It was built as a six-side star fort in the 16th century at the point of confluence of four rivers.

The town blossomed in the 18th and 19th century after being made a free town, with the development of roads between Pannonian Basin to the Adriatic Sea, and waterways along the Kupa river.

The county itself extends towards the north to the water springs of Jamnica, and towards the south all the way down to the mountainous regions of Gorski Kotar and Lika, in particular to the Bjelolasica mountain which features the largest winter sport recreation center in the country.

[5] The current Prefect of Karlovac County is Martina Furdek-Hajdin (HDZ).

[6] The county assembly is composed of 37 representatives from the following political parties: