Bakar

Bakar is a town and municipality in Primorje-Gorski Kotar County, Croatia. It lies on the northern Adriatic coast in the Kvarner region, near the city of Rijeka. The municipality includes the coastal town of Bakar and several surrounding settlements and is part of the Rijeka metropolitan area. The name Bakar is cognate with the Croatian word for copper, reflecting historical connections to metalworking in the region.

Historically, the settlement developed as a maritime and crafts center, with its fortunes tied to trade and local industry. Over the centuries it was influenced by the broader political and economic shifts of the Adriatic region and became integrated into the governance and economy of Rijeka. In modern times the economy has diversified to services, light manufacturing, and tourism, benefiting from its coastal position while relying on nearby Rijeka for broader employment.

As of the latest available data, the municipality has a population in the low thousands and is predominantly Croatian, with smaller minority communities. The town preserves a historical core with architectural features from various eras and hosts local cultural and religious sites. Bakar is accessible by road and is connected to Rijeka and the surrounding area by regional transport; rail and major port facilities are located in Rijeka.