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Geographic Situation:
Coastline: 5,835km (mainland 1,777km, islands 4,058km)
Maritime claims: continental shelf: 200m depth or to the depth of exploitation territorial sea: 12nm
Length of the state border on the sea 1,100km
Total area waters 31,757km^sup 2^
Area of islands 3,300 km^sup 2^
Number of islands and reefs: 1,185
Subordinate to:
MoD, General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces Croatia, Stanciceva 6, 41000 Zagreb, Croatia www.morh.hr
History:
The Croats Naval origin mentioned in 642, later evolved into a Navy in the time of Duke Vladislav (821-835). In constant competition with Venice Croatia under Duke Branimir, defeated the Venetian fleet on 18 September 887. The fleet of the Republic of Dubrovnik in 1800 counted 673 sailing ships, 235 of which were big enough to sail out of the Dubrovnik territorial waters. Under Austrian Fleet Commander Tegetthoff, in the vicinity of the island of Vis Croatian sailors brought victory to Austria. In memory of the defeat of the Venetian fleet and other important Croatian Naval events September 18 is today celebrated as the Navy Day. The Croatian Republic Navy was founded on September 12, 1991, two days later the Croatian flag was hoisted for the first time on a battleship and 27 combat vessels were captured in the "Repair Shipyard" of Sibenic. In the same month the coastal and island headquarters were reorganized, and the JNA Fleet began to retreat. The Croatian Navy had several successful engagements, hostile ships were raided from the sea and with the defence of the Peljesac Peninsula...