Dubrovnik is a Croatian city located on the Adriatic Coast in the southern part of Croatia. It is known as a heavy tourist destination attracting a global audience. Being that the city is located on the Adriatic Sea, it is heavily dependent on sea trade, and was once a prospering Maritime Republic. During the Middle Ages it was part of the Maritime Republic (consisting of Amalfi, Pisa, Genoa, and Venice). As trade developed so it did people, culture and government. During the 15th and 16th centuries, Dubrovnik prospered as a diplomatic province, rivaling Venice is meritime trade.