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The population numbers are reasonably exact domestically: they number a bit under four million in Croatia and around 600,000 in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Abroad, their count is rather approximated due to incomplete statistical records and naturalization but estimates suggest that there at least as many Croats abroad as there are as domestically. The largest emigrant groups are in western Europe: Germany, Italy, Sweden, United Kingdom etc. Overseas, the Americas contain the largest Croatian emigration: the United States (Ohio, California) and Canada (Mississauga), as well as Argentina, Chile, Peru, Brazil and Bolivia. There are also notable Croat groups in Australia (Perth, Sydney) and New Zealand as well as South Africa.

The origin of the Croat tribe before the great migration of the Slavs is uncertain. One theory suggests they are descended from ancient PersiaPersia is the historical name for the state of Iran. The name was used in the West due to the ancient Greek name for Iran, Persis''. Persia is used to describe the nation of Iran, its people, or its ancient empire. The name Persia comes from a province in (cf. AlansThe Alans or Alani were a nomadic group among the Sarmatian people, warlike nomadic pastoralists of mixed backgrounds, who spoke an Indo-Iranian language and shared, in a broad sense, a common culture. Early Alans The first mentions of names that historia). The earliest mention of the Croatian name, Horovathos, can be traced on two stone inscriptions in Greek languageThe Greek language ( /Elini'k{/) is an Indo-European language which has existed from around the 14th century BC in the Cretan inscriptions called Linear B. Mycenaean Greek of this period is distinguished from later Classical or Ancient Greek of the 8th ce and script, dating from around the year 200 ADEvents Jewish Eretz Yisraeli scholar Judah ha-Nasi compiles tracts of the Mishnah, beginning the creation of Talmudic law. Chinese warlord Cao Cao defeats Yuan Shao in the Battle of Guandu. The Classic age of Maya civilization begins. Sun Quan founds the, found in the seaport TanaisTanais the Greek name for the River Don in antiquity, was also the name of the city on the river situated in the Don river delta that reaches into the northeasternmost part of the Sea of Azov, which the Greeks called Lake Maeotis. The site of ancient Tana on the Azov sea, CrimeaThe Crimea (officially Autonomous Republic of Crimea Ukrainian transliteration: Avtonomna Respublika Krym Ukrainian: Russian: is a peninsula and an autonomous republic of Ukraine on the northern coast of the Black Sea. It was called Tauric or Scythian Che peninsula (near the Black Sea). Both tablets are kept in the Archeological museum in Saint Petersburg, Russia.

In the 7th century, the Croat tribe moved from the area north of the Carpathians and east of the river Vistula (what was referred to as the White Croatia) and migrated into the western Dinaric Alps.

For the rest of the history of the Croats, please see history of Croatia.

See also: List of Croats