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Zagreb

geography Maturity 11-13 Next article →

Zagreb is the capital and largest city in Croatia.

Zagreb 2 2 (cropped)
Zagreb 2 2 (cropped)

It sits in the northern part of the country. The city lies along the Sava river. It also sits near the southern slopes of the Medvednica mountain.

Medvedgrad 2022-05-12
Medvedgrad 2022-05-12

This location makes Zagreb a very important place for travel. It is a hub where roads, rails, and air networks meet. People from Central Europe and the Mediterranean all pass through here.

The city has a very diverse look and feel. Most districts sit at a low elevation in the Sava river valley. However, northern districts like Podsljeme and Sesvete spread across the mountain foothills.

Districts of Zagreb (map with numbers)
Districts of Zagreb (map with numbers)

The city spans about 30 km from east to west. It stretches about 20 km from north to south. This variety in land makes the city's image quite unique. It is a place of both flat valleys and rising hills.

Zagreb has a history that goes back many centuries. The oldest settlement near the city was called Andautonia.

Andautonia, iskopine starorimskog naselja
Andautonia, iskopine starorimskog naselja

Long ago, the city was actually two separate towns. One was Kaptol, where the clergy lived. The other was Gradec, where merchants and craftsmen worked.

Zagreb-Valvasor
Zagreb-Valvasor

These two centers had many conflicts over property and rent. They were finally united into one single settlement in 1850. Janko Kamauf became the city's first mayor in 1851.

Many important things happen in Zagreb today. It is the seat of the central government and all ministries. Most large Croatian companies and media groups have their headquarters here.

INA-Naftaplin building, Zagreb, 2025
INA-Naftaplin building, Zagreb, 2025

The city is also a center for science and research. At the 2021 census, the city had 767,131 people. The whole metropolitan area has 1,086,528 people.

Zagreb population pyramid
Zagreb population pyramid

This large population helps drive a strong and diverse economy.

Visitors can find many wonderful things to do in the city. Zagreb is known for its museums, sports, and fun events.

Msu-museum-contemporary-art-zagreb
Msu-museum-contemporary-art-zagreb

You can see beautiful buildings like the National Theatre.

Building of the Croatian National Theatre in Zagreb
Building of the Croatian National Theatre in Zagreb

The city also has many parks and lively squares. It is a place where history meets modern life. This makes Zagreb a very important global city in Europe.

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🖼️ Images & Media (20)
File:Andautonia, iskopine starorimskog naselja.jpg
Andautonia, iskopine starorimskog naselja.jpg
File:Zagreb-Valvasor.jpg
Zagreb-Valvasor.jpg
File:Antunovic hotel - Zagreb (15322254719).jpg
Antunovic hotel - Zagreb (15322254719).jpg
File:Zagreb 2 2 (cropped).jpg
Zagreb 2 2 (cropped).jpg
File:Zelena potkova.jpg
Zelena potkova.jpg
File:Medvedgrad 2022-05-12.jpg
Medvedgrad 2022-05-12.jpg
File:Sljeme_(31374028193).jpg
Sljeme_(31374028193).jpg
File:Zagreb population pyramid.svg
Zagreb population pyramid.svg
File:Districts of Zagreb (map with numbers).svg
Districts of Zagreb (map with numbers).svg
File:St. Mark's Church Zagreb.jpg
St. Mark's Church Zagreb.jpg
File:PSX 20190406 122459.jpg
PSX 20190406 122459.jpg
File:Msu-museum-contemporary-art-zagreb.jpg
Msu-museum-contemporary-art-zagreb.jpg

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