Istria
Istra is the biggest peninsula at the eastern coast of Adriatica sea. It is situated almoust on the middle of Europa. From the 500 km distance of Istria are situated Slovenia, Italija, Swizerland, Germany, Austria, Czech republic, Slovakia, Hungary, from the 1000 km distance are situated Spein, France, Belgium, Holland, Poland, Romania, Bulgeria, Grecce and Albenia, and from 1500 km distance are situated all`others Europe´s countries.
Coast length is 445,1 km (well-indented coast is twice as long as the road one). The western coast of Istria is 242,5 km long, with islands 327,5 km ( 178,1 M). The eastern coast of Istria is 202,6 km long, with the pertaining islets 212,4 km (114,5 M).
Adriatic Sea is the cleanest sea of the Mediterranean, a along its croatian coast there are almost a thousand islands ideal for cruises, but also for finding secret beaches and inlets. Its a fairly quiet sea, placed deep in mainland, of salinity between 0,036 and 0,038 %, rich with animal and plant life in which you will enjoy if you try diving. But if you are only interested for a swim, you will want to know that the sea temperature in august varies between 24 and 26 °C at its highest, and in March around 12 °C, at its lowest. Usually, the season for swimming and sea sports opens in May.
Climate is mild, Mediterranean climate ( warm and dry summers, mild and pleasant winters). Average amount of sunshine : 2,388 hours. Owing to the day´s length and plenty of clear days throughout the summer it has the longest insolation with a daily average of 10 hours in Istrian seaside resorts. Characteristic winds are «bura» (wind blowing from the north to the south, bringing clear weather ), «jugo» ( south, warm wind bringing rain) asnd «maestral» ( summer breeze blowing from the land to the sea).
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 % Istria is covered with forest.
The biggest Istrien rivers are Mirna, Draginja and Raša.
Administrative center is Pazin with 9 000 inhabitants but the economic center and the biggest Istrien town is Pula with 82 000 inhabitants.
