Croats

Croats (Croatian: Hrvati) are a south Slavic people mostly living in Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, with a notable diaspora in western Europe, the Americas, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. The Croats are often characterized by a strong affiliation with Catholicism and the Croatian language.

The population numbers are reasonably exact domestically: they number a bit under 4 million in Croatia and around 600,000 in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Abroad, their count is rather approximated due to incomplete statistical records and naturalization. The largest emigrant groups are in western Europe: Germany, Italy, Sweden, United Kingdom etc., followed by Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru, Bolivia and the United States. There are also notable Croat groups in South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.

The origin of the Croat tribe before the great migration of the Slavs is uncertain. In the 7th century, they moved from the area north of the river Vistula (what was referred to as the White Croatia) and migrated into the western Dinaric Alps. For the rest of their history, see history of Croatia.