Dubrovnik-Neretva county - Dubrovačko-neretvanska županija is the southernmost Croatian and Dalmatian county. Its center is Dubrovnik; the other larger towns are Metković and Ploče in the Neretva river delta (hence the mention in the county name). It includes the larger islands of Korčula, Lastovo, Mljet, Šipan, Lopud and Koločep.

Technically, the Neum municipality of Bosnia and Herzegovina makes the southern part of this county an exclave, but they're still connected with the mainland via Croatian territorial waters. Also, all traffic going to/from Dubrovnik through Neum is usually less subjected to customs inspections to reduce the amount of traffic jams. The road (one of the main ones in Croatia) has one lane per direction. Buses joining both parts of Croatia usually stop at Neum, so that passengers can buy tobacco and alcoholic beverages with the lower Bosnia-Hercegovina taxes.

The Croatian and Bosnian governments are planning to build an expressway that would connect Dubrovnik through the Neum municipality and wouldn't require any border control. The regional government of this county is also planning to build a sea bridge that would directly connect the southern tip of the northern part of the county with to the Pelješac peninsula, thereby linking the southern part of the county as well.

The northern part of the Mljet island is a national park, while the Baćina lakes north of Ploče are a nature park. The southernmost tip of the county includes the disputed Prevlaka peninsula.

Basic facts:Area: 1 782 km² ;Inhabitants (2001 census): 122.870

Administrative division:City of Dubrovnik (county seat) ;City of Korčula ;City of Metković ;City of Opuzen ;City of Ploče ;Municipality of Blato ;Municipality of Dubrovačko primorje ;

Municipality of Janjina ;Municipality of Konavle ;Municipality of Kula Norinska ;Municipality of Lastovo ;Municipality of Lumbarda ;Municipality of Mljet ;Municipality of Orebić ;Municipality of Pojezerje ;Municipality of Slivno ;Municipality of Smokvica ;

Municipality of Ston ;Municipality of Trpanj ;Municipality of Vela Luka ;Municipality of Zažablje ;Municipality of Župa Dubrovačka .

County government

The county assembly is composed of 41 representatives, presided by Nikola Obuljen (DC) and composed as follows:

-SDP-HSS-HNS-LS-HSLS: 16

Social Democratic Party of Croatia (SDP)

Croatian Peasant Party (HSS)

Croatian People's Party (HNS)

Croatian Social Liberal Party (HSLS)

-HDZ-DC: 14

Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ)

Democratic Centre (DC)

Independent list - Stipe Gabrić Jambo 7

Croatian Party of Rights (HSP) 4

Based on election results in 2005.