Croat

A Croat is a member of the South Slavic ethnolinguistic group native to Croatia and to Croatian communities in neighboring states. Croats form the majority in Croatia and are one of the three constituent peoples of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Croatian language, a standard variety of the pluricentric Serbo-Croatian, is the official language of Croatia. Croats are traditionally associated with Roman Catholicism, though minority communities of other faiths exist.

The ethnonym Croat is derived from the medieval term Hrvat, recorded in early sources. Historically, Croats emerged as a political and cultural community in the western Balkans, established a medieval polity, and later entered into dynastic unions with Hungary. In the 20th century, Croatian lands became part of Yugoslavia, and Croatia gained full independence in 1991 following the dissolution of Yugoslavia.

In addition to Croatia, Croats are present in Bosnia and Herzegovina, where they form one of the three constituent peoples. There is also a substantial Croatian diaspora abroad, with communities in the United States, Canada, Australia, and various Western European countries.

Croatian culture encompasses literature, music, art, architecture, folklore, and cuisine, with regional traditions in Dalmatia, Istria, and Slavonia. National identity is expressed through language, symbols, and institutions, while sports, particularly football and handball, play a prominent social role.