Varaždin County

Varaždin County (Croatian: Varaždinska županija ) is a county in Hrvatsko Zagorje. It is named after its county seat, the city of Varaždin. This area is known for its beautiful landscapes and rich history.

County day, called Dan županije, is celebrated on 5 September. This special day brings together people to honor the traditions and culture of the county. Varaždin County is an important part of Croatia, contributing to the country's heritage and beauty.

Geography

Varaždin County is home to the city of Varaždin and several towns, including Ivanec, Ludbreg, Lepoglava, Novi Marof, and Varaždinske Toplice. It also includes 22 smaller areas called municipalities. The county covers 1,262 square kilometres and had a population of 175,951 as of the 2011 census.

Varaždin County shares borders with Slovenia to the northwest, Međimurje County to the north, Krapina-Zagorje County to the southwest, Zagreb County to the south, and Koprivnica-Križevci County to the southeast, with a small part of the latter separating it from Hungary. The Drava river runs along the northern edge of the county and has three lakes—Lake Ormož, Lake Varaždin, and Lake Dubrava—partly within its borders. Another river, the Bednja, flows through the county and joins the Drava. The county also features the Ivanščica and Kalnik mountains.

Transport

The highway A4 runs through Varaždin County, linking the Hungarian border in the north to Zagreb in the south. It has exits in Varaždin, Varaždinske Toplice, and Novi Marof. In the east-west direction, a main road follows the Drava river, stretching from Maribor in Slovenia to Osijek. The county also has railways, though they are not yet modernised, connecting to Zagreb, Čakovec, Budapest, and Koprivnica.

Economy

The economy of Varaždin County is centered around manufacturing. Key industries include processing milk products, making drinks, working with meat, creating clothing and textiles, producing metal goods, making leather shoes, and crafting high-quality wood furniture and other wood products.

Administrative division

Varaždin County is divided into several towns and smaller areas. The largest city is Varaždin, which is also the county seat. Other important towns include Ludbreg, Lepoglava, Ivanec, Novi Marof, and Varaždinske Toplice. The county also has many smaller areas called municipalities, such as Bednja, Beretinec, Breznica, and many more.

Demographics

Varaždin County has a population of 175,951, according to the 2011 census. Most people there are Croats, making up 97.9% of the population.

Varaždin County: Population trends 1857–2021

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Acknowledgements

On September 5, 2025, the leader of the government of Herzegovina-Neretva County, Marija Buhač, and the county leader, Anđelko Stričak, signed an agreement. This agreement was about working together in areas like jobs, schools, farming, visiting places, art, games, and helping young people.

Some important people in the county are honorary citizens. One of them is Zlatko Dalić, who became an honorary citizen in 2018.