Search

In a globally connected world, the extensive migrations of people for economic, political or other purposes create circumstances that have a substantial impact on their sense of identity. The migrants' arrival and settlement in a place with different cultural background usually shifts this sense of identity and affects its gradual transformation. The assimilation of migrants into the new surrounding is often partial, insofar as they continue to use their native language, as well as maintain physical connections with their place of origin. In terms of geography, this can mean their more or less frequent movement to and from their place of origin. The process applies to both their sense of place and identification with place (from regional to transregional identity) and their language use (a shift to language multifocality). The talk presents the preliminary results of a project which aims at a) proposing a unique way of mapping the identities of translocally and transnationally oriented migrants, and b) describing properties of the respective migrants' language use in terms of linguistic multifocality. The newly introduced, theoretical notions of spatial translocality and linguistic multifocality are conceptually defined and methodologically discussed. Then, an innovative way of mapping the translocal movements of the respective individuals is presented on the basis of a qualitative case study. These data are backed up by a survey study which aimed at quantifying the translocal and multilingual self-perceptions of an exemplary group of contemporary migrants, i.e. Croats of Croatian and Bosnian background that live or have lived in Lower Saxony, Germany.

As a product of collective regional consciousness, perceptual regions can depend on several important factors such tradition of territoriality, sociocultural homogeneity, common natural features, etc. As such, they are dynamic categories, dependent on the influence of various trends in an area that change the demographic, social, economic and political circumstances, thus creating new perceptions and affecting the view of a region, its territorial extent and what it represents in the collective consciousness of its own population, as well as of those outside of it. As main tools in geography, maps can serve as a relatively reliable indicators of such an evolution. Therefore, monitoring map contents such as boundaries, lines, contours, and above all toponyms as key carriers of a region's identity on maps from various periods can be used as a key in defining changes in a region's perception, especially with regards to its territorial extent in cases where a region is recognized as a specific area but has lacked official, administrative boundaries. The region of Zagora in south Croatian hinterland has had a long history of being recognized from the point of view of various map makers, although it has most usually lacked institutionalization. A series of maps are used to decode the change in perception of its perceived territorial extent through time.

Geographic name „Blidinje“ refers to the intermountain depression between the mountains Vran and Čvrsnica in the western Bosnia- Herzegovina (The High Herzegovina region). Although it is surrounded by densly populated karst poljes and river valleys, it is an area that has never been permanently settled, but has had a number of temporary settlements of cattle-raisers throughout history. Today the area belongs to the complex of the nature park “Blidinje”. Given its history of scarce population and a relative sociopolitical marginality within the region, the area has not been in focus of political and historical dynamism. Consequently, historical sources that note the geographic changes of the area are also sparse. For the abovementioned reasons, historical and contemporary maps represent an alternative source that can be used to trace geographic development of Blidinje area. The research uses a series of maps ranging from those that date back to the first half of the 19th century, to more contemporary ones in order to track various contents of the maps (toponyms, contours, etc.) that reflect the natural and anthropogenic changes of the area.

This article presents an interdisciplinary study of the Croatian minority in Hanover (Germany), exploring these speakers’ identity as a phenomenon constituted in and between multiple locations, as well as through the use of two languages. An introduction to the historical, geographic, and demographic background of the Croatian community in Germany and specifically in Lower Saxony/Hanover serves as the starting point. On this basis, the concepts of spatial and translocal as well as bi-/multilingual identity are presented and exemplified by the case of the Croatian minority speakers in Hanover. The geographic basis of the Croatian minority’s identity is explored and contextualized by mapping the translocal network of a selected family of Croatian immigrants in Hanover. Insights into aspects of the minority language’s maintenance are described on the basis of a questionnaire study. Factors such as participation in heritage language classes and trips to the homeland are detected as important for the occurrence of a translocal and multilingual identity. Linguistic and communicative means for the expression of this specific type of identity are then explored by means of a qualitative analysis of data collected through five semi-structured interviews and a focus group conducted with members of the Croatian minority in Hanover. We conclude with a summary of our findings and an outlook on future research issues.

Proces iseljavanja Hrvata u Njemačku započinje u 19. stoljeću te se konstantno, uz nekoliko valova snažnijeg intenziteta potaknutih akutnim političkim i ekonomskim uzrocima, nastavio kroz cijelo 20. i početak 21. stoljeća. Hrvati pritom migriraju ne samo s područja današnje Hrvatske, već i s tradicionalno hrvatskih etničkih i kulturnih prostora koji su danas u sastavu susjednih država (Bosna i Hercegovina, Crna Gora, Srbija). Danas su prisutni u svim njemačkim saveznim državama. Hrvatski iseljenici ostaju na različite načine povezani s domovinom, nastojeći očuvati sastavnice svojega identiteta te ih prenijeti na sljedeće naraštaje Hrvata koji su rođeni i odrastaju u iseljeništvu. U posljednjih tridesetak godina globalno društvo obilježeno je sve većom mobilnošću i sve bržim i frekventnijim sredstvima prometovanja i komunikacije, pa mobilnost i cirkulacija kretanja među različitim mjestima sve više postaju sredstva koja oblikuju identitetske značajke ljudi. Očuvanje hrvatskoga nacionalnog i kulturnog identiteta u takvim je okolnostima često pod utjecajem povremenih ili sezonskih migracija u mjesto porijekla, kao i kretanjem/cirkulacijom u državi stanovanja. U tom smislu može se govoriti o sve većoj translokalnosti identiteta Hrvata u Njemačkoj, posebice druge ili treće generacije iseljenika. Identificiranjem i kartiranjem translokalne mreže odabrane iseljeničke obitelji u Hannoveru (Donja Saska), kao i uvidima u jezične i komunikacijske značajke hrvatskih iseljenika u tom gradu putem intervjua i fokus grupa u radu se na interdisciplinaran način nastoji prepoznati i odrediti dvije dimenzije translokalnosti identiteta hrvatskih iseljenika – geografsku i jezičnu.

Knjiga Geografski položaj, granice i političko- geografska obilježja Hrvatske prvi je dio reprezentativne Velike geografije Hrvatske, kapitalnog djela o zemljopisnom prostoru i prostornim mijenama na teritoriju Republike Hrvatske. Na otprilike 300 stranica autori razmatraju i javnosti približavaju činjenice o važnosti geografskog, , posebice prometno-geografskog položaja i značenju Hrvatske u suvremenom okružju te stoljetne mijene i probleme u oblikovanju i uređivanju granica, posebice suvremenih. Znatan dio posvećen je političko- geografskim i geostrateškim okolnostima i odnosima Republike Hrvatske, a u skladu s time i odnosima s međunarodnom zajednicom, susjednim i drugim zemljama te prekograničnoj regionalnoj suradnji. Uz opširan popis literature, u pronalaženju pojmova i građe čitateljima pomaže kazalo zemljopisnih pojmova

The Early Modern Croatian borderlands area reflects many social and cultural divides, shared spaces and intersecting identities. It represents an area of multiple contacts of three different imperial traditions in the Early Modern period ; Ottoman, Habsburg and Venetian. That was a meeting place of East and West, Christianity and Islam and maritime and continental traditions. Frequent border changes throughout several centuries were followed by migrations and introduction of new (other) social and cultural communities, building and rebuilding the landscapes of multiple identities. Research into past spatial perceptions and images from historical maps is of particular interest in contact and shared spaces, where diverse cultures, religious systems and complex ethnic structures meet. Investigating regional identities in the contact spaces of the borderlands was based primarily on deconstructing maps of the time ; tracing a map rhetoric and its symbolic meaning. The westernmost border of the Ottoman Empire with the Habsburg Monarchy was primarily a border between Islam and Christianity. That fact notwithstanding, the Orthodox Christians were also perceived as Others among the dominant population of Roman Catholic affiliation in (Habsburgian) Croatia. The borderlands were more likely a shared space and not so much a divide of different intersecting cultural (religious) identities, that were appreciated and recognized. Landscapes of diverse identities were analyzed and discussed through a number of historical regional examples i.e. Morlacca, Minor Wallachia and Turkish Croatia.

The Early Modern Croatian borderlands area reflects many social and cultural divides, shared spaces and intersecting identities. It represents an area of multiple contacts of three different imperial traditions in the Early Modern period; Ottoman, Habsburg and Venetian. That was a meeting place of East and West, Christianity and Islam and maritime and continental traditions. Frequent border changes throughout several centuries were followed by migrations and introduction of new (other) social and cultural communities, building and rebuilding the landscapes of multiple identities. Research into past spatial perceptions and images from historical maps is of particular interest in contact and shared spaces, where diverse cultures, religious systems and complex ethnic structures meet. Investigating regional identities in the contact spaces of the borderlands was based primarily on deconstructing maps of the time; tracing a map rhetoric and its symbolic meaning. The westernmost border of the Ottoman Empire with the Habsburg Monarchy was primarily a border between Islam and Christianity. That fact notwithstanding, the Orthodox Christians were also perceived as Others among the dominant population of Roman Catholic affiliation in (Habsburgian) Croatia. The borderlands were more likely a shared space and not so much a divide of different intersecting cultural (religious) identities, that were appreciated and recognized. Landscapes of diverse identities were analyzed and discussed through a number of historical regional examples i.e. Morlacca, Minor Wallachia and Turkish Croatia. Das frühneuzeitliche kroatische Grenzgebiet weist zahlreiche soziale und kulturelle Trennlinien, gemeinsam genutzte Räume und sich überschneidende Identitäten auf. Es ist ein Gebiet vielfältiger Kontakte dreier verschiedener imperialer Traditionen der frühen Neuzeit: des Osmanischen Reichs, der Habsburger Monarchie und Venedigs. Es war ein Treffpunkt von Ost und West, Christentum und Islam und maritimen und kontinentalen Traditionen. Häufige Grenzverschiebungen waren über mehrere Jahrhunderte hinweg begleitet von Migration und der Einführung neuer (anderer) sozialer und kultureller Gemeinschaften sowie der Entstehung und Veränderung von Landschaften vielfältiger Identitäten. Die Erforschung von früheren Raumwahrnehmungen und von Bildern historischer Karten ist von besonderem Interesse in angrenzenden und gemeinsamen Gebieten, in denen verschiedene Kulturen, religiöse Systeme und komplexe ethnische Strukturen aufeinandertreffen. Die Erforschung regionaler Identitäten in den Kontakträumen von Grenzgebieten wurde vor allem auf der Dekonstruktion zeitgenössischer Landkarten sowie der Analyse der Aussagen von Landkarten und ihrer symbolischen Bedeutung aufgebaut. Die westlichste Grenze zwischen dem Osmanischen Reich und der Habsburger Monarchie war vor allem eine Grenze zwischen Islam und Christentum. Gleichwohl wurden die orthodoxen Christen ebenfalls als Andere innerhalb der dominanten römisch-katholischen (Habsb urg ischen) Bevölkerung in Kroatien betrachtet. Die Grenzgebiete waren wahrscheinlich eher ein gemeinsam genutzter Raum als eine Trennlinie zwischen verschiedenen einander überlagernden kulturellen (religiösen) Identitäten, die geschätzt und anerkannt wurden. Landschaften unterschiedlicher Identitäten wurden anhand einer Reihe historischer Beispiele analysiert und diskutiert, z.B. Morlacca, Walachia Minor und Türkisch-Kroatien.

In this paper, we discuss the conceptualization of space as a dimension relevant to identity and the central role that is attributed to language with respect to the constitution of identity. We thereby pursue a threefold goal: 1. to highlight the contribution of geographical research to our understanding of the self as a phenomenon situated in space ; 2. to discern merits, but also problems related to the recent strong emphasis of the role of language with respect to identity constitution, especially in constructivist and poststructuralist approaches ; and 3. on the basis of these findings, to draw conclusions concerning the function of language, space, and other dimensions of identity. In addition to a survey of relevant theoretical positions, a corpus study of media texts serves to exemplify the interdisciplinary approach proposed in the paper, with a special focus on geographically and linguistically marked identity.

Fiktivno putovanje Zoranićeva glavnog junaka u prvomu hrvatskom romanu Planine odvija se u prostoru koji predstavlja svojevrstan spoj stvarnih geografskih područja i lokaliteta i fiktivnog prostora. U tom smislu, ovo djelo oslikava imaginativnu geografiju svojega vremena prožetu realnim i mitološkim elementima te predstavlja važan izvor neformalnog geografskog znanja koje je moguće iskoristiti za razmatranje prostornih percepcija vremena u kojemu je djelo nastalo. U radu se analiziraju Zoranićeva percepcija stvarnih geografskih regija i krajobraza kao i njihova mitološka nadgradnja te se donose zaključci o imaginativnoj geograiji i prostornim percepcijama pojedinih hrvatskih regija i krajolika u povijesnim okolnostima nastanka djela. Također se razmatraju mogući utjecaji onovremenoga geografskog znanja na djelo.

Prepoznavanje i analiza regionalnih dispariteta sve su prisutnija tema u razumijevanju regija i njihova socioekonomskog razvoja, kao i posljedičnoj primjeni regionalnih politika. Objektivna procjena regionalnih dispariteta postala je, stoga, važan korak u usmjeravanju regionalnih politika i od strane pojedinih država i od strane supranacionalnih institucija poput Europske unije. U radu se obrađuju odabrani pokazatelji regionalnih dispariteta na teritoriju Češke Republike, te se razmatraju, vizualiziraju i evaluiraju s ciljem doprinosa mjerenju regionalnih dispariteta. Pokazatelji su podijeljeni u tri kategorije – demografske, ekonomske i infrastrukturne – te su analizirani na razini čeških NUTS 3 regija (pokrajina) i organizirani u bazu prostornih podataka u okruženju softwarea ArcGIS. Upotrebom sintetičkog indeksa definiraju se i analiziraju dispariteti unutar spomenutih triju kategorija. Vrijednosti pokazatelja i rezultati evaluacije regija kartografski su prikazani u vidu niza kartograma, te se na temelju analize i kartografskih vizualizacija donose zaključci o postojećim disparitetima., The identification and analysis of regional disparities are increasingly important issues for a better understanding of regions and their socioeconomic development, and the subsequent application of regional policies. The objective assessment of regional disparities is an important step in directing regional policies by individual countries and supranational institutions such as the European Union. The paper deals with selected indicators of regional socio-economic disparities in the territory of the Czech Republic that were observed, visualized and evaluated to contribute to measuring regional disparities. The indicators were divided into three categories - demographic, economic and infrastructural - and defined and analyzed at the level of the Czech NUTS3 regions (counties), with the data organized as a geodatabase within ArcGIS software. A synthetic index was used to define and analyze the disparities within the three categories. The values for the indicators, along with the results of the regional evaluation, were presented cartographically as a series of cartograms, and the analysis and cartographic visualizations were used to reach conclusions about existing disparities.

Croatia has for centuries been a zone of cultural contacts and exchages that have caused its prominent multiculturality. Its vast borderland territory was faced to frequent depopulation, repopulation and change of cultural groups and eventually leaded to the formation of distinct (regional) identities, based on the perception of dissimilarities and otherness. Employing the method of deconstructing the symbolic layer of historical maps enabled to trace the landscapes of (multiple) identities of the borderland in the early modern period.

Besides the formal geographic knowledge resulting from scientific methodology, there is also a significantly wider informal aspect of knowledge about space. It results from imagination and images conditioned by a society’s or an individual’s subjective notions and impressions about the spatial facts and processes expressed in the contemporary informal and non-scientific discourses. Subjective notions of space and affiliations to it are an integral part of an individual’s mental maps and are closely related to his/her sense of identity and affiliation to space. Such spatials identites manifests as multi- layered, from national and supranational to local layers, with perceptive regions being an important part of an individual’s sense of place. In relation to the construction of spatial identities, one of the most important concepts is vernacular region, a concept of perceptive region based solely on inhabitants’ notion of region’s qualitative and quantitative spatial characteristics. Mapping spatial identities was based on content analysis of a media subject, in this case a regional newspaper, as a source of informal geographic knowledge, in order to construct a cartographic approximation (imaginative map) of vernacular regions of the Dalmatian hinterland. The applied methodology is based on detecting and categorizing geographic names and similar determinants and using them as references to spatially define and map of vernacular regions.

While not necessarily actual in the contemporary administrative divisions, vernacular regions are an integral part of regional identities. As such, they are a type of perceptual regions based solely on the inhabitants’ inner perception of a region. Vernacular regions are usually articulated through the occurrence of a region’s name in various informal narratives such as labels of interest groups. The aim of the paper is to use the official online databases as a means to identify and extract interest groups such as businesses, companies and public associations with labels containing the name of Zagora region in southern Croatia. The extracted data is used to map the vernacular region and reach conclusions about the applicability of the method and the utilised data sources, as well as to find out how external perception influences regional affiliation in a traditional region without institutional frame.

Dinamičnost sociogeografskih i historijskogeografskih procesa i trendova ključan je čimbenik koji oblikuje uniformnost pojedinih prostornih cjelina, te njihovo poimanje i percepciju u očima stanovništva i stručnjaka. Pritom je regija kao temeljna geografska koncepcija u svakom trenutku ishod svih prethodnih i aktualnih prostornih odnosa, kako onih koji proizlaze iz prirodne datosti, tako i onih vezanih uz političke, upravne i gospodarske promjene. Neformalne regije poput Dalmatinske zagore, koje unatoč postojanju u svijesti stanovništva nisu dio aktualnih upravno-teritorijalnih ustroja, svoju tradicijsku prisutnost u prostornom poimanju i identifikaciji najčešće duguju upravo zbroju svih navedenih čimbenika. Uniformnost i identitet regije pritom su zastupljeni eksplicitnim i implicitnim simbolima, značenjima i pojmovima od kojih je najvažniji geografsko ime ili toponim. Karta kao pokazatelj temeljnih prostornih odnosa u trenutku izrade može poslužiti kao izvor informacije o prostornim identitetima, njihovom obuhvatu i distribuciji. Pritom su prisutnost toponima i njegovo pozicioniranje ključevi za spoznavanje činjenica o teritorijalnosti i percepcije pojedine regije. U tom smislu, cilj je ovoga rada pratiti i prepoznati razvoj i dinamiku prostornog obuhvata Zagore, regije u unutrašnjosti Dalmacije, detekcijom pozicioniranja toponima Zagora i njegovih inacica u nizu kartografskih prikaza iz pojedinih razdoblja.

The Croatian archipelago consists of 1246 islands, islets and rocks, with only 47 islands permanently inhabited. Total population of the inhabited islands is 125.000 which is a mere 3% of the total Croatian population. The islands’ traditional agriculture-based economy was transformed during the second half of the 20th century due to a growth of mass tourism which created a substantial pressure on the islands' water resources. The islands receive between 700 and 1.500 mm of annual rainfall, but due to the prevailing highly permeable carbonate rocks (i.e. limestone), most of the water rapidly infiltrates underground. Water shortages can occur periodically since the peak of the water consumption coincides with summer, the driest period of the year. Only a few larger islands have substantial local water sources while other rely on the water transported from the mainland either through water mains or by special water carrier ships. Historically, settlements on the islands depend on often scarce local water sources as well as on collecting rainwater during the wet season. Traditional means of collecting water were mostly abandoned when modern water supply systems were introduced. However, the expanding tourism creates a constant increase in the demand for water. Therefore, there is a need for alternative water sources, especially on smaller islands. Apart from high-tech and often expensive solutions (i.e. desalination, waste water recycling), utilization of the once abandoned traditional means should be considered as cheap and ready-to-use method of obtaining additional water. Such methods should be used as a back-up for modern supply systems during the consumption peaks. Due to the fact that the water thusly obtained is often of lower quality, it could be used primarily in agriculture, which would leave more water from the water mains for the purpose of human consumption. Furthermore, global climate change and the associated sea-level rise could affect already vulnerable islands’ aquifers through the infiltration of saltwater which additionally emphasizes the importance of the implementation of the traditional water supply systems in the future.

Basic facts on floods and flood management systems in the Republic of Croatia are described. The current regulation plans and concepts are discussed, with an emphasis on their efficiency and the concurrence with the European regulations. Examples for the 2014 floods are given as a case study.

U radu se, s geografskog stajališta, analiziraju osnovne značajke regija, regionalizacije i njihove primjene u praktičnim istraživanjima. Navedeni su vrste i tipovi regija i obilježja dijelova regija. Također je objašnjena regionalizacija, temeljni načini i metode s posebnim osvrtom na uvjetno-homogenu i nodalno-funkcionalnu regionalizaciju Hrvatske. U poglavlju o praktičnim regionalnim istraživanjima najviše se raspravlja o ulozi regionalizacije u oblikovanju upravno-teritorijalnih jedinica, te o regionalnom pristupu u definiranju tradicijskih regija.

A large part of the Mediterranean basin is characterized by semi-arid and arid climates which – together with other factors such as geological basis and human influence – affect fresh water availability in the region. In the past, human settlements depended on often scarce water resources which were able to sustain only limited population. In modern times, such shortcomings are resolved by applying modern hydrotechnical solutions which enable the use of previously inaccessible water resources (e.g. deep groundwater, sea water, etc.). Southern Sardinia is a typical semi-arid region with limited local water resources and dense population, which makes it rely on transport of fresh water from remote, more humid areas of the island. The Villasimius municipality is a good example of a small community dealing with a conflict of modern economical development and limited water supply. In the recent decades, traditional agriculture- based economy was replaced by fast growing tourism which peaks in dry summer months, thus creating immense pressure on local water sources. To meet the increasing water demands, several modern technical solutions, such as waste water recycling and desalination of sea water, were applied. Even so, the availability of water presents a key issue in municipalities’ present economic development

Due to its small area and the vicinity of human settlements and activities, the Ornithological reserve ov Vransko jezero has been exposed to influence of the many negative socio-economic factors, among which the strongest one is agriculture. The agricultural aspects such as the vicinity of extensively used fertile soils and the fact that the lake itself is used in the locals' fishery activities, have a tremendously negative impact on the lake. In the paper, the conflict is approached within the DPSIR model framework.

Širi prostor srednjodalmatinskoga zaobalja u mnogim se suvremenim formalnim i neformalnim izvorima geografskog znanja, kao i u svakodnevnom govoru, naziva Zagorom ili Dalmatinskom zagorom, iako takav naziv ne postoji u suvremenom upravno- teritorijalnom ustroju Republike Hrvatske. Osim suvremenih medija koji dalmatinsku unutrašnjost nerijetko nazivaju Dalmatinskom zagorom, naziv Zagora prepoznaju i znanstvenici kao povijesno- geografsku cjelinu u užem zaobalju Šibenika, Trogira i Splita, te je njegovo postojanje u svijesti stanovništva neupitna činjenica. No, prostorna primjena spomenutog toponima stvara konfuziju s obzirom da varira od spomenute uže povijesno-geografske cjeline do cjelovitog kontinentalnog pojasa Dalmacije. Sukladno navedenom, istraživanjem u okviru ove doktorske disertacije nastojalo se definirati približni obuhvat percepcije regije nazvane Zagorom u suvremenim okolnostima, te prepoznati pojedine kriterije koji ju određuju kao poseban tradicijski prostor. Temelj istraživanja jest historijsko- geografski pregled teritorijalnih promjena, na koji se nadovezuje istraživanje toponima Zagora kao nositelja percepcije prostora od strane stanovništva kroz njegovu detekciju u odabranim suvremenim medijima i ergonimima, te postojećim formalnim izvorima. Analizom sadržaja i kvantitativnom analizom fokusiranom na spomenuti toponim određen je približni prostorni doseg regije, a rezultati su prikazani kartogramima. U dijelu disertacije vezanom uz definiranje formalnih kriterija regionalnosti, kao ključni elementi prepoznati su reljef (priobalni niz uzvisina), zatim dio aktualne državne granice između Hrvatske i BiH od kninskog do vrgorskog područja, te dva nematerijalna sociokulturna elementa – novoštokavski ikavski dijalekt i višeglasno pjevanje (ganga i rera). Ostvarenim rezultatima potvrđeno je postojanje tradicijske regije Dalmatinske zagore kao znanstvene činjenice, i to s vernakularnoga i formalnog gledišta, te je određen približni obuhvat regije takvoga imena. Na taj je način disertacijom ostvaren znanstveni doprinos regionalnoj geografiji u okvirima novih spoznaja o prostornom obuhvatu i homogenosti istraživane regije.

The development of the Croatian Islands has been closely connected to the water resources. Up to the end of the Second World War, the islands's economy was dominated by the agriculture, while after the war tourism took over the leading role. It should be pointed out that there is a huge discrepancy in the development of the large and small inhabited Croatian Islands. Such discrepancy is caused by the lack of water resources on the small islands, which in turn has a deep economic as well as demographic impact on them.

Vrgorska je krajina najjužniji predio Dalmatinske zagore, te odražava izrazite kontraste u prirodno-geografskim i socio-geografskim obilježjima. To se poglavito odnosi na razlike između sjeverozapadnih, izrazito brdskih i negostoljubivih zona s raštrkanim selima i zaselcima, te jugoistočnih područja plodnih polja u kršu koja su u prošlosti imala veliko značenje za prehranjivanje lokalnoga stanovništva. I današnji raspored stanovnika administrativnog prostora Grada Vrgorca, te samog naselja Vrgorac svjedoči o tradiciji naseljavanja u blizini polja Jezero i Rastok, unatoč konstantnoj depopulaciji cijele Vrgorske krajine tijekom 20. stoljeća. Složena hidrološka situacija i danas je uzrokom brojnih problema u vidu periodičnih plavljenja, što vrednovanje ovih polja u poljoprivrednom smislu čini otežanima, unatoč poduzetim zahvatima s ciljem skraćenja trajanja poplava. Danas, u izmijenjenim geopolitičkim i geoprometnim, kao i gospodarskim okolnostima, krška polja vrgorskoga prostora doživljavaju i novi socio-geografski moment u krajobraznom i funkcionalnom smislu.

Large karst depressions with fertile soil and permanent streams in their bottoms represent the most valuable and rare fertile areas in the Dinaric karst. Such depressoins, defined in literature as „karst poljes“ , are in contrast with mostly barren, rocky and depopulated hinterland of southern Croatia, and thus represent the largest among the scarce fertile zones in karst. However, the specific hydrographic situation in such depressions has often caused difficulties in terms of floods and draughts, which has required undertaking special measurements for the most optimal valorization and menagement. A typical example is Jezero polje near Vrgorac in southern Croatia, also known as (Jezero – „The Lake“). Although its fertile surfaces have attracted settlers in its vicinity, the periodical flooding of the polje has been a problem which limited agriciltural activities only during the dryer part of the year, when the water would drain away. However, the summer aridity typical for areas with Mediterranean climate such as the area of Vrgorac has additionally shortened the period of the agricultural valorization during the year. Due to the above mentioned conditions, permanent settlements and infrastructure have been situated on the outside rim of the flooded areas of the polje. Such conditions are common to all of the karst poljes in southern Croatia (Imotsko, Rastok, Vrgorsko, Popovo polje), and require special measures, primarily in terms of managing water regimen in order to increase the overall agricultural productivity of the karst poljes.

Danas je u svijetu široko rasprostranjeno shvaćanje da općenite informacije o okolišu, odnosno detaljne informacije o urbanom okolišu, predstavljaju odlučujući čimbenik u racionalnom donošenju odluka, učinkovitom upravljanju i razmještaju prirodnih, ljudskih i ekonomskih resursa. Pokušaj da se u urbani razvoj post- socijalističkih gradova uključe principi održivosti zahtijeva nove odnose između tradicionalnih i suvremenih pristupa od strane ključnih sudionika u urbanom planiranju i razvoju. Procjena učinkovitost urbanog okoliša, odnosno njegov pregled putem razvoja i implementacije sustava indikatora održivosti predmet je mnogobrojnih studija, kao i praktičnog urbanog upravljanja diljem svijeta, što je započeto još sa Global Urban Observatory UNHCS-a, u kojoj je napravljena baza podataka za mjerenje kvalitete života u više od 1100 gradova u svijetu. Pojedini gradovi i individualno započinju razvijati skupove ovih pokazatelja, osobito u Kanadi (Vancouver), Sjedinjenim Američkim Državama (Pittsburgh, Santa Monica, Seattle) i Engleskoj (Bristol), a u novije vrijeme ova praksa sve je rasprostranjenija i u kontinentalnoj Europi (ESPON Urban Audit). Cilj ovog rada je, prije svega, vrednovati i ocijeniti korištenje indikatora kao sredstva za mjerenje kvalitete urbanog života u promjenjivim socio- ekonomskim i uvjetima okoliša u odnosu na glavne principe održivosti a sve to na primjeru priobalnog grada Zadra. U radu je opisana nova metoda bazirana na GIS-u, prilagođena post- socijalističkim i tranzicijskim gradovima u uvjetima osjetljivog mediteranskog okoliša, pri čemu se razvoj kvantitativnih indikatora promatra kao dio integriranog pristupa koji uključuje analizu prirodnih, izgrađenih, društvenih, ekonomskih i političkih komponenti.

Most of the large Croatian islands have an adequate water supply ; some of them are connected to a water supply system which brings water from the mainland, or have their own water sources. Yet, most of the smaller island still cope with water shortage which is one of the reasons of depopulation and economic stagnation.

U radu su detaljno opisani indikatori procesa pripreme prostornih planova u Republici Hrvatskoj kao i primjena GIS tehnologije u definiranju prirodnih, socijalnih, ekonomskih i političkih indikatora.

Kao prostorno-upravna jedinica, Zadarska županija svojim kopnenim dijelom obuhvaća prijelazno područje između gorskog i primorskog dijela Republike Hrvatske, dok obalnim i otočnim prostorom zauzima središnji dio hrvatskoga jadranskog prostora. Takav geografski položaj (u kombinaciji s ishodom određenih povijesno-geografskih smjernica, te odrednica suvremenog razvoja) uvjetovao je činjenicu da je Zadarska županija sjecište važnih prometnih pravaca na državnoj, ali i široj europskoj razini. S obzirom na specifičnu prirodnu osnovu, razvoj i odvijanje prometa na području Zadarske županije pod utjecajem je niza prirodno-geografskih činitelja od kojih najizravniji učinak imaju meteorološke prilike. Posebno se to odnosi na eksploataciju pojedinih prometnih aspekata, odnosno kapitalnih elemenata cestovne prometne infrastrukture koja u dijelovima Zadarske županije u značajnoj mjeri ovisi o prevladavajućim meteorološkim uvjetima. Pritom najveći utjecaj na spomenutom prostoru ima pojava jake i olujne bure koja izravno djeluje na odvijanje prometa i njegovu opću frekventnost.

Područje Grada Vrgorca pripada južnom dijelu Dalmatinske zagore, zoni koja svojim obilježjima u cijelosti pripada Dinarskom krškom prostoru. Riječ je o području koje svojom površinom zauzima složene i radikalno različite mikrozone u reljefnom smislu, a ova specifična raznolikost posebno je izražena u morfologiji krša cijelog ovog prostora u kojemu postoji široki raspon oblika karakterističnih za krajeve izrazitog krša u vapnencima.

Ovaj diplomski rad pokušava dati pregled nastanka Sjeverne Irske u kontekstu njenog povijesnog, geografskog i geopolitičkog položaja. Zatim se nastoji utvrditi na koji je način naseljavanje protestanata na irski otok utjecalo na suživot s domaćim katoličkim stanovništvom te u kojoj je mjeri ekspanzija useljenika osvijestila vjersku pripadnost starosjedilaca. U radu se analiziraju i političke posljedice podjele stanovnika na unioniste vjerne Kruni te nacionaliste koji žele zadržati tisućljetnu vezu s irskim narodom. Zbog podređenosti katoličkog stanovništva vezane uz zapošljavanje, obrazovanje i stambeno pitanje, tijekom 20. stoljeća nastaje ozračje opterećeno političkim nemirima i oružanim sukobima koji graniče s terorističkim djelovanjem. U radu je prikazan i osvrt na Brexit - izlazak Ujedinjenog Kraljevstva iz Europske unije te što on znači za Sjevernu Irsku. Valja napomenuti kako on ne izražava volju većine sjevernoirskog stanovništva. Može se pretpostaviti da je u kontekstu separatističkih težnji i rastućeg broja katoličkog stanovništva vrlo izgledno pripajanje Republici Irskoj. S druge strane, očekuje se da će vrijednost vanjsko-trgovinske aktivnosti Sjeverne Irske zbog Brexit-a dovesti do njena osiromašenja. This thesis attempts to provide an overview of the origins of Northern Ireland in the context of its historical, geographical and geopolitical position. It also tries to establish how the migration of Protestants into the Irish island affected their coexistence with the local Catholic population and the extent to which the expansion of the immigrant population made the natives aware of their own religious affiliation. The paper also analyses political consequences of the population division into unionists, loyal to the Crown, and nationalists, willing to maintain a millennia-old relationship with Irish people. During the 20th century, the subordinate position of the Catholic inhabitants regarding employment, education and housing led to the political climate burdened by riots and armed conflicts verging on terrorist activity. Furthermore, the paper presents a review of Brexit – the United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union and what it means for Northern Ireland. It is important to note that Brexit does not express the will of the majority of the Northern Irish population. It can be assumed that in the context of separatist aspirations and the growing number of Catholics, the annexation to the Republic of Ireland is quite likely to happen. On the other hand, the value of Northern Ireland’s foreign trade activity is expected to lead to its impoverishment.

Njemačka se od poslušnog i skrušenog partnera EU-a s vremenom formirala u pouzdanog partnera EU-a. Iako sami Nijemci ne bi rekli da su se promijenili, njihovo djelovanje je drugačije. Osnovne vrijednosti poput multilateralizma, konsenzusa te ljudskih prava su od ujedinjenja do danas zastupljene, no drugačije se interpretiraju. Tako prodaja oružja kurdskim Pešmergama krši prvotnu zamisao načela ljudskih prava. Zaobilaženje sankcija nametnutih Iranu od SAD-a potiče multilateralizam, ali suprotstavljanje sankcijama SAD-a narušava odnos EU-a i SAD-a te ugrožava konsenzus. Njemačka se razvijala od treće sile u EU-u pa sve do vodeće sile, koja za većinu država Istočne Europe predstavlja pol kojemu teže. S druge strane je odnos Njemačke s Istokom uvjetovan ekonomskom suradnjom, odnosno trgovinom plina, što utječe na ovisnost Njemačke, odnosno EU-a o Rusiji. Ta ekonomska ovisnost ograničava geopolitičku moć EU-a. Ipak se Njemačka kao predvodnik EU-a zalaže za energetsko osamostaljenje do 2050. godine, investirajući u obnovljive izvore energije. Time će geopolitička moć EU-a doseći svoj puni potencijal. Over time, Germany has evolved from an obedient and contrite partner of the EU into a reliable partner of the EU. Although the Germans themselves would not say that they have changed, their actions are different. Core values such as multilateralism and consensus, human rights have been represented since unification until today, but are interpreted differently. Thus, the sale of weapons to the Kurdish Peshmerga violates the original idea of human rights principles. Bypassing US sanctions imposed on Iran encourages multilateralism, but opposing US sanctions undermines EU-US relations and threatens consensus with disrespect. German geopolitics has evolved from a third power in the EU, up to a leading power, which is for most Eastern European countries the pole they aspires to. On the other hand, Germany's relationship with the East is conditioned by economic cooperation, ie gas trade, which affects the dependence of Germany and the EU on Russia. This economic dependence limits the EU's geopolitical power. Nevertheless, Germany, as the EU leader, is committed to energy independence by 2050, investing in renewable energy sources. The EU's geopolitical power will reach its full potential at that time.

U Republici Hrvatskoj geografija izbora još uvijek nije dovoljno zastupljena i razvijena u geografskoj i znanstvenoj zajednici. Razlog tome je kratka demokratska tradicija i nedovoljan broj izbornih ciklusa kako bi se formirali određeni čimbenici koji će utjecati na prostornu distribuciju glasova. Isto tako razlog tome je podjela na političkoj sceni u Hrvatskoj koja je više određena ideološkim vrijednostima koje stranke njeguju, nego primjerice ekonomskim pitanjima koje stranke zastupaju ili čimbenicima poput spola, dobi, vjerske pripadnosti i sl. Analizirani su čimbenici koji imaju sve manje utjecaja na prostornu distribuciju glasova, no još uvijek su vidljive podjele unutar izbornog tijela s obzirom na neke čimbenike. U radu su analizirani utjecaji urbano/ruralne različitosti i dohotka stanovništva na prostornu distribuciju glasova Socijaldemokratske partije Hrvatske i Hrvatske demokratske zajednice. Razlog tome je što navedene stranke predstavljaju političke opcije koje se redovno izmjenjuju na vlasti posljednjih 30 godina i koje uvjerljivo, zajedno s koalicijskim partnerima, osvajaju najveći broj zastupničkih mjesta u Hrvatskom saboru. Analiza je pokazala kako utjecaji urbano/ruralne različitosti i dohotka stanovništva ne utječu snažno na prostornu distribuciju glasova, no ipak postoje razlike. Stanovništvo urbanih naselja imaju veću tendenciju glasovanja za Socijaldemokratsku partiju, dok primjerice stanovništvo ruralnih naselja i područja ima veću tendenciju glasovanja za Hrvatsku demokratsku zajednicu. Isto tako gospodarski razvijenija područja imaju veću tendenciju glasovanja za Socijaldemokratsku partiju, za razliku od slabije razvijenih područja koji imaju veću tendenciju glasovanja za Hrvatsku demokratsku zajednicu. Geography of elections in Republic of Croatia’s geographic and scientific community is poorly represented and developed. The reason behind it may be a relatively brief democratic tradition and insufficient number of electoral cycles which lead to formation of certain factors that influence the spatial distribution of votes. Another reason could be the division of the political scene of Croatia, which is more affected by a political party’s ideological values than by the economical questions these parties represent, along with factors such as gender, age, religion, etc. The factors analysed in this paper have less and less influence over the spatial distribution of votes, however, there is still a certain division present in accordance with these factors. In this paper, the analysis focuses on the influence of urban/rural differences and population’s income regarding spatial distribution of votes of Social Democratic Party (Socijaldemokratska partija - SDP) and Croatian Democratic Union (Hrvatska demokratska zajednica - HDZ). The reason for selection of these factors for the analysis of this paper is the aforementioned parties’ constant and interchangeable rule in Croatia over the last 30 years (along with different coalition partners from time to time), as well as their domination regarding parliamentary seats in the Croatian Parliament. The results of the analysis show that, even though the influence of urban/rural differences and population’s income is not that strong, most votes for SDP tend to come from more economically developed areas, while HDZ tends to get more votes from less developed areas. Similarly, voters from larger urban settlements tend to vote for SDP, while the voters living in rural areas are more likely to vote for HDZ.

Rad je usredotočen na geopolitičke značajke spora između Republike Hrvatske i Republike Slovenije, s naglaskom na njegov morski segment. Osnova diplomskog rada počiva na neslaganju dviju država oko određivanja granice, a kroz nekoliko poglavlja dani su različiti pogledi na problematiku spora. Dok Slovenija smatra da joj pripada čitava Savudrijska vala, kao i spoj s otvorenim morem, Hrvatska smatra da granica u zaljevu treba ići crtom sredine. Osim razgraničenja na moru, spor se vodi i na području rijeke Dragonje. Slovenija zahtjeva da granica ide Kanalom sv. Odorika pa čak i nešto južnije, a Hrvatska starom rijekom Dragonjom. Unatoč desetljećima pregovaranja, rješenje spora još uvijek nije izgledno. This thesis is focused on the geopolitical aspects of the conflict between Croatia and Slovenia, with an emphasis on its maritime segment. The basis is on the disagreement between the two countries on defining the border, so throughout few chapters are given the different views in regard of the matter. While Slovenia believes that the whole Gulf of Piran belongs to it, as well as the access to the international waters, Croatia believes that the border in the Gulf should go along the middle line. In addition to maritime border conflict, there is also a issue in the area of the river Dragonja. Slovenia demands that the border goes through the Channel of St. Odorik and even further south,while Croatia demands that it goes through the old river Dragonja. Despite decades of negotiations, a solution to the conflict is still unlikely to happen.

Cilj je ovog istraživanja prikazati političko-geografski razvoj prostora hrvatskog Podunavlja tijekom povijesti, kao i kontekstualizirati uzroke i posljedice graničnih mijena na razvoj hrvatske državnosti s posebnim naglaskom na narodnosni sastav stanovništva i suvremeni granični spor Hrvatske i Srbije na Dunavu. Istraživanje je provedeno analizom literature, kao i kartografskih prikaza uz usporedbu demografskih podataka nakon promjene uloge granice na Dunavu kao važnog dokaza uloge političko-geografskih čimbenika na promjene narodnosnog sastava. Rezultati istraživanja pokazali su kako je granica u hrvatskom Podunavlju bila podvrgnuta brojnim političko-geografskim čimbenicima koji su je pomicali, osobito u pravcu zapada. Također, promijenjena uloga Dunava kao državne granice od 1990., između Hrvatske i Srbije, uz poticaj velikosrpske agresije, utjecala je na promjenu narodnosnog sastava lijeve i desne obale Dunava. Nadalje, osobit poticaj rješavaju graničnog spora Hrvatske i Srbije bilateralnim putem može dati Međunarodni sud pravde, koji u svojoj praksi teži učvršćivanju granične crte na rijekama. The goal of this research is to show the political and geographical development of the Croatian Danube Region throughout the history as well as to contextualize causes and consequences of the change of the border which influenced the development of national sovereignty of Croatia. What is more, the emphasis is put on ethnic composition and on the contemporary Croatia-Serbia border dispute on the Danube river. The research was carried out through the analysis of the literature and cartographic representations alongside with the comparison of the demographic data after the change of the border’s role on Danube which serve as important evidence of how strong the political and geographical factors that had an influence on the border in Croatian Danube Region were. The results of this research show that the border in Croatian Danube Region was subjected to many political and geographical factors which moved the state line westward. Moreover, the Danube’s changed role as border since 1990 between Croatia and Serbia, encouraged by the Serbian aggression, had an influence on the ethnic composition on both sides of the river Danube. Furthermore, the International Court of Justice, which in its practice seeks to determine the border line on rivers, can encourage the two countries to settle their border dispute bilaterally.

Cilj je ovog istraživanja prikazati političko-geografski razvoj prostora hrvatskog Podunavlja tijekom povijesti, kao i kontekstualizirati uzroke i posljedice graničnih mijena na razvoj hrvatske državnosti s posebnim naglaskom na narodnosni sastav stanovništva i suvremeni granični spor Hrvatske i Srbije na Dunavu. Istraživanje je provedeno analizom literature, kao i kartografskih prikaza uz usporedbu demografskih podataka nakon promjene uloge granice na Dunavu kao važnog dokaza uloge političko-geografskih čimbenika na promjene narodnosnog sastava. Rezultati istraživanja pokazali su kako je granica u hrvatskom Podunavlju bila podvrgnuta brojnim političko-geografskim čimbenicima koji su je pomicali, osobito u pravcu zapada. Također, promijenjena uloga Dunava kao državne granice od 1990., između Hrvatske i Srbije, uz poticaj velikosrpske agresije, utjecala je na promjenu narodnosnog sastava lijeve i desne obale Dunava. Nadalje, osobit poticaj rješavaju graničnog spora Hrvatske i Srbije bilateralnim putem može dati Međunarodni sud pravde, koji u svojoj praksi teži učvršćivanju granične crte na rijekama. The goal of this research is to show the political and geographical development of the Croatian Danube Region throughout the history as well as to contextualize causes and consequences of the change of the border which influenced the development of national sovereignty of Croatia. What is more, the emphasis is put on ethnic composition and on the contemporary Croatia-Serbia border dispute on the Danube river. The research was carried out through the analysis of the literature and cartographic representations alongside with the comparison of the demographic data after the change of the border’s role on Danube which serve as important evidence of how strong the political and geographical factors that had an influence on the border in Croatian Danube Region were. The results of this research show that the border in Croatian Danube Region was subjected to many political and geographical factors which moved the state line westward. Moreover, the Danube’s changed role as border since 1990 between Croatia and Serbia, encouraged by the Serbian aggression, had an influence on the ethnic composition on both sides of the river Danube. Furthermore, the International Court of Justice, which in its practice seeks to determine the border line on rivers, can encourage the two countries to settle their border dispute bilaterally.

U fokusu ovoga rada je proces nastanka granice u Pandžabu kao proizvoda komisije na čijem je čelu bio Cyril Radcliffe. Prikazujući rad komisije u kontekstu dekolonizacije indijskog potkontinenta, rad analizira međusobno sukobljene unutarnje i vanjske političke interese koji su utjecali na djelovanje glavnih aktera u razgraničenju Pandžaba. U radu se naglašavaju britanski imperijalni mehanizmi kojim su nastojali održati Indiju pod prividnom kontrolom, poput ubrzanog prijenosa vlasti i prebacivanja odgovornosti na nacionalne vođe. Vezano uz to, izvršena je evaluacija uloge Radcliffea i karata nastalih u službi režima kao osigurača očuvanja britanskog utjecaja i nakon povlačenja. Usporedbom kartografskih i demografskih podataka, došlo se do zaključka da je Radcliffeova linija u Pandžabu zapravo najbolja granica koja je mogla nastati u zadanim uvjetima rada. Istraživanjem tih uvjeta, cilj je ukazati na stvarne uzroke neuspješne podjele Indije i Pakistana čije su posljedice još uvijek aktualne u odnosu dviju država. The focus of this paper is the process of creating the border in Punjab as a product of a commission headed by Cyril Radcliffe. Presenting the work of the commission in the context of the decolonization of the Indian subcontinent, the paper analyzes the conflicting internal and external political interests that influenced the actions of the main actors in the demarcation of the Punjab. The paper highlights the British imperial mechanisms by which they sought to keep India under apparent control, such as the accelerated transfer of power and the transfer of responsibility to national leaders. Related to this, an evaluation was made of the role of Radcliffe and the maps created in the service of the regime as a safeguard against the preservation of British influence even after the withdrawal. By comparing cartographic and demographic data, it was concluded that the Radcliffe line in Punjab was actually the best boundary that could have arisen under given operating conditions. By exploring these conditions, the aim is to point out the real causes of the failed division of India and Pakistan whose consequences are still current in the relationship between the two countries.

Predmet ovog diplomskog rada su geopolitičke i sociogeografske implikacije "Brexita". U tom smislu istražuje se utjecaj problema "Brexit" na stanovništvo Škotske i njihovo razmišljanje o daljnjoj političkoj budućnosti zemlje. Također se istražuje stav stanovništva o mogućim posljedicama napuštanja Europske unije i percepciji vlastitog identiteta. Za potrebe izrade rada provedena je i anketa u razdoblju od 13. do 25. rujna 2018. godine. Ona je osigurala neovisne rezultate koji su korišteni za izradu dijagrama i donošenje zaključaka. Uz problem i položaj Škotske u Ujedinjenom Kraljevstvu, analizira se i njena povijesna i kulturološka raznolikost od ostatka Ujedinjenog Kraljevstva. Škoti su i na vrhuncu Britanskog Carstva uspjeli sačuvati svoj zaseban identitet. Na Referendumu o neovisnosti 2014. godine Škoti su glasovali za ostanak u Ujedinjenom Kraljevstvu, što je ujedno značilo i ostanak u Europskoj uniji. No, Brexit je 2016. godine promijenio geopolitičke okolnosti i uvelike utjecao na promjenu političke sklonosti ljudi Škotske. Brexit, koji je Škotska odbila, prisiljava Škotsku na napuštanje zajedničkog tržišta Europske unije. Rezultati ankete pokazuju kako će Brexit dovesti do novog referenduma o neovisnosti Škotske i pridonijeti povećanju potpore neovisnosti Škotske. Nadalje, škotsko stanovništvo smatra da će napuštanje Europske unije gospodarski oslabiti Škotsku. The subject of this graduate thesis is the geopolitical and sociogeographic implications of "Brexit". In this regard, the impact of the "Brexit" problem on the population of Scotland and their thinking on the country's further political future is being explored. The attitude of the population about the possible consequences of leaving the European Union and the perception of their own identity are also explored. One of the main methodological tools - a survey, was conducted for the purpose of research work in the period from 13 to 25 September 2018. It provided the independent results that were used to draw the diagrams and make conclusions. Along with the problem and the position of Scotland within the United Kingdom, its historical and cultural diversity is analyzed with respect to the rest of Britain. Scots as a people during the upswing of the British Empire have managed to preserve their separate identity. Scots voted on Referendum of independence in 2014 to stay in the United Kingdom, which at the same time meant staying in the European Union. But in 2016, Brexit changed geopolitical conditions and greatly changed the political preferences of the people of Scotland. Brexit, which Scotland has refused, is forcing Scotland to leave common market of European Union. The results of the survey are that Brexit will lead to a new referendum on the independence of Scotland and it will contribute to the increase in Scotland`s independence support. Furthermore, Scottish population believes that leaving European Union will economically damage Scotland.

U radu se istražuju povijest i karakter Sjevernoatlantskog saveza (NATO), te percepcija uloge Republike Hrvatske kao punopravne članice NATO-a. Ulazak Hrvatske u NATO za cilj je imao poboljšati i utvrditi međunarodni položaj, te osigurati političku stabilnost i gospodarski napredak. S tog motrišta predodžba hrvatskog članstva u NATO-u istražuje se putem provođenja anketnog istraživanja da bi se potvrdile ili opovrgnule tri polazišne hipoteze. Uz kratki pregled povijesti nastanka i djelovanja NATO saveza, u radu je prikazana njegova uloga u svjetskim događanjima i procesu širenja. Posebno je naglašen proces ulaska Hrvatske u Savez, njezine prioritete i zadaće kao članice, te sudjelovanje u mirovnim misijama i operacijama, kao jedan od dokaza njezinog sudjelovanja u suvremenim geopolitičkim odnosima u svijetu. This thesis examines the history and character of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), and the perception of the role of the Croatian as a full member of NATO. Membering NATO was aimed to improve and establish the international situation, and to ensure political stability and economic progress. In this context, the perception of Croatian membership in NATO is explored by conducting survey research, in order to prove or disprove the three starting hypotheses. In addition to a brief overview of the history of the formation and activities of NATO, the paper shows its role in world events and processes spread. Particular emphasis is placed on the Croatian accession to the Union, its priorities and tasks as a member of, and participation in peacekeeping missions and operations, as evidence of its participation in the contemporary geopolitical relationships in the world.