Bordered by the rivers Mura and Drava, situated in the far north of Croatia, rich history and cultural heritage, Međimurje represents a whole and a separate region. The smallest county in Croatia is one of the most densely populated parts of the country. Although it was often claimed by the Hungarians throughout history, "the land between Mura and Drava" ethnically is the most homogeneous part of the Croatian.
Here ends the Pannonian Plain and the Alps begin. Hilly wine-growing part of the west coast of Mura and Drava, of which the former is one of the few in Europe preserved in its natural form, fertile plains in the east and the rich flora and fauna that characterize Međimurje stand out from others, giving it the name "Croatian flower garden". There are few areas in which such a small area has so much variety. These are just some of the reasons why Međimurje has been inhabited since ancient times.
Thanks to its location, but also because of the transport infrastructure, Međimurje today presents "a doorway of Croatia" towards Central and Eastern Europe. A highway connecting Zagreb and Rijeka with Budapest, on the Slovenian side of the Mura River passes the European Corridor V, which connects Venice with the Ukrainian Lviv. In 1850 the first Croatian railroad was built here that connected the main Hungarian city with Trieste. Within 300 kilometers are located Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest, Ljubljana, Zagreb, Graz and Trieste. For just an hour and a half drive by highway there are international airports Zagreb, Maribor, Graz and Heviz.
The inhabitants of this part of Croatia are widely known for its advanced work ethic, initiative and innovation. This is a region with developed craft and small enterprises. Industrialization has an increased influenced by the construction of railways and develop food processing, manufacturing and textile industry. Already in the first half of the 20th Century companies operate are recognizabe European brands and sudden industrialization in socialist Yugoslavia brings to the fore the construction and metal processing industries. With the collapse of the former system, the disappearance of former markets and the collapse of large manufacturing giants an economic transition occurs. Primarily due to the preserved know-how and entrepreneurship, in the 21st Century the county enters with a developed metal, construction and manufacturing activity and the IT sector has an increasing proportion as well as service activities related to fast-developing tourism.
Međimurje is known for its rich cultural culinary offer. Here are produced some of the best wines in Croatia and caterers follow the trends in the preparation and presentation of food by giving a contemporary touch to traditional foods. Many domestic producers, organic foods, preserved landscape and vicinity of numerous European capitals not only result in an increasing number of visitors, but also many young families decide to stay here and raise their chidren here. Thanks to them, "the place between Mura and Drava" ia a place where it's nice and pleasant to live, a place that certainly has a future.
- Population: 113,804 (2011)
- Area: 729.58 km2
- Population density: 155,99 inhabitants / km2
- Administrative divisions: 3 cities and 22 municipalities
- Number of villages: 131
- National structure: Croats 95.2%, Roma 2.44%, 0.44% Slovenes, Serbs 0.21%
- Religion: Catholics 94.07%, agnostics, skeptics and atheists, 2.67%, 0.54% Protestants, Orthodox 0.30%
- Status county obtained in 1992
- Day of County: April 30 - the memory of the execution of Petar Zrinski and Fran Krsto Frankopan in Wiener Neustadt
- Call Number: 040
