Dubrovnik (pronounced [dǔbrɔ̝ːv̞nik]) is a Croatian city on the Adriatic Sea coast, positioned at the terminal end of the Isthmus of Dubrovnik. It is one of the most prominent touristdestinations on the Adriatic, a seaport and the centre of Dubrovnik-Neretva county. Its total population is 42,641 (census 2011).[1] In 1979, the city of Dubrovnik joined the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DubrovnikThe prosperity of the city of Dubrovnik has always been based on maritime trade. In theMiddle Ages, as the Republic of Ragusa, also known as a Maritime Republic (together withAmalfi, Pisa, Genoa, Venice and other Italian cities), it became the only eastern Adriaticcity-state to rival Venice. Supported by its wealth and skilled diplomacy, the city achieved a remarkable level of development, particularly during the 15th and 16th centuries. Although demilitarised in the 1970s with the intent of forever protecting it from war devastation, in 1991, after the breakup of Yugoslavia, it was besieged by Serb-Montenegrin forces for 7 months and received heavy damage from shelling.
