Karlovac County (Croatian: Karlovačka županija) is a county in central Croatia, with the administrative center in Karlovac. It borders Bosnia and Herzegovina and Slovenia.
The city of Karlovac is a fort from the times of the Military Frontier. It was built as a six-side star fort in the 16th century at the point of confluence of four rivers. The town blossomed in the 18th and 19th century after being made a free town, with the development of roads between Pannonian Basin to the Adriatic Sea, and waterways along the Kupa river. The city is making use of its crucial geostrategic point in Croatia.
The county itself extends towards the north to the water springs of Jamnica, and towards the south all the way down to the mountainous regions of Gorski Kotar and Lika, in particular to the Bjelolasica mountain which features the largest winter sport recreation center in the country.
County day is celebrated on the 25 April.[4] Patron saint of the County is Saint Joseph, who is also patron of Karlovac.[4]
Karlovac County is divided:
As of the 2011 census, the county had 128,899 residents. The population density is 36 people per km2.
Ethnic Croats form the majority with 86.1% of the population, followed by Serbs at 10.4%.[5]
The current Prefect of Karlovac County is Martina Furdek-Hajdin (HDZ).[6]
The county assembly is composed of 37 representatives from the following political parties:
45°29′35″N 15°33′21″E / 45.49306°N 15.55583°E / 45.49306; 15.55583