Island of Pag
The island of Pag is one of the biggest islands in Croatia. It stretches for 60 km. The total surface area of the island of Pag is 285 km², and the length of the coastline is 270 km, more than four times the island length, which makes Pag one of the most indented islands in Croatia. The island of Pag is located at the southernmost part of north Adriatic. It is separated from the mainland by Velebit channel, on the southeast there is Kvarnerić, and on the north, it is just 5 km away from the island of Rab, and on the south, it is only 300 m away from the mainland. The position of the island of Pag between Kvarner and Dalmatia, which makes it according to need, a north Dalmatia island or a Kvarner island, determines its climate, cultural and historical characteristics. Exceptional beauty of the Pag landscape, which is among the most interesting on the Adriatic, is there thanks to rugged pastures – bordered by a large net of dry walls, olive groves in stone terrain, fruitful vineyard valleys, and southwest coast covered with macchia and holly oak. The nature is unique in Croatia, and therefore the island of Pag represents, in a wider sense of the word, a special brand in Croatia, Adriatic surely, and more and more in Europe. The island of Pag is among the barest islands in Croatia. The rare vegetation is made up of small plants adjusted to droughts: sage, heather, wormwood, immortelle and spike. After sudden blooming in spring, the plants, gray and burned during droughts, spread their aroma. The salty and succulent sheep pasture is why the Pag cheese has excellent taste, which is appreciated not only in Croatia, but elsewhere as well. The climate on the island of Pag is Mediterranean, which is specific for all Adriatic islands, and especially for Kvarner islands and north Dalmatia, with dry summers and mild and rainy winters. Well-known Pag gale is coming from Velebit and blowing the water and sea salt. It comes down on the island and because of it the north-eastern part of the island is desolate. This natural phenomenon belongs to the specific characteristics of Croatia, and Kvarner and Dalmatia islands.
