Vrbovsko (Serbian Cyrillic: Врбовско[3]) is a town in western Croatia, situated at the far east of the mountainous region of Gorski Kotar in the Primorje-Gorski Kotar County; on its 280 square kilometers area, Vrbovsko features 60 settlements and a total of 6,047 inhabitants. The town of Vrbovsko itself has a population of 1,673.[4]
Demographics
In 2011, 60.1% of the population were Croats and 35.2% were Serbs.[5]
The Town of Vrbovsko has officially introduced the Serbian language with Serbian Cyrillic alphabet as the equal co-official language.[6] The town Statute guarantees the Serb national minority in Vrbovsko the right to proportional representation in the city’s legislative, executive, and administrative bodies.[6] It also includes provisions on the establishment of the local Council of the Serb National Minority as an advisory body.[6] Vrbovsko ensures that public signage, official documents, public records, and other official communications are available in both languages and scripts, using the same font size for each.[6] Additionally, in the settlements of Bunjevci, Carevići, Dokmanovići, Donji Vučkovići, Donji Vukšići, Dragovići, Gomirje, Gornji Vučkovići, Gornji Vukšići, Hajdine, Hambarište, Jakšići, Kamensko, Komlenići, Ljubošina, Majer, Matići, Međedi, Mlinari, Moravice, Musulini, Nikšići, Petrovići, Presika, Radigojna, Radoševići, Tići, Tomići, Topolovica, Tuk, Vučinići, Vujnovići, Vukelići, and Žakule, the names of streets, squares, places, and geographical locations are written in both languages and scripts, using the same font size.[6]
In the north, river Kupa separates Vrbovsko from adjoining Slovenia, while the eastern border follows the line of Zdihovo, Liplje and Bosiljevo settlements and cuts through the river Dobra valley near Ljubošina. The western border starts at the Kupa gorge at Radočaj, goes around Razdrto and passes over the railway tracks between Koritnik Veliki and Palež, continues to Lužac and ends in Sušica-Jablan area. The southern border is the highest in its relief characteristics – it runs along mountain peaks at an altitude of 1000 meters or higher. Debela Kosa (1169 m), Bukovica (1253 m), Bijela kosa (1289 m), Mirkovica (1283 m), and Smolnik (1219 m) peaks are especially distinguishable by their beauty, forests and height. Towards the east, the border continues over Kozarice and Lombarda passes, and ends in the river Dobra valley, thus rounding off Vrbovsko area.
The geographical position of Vrbovsko that places it along the transit lines halfway between Zagreb and Rijeka is of extreme importance. Good rail and highway connections provide for quick access to Vrbovsko.
