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Dubrovnik and Neretva County

The Dubrovnik and Neretva county stretches along a narrow belt along the coast and includes the islands, from the Neretva in the north to Prevlaka in the Croatian Saints Bay (Boka kotorska). The main region is comprised of what used to be the Dubrovnik Republic. The county centre is the best preserved town of museums with its numerous palaces, churches, fortress walls, ancient archives and museums in which are preserved memories of Dubrovnik's citizens which contributed to the world heritage: Ruder Boskovic, Ivan Gundulic, Marin Drzic and others.

Dubrovnik was primarily a town and commune annexed to the region from Prevlaka to Ston (Peljesac) and became a Republic under the Libertas flag. The Republic had embassies all over the Mediterranean and even in far away countries. The largest island, Korcula, was the home to the medieval seafarer Marco Polo. The area around Metkovic is the site of a Roman settlement and is home to more than 259 bird species.

Dubrovnik, Korcula, Cavtat, Ston, Mali Ston and Orebic are urban entities registered as monuments of culture. 37 monuments are under protection, the most famous among them being the Mljet National Park, the Neretva Delta and the Trsteno arboretum. The most important event is the Dubrovnik Festival, which was founded in 1950 and which has offered numerous cultural events during the summer months.

Science develops at the Dubrovnik Inter-university centre, at the International Centre of Croatian Universities, Institutions and the HAZU Institutes. The American High School for Management and Technology has existed in Dubrovnik since 1997. Diplomatic activities exist in consulates in the UK, The Netherlands and Sweden.

Today, the county, and especially its centre, is a famous tourist destination.