Karlovac

Karlovac County is located in central Croatia, with Karlovac as its capital and administrative center. 

It is one of the larger counties, covering an area of ​​approximately 3,626 km². 

Location: It borders Slovenia and Bosnia and Herzegovina and serves as a major transport link between the interior (Zagreb) and the coast (Rijeka/Split). 

Population: Approximately 100,000–130,000 inhabitants (depending on recent census, declining due to emigration and an aging population). 

Nature & Landscape: Known for its four rivers (Korana, Kupa, Mrežnica, and Dobra) → hence the nickname "city of four rivers" for Karlovac itself.

It boasts abundant greenery, forests, lakes, and karst landscapes. 

Popular Attractions: Rastoke (watermills and waterfalls), Aquatika freshwater aquarium, caves, and hiking and cycling trails. 

Things to see: Historic towns and castles such as Ozalj, Slunj, Ogulin, Duga Resa, and Dubovac Castle. 

Rich folklore, traditions, and Baroque architecture in Karlovac (founded in 1579 as a fortified town). 

Tourism: Strongly focused on nature tourism, adventure (rafting, kayaking, cycling), rural tourism, and cultural heritage. 

Often described as an "underrated gem" or "fairytale nature in the heart of Croatia." 

Economy: Primarily industry, forestry, agriculture, and growing tourism. 

In short: a green, water-rich region with plenty of history, tranquility, and outdoor opportunities, ideal for those who want to escape the busy coast while remaining centrally located in Croatia.

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Koprivnica-Križevci

Koprivnica-Križevci (Koprivničko-križevačka županija) is a county in northern Croatia, located in the Podravina region (along the Drava River). 

Capital/largest city: Koprivnica (approximately 28,000–30,000 inhabitants). 

Major cities: Koprivnica (capital), Križevci, and Đurđevac. 

Number of municipalities: 3 cities + 22 municipalities. 

Main characteristics: Fertile, flat Podravina and Prigorje regions → strong agricultural activity (corn, sugar beets, vegetables). 

Well-known company: Podravka (food group, including Vegeta herb mix, from Koprivnica). 

Tourist attractions: naive art (painters of the Hlebine school: Generalić, Večenaj), medieval towns of Križevci and Đurđevac, Picokijada festival (traditional folk festival in Đurđevac), vineyards around Križevci and Kalnik. 

Location: strategic corridor between Hungary (border with Hungary via Drava) and central Croatia → important north-south traffic axis. 

In short: a rural, agricultural county with rich folklore, naive art tradition, and Podravka as an economic symbol, located between the Hungarian border and Zagreb (approx. 70 km).

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Krapina-Zagorje County

Krapina-Zagorje County (Krapin's Zagorje County) is a county in northwestern Croatia, bordering Slovenia. 

It covers most of the historical region of Croatian Zagorje. 

Location: Hilly and green area with forests, vineyards, thermal springs, and medieval castles. 

Known for: Neanderthal find in Krapina (world-famous museum), numerous picturesque castles (including Veliki Tabor), folklore, wine, and tourism. 

Capital: Krapina (cultural and administrative center). 

Area: ± 1,224 km², fairly densely populated by Croatian standards. 

Distance: Only a 30-45 minute drive from Zagreb. 

Popular for day trips from the capital, tranquil nature, history, and culinary traditions (Zagorje cuisine). 

A true mix of prehistory, the Middle Ages, and rural charm!

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Lika-Senj County

Lika-Senj County is a county in central Croatia, with Gospić as its capital. 

It is the largest county in Croatia in terms of area, but has a relatively small population (approximately 45,000–50,000). 

It encompasses: Most of the historic and karstic Lika region (highlands, dense forests, mountains such as Velebit and Plješivica). 

A stretch of coastline on the Adriatic Sea around the town of Senj. 

The northern part of the island of Pag. 

Beautiful nature: Plitvice Lakes (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), the springs of the Gacka River, the bear sanctuary, and the Velebit Mountains. 

A combination of mountains and sea. 

Preservation of traditions, folklore, and authentic rural culture. 

Less mass tourism → often considered one of Croatia's most underrated regions. 

In short: a rugged, green, and authentic area where mountains, forests, lakes, and a stretch of coastline converge – ideal for nature lovers and those seeking peace and quiet.

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Guangdong

Guangdong (广东) is the southernmost coastal province of China, on the South China Sea. 

Capital: Guangzhou (formerly Canton). 

Largest city: Shenzhen (technology and innovation hub). 

Economy: By far the richest and most dynamic province in China. 

Number 1 in GDP for decades, accounting for approximately 10-12% of the total Chinese economy. 

Heart of the Pearl River Delta (Greater Bay Area) including Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Dongguan, Foshan, Zhuhai, Hong Kong, and Macau. 

Key characteristics: Global manufacturing center (electronics, clothing, toys, etc.), largest export region, Canton Fair (the world's most famous trade fair), subtropical climate, Cantonese culture, dim sum cuisine, and a home to many overseas Chinese (especially those in Southeast Asia and the West). 

In short: Guangdong = China's economic engine, innovation capital, and gateway to the world.

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Shandong

Shandong (山东省) is a coastal province in East China, situated on the Yellow Sea and the Bohai Sea, with the Shandong Peninsula extending far out into the sea. 

Capital: Jinan (known for its springs and "City of Springs"). 

Major cities: Qingdao (beer city, port, and the 2008 Olympic sailing competition), Yantai, Weihai, Linyi (largest city by population), and Zibo. 

Shandong is the birthplace of Confucianism: Confucius and Mencius were born here. 

Mount Tai (Taishan) is China's holiest mountain and a major pilgrimage site. 

The province is a major agricultural and industrial region: it ranks first in China in agricultural production (grain, vegetables, fruit, and peanuts). 

Major industries include electronics, household appliances, automobiles, shipbuilding, and petrochemicals. 

Well-known brands: Haier, Hisense, Tsingtao beer Cuisine: Shandong cuisine (Lu Cai) is one of the eight great Chinese cuisines—fresh seafood, soups, stewed dishes, and an emphasis on natural flavors. 

In short: a highly populated, economically strong, historically and culturally significant province with mountains, fertile plains, and a long coastline.

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Henan

Henan (河南) is a province in central China, located on the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River (Huang He). 

The name literally means "south of the river." 

Population: Over 99 million inhabitants (2020), making it the most populous non-coastal province in China. 

Capital: Zhengzhou (modern major city and transportation hub). 

History: Henan is considered the cradle of Chinese civilization. 

It was the capital of several dynasties (including the Xia, Shang, Zhou, Han, Sui, Tang, and Song). Important ancient capitals: Anyang, Luoyang, Kaifeng. 

Notable highlights: Shaolin Temple (origin of kung fu and Zen Buddhism). 

Longmen Grottoes (thousands of Buddha statues, a UNESCO World Heritage Site).

White Horse Temple (oldest Buddhist temple in China). 

Economy: An important agricultural province (grain, wheat, corn), but also a growing industry and high-tech sector around Zhengzhou. 

Nickname: Often called "Yu" (豫). 

In short: Henan = the most populous inland province + the cultural and historical heart of China + the cradle of Chinese civilization.

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Sichuan

Sichuan (四川) is a large province in southwest China, known as the "Land of Abundance" (天府之国 / Tianfu Zhi Guo). 

Capital: Chengdu (成都), one of China's largest and most populous cities. 

Geography: The east consists of the fertile Sichuan Basin (Red Basin), surrounded by high mountains. 

The west lies on the Tibetan Plateau and is mountainous and high-altitude. 

The province borders Tibet, Yunnan, Guizhou, Chongqing, Shaanxi, and Gansu, among others. 

Economy & Importance: One of China's richest agricultural regions (rice, wheat, pigs, vegetables). 

Major industries (electronics, automobiles, high-tech in Chengdu), plus abundant minerals and hydropower. 

Sichuan is the most economically important province in western China. 

Known for: Sichuan cuisine: world-famous spicy and hot (chili, Sichuan pepper), hotpot, mapo tofu, kung pao chicken. 

Giant pandas: mainly around Chengdu (Wolong, Bifengxia, Chengdu Panda Base). 

Tourism: Jiuzhaigou (beautiful lakes & waterfalls), Huanglong, Emei Shan, Leshan Giant Buddha (World Heritage Site), Dujiangyan Irrigation System. 

In short: an incredibly diverse, fertile, and culturally rich province with spectacular nature, delicious (spicy) cuisine, and pandas as its star attraction.

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Jiangsu

Jiangsu (江苏) is a coastal province in East China, situated on the Yellow Sea and bisected by the Yangtze River (Chang Jiang). 

Capital: Nanjing (historically very important). 

Largest city: Suzhou. 

Economic: One of the wealthiest provinces in China (highest or second-highest GDP per capita), very strong in industry, technology, exports, electronics, chemicals, and textiles. 

Famous for: classical gardens (Suzhou), water cities (such as Zhouzhuang, Tongli), the Grand Canal, Taihu Lake, historic cities (Nanjing, Yangzhou) and a modern delta economy (near Shanghai). 

Location: Bordered by Shandong (north), Anhui (west), and Zhejiang and Shanghai (south).

In short: Jiangsu = historical wealth + modern prosperity + water-rich landscapes in the Yangtze Delta, one of the most prosperous and densely populated regions in the world.

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Hebei

Hebei (河北) is a province in Northern China, completely surrounding Beijing and Tianjin (enclaves). 

It is one of the most densely populated provinces in China. 

Capital: Shijiazhuang (石家庄). 

Largest city: Baoding (保定). 

Main features: Located largely on the North China Plain (fertile agricultural land: wheat, cotton, corn, vegetables, and fruit). 

Mountainous in the west (Taihang Mountains) and north (Yan Mountains). 

Contains sections of the Great Wall of China (including Shanhaiguan Pass, meaning "First Gate under Heaven"). 

Famous tourist spots: 

Chengde Summer Palace & temples (UNESCO), Beidaihe Beach, Baiyangdian Lake, Zhaozhou Bridge. Economy: Very strong in heavy industry → China's leading producer of steel, iron, cement, coal, chemicals, and machinery. 

In recent years, there has been a strong focus on greening and remediating polluting industries. 

Climate: Continental with hot summers and cold winters. 

In short: Hebei = the industrial and agricultural province that "hugs" Beijing, with a rich history (Wall, imperial resorts) but also serious environmental problems due to industry.

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