Istria - Introduction
The largest peninsula in the Adriatic Sea is Istria (Croatian, Slovene: Istra; Italian: Istria; Istriot: Eîstria), formerly Histria (Latin),.
Location of the peninsula is at the head of the Adriatic between the Gulf of Trieste and the Bay of Kvarner. It is shared by three countries: Croatia, Slovenia and Italy.
Istra - Sometimes called the ‘new Tuscany’ as it really reminds of, Istria (Istra to Croatians) is the heart-shaped 3600-sq-km peninsula just south of Trieste, Italy, with a landscape of green rolling hills, drowned valleys and fertile plains.
While the scenic interior is beginning to attract artists and artisans to its hilltop villages, the rugged and indented coastline is enormously popular with the sun ‘n’ sea set.
Pazin, in the interior, is the administrative capital of the region, while coastal Pula, with its thriving shipyard and Roman amphitheatre, is the economic centre.
Tourism along the coast centers on the fetching fishing village of Rovinj, the ancient Roman town of Porec, town castles like Motovun, Groznjan, Buzet, Oprtalj, Pican, and others are true gems with preserved walls and history that dates for over 1000 years in the past.
The northern part of the peninsula belongs to Slovenia, while the Cicarija mountains (an extension of the Dinaric Range) in the northeastern corner separate Istria from the continental mainland.
Central Istria has lot of specific offer you can choose from.
Local restaurants serve Istrian truffles with steak or fusilli, farm dried hams, sheep’s cheese, wild boar with pasta, raw fish gazpacho as well as sea food caught daily and fantastic local wines.
We always recommend our guests to stay in inland towns like Motovun, Groznjan, Oprtalj and enjoy tranquil and natural surroundings and to spend the morning by the pool and drive to the crystal clear waters of the Adriatic for the afternoon.
Melting pot of cultures, which are on one side characteristic for the mainland where it is still preserved in greater amount than with the coastal cities, caused the authentic atmosphere of Istrian towns, gastronomy and traditions.
Istria - basic information:
| Location |
The westernmost county of the Republic of Croatia.
The largest peninsula of the Adriatic |
| Area |
2,820 km2 (triangle Dragonja, Kamenjak, Učka) |
|
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) |