Croats

Croats (Croatian: Hrvati) are a south Slavic people mostly living in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and nearby countries. There is a notable Croat diaspora in western Europe, the Americas, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. The Croats are predominantly Catholic and their language is Croatian.

History

The origin of the Croat tribe before the great migration of the Slavs is uncertain. One theory suggests they are descended from ancient Persia (cf. Alans). The earliest mention of the Croatian name, Horoathos, can be traced on two stone inscriptions in Greek language and script, dating from around the year 200 AD, found in the seaport Tanais on the Azov sea, Crimea peninsula (near the Black Sea). Both tablets are kept in the Archeological museum in Saint Petersburg, Russia.

Related Topics:
Great migration of the Slavs - Persia - Alans - Greek language - Script - 200 AD - Tanais - Azov sea - Crimea - Black Sea - Saint Petersburg

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In the 7th century, the Croat tribe moved from the area north of the Carpathians and east of the river Vistula (what was referred to as the White Croatia) and migrated into the western Dinaric Alps.

Related Topics:
7th century - Carpathians - Vistula - Dinaric Alps

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Genetically, most Croats have a mixed genotype similar to other Slavs, but with the major set of genes being specific to a "Dinaric" subgroup probably inherited from pre-Slavic Croatia's and Bosnia's inhabitants.

Related Topics:
Genetically - Slavs - Dinaric

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For the rest of the history of the Croats, please see history of Croatia.

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