Split is a Mediterranean city, situated on the Marjan peninsula at the centre of the eastern Adriatic coast. Because of its favourable geographical position, Split has a typical Mediterranean climate, with long, dry, warm summers and short, mild, rainy winters (yearly average of 900 mm of rain). The average summer air temperature in Split is 26°C (79°F), with 12 hours of direct sunlight (year-round average of 7 hours).

Split is the cultural and political centre of Dalmatia (a historical region, once much larger, now stretching from the city of Karlobag further north along the coast to the Cape Prevlaka near Dubrovnik), and is the official seat of the Split–Dalmatia County. Approximately 180 000 people live in Split, making it the second-largest city in Croatia.

The official history of Split stretches back for 1700 years, when the Roman emperor Diocletian built his palace (emulating the form of the Roman military camp) as a place to which he would retire after stepping down from the imperial throne. However, preceding Diocletian's palace, the site held the Greek colony Aspalathos, meaning the plant called Spanish or weaver's broom (Spartia juncea). The plant is still numerous, especially on the southern slopes of the park-forest Marjan.

Split has excellent connections with the rest of Croatia and Europe. The new Split–Zagreb A1 motorway (popularly called " Dalmatina") reduces the almost 400 km (250 mile) journey to mere 3,5–4 hours of enjoyable car-ride. Daily ferry lines connect Split and Ancona, and regular and charter flights are available at the Split airport.

Split boasts several museums (including the Archaeological Museum, the Museum of Croatian National Monuments, and the Split City Museum), several galleries, theatres (Croatian National Theatre, City Youth Theatre, and the City Puppet Theatre), and cinemas. The cultural highlight of the summer is the Split Summer Festival, a month-long festival of drama, opera, music and dancing performances, held in July and August.