| Istria | |
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Istria is indeed a feast for the eyes. Its streams flow to the sea
through deep valleys and gullies which bring to mind the ancient local
myths about giants. Rolling hills overlook the fields and valleys with
little towns perched on the peaks, recalling some old paintings. The
view is splendid: white-topped mountains, lush wheat fields, plateaux,
valleys, vineyards and olive groves on hillsides, and, finally the sea.
As you get to know Istria you will notice more and more enchanting details: church facades and portals, tiny village alleyways with their specific architectural touches, the babble of a stream, the blossoming cherries. Everything is warm-hearted and friendly here: nature, towns and people. Location The westernmost county of the Republic of Croatia The largest peninsula of the Adriatic Area 2,820 km2 (triangle Dragonja, Kamenjak, Uèka) Population 206,344 Language Croatian Coast Length 445 km (well-indented coast is twice as long as the road one) The western coast of Istria is 242.5 km long, with island 327.5 km. The eastern coast of Istria is 202 km long with the pertaining islets 212 km. Sea The lowest sea temperature is in March ranging from 9.3°C up to 11.1°C. The highest sea temperature is in August when it reaches 23.3°C and 24.1°C. Salinity amounts approximately to 36-38 pro mille. Rivers Mirna, Dragonja and Raša Vegetation Istria is the largest green oasis of the North Adriatic The coast and the islands are covered with pine woods and easily recognizable green macchia. The main specimens of macchia are holm oak and strawberry trees 35% of Istria is covered with forests. Administrative Centre Pazin (9,227 inhabitants) Economic Centre Pula (58,594 inhabitants) The first traces of prehistoric people on the territory of Istria date back to the period of the Lower Palaeolithic. The stone hand axe made by early man is about 2 million to 800,000 years old and was found in the vicinity of Pula, in Šandalja Cave. Finds from the Upper Palaeolithic (40,000-10,000 BC) were found at the sites of Šandalja II and St. Romuald's Cave in Lim Bay. In St. Romuald's Cave (11 km from Vrsar and 9 km from Rovinj) a large number of bones belonging to over 40 animal species were found, such as bones of the cave bear, cave lion, leopard, cave hyena, wild horse, large deer, snow hare etc., which were mainly the game of prehistoric people-hunters of that time. The discovered tools are proof of the existence of early man from the Old Stone Age, whereas the cave itself is a speleological attraction with cave decorations, bats and other animals. It was named after St. Romuald who in prayer and meditation spent three years in this cave, from 1001 until 1004. Numerous other prehistoric finds from the Neolithic (6,000-2,000 BC) prove the changes in life style, when prehistoric people instead of only hunting engaged in raising cattle and planting crops. Techniques for making tools and weapons became more complicated and people discovered how to make pottery. Share |
