CROATIA, a kingdom forming part of the Austrian empire. Along with Slavonia it forms one of the administrative divisions of the kingdom of Hungarv. and their joint pop. is (1869) 1,164,806; their area, 8,757 sq. miles. C. lies to the n.e. of Adriatic, and borders on one side with Turkey. It is traversed by low chains of mountains, in the s. proceeding from the Julian Alps, and in the n. from the Carnic Alps. These moun tains are generally covered with forests, and the chains are separated by very fertile valleys. The principal rivers are the Save and its affluent the Culpa. the brave and its affluent the Mur. Some of the valleys, especially in the s., are quite shut in, so that many of the streams have to make their way through subterranean channels. The cli mate much resembles that of the neighboring parts of Hungary, the more southern situ ation being counterbalanced by the greater elevation. The inhabitants are mostly of Slavonic race and language. The religion of C. is that of the Roman and Greek churches. The Croatians are warlike, but the name Croats is employed to designate light-cavalry regiments in the imperial army, in which Magyars and others are mingled with true Croatians. Grain, chestnuts, wine, and gall-nuts are amongst the principal exports of Croatia. The keeping of cattle is neglected. The wood of the great forests, although much of it is admirably adapted for shipbuilding, is turned as vet to little account. The Literate or coast district contains valuable marble quarries. The capital
of C. is Agram (q.v.). C. with its literate and Slavonia (q.v.) formerly formed a crown-land, at the -head of the administration of which was the ban (q.v.)of Croatia.
C. was, in the earliest historic times, inhabited by the Pannouians, who were con quered by the Romans under Augustus, and the country made a province of Illyria. During the irruptions of the northern nations into the Roman empire, C. suffered a variety of vicissitudes. In 640, the Croats, Chrovats, or IIorvats, migrated into it from the Carpathian mountains, and gave it its present name. In the 14th c., having previously been in some measure incorporated with Hungary, C. was more completely united with that kingdom, and passed with it in the beginning of the 16th c. to the Austrian house of Hapsburg. In the end of the 16th c., the Turks conquered a portion of it, now known as Turkish Croatia. The city of Fiume was declared in 1797 to be a constituent and integral part of the kingdom of Hungary; and after the termination of the French wars, Fiume remained united to Hungary till 1848. The Croatians long entertained a feeling of hostility to the Magyars, which manifested itself in 1848 aria 1S49 in a manner very unfavorable to the cause of the Hungarian revolution. The wise policy of Austria, however, in recognizing the legal rights of the kingdom of Hungary, has had a good effect iu allaying this feeling. See MILITARY FRONTIER.