Geographic Position and Characteristics of the Municipality of Draganić
Location, Relief, and Other Geographical and Climatic Features
The area of the Municipality of Draganić covers a total of 72 square kilometers and is situated in the northwestern part of the Republic of Croatia. One part of the municipality extends into the southwestern part of the Pannonian Plain, while the other reaches the northern edge of the Pokupska Lowland.
The western part of the municipality is mostly hilly, gradually transitioning into lowlands towards the east, where arable land and pastures dominate. In the far eastern part, there are significant areas of deciduous forests. The settlement of Draganić has traditionally consisted of 17 villages (hamlets): Draganići, Barkovići, Jazvaci, Vrbanci, Budrovci, Bencetići, Goljak, Mrzljaki, Vrh, Križančići, Lazina, Franjetići, Lug, and Darići, which are still part of the municipality today. Additionally, Čeglji, Guci, and Vukšin Šipak, though not administratively part of the Municipality of Draganić, belong to the Draganić Parish.
Two rivers, Kupčina and Stojnica, flow from the northeast to the southeastern part of the municipality.
Several lakes are located within the municipality:
- In the eastern part of the village of Mrzljaki, there is a large complex of artificial lakes known as Draganić Fishponds, covering approximately 400 hectares, used for freshwater fish farming.
- In Mrzljaki, near the Draganić railway station, there are two smaller artificial lakes, known as “bajeri,” remnants of a former brickworks excavation.
- In the village of Lug, within the “Sečica” forest, there is a smaller artificial lake called “Plavi Bajer” (Blue Pond).
- In the village of Bencetići, there is a small artificial lake created after soil excavation during the construction of the Zagreb–Karlovac highway.
- In the village of Lazina, in an area called Petrinšćak, there are two small artificial lakes formed by soil excavation for highway construction.
The entire area of the Municipality of Draganić has a moderate continental climate with a relatively sufficient amount of precipitation. There are minor temperature variations within the municipality, but they are negligible. The average annual air temperature, based on statistical data over the past forty years, is 11°C. The warmest month is July, with an average temperature of 21°C, while the coldest is January, with an average temperature of around 0°C. The average annual air humidity is around 73%, peaking in October and January at up to 85%, while the lowest humidity is in the summer months, ranging between 71% and 78%.
According to available data, no strong or frequent winds have been recorded in the Municipality of Draganić. The prevailing winds come from the north and northeast, while winds from the south and southeast are significantly less common.
Craftsmanship
Craftsmanship in the Municipality of Draganić has a long tradition, dating back to the late 19th century until the dissolution of the municipality in 1957. Over a period of more than half a century, numerous crafts such as blacksmithing, pottery, sawmilling, and similar trades flourished.
Craftsmanship began its revival only in the 1990s, after the independence of the Republic of Croatia. Traditional crafts were replaced by new ones, primarily service-based, such as retail, hospitality, hairdressing, auto-body repair, etc. Manufacturing crafts, such as construction, locksmithing, and woodworking, are represented to a lesser extent. Today, there are about 50 registered businesses in the municipality, including both production and service-oriented crafts.
Commercial Companies
In the Municipality of Draganić, there are approximately 20 registered commercial companies, mostly limited liability companies (d.o.o.), engaged in various activities, primarily trade, and somewhat less in manufacturing. Commercial companies, like craftsmanship, are expected to experience expansion with the activation of two new business zones, one of which is currently undergoing land sales and the finalization of purchase agreements.
Cooperatives
The Municipality of Draganić primarily lacks an Agricultural Cooperative where livestock farmers and agricultural producers could gather, making it easier for them to market their products.
From 1993 to 1996, an Agricultural Cooperative was established in the municipality, but it was mainly oriented toward trade rather than helping agriculturalists find outlets for their products. As a result, it did not have long-term prosperity and was liquidated by TS Karlovac in 2001. The vision for cooperatives in the Municipality of Draganić is to form and develop a modern agricultural cooperative. This would not only focus on organizing producers for easier product marketing but also address the issue of land consolidation, as agricultural land is fragmented in the area.
Agriculture
According to the latest census data, 4.1% of the municipality’s population declared agriculture as their primary source of income. Despite this, 83% of households in the municipality own land. A certain number of these households engage in agriculture (and a smaller number in livestock farming) as a supplementary activity, alongside their primary occupations. However, many elderly households have stopped cultivating their land, and over the past decade, much of this land has overgrown with shrubs and forests, making it unsuitable for further cultivation without prior specific land reclamation. The municipality has 2,510 hectares of arable land, or about 34.6% of its total area. The main obstacle to the development of modern agricultural production is the completely unresolved property and legal issues regarding agricultural land and the significant fragmentation of agricultural plots, which are unsuitable for any serious commercial production.
Transportation
Due to its favorable geographic location in the central part of Croatia, the Municipality of Draganić is well-connected to neighboring municipalities and cities, as well as the rest of the country.
Two significant roads run through the central part of the municipality, from the northeast to the southwest, each about 10 kilometers long:
- ŽC 1042 Zagreb – Karlovac
- The Zagreb – Karlovac highway
The biggest problem in road traffic is the very high volume of vehicles, both passenger and freight (occasionally exceeding 10,000 vehicles in a single day), which significantly endangers the movement of pedestrians and cyclists along these roads. The construction of a pedestrian sidewalk would largely solve this issue, thereby protecting the many pedestrians and cyclists who are at daily risk, especially schoolchildren. Regarding the Zagreb – Karlovac highway, it is important to note that the Municipality of Draganić does not have a direct connection to the highway from its territory; traffic on this highway through the municipality is purely transit. In addition to the mentioned roads, four County Roads pass through the municipality. Two of these roads run transversely, connecting the municipality with the neighboring cities of Karlovac and Ozalj. The eastern part of the municipality is traversed by a railway line running from Zagreb to Rijeka, which passes through the entire area of the municipality for about 7 kilometers. There are two railway stations in the municipality: Draganić and Lazina.
Forestry
Along the entire southern part of the municipality, covering an area of 3,425 hectares or 47.2% of the municipality’s total area, there are oak forests. These forests belong to the category of economic forests and are 100% state-owned, managed by Hrvatske šume – Forest Management Department Karlovac.
Financial Services
In the Municipality of Draganić, there is a branch of Karlovačka Bank d.d., which handles payment transactions for legal entities operating through the bank, as well as financial services for individuals (such as current and giro accounts, pension payments, etc.).
Both legal and, primarily, physical persons can also use various financial services offered by Hrvatska Pošta d.d.
Associations
Agricultural producers and livestock farmers from the Municipality of Draganić are gathered in two associations registered within the municipality, which also include members from the entire Karlovac County:
- The “Strojni prsten” Neighborhood Assistance Association of Karlovac County – Draganić
- The Meat and Dairy Producers Association for Karlovac County
