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Old April 18th, 2004 #13
EdbergEdberg
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Default What about Croatia?

I once visited Split, Yugoslavia (it was still Yugoslavia back then), and I was astounded by all the tall people there.

There were two obvious ethnic groups. One looked like typical souther Italians: short and olive-skinned with dark, course hair. The other group had light hair and features. Average height for men was about six-four to six-five, with men six-eight and above common. Most women were six feet or a little better.

I was in the Navy then. Most places we went you could spot the Americans because they were a head taller than the locals (whether the Americans were black or white). Here the Americans were conspicuous because they were so much shorter than the locals, or at least the fair-haired, tall tribe. I figured this group explained why Yugoslavia was always at least a bronze medalist team in Olympic basketball for many years.