CROATIA AND SLAVONIA (Slay. Hrvatska i iSlaroniga, Hung. Horvdt-Sla ronorszog. from Croat. Hrvat, ()Church Slay. Khriivating, Slov. Khrrat. Karwat, Russ. Khrorate, Croat. and ()Church Slay. Storieuinii. 'Eo-aafinv6s, EsklaVnos, a Slav, whence Ger. Sklare, Engl. stare). A kingdom of Austria-Hungary, constituting one of the lands of the Hungarian Crown (Map: Hun gary. D 4). It is separated by the Drake and the Danube from Hungary proper on the north east, by the Save from Servia and Bosnia on the south, has Dalmatia and the Adriatic on the southwest, and Styria, Carniola, and Istria on the west. Croatia constitutes the southwestern portion; Slavonia, the northeastern part. its area is 16,770 square miles.
A large part of the surface consists of moun tain chains ranging in height from about 2000 to -1000 feet, principally spurs of the Julian and Styrian Alps. In Croatia are the Agram high lands, the Croatian Karst (see Klutsr ), with an elevation of about 500 feet. the two ranges of Great and Little Kapella. the former reaching a height. of about 500 feet, and the Vtlebit range, whose highest, summit is about 5750 feet. On the borders of Carniola are the Uskok Moun tains. The beautiful mountain region on the northwest is called Croatian Switzerland. The interior part along the Save consists of an extensive and fruitful valley. The eastern part is interspersed with fertile, well-cultivated valleys, while the western part is covered with forests. There are several small rivers flowing into the Save and Drake, and a number of lakes on the coast.
The climate is generally moderate, but very raw in the coastland of Croatia. which is exposed to the currents from the Adriatic and to the fierce ravages of the Bora. a cold northeastern wind, very destructive in its effects and greatly feared. by the inhabitants. In this western portion of the province the winters are long and the sum mers dry. In parts of Slavonia the climate is very insalubrious, on account of numerous swamps. The annual average temperature of the province fluctuates between 48° and 52° F. The soil is fairly fertile and the range of vegetation very wide. About 31 per cent. of the productive area is arable land, 25 per cent. is in meadows nod pastures, and over 36 per cent. is under for ests. The common European cereals are raised extensively. especially wheat and corn. The yield of potatoes is considerable. Fruits of dif
ferent kinds are grown in abundance, notably apples. plums, mots, and grapes in th6 southern part of the country. Hogs are raised in large numbers.
The mineral production of Croatia and Slavo nia is unimportant. Some coal, iron. marble, copper. and sulphur figure in the exports. The manufacturing industries are only slightly de veloped. There are some silk-mills, glass and sugar mills. a few ship-buildine% milling. paper, and leather establishments in die coast districts, and a number of distilleries. The plum brandy of Slavonia is famous under the name of M a:on:it:. There is a considerable transit trade, largely carried on through the ports of Fiume. Zengg, and Porto R5. The chief articles of export are grain, fruits, wine, lumber. and flour. The province is well provided with railway facilities. and the two navigable watercourses of the Save and Danube contribute largely to its commereial importance. Much (raffle is also carried on with Bosnia over the mountain roads.
The Ban. appointed by the Emperor. as King of Hungary. with the approval of the Hungarian Prime Minister, is at the head of the provincial administration. In its local administration the province is autonomous. It has a Diet ( La mt tely) composed of the Church dignitaries, mag nates. and representatives of the towns and rural communities. the last being elected indirectly. In the Hungarian Diet, the province is represented by forty Deputies in the Lower !louse and three in the Upper House. It is entitled to one min inter in the Hungarian Cabinet, who countersigns all important acts affecting the province. The finances are administered partly by the Hun garian and partly by the provincial Government. In 1900 the budget nearly balanced at 18,500,000 kronen. For administrative purposes the prov ince is divided into eight counties. Very adequate facilities are provided for both elementary and secondary education. About 65 per cent. of the ch;ldren attend schools. Agram (q.v.), the capi tal, offers excellent higher instruction. The popu lation in 1900 was 2.397.249. as against 2,186.410 in 1890. About 89 per cent. of the people are Croats and Serbs, 3 per cent. Hungarians and 5 per cent. Germans. Seventy-one per cent. are Roman Catholics. 26 per cent. belong to the Greek Orthodox Church, and the rest to the Evan gelical and other Reformed Churches.