With thanks to The Lonely Planet travel guide for Croatia.

Dalmatian dogs probably did not originate in Dalmatia. The origin of the breed is uncertain but some experts believe the dogs may have been bought into Dalmatia by the Romans and used to guard the Dalmatian border.

The ball point pen and fountain pen were invented in 1906 by the Croatian Slavoljub Penkala (18771-1922).

The neck tie is descendent of the ‘cravat’ which originated in Croatia as part of military attire and was adopted by the French in the 17th century. The name ‘cravat’ is a corruption of Croat and Hrvat.

Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night was set in Dalmatia.

Ivan Vučetić (1856-1925), the man who developed dactyloscopy – or finger print identification – was born on the island of Hvar.

Nikola Tesla (1856-1943), the father of the radio and alternating electric current technology, was born in Croatia. The Tesla unit for magnetic induction was named after him.

Šibenik-born Faust Varanid (1551-1617) made the first working parachute.

Agatha Christie spent her second honeymoon in Dubrovnik & Split.

James Joyce taught English in Pula from 1904 to 1905.

Just thought you would like to know!