Geographical Structure Of Istria

The region of Istria is divided into three geographical areas: White, Grey and Red Istria.
White Istria encompasses the area of northern Trieste karst and the highest parts of Cicarija with the Ucka mountain ( 1.396 m). This is an area of scarce vegetation with the exception of the above mentioned highest Istrian mountain. Although it is known for abundant rainfall it lacks water. Water disappears quickly in the ever thirsty karst un­derground. The name originates from the huge stone areas of karst.


Grey lstria includes all the central part of the peninsula characterised by river valleys and flysch rocks while water and vegetation are more abun­dant here. The biggest Istrian rivers have their sources here: the Mirna, Rasa and Pazincica. The name comes from the grey colour of this area in winter but also from the predominat­ing clay layers in the soil.

Red Istria is the most populated part and also the most fertile, en­compassing the western and south­ern littorals known for their indenta­tion and the wide plain which de­scends gently towards the sea. The name derives from the red soil. The steep valleys divide this part of Istria into four smaller areas named after bigger towns: Buje, Labin, Porec Pula and Rovinj.
Istria is situated between 44.32' degrees northern latitude and 12.29' degrees east longitude with a surface of 2.820 square kilometres and with more than 204 thousand inhabitants.
Smaller groups of islands also belong geographically to Istria, the most important being the Brijuni Archipelago with 14 islands, pro­claimed as a national park in 1983.
Besides the Brijuni National Park, which is an unique monument of nature, Istria has other protected rarities and reserves of vegetation: the Motovun wood, the park of Zlat­ni rt in Rovinj with about 70 varie­ties of trees, Lim Bay, Pazin Cave...

Istria Tourism and Economy

About Istria Tourism

Tourism is one of the most important and most propulsive branch of economy, in which most hope and endeavouring has been invested in the development of the whole region. On this behalf speaks the data that in the summer season in Istria there are more than 200.000 tourists daily. During a hundred years old tourist tradition the Istrians have developed a special hearty relationship in treating foreigners and guests, who often become friends - like a second family.,The tourist accommodation capacities comprise 207.000 beds, and tourists have on their disposal 114 hotels, 39 campsites, 19 apartment villages, as well as over 35.000
beds in private accommodation. (Moreover, the tourism offer includes well organized nautical tourism, congress, hunting and fishing tourism, agritourism, gastronomic, enological and excursion arrangements, as well as cultural, sports and recreational tourism (cycling and walking routes, diving and horseriding).

The nature has endowed the Istrian environment, as its landscape abounds in primordial and luxurious beauty. In spite of the great number of tourists, who during the summer season double the number of population, the well indented coastline with its hidden coves, bays, hundreds of islets and untouched beaches
offer each tourist a few meters of proper "private." beach.  The Istrian tourism with its complete accommodation capacities participate with 31 % in the Croatian tourism offer, while the percentage of realized overnights amounts to 43 % in the total Croatian tourism  lstria contribute with 41 % in the total Croatian foreign tourist traffic, of which the direct financial tourism impact of Istria without multiplicative effects amounts to 1,4 billion US $. The tourism industry employment participates with 16,7 % in the total employment of the Istrian County.

Istrian People, Tourism and Culture

Istria has slightly more than 200.000 inhabitants, living in 636 villages or towns. The town of Pazin is the administrative centre, with 9.000 inhabitants, situated in the very heart of Istria, while the largest Istrian town is Pula with 60.000 inhabitants. Hum is the smallest Istrian town, as well as the smallest
town of the world.
There are also few other bigger towns and tourist centers like: Porec, Rovinj, Umag, Novigrad, Opatija, Rabac, Medulin.

The inhabitants of Istria live mainly in larger towns. Massive urbanization has also occurred on this peninsula due to the rural population leaving the countryside in search for work in larger towns. In such a way a great number of Istrian villages and former outstanding economic and com-mercial junction places are now nearly or completely deserted, some of the villages have been abandoned even since long past times. Wonderful constructions of old stone houses, the simbol of the autochthonous Istrians, are covered now by ivy and thornbushes. But the too fast industrialization and urbanization, the recent past is now resulting in the return of the Istrians to rural areas, with rebuilding the old houses in the countryside, aimed for repose or for everyday quieter and healthier living, far from the chaotic civilization. Such beautiful houses are also turned into attractive tourist structures, as destination of always more and more popular agritourism istria.

A Beautiful Region Istria in Croatia

Istria Croatia is a blog about my lovely region Istria!

Istria is the western region of the Republic of Croatia, and it is the largest Croatian peninsula. For Central European countries Istria is the nearest tourist destination to the seaside. It borders the Republic of Slovenia to the north, and to the west shares the sea border with the Republic of Italy., Its surface covers the area of 2.820 km', making a triangle from the river Dragonja on the west part, down to Cape Kamenjak near Premantura, the most southern point of Istria, and to the east up to the mountain Ucka, with the highest point of 1.401 m above sea level.

The Adriatic Sea washes all three sides of the Istrian indented coast, which extends across 445,1 km, being twice the length of the Istrian road line. The western Istrian coast is 242,5 km long and together with the coastline of the islands and islets stretches out on a 212,4 kilometres surface.
Istria is traversed by the 45th parallel of latitude north, and thus the Istrian peninsula is situated just in the middle of the north hemisphere, or midway between the equator and the North Pole. The weather conditions are characterized by the mild Mediterranean climate, with warm and dry summers and mild pleasant winters. The sunshine amounts to 2.388 sunny hours on the average yearly.