|
Hvar (68 km long), after Cres the longest Adriatic island, is also the fourth largest in area (300 sq. m). It is surrounded by the islands of Brač, Vis, Korčula, (and) peninsula Pelješac and Makarska coastal region. Close to it in the north there are the islets Zečevo and Duga, in the south the group of 14 Resin islands (Paklinski otoci), the islet of Šćedro, two islets of Lukovci, Pokonji dol, Galešnik and some cliffs.
The longitudinal road which links the town of Hvar with Sućuraj at the eastern end of the island is 84 km long. The high plateau between St. Nicholas hill (626 m) and Hum (603 m) which extends from Sv. Nedija to Jelsa and is partly under pine woods and partly under arable land is marked by distinctive beauty and a fresh climate.
According to the 2001 census some 12 000 inhabitants lived on the island in 27 places. The inhabitants work mostly in tourism, wine making, olive growing and fishing.
The flat part of the island between Stari Grad, Vrboska and Jelsa is under vineyards which produce up to 50,000 hectoliters of wine per year.
In 1991 the Island of Hvar signed the Declaration of the Central Dalmatian Islands - an Eco-clean Zone.
|
