Kornati islandsf

KORNATSKI OTOCI (Kornati Islands), the largest and densest archipelago in the Adriatic Sea; consists of 147 islands, islets and reefs comprising an area of 69 sq km, scattered at an area of 234 sq km. They stretch in the length of about 35 km and the width of 13 km, between the island of Dugi Otok in the north-west and the island of Zirje in the south-east, as well as between the islands of Pasman, Vrgada and Murter in the north and the north-east. They were named after Kornat, the biggest island (32.62 sq km). Pliny called them Cratea. On the south-western side, toward the open sea, the coasts are extremely steep (cliffs or crowns); the highest cliffs are those on Klobucar (80 m), Mana (65 m), Rasip Veli (64 m) and elsewhere. Due to limestone formation there are no sources or water streams on the Kornati Islands. In some karst depressions, whose bottoms are covered by red soils, water retains almost throughout the year. Brackish water may be found in karst cavities at some 40 locations. Rainwater is collected in cisterns. Winters are mild; an average air temperature in January is 7.3 °C and in July 23.9 °C. Maximum air temperatures do not exceed 33 °C and minimum air temperature does not fall below -7 °C. There are 106 clear days, 134 moderate cloudy and 125 cloudy days in a year. Air humidity reaches 65 %. There are also 115 rainy days in a year. Snow occurs very rarely. Due to the unfavourable dynamics of rainfall and air temperatures during the vegetation period, and because of limestone formation, the vegetation on the islands is very sparse. The predominant type is rocky ground with sparse pastures. Only on the north-eastern side of the Kornat Island, near the Stativala Cove, there are some areas under holm oaks. Red soil fields, mild slopes and coves provide good opportunities for the cultivation of olives, figs, vines and citrus fruit. The Kornati area is one of the richest fishing grounds in the Adriatic, especially rich in benthos species.