Dubrovnik while its western part includes a national park. According to many, it is the most beautiful Adriatic island containing two deep bays – lakes. One of them involves a complex of a Benedictine monastery dating from the 12th century. URL: www.np-mljet.hr
	Paklenica (canyon system) Paklenica is situated on the biggest Croatian mountain – Velebit and is exceptional for its two canyons Mala (Small) and Velika (Big) Paklenica which are engraved in the mountain all the way from the sea to the mountain tops. URL: www.paklenica.hr
	Plitvička jezera (the Plitvice Lakes) Plitvička jezera are part of the UNESCO World Heritage List. They are fascinating for a cluster of 16 lakes mutually connected by waterfalls emerged by travertine, mostly limestone sedimentation. URL: www.np-plitvicka-jezera.hr
	Risnjak (mountain) Risnjak is a mountainous massif located near the city of Rijeka, ranging from 300 to 1,500 m in terms of altitude. Its name is probably derived from its most prominent inhabitant – the lynx. Various kinds of flora and fauna attract numerous fans of nature. URL: www.risnjak.hr
	Sjeverni Velebit (mountain of Northern Velebit) Sjeverni Velebit is one of the two national parks in the Velebit mountain area. The main sights are karstic formations called Hajdučki and Rožanski kukovi, Lukina jama (Luke's cave), and a botanic garden in nature. URL: www.np-sjeverni-velebit.hr
Apart from the above national parks, the following nature parks are worth visiting: Biokovo (www.biokovo.com); Kopacki rit (www.kopacki-rit.com); Nature park "Lastovsko otocje" ; Lonjsko polje (www.pp-lonjsko-polje.hr); Medvednica (www.pp-medvednica.hr); Papuk (www.pp-papuk.hr); Telašcica (www.telascica.hr); Ucka (www.pp-ucka.hr); Velebit (www.velebit.hr); Vransko jezero (www.vransko-jezero.hr) and Papuk (www.ppzsg.org).