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About Croatia Island of Lošinj Lošinj’s highest hill is the wooded
hill of Osoršćica (588 m), which is some 10 kilometres long and
stretches along the northern part of the island. Many, many years ago the island of Cres and Lošinj where one, only after the channel of Osor was excavated, probably during the Roman period, two islands emerged. Today a bridge connects the islands and in the geographically trafficable sense they form one unit. In ancient times the islands where know under a common name of Apsyrtides. The gentle climate of the island of Lošinj is seen in its richness of plant types. According to research, 1018 plant types were identified, of which 939 belong to the autochthonous flora. 230 of these plans fall under medical herbs. About 80 types of plants, mainly exotic plants, were brought from other parts of the world by masters and sailors from Lošinj, who planted them in and around their home gardens. Because of the typical climate plants from south Dalmatia and Sicily can be grown. Here grow agaves, Mexican cactus (opuntia), palm trees, magnolias, mirth, pistachios, mimosa, fig tree from India (karmus-nassarah), lemon, orange and mandarin trees (brought from Vietnam to Palermo, and then to Mali Lošinj). Thick pinewoods around Mali Lošinj became the green belt that protects the town and the harbour from the north wind. On the side of Čikat the woods slowly changed into a park. Today the thick pinewoods of Lošinj are the symbol of the island and a valuable asset in its tourist development. The Čikat has been nominated a park of nature. The vegetation on the island is growing luxuriant during all seasons. Based on professor A. Haračić’s research the state of vegetation makes the climate better. The culmination of vegetation is in May when most plants flourish. The most beautiful months on Lošinj are from March until May, because of the mild temperatures, richness of flourishing vegetation and the aromatic scents in the air. It is significant that there are no poisonous snakes on the Lošinj archipelago. There are just lizards and non-poisonous snakes. There is small game, as well as big game on the island – fallow deer and moufflons, which have been colonized in this area.There is a lot of feathered game.The birds of prey found in this area include hawks, sparrow-hawks, falcons and giant griffon vultures.Because of the small number of preserved individuals griffon vultures have been protected by law as an endangered species. The most common domestic animals found in this area are sheep.The sheep on the rocky pastures in the northern part of the island of Lošinj present an idyllic picture. The local waters of the archipelago
abound in various fish, shellfish and molluscs, such as cuttle-fish, squid
and octopus. All climate research of Mali Lošinj undoubtedly starts with the work of Ambroz Haračić, professor at the Maritime school in Mali Lošinj at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th century, when Mali Lošinj was an important research centre on the Adriatic. Professor Haračić defined all the characteristics of Lošinj, especially in relation to various localities on the Adriatic and the Mediterranean. Climate research of the island of Lošinj was, at that time, of crucial importance, in that in 1892 Veli and Mali Lošinj became climatic spas, which opened a new economic realm - tourism. The main characteristic of the Mediterranean climate are light winters and not too hot summers. The island of Lošinj is far enough from the coast, so that the sea has a dominant influence. The sea does not warm up as fast as the coast, but looses warmth much slower, so that during winter times the sea is the reservoir of warmth that heats the air. Consequently, winters are lighter and warmer then on the coastal part of Primorje region. This specific maritime climate is seen also in its lessening of the summer heat, so that Mali Lošinj has noticeably less days with the maximum temperature higher then 25°C. Based on the temperature characteristics and the micro-climate Mali Lošinj is similar to the places on the Cote d’Azur (Cannes, Nice), while from San Krf and Palermo it has 1 to 20°C higher average temperatures. Sea temperatures throughout fall, winter
and first days of spring higher then air temperatures. The cooling effect
of the sea is appreciated during the hottest days of the year. If we take
that the sea temperature of 20°C is pleasant for bathing, then the bathing
season in Mali Lošinj could last up to 126 days, from the first week in
June to the second week in October. A great number of specialized restaurants offer many gastronomic delights, from the homemade, well-known and appreciated sheep cheese and lamb from Cres, to fish, crab and mussels, together with the national and international cuisines. Next to the variety of many chosen wines
from renowned vineyards (we recommend wines from the island of Susak) even
the greatest connoisseurs cannot stay indifferent. (source: Mali
Losinj Tourist Bord) |
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