Dubrovnik, Croatia is an old city on the Adriatic seacoast in the extreme south of the Republic of Croatia. Nicknamed Pearl of the Adriatic, Dubrovnik has a population of approximately 43,800 people, and the majority of citizens are Croats. The climate in Dubrovnik is typically Mediterranean, with mild winters and hot, dry summers. The patron saint of the city is Saint Blaise, whose statues are seen around the city. George Bernard Shaw once wrote, If you want to see heaven on earth, come to Dubrovnik. The oldest arboretum in the world (dating before 1492) is located near Dubrovnik. The Republic of Dubrovnik was the first state to recognize the USA as a sovereign state. Dubrovnik is one of the most prominent tourist resort centers, with a seaport and the center of the county.