Island Istf

IST, an island in the Zadar archipelago, north of the island of Molat, separated from it by the Zapuntel strait; area 9.65 sq km; population 237. It was mentioned in the 10th century by Constantine Porphyrogenitus. Along the island are two ranges of hills separated from each other by a narrow valley. The island consists of limestone and partly of dolomite. An average annual air temperature is - 14 °C, in January 5 °C and in July 23 °C. In the west Ist is surrounded by the island of Skarda and several islets. The coast is mainly steep and covered with thick underbrush, except in the southern part. The Kosiraca Cove on the north-western coast may be used for docking. On the south-western coast is the Siroka Cove with the village of Ist. The island is partly under vineyards and olive-groves; on the slopes of Straza are woods. There is an abundance of small fish around the island (the islets Sestrice in the south-west and the Kosiraca Cove in the north-west). The area of Ist is the starting point for sports fishing. >