Croatian Islands

The space and the environment are the inherent notions of tourism and, conversely, the concept of tourism is inconceivable without the components of space and environment. Tourism helps to bring people closer together and to raise awareness of the value of the natural and cultural heritage, while promoting respect for different cultures. Physical planning has a specific role to play here, particularly regarding tourism planning in a long term perspective. The aim of this paper is to provide useful information about traditional physical planning methods. It seeks to examine the similarities and differences of the tourism planning impacts on space, landscape and nature. In order to achieve these goals, the method of work is based on the research of documentation sources and on the parallel analysis of tourism planning parameters and landscape and nature protection through physical planning documents: physical plans of the counties, and physical plans of towns and municipalities on the three Croatian islands of Cres, Hvar and Mljet. Planned tourism zones in physical plans of the counties are redirected to lower plans in accordance with the law, without further obligation to verify the feasibility and acceptability of the proposed sites. Tourism zones on islands are planned almost exclusively along the coastline and in protected coastal area. Protection of nature and landscape is mostly implemented through nature protection legislation and almost not at all through physical plans. The landscape concern should be upgraded from basic protection to a higher level of landscape planning and management. Tourism planning must be moved from the domain of noting capacity and calculations to diversification of tourism activity and the creation of new synergies with landscape benefits. It is highly important to integrate possible scenarios of recognition in the physical planning process, as well as the evaluation and protection of landscapes identity that must be used to create a new brand which will trigger a new form of specific sustainable tourism.

In considering the island of Vir in the Zadar archipelago (central Adriatic Croatia, Zadar County), the author emphasizes the importance of its geographical position and natural- geographic basis for development. The island of Vir is the extension of the zone of Privlaka Peninsula, from which it is separated by shallow Privlački Gaz (Privlaka Draft). There, before the channel called Škav between Vir and the mainland was dredged in 1904, people could walk across during low tide. This position has determined for centuries the existence and development of Vir, especially in modern conditions after a bridge connection was built. The size of the Vir enabled the existence of a settlement with several hamlets since prehistory. In the modern conditions of urbanized growth of the island settlement of the same name, development has also taken place by expanding and linking certain groups of facilities. The shallow draft was bridged by a modern bridge in 1976 so that Vir has really become part of the mainland, similar to the northerly located island ogf Pag, from which it is separated by New Povljana Channel (the narrowest point between Cape Bobovik and Cape Veli Žal is 1200 m wide). Modern roads, the older one built through Privlaka settlement, joining the road from Zadar to Nin, as well as newer one, bypassing Privlaka, constructed in 2010, have significantly reduced the travel time from the regional and county centre of Zadar and allowed the normal development of the island. This, in today's circumstances, has essentially improved and revalorised the geographical position of the island in relation to neighbouring municipalities and other parts of Zadar County, but also in relation to the whole of Adriatic Croatia. West and northwest of Vir the widest part of the Sea of Vir extends to Zadar Channel in the southeast. Its position, geological structure and relief characteristics distinguish Vir from other Zadar islands, because in this sense it is an immediate extension of the Ravni Kotari area, as well as the island of Pag. Also in socio- geographical terms it forms part of the Zadar coastal rim, that is the Zadar urban region which, in modern developmental conditions of development is reflected positively in its growth. Considering its anthropogeographic features, Vir is more similar to the mainland than the island part of the Zadar region. In modern developmental circumstances, Vir forms part of the urban-rural complex of the Zadar urban region which can tentatively be defined as the area from Vir in the NW to the Drage in SE, including a narrow littoral zone, with contemporary extensions of the airport “Zadar” in Zemunik and business zones of Murvica and Poličnik. It is an area with about 125, 000 inhabitants (of whom 71, 500 live in Zadar itself) and 85, 000 apartments (2011). Here, considering the number of recorded tourist overnight stays, the average daily stay is at least 20, 000 people (which almost doubles in summer months while the number of apartments allows a maximum of 270, 000users). The importance of the geomorphological basis stems from the fact that Vir is a typical karst island, mostly privately owned. The processes characteristic of the karst are maximally expressed here. Until recently, the island was bare, with relatively low vegetation, like its northern neighbour Pag. Elevations, from which the erosion has in recent times, washed away the loose soil, were marked by karst formations and sharp rockeries. Here, erosion is caused by the persistent degradation of plant cover as a result of logging, burning, grazing, etc., and is also emphasized by climatic influences (the exposure of the island to winds). However, even this a basis, like the centuries-old pillar of the prevailing livestock breeding economy, has been very significant for the life and survival of the population. The advent of the idea of building “Vir” Nuclear Power Plant in this landscape in the early 1970s was met by a firm refusal from the island and Zadar region population. The rocky pastures of Vir became the focus of the relatively rapid, affordable purchase and sale of island plots for holiday homes, immediately after the construction of the bridge was completed. This has fundamentally changed the previous significance of the position of the island in comparison to neighbouring spatial micro units and the wider region. The geological basis of Vir is crucial to the formation of traditional, natural features, while human activity later gradually created the cultivated landscape. It forms part of the geo-tectonically relatively stable unit of Ravni Kotari within the area of the Istrian and Dalmatian fold, also present on northerly positioned island of Pag. Geological structures consisting predominantly of Upper Cretaceous and Paleogene (Eocene) carbonate rocks, with significant occurrences of Eocene flysch and Quaternary deposits which lie on older Cretaceous strata, are of primary influence. Vir belongs to the eu-Mediterranean climate area (Csa climate), with hot and dry summers and mild winters. In terms of the average temperature, temperature fluctuations and extremes, insolation, precipitation, humidity and windiness, Vir is situated in a pleasant climate, favorable for inhabitancy, economic valorisation, and especially in recent developmental conditions, tourism and recreation. Most of the precipitation which falls on the Vir area seeps into the karst underground. During the rainy season, ground waters emerge as weak springs and submarine springs (Biskupljača Cove with its well, Lučica, Srpljica, Radovanjica, Bunarić, the areas near the lighthouse and along the shore of Vir settlement etc., partly arranged in the form of wells). Some stronger water sources are related to the flysch zone. In 1930, the local water reservoir was built in the village of Vir. The water supply had been quite a problem, although the number of domestic reservoirs from which the population was supplied with water was considerable. With regard to the water resources of the sea that surrounds Vir, the importance of the Sea of Vir, occupying the space between Kvarnerić to the NW and Zadar and the Middle Channels to the SE, should be noted. It has always been an important additional support for life, survival and the development of Vir, and, especially in modern times, for the development of tourism. The island of Vir belongs to the vegetation zone of the real Mediterranean (eu- Mediterranean zone), in fact to the transitional, i.e. contact area bordering the deciduous vegetation of the sub-Mediterranean area. The zone is covered by an indigenous clima-zonal community of mixed forests and maquis, consisting of holm oak with black ash (Fraxino orni-Quercetum ilicis, H-ić community). The original vegetation, which has been over-exploited (cutting, burning, grazing, extracting lime, etc.) is degraded in the vegetation of the lower habitus reach, and a similar situation is found on the neighboring Island of Pag, Vrsi Peninsula, along the Velebit Channel and elsewhere. Like other Croatian islands, Vir has been relatively poorly researched zoogeographically. There is a rich diversity of wildlife, both on land and in the sea. On land many species are present, mostly insects, as well as the diverse world of amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals. Soils, especially those suitable for farming have been an important pillar of life and survival for the population and settlements on Vir since pre-historic times. Most of Vir is marked by the emergence of carbonate rocks on the surface, due to long-term erosion as a result of logging and burning vegetation. On Vir, apart from sporadically present red soil, brown soils on limestone, dolomites and Quaternary sands have developed as well as brown (here usually yellow-grey) soil on the flysch (as eroded variety of brown soils), limestone-dolomite black soils, diluvial soils, collegial soils, rendzinas and washed native soils. The natural-geographical basis has always been of vital importance to the life, survival and development of Vir’s settlements, both those of the past, and the modern, central village of Vir, with its hamlets, Lozice and Torovi. The slight relief, marked mainly by carbonates and to a lesser extent by the flysch or the delluvial structure of geological strata, has always been a suitable prerequisite for the development and survival of settlements, from Liburnian hillforts on suitable elevations or along the coastal cliffs, through ancient and medieval constructions to modern ones. The Mediterranean area, with its mild climate, has further faciliated the retention of the population and economic development, as well as the appearance of soils suitable for farming. The former vegetation, used by the population as a building material or firewood, has given way to rocky pastures, which are thus forming the basis for the development of a small livestock breeding economy, supplemented by agriculture and sea-use (fishing, collecting shellfish and molluscs). In modern conditions, proximity to the mainland has enabled the simple bridging of the shallow draft by a modern, paved road bridge, allowing optimal connections with neighbouring Privlaka Peninsula, Nin and the regional centre of Zadar, and thus providing a convenient connection to the motorway and other transport networks in the country. Due to the ideal combination of its attractive geographical position, natural-geographic basis and traffic- geographic links, the island of Vir is developing under modern conditions into a specific, attractive urbanized coastal area as part of the Zadar urban region, with particular emphasis on the development of tourism and related activities.

The processes of deagrarization and depopulation have been present on Croatian islands (particularly on smaller and remoter ones) for several decades and they have disrupted demographic and economic basis of the islands. Scarce and generally old population on the island has mostly abandoned traditional economic activities, as well as different forms of specific way of life, particularly Mediterranean insular culture that was being formed for thousands of years. These socio-geographic changes had also repercussions on transformation of insular landscape. Žirje Island in Šibenik archipelago is a good example of contemporary socio-geographic changes and transformation of the Croatian insular area in general. Negative socio-economic processes on Žirje Island are particularly stressed because its southern part was completely isolated for the purpose of building military infrastructure and stationing the troops of the ex-Yugoslav army. Contemporary initial, but extremely uncontrolled development of tourism has become a serious threat to insular landscape, so the local population has demanded that state and county administration should take immediate steps for protecting the southwestern part of the island (Stupica) and proclaim it protected landscape. / Višedesetljetni procesi deagrarizacije i depopulacije na hrvatskim - ponajviše na malim i od kopna udaljenim - otocima bitno su narušili demografsku i gospodarsku osnovu otoka. Malobrojno i uglavnom staro otočno stanovništvo velikim je dijelom napustilo tradicionalne oblike privređivanja, a s time i različite oblike specifičnog načina života, osobito tisućljećima oblikovane sredozemne otočne kulture. Te su se socio-geografske mijene, uz ostalo, odrazile i u transformaciji otočnoga krajolika. Otok Žirje u šibenskoj otočnoj skupini dobar je primjer aktualnih socio-geografskih mijena i svekolike transformacije hrvatskoga otočnoga prostora. Negativni socio-ekonomski procesi na Žirju su posebno naglašeni jer je njegov južni dio gotovo pola stoljeća bio potpuno izoliran u odnosu na ostatak otoka poradi izgradnje vojnih instalacija i stacioniranja postrojbi bivše jugoslavenske vojske. Suvremene pojave inicijalnoga, ali naglašeno stihijskoga i nekontroliranog razvitka turizma prijete uništavanjem otočnoga krajolika, na što lokalno stanovništvo reagira zahtijevajući od mjerodavnih državnih i županijskih institucija veću pozornost te proglašenje Stupice, jugozapadnoga dijela otoka, zaštićenim krajolikom.

U ovom radu istraživali smo pojavu novijeg doseljavanja na otok Korčulu, odnosno doseljavanja stanovništva koje je uslijedilo nakon 2000. godine. Naš interes bio je usmjeren na domaće i strane useljenike koji većinu godine žive na otoku, odnosno kojima je otok mjesto stalnog boravka. Kao glavnu istraživačku strategiju izabrali smo studiju slučaja. Područje otoka izabrali smo vodeći se kriterijem da su otoci primjeri tradicionalno iseljeničkih područja. Istraživački pristup je kvalitativan i uključivao je dubinske intervjue s migrantima (37 ispitanika), te ekspertne intervjue (4 ispitanika). Demografski i socioekonomski podaci o ispitanicima dobiveni se uz pomoć anketnih upitnika podijeljenih svim ispitanicima, a dodatno su korišteni i dostupni statistički podaci. U istraživanju smo prepoznali tri skupine migranata: povratnike, bračne migrantice, doseljenike. U skupini povratnika radi se o otočanima (ili njihovoj djeci i potomcima) koji su veći dio života proveli izvan otoka, te su se na njega u određenoj životnoj fazi odlučili i vratiti. Najveći dio vratio se iz prekooceanskih zemalja i Europe, dok je nešto manji dio koji je došao iz drugih dijelova Hrvatske. Osim povratnika prve generacije koji većinom dolaze nakon umirovljenja nalazimo i povratnike druge generacije koji se vraćaju u radno-aktivnoj dobi. Kao drugu zasebnu skupinu izdvojili smo bračne migrantice koje su se na otok doselile zajedno sa suprugom otočaninom ili zbog udaje/veze za otočaninom. To je ujedno i najmlađa skupina u uzorku. Njihovo znanje hrvatskog jezika u polovini slučajeva je ograničeno, najčešće nisu zaposlene ili su u mirovini. Preseljenju bračnih migrantica na Korčulu prethodili su periodi življenja obitelji u drugim zemljama. Najčešće radi se o suprugama pomoraca, suprugama povratnika ili suprugama koje su to postale nakon turističkog posjeta otoku upoznavanjem te udajom za otočanima. Kao treću zasebnu skupinu možemo izdvojiti doseljenike, odnosno, one koji su na otok došli nevezano od rodbinskih veza. Neki od njih privukla je poslovna prilika (zdravstvo, trgovina, ugostiteljstvo, ronjenje) dok je put dolaska na otok za druge bio vođen inicijalnim turističkim posjetom koji je prerastao u trajniju povezanost. Eksperti izražavaju pozitivan stav o dolasku migranata na otoku svjesni da demografska obnova nije moguća samo „iznutra“, odnosno, bez dolaska stanovništva s kopna. Ono što se nakon provedene tipologizacije pokazuje je da na način života više utječe položaj unutar životnog ciklusa, a manje sam način ili razlog zbog kojeg su migranti stigli na otok.

On the examples of the islands of Šolta, Ugljan, Brač and Mljet, this paper seeks to show that the planned capacities of tourist zones in spatial designation plans of municipalities/towns and detailed urban designation plans of several tourist zones are not entirely coherent with their maintenance possibilities (executed by the current inhabitants), nor the housing zones for new inhabitants (who would enable the maintenance of said tourist zones) have been planned. The method of work is based on the research of documentation sources and on the parallel analyses of urban parameters: - spatial planning documents, - construction sites of the settlements of the island and its population, - tourist zones on the islands and the number of employees, and detailed allocations of areas and program abstracts of the examples of tourist zones. Conclusions: The CSS residential density on the islands is lower than 20 pph. The unbuilt sections of the CSS with low residential density (lower than 100 pph) can accomodate twice as many residents than the existing number of the islands’ inhabitants. The number of TZ bedding capacity is bigger than the existing number of the islands’ inhabitants. The number of necessary employees for the planned TZ makes up at least 20% (Mljet), and up to 70% (Ugljan) of the existing number of the islands’ inhabitants. The necessary area of the CSS allocated as the TZ employees’ accomodation can be located on the unbuilt sections of the islands’ CSS, but they weren’t allocated as such although they encompass the area of up to 40% (Brač) of the unbuilt section of the islands’ CSS. The facilities and areas for the employees’ accomodation weren’t specifically planned in the UDPs and DDPs of TZ/TL. There is enough additional space for the accomodation of a larger number of the necessary employees in the built sections of the settlements. It is important to regulate the planning of a section within the TZ as an accomodation area for the temporary (seasonal) employees.

The theme of the paper the geographical characteristics of the Pag island which belongs to the Zadar region in Central Adriatic Croatia (North Dalmatia). The author gives careful consideration to its geographical position, extension and size, physical-geographical features (geology, geomorphology), speleological characteristics, climate, land and sea waters, vegetation, soils. Special attention is paid to the historic-geographical aspect of the development and population in three districts of the island (Pag, Povljana, Novalja). The characteristics of population structures are generally unfavorable. The final part of the paper includes the characteristics of economy and social superstructure. Sheep breeding, tourism and local industry show the greatest deak of vitality. The author analyses perspectives and dilemmas concerning the development of the island under complex conditions of the administrative division between two counties.

The island of Rava (3,62 km2, 120 inhabitants 1991), which makes part of the Zadar archipelago, belongs to the Central Croatian Littoral (North Dalmatian) group of islands. In this paper, the features of its natural basis are elaborated as a part of the project connected with the geographical study of small Croatian islands. The authors anlayse its position, size and extent, geomorphology, geological composition and structure, climato-vegetable properties, pedological and biogeographical features and waters. Attention has been paid to the importance of its dolomitic structure, favorable climatic conditions (precipitation, temperatures, winds, etc.), lack of water and significance of its autochthonous vegetation. Special heed has been given to the properties of the sea surrounding the island (physical, chemical and biological parameters). Inhabitability and valuation depended on its physical geographical potential, and the contemporary possibilities are based on it too. The paper offers a detailed list of texts published up to the present and some unpublished ones, which deal with the island that has not been specially treated so far. /
Otok Rava (3, 62 km2, 120 stan. 1991.) nalazi se u zadarskom arhipelagu, u središnjem hrvatskom (sjevernodalmatinskom) otočju. U sklopu projekta geografske obrade malih hrvatskih otoka, ovdje su obrađena obilježja njegove prirodne osnove. Analizirani su položaj, veličina i obuhvat, geološki sastav i građa, geomorfološke, klimavegetacijske i hidrogeografske značajke te živi svijet. Istaknuti su: važnost dolomitne građe, povoljne klimatske značajke (padaline, temperature, vjetrovi i sl.), nestašica vode, značenje autohtone vegetacije. Posebna pažnja u radu pridaje se obilježjima mora oko otoka (fizički, kemijski i biološki parametri). Naseljenost i vrednovanje otoka ovisilo je o prirodnogeografskim potencijalima, a i suvremene mogućnosti razvoja zasnivaju se na njima. Rad daje i iscrpnu literaturu dosad objavljenih i neobjavljenih tekstova koji tretiraju ovaj otok o kome do sada u geografiji nije posebno pisano.

Iako je fenomen Gospina kulta snažan u hrvatskoj kršćanskoj i maritimnoj baštini, njegova afirmiranost na otoku Visu ostala je u sjeni ostalih marioloških istraživanja. Cilj je ovoga rada obuhvatom povijesnih vrela i terenskoga istraživanja provedenoga od 2018. do 2020. godine analizirati pojavnosti marijanskoga kulta na otoku Visu u etnološkome i kulturnoantropološkome kontekstu kako bi se rekogniscirao Gospin kult na viškome području, čime će se utvrditi stoljetna dinamična ukorijenjenost Gospina kulta na otoku Visu namećući se kao neizostavna i vrijedna sastavnica hrvatske kulturne baštine.

Ist Island is one of the small inhabited Croatian islands (9.65 km2) which experienced strong socio-geographic transformation in the second half of the 20th century. Statistical data about the number of population, different demographic structures, dwellings from different censuses and data about land use in 1900, 1951 and 2003 are analysed in the paper. The comparison of these data helps to reconstruct the processes of deruralization and deagrarization. It is obvious that today Ist Island is among islands with strong economic regress despite suitable natural-geographic basis for further development of tourism as the most perspective economic sector. The development of agriculture is limited because of the small share of arable land. /
Otok Ist jedan je od malih naseljenih hrvatskih otoka (9,65 km2) koji je u drugoj polovici 20. stoljeća doživio značajnu socio-geografsku preobrazbu. U radu su analizirani statistički podatci vezani uz kretanje stanovništva, pojedine strukture i korištenje stanova različitih popisnih godina, te podatci o korištenju zemljišta iz 1900., 1951. i 2003. godine čija usporedba omogućuje rekonstrukciju procesa deruralizacije i deagrarizacije. Očito je da danas otok Ist spada među otoke s izrazitim gospodarskim nazadovanjem unatoč povoljnim prirodno-geografskim uvjetima za razvoj turizma kao najperspektivnije gospodarske djelatnosti. Razvoj poljoprivrede ograničen je zbog pomanjkanja obradivih površina.

The authors elaborate geographical features of the Ugljan island, the most inhabited island of the Zadar archipelago in Central Croatian Littoral. The purpose of the paper, continuing former works, is to offer groundwork for future specialized and complex researches on regional geographical problems concerning this island. The inhabitants of the island have evaluated and exploited its physical-geographical basis since prehistory, creating in this way a specific Ugljan cultural landscape. Zadar, the city closely to the island, played a decisive role in its historical-geographical development. Owing to contemporary socioeconomic development, Ugljan is, in fact a part of specific Zadar periurban zone. /
U radu autori obrađuju geografska obilježja otoka Ugljana, najnaseljenijeg otoka zadarskog arhipelaga u središnjem dijelu Hrvatskog Primorja. Svrha je rada, na temelju dosadašnjih parcijalnih rezultata istraživanja, utvrditi temelje daljnjih specijaliziranih kao i kompleksnih istraživanja iz regionalno-geografske problematike ovog otoka. Fizičko-geografsku osnovu otoka Ugljana njegovi su stanovnici vrednovali i iskorištavali još od prapovijesti, stvarajući tako specifični ugljanski geografski ambijent. U historijsko-geografskom razvitku Ugljana presudnu je ulogu, potpuno razumljivo, imao grad Zadar, koji se nalazi u neposrednoj blizini otoka. Suvremenim društveno-gospodarskim razvitkom otok Ugljan zapravo čini dio prigradske zone Zadra.

The islands of Kaprije (6.97 km2) and Kakan (3.12 km2) are part of Šibenik islands, situated in the Central Croatian Littoral (North Dalmatian) archipelago. The paper deals with their natural-geographical basis in function of past development and potential one, within the framework of the project on small Croatian islands. Besides analysing their size and extent, the authors emphasize the importance of their geographical position, geologic composition and structure, geomorphologic, climatic, pedological, hydrogeographical and biogeographical characteristics. The importance of their carbonate structure, Mediterranean climatic conditions, lack of water and importance of their autochthonous vegetation are analysed in the same function. Population, building of settlements and weekend houses, as well as land use on the islands mostly depend on their natural-geographic resources. The recent possibilities of development are also based on them. Depopulation and deagrarization leave a deep trace in the landscape of the island, especially in the settled island of Kaprije, which is being radically changed. Strong connection between the town of Šibenik and Kaprije Island, which essentially influenced historical-geographical development of the island, also effects the contemporary development, especially through a strong gravitational influence of Šibenik. /
Otoci Kaprije (6, 97 km2) i Kakan (3, 12 km2) čine dio šibenske otočne skupine u središnjem (sjevernodalmatinskom) dijelu hrvatskog otočja. U sklopu projekta geografske obrade malih hrvatskih otoka, ovdje su obrađena obilježja njihove prirodno-geografske osnove u funkciji dosadašnjeg i mogućeg razvoja. Uz analizu veličine i prostornog obuhvata, istaknuti su: važnost geografskog položaja, geološkog sastava i građe, geomorfoloških, hidrogeografskih klimatskih, pedoloških i biogeografskih značajki. U funkciji dosadašnjeg i potencijalnog razvoja analizirani su: važnost karbonatne građe, sredozemne klimatske značajke, nestašica vode, značenje autohtone vegetacije i dr. Naseljenost, izgradnja naselja i kuća za odmor kao i vrjednovanje otoka, dobrim dijelom ovise o prirodnogeografskim potencijalima, a i suvremene mogućnosti razvoja zasnivaju se na njima. Depopulacija i deagrarizacija utiskuju dubok trag u krajoliku otoka, posebno na naseljenom otoku Kapriju, koji se stubokom transformira. Sudbinska veza grada Šibenika i Kaprija, koja je bitno utjecala na historijsko-geografski razvitak otoka, odražava se u suvremenom razvoju, posebno kroz snažan gravitacijski utjecaj Šibenika.

The paper contains essential interaction determinants of the spatial position and natural geographical bases with the development of Elafiti islands in the past and nowadays. Covering an area of about 27 km2 and with 873 inhabitants (after preliminary result of 2001 census) they form a small separated group in the southernmost part of the Croatian islands belonging to the Dubrovnik archipelago. Special consideration is given to the characteristics of their geological origin and structure, to geomorphological features, climatovegetational characteristics and influence of soils. Sporadic water appearances were essential for the preservation and continuity of life and economic development. In these times the water supply problem has been solved by conveying water from land. The authors point out the importance of physicogeographical components in historiogeographical development and also the necessity of valuing them in the modern socioeconomic development conditions.

Small Croatian islands, particularly those with not more than one to three settlements, have found themselves in especially sensitive stage of their development now at the end of the 20th and beginning of the 21st century. General infrastructural isolation, including lack of water, is one of major important factors towards the shutdown of settlements and the withering away of islands. Better linking the mainland and larger islands, and the possibilities of evaluation of local resources, including water, are a possible breakthrough from the the current crisis. Exploitation of sea surrounding these small islands potentially be imposed as the most serious starting points towards progress based on locally available resources (including arable land, forests, pastures). In this respect, tourism and traffic evaluation on one hand, and the cultivation of marine organisms, on the other, might at first sight seem as contrary and opposed options, but their opportunities, impacts, and effects indicate potential for future development. Principles of sustainable development, which are of major relevance in saturated areas , in these waste land and sea areas enable development in either direction. Several examples of small islands confirm that. On the other hand, general deficiency of fresh water in small islands and the fact that this problem has never been adequately resolved , emerge as a limiting factor in development of small islands and cause their regression. The beginning of the third millenium should bring some novelties as regards water supply technologies suitable for small islands, leading towards their recovery and revitalization. /
Mali hrvatski otoci, poglavito oni koji imaju samo 1-3 naselja, krajem 20. i početkom 21. st. su u posebno osjetljivom razdoblju svoga opstanka. Opća infrastrukturna izoliranost, uključivši i bezvodicu, važan je uzrok gašenju naselja i odumiranju otoka. Bolje vezivanje s kopnom i većim otocima , kao i mogućnost vrednovanja lokalnih resursa, među njima i voda, pokazuje se kao potencijalni izlaz iz sadašnje krize.Svakako, vrednovanje mora oko malih otoka potencijalno se nameće kao najozbiljniji mogući izvor među izvorima koji tim otocima preostaju (plodno zemljište, šuma, pašnjaci). U tom pogledu turistička i prometna valorizacija s jedne, i uzgoj morskih organizama, s druge strane, na prvi pogled oprečni i suprostavljeni u svojim zahtjevima, mogućnostima i utjecajima, ukazuju na potencijale budućeg razvoja. Načela održivog razvoja, koja u saturiranim prostorima dolaze u prvi plan, u našim uvjetima, s obzirom na prostranost i mogućnost lokalnih akvatorija, još uvijek omogućuju razvoj i u jednom i u drugom smjeru.Nekoliko primjera na malim otocima to i pokazuje. S druge strane, opće siromaštvo slatkom vodom na malim otocima i činjenica da taj problem dosad nije učinkovito razriješen, pokazuje se kao ograničavajući faktor razvoja malih otoka i jedan od uzroka njihova nazadovanja. Početak III. tisućljećatrebao bi u tom pogledu donijeti novice u tehnološkim rješenjima vodoopskrbe malih otokate ubrzati njihov oporavak i oživljavanje.

Josip Faričić, s Odjela za geografiju Sveučilišta u Zadru, dana 28. lipnja 2006. na Odsjeku za geografiju PMF-a Sveučilišta u Zagrebu, obranio je doktorsku disertaciju pod naslovom "Sjevernodalmatinski otoci u procesu litoralizacije – razvoj, problemi i perspektive". Dr Josip Faričić prvi je diplomant (1998.) iz prvog naraštaja mlade katedre geografije na Sveučilištu u Zadru, osnovane 1994. godine. Također, prvi je magistrirao iz te generacije zadarskih geografa (2003.), a sada i prvi koji je doktorirao. Obrana je održana pred povjerenstvom koje su činili predsjednik, prof. dr. sc. Ivo Nejasmić, mentor prof. dr. sc. Damir Magaš i član doc. dr. sc. Danijel Orešić. Faričić je u opsežnoj raspravi na 500 stranica dao novi doprinos geografskom proučavanju litoralizacijskih procesa u hrvatskom priobalju te, kako je sam naveo u prijavi disertacije, "Zaključci rada trebali bi pridonijeti stvaranju znanstvenog temelja za buduća istraživanja, a posebno implementaciji rezultata u praksi prostornog planiranja i uređenja proučavanog prostora. Cilj je realno vrjednovanje mogućnosti i ograničenja prirodno-geografskih i socio-geografskih sastavnica otočnih mikrosustava kako bi se, u skladu s paradigmom održivog razvitka, na najbolji način omogućio optimalan razvoj otočnoga prostora zadarske i šibenske regije."razvoj, problemi i perspektive. Disertacija uz glavne teze, uključuje popis literature, popis tablica i popis slika te sažetak na engleskom jeziku. U tekstu je raspoređeno 75 tablica i 98 slika. Disertacija je rezultat interesa mladog znanstvenika za istraživanje složene geografske problematike hrvatskih otoka, koji je materijalizirao tijekom višegodišnjeg rada (od 1999.) na znanstvenom projektu Geografske osnove razvitka malih hrvatskih otoka te sudjelovanjem u izvođenju dijela nastave (seminar) iz predmeta Regionalna geografija Hrvatske. Posebno zainteresiran za historijsko-geografski i regionalno-geografski pristup proučavanju geoprostora, u disertaciji je ostvario sintetsku raspravu na temelju brojnih izvora geografskih podataka, koristeći se arhivskom pisanom i kartografskom građom, demografskim i gospodarskim statistikama, domaćom i svjetskom znanstvenom i stručnom literaturom (ukupno 580 bibliografskih jedinica) te višekratnim terenskim istraživanjima otoka Sjeverne Dalmacije. Svojim radom pristupnik je dao izvorni znanstveni doprinos proučavanju kompleksne geografske preobrazbe sjevernodalmatinske otočne skupine pod utjecajem litoralizacijskih procesa, osobito naglašenih tijekom posljednjih pedesetak godina.

The paper deals with some recent problems of the western part of Zadar Archipelago in the Croatian Adriatic. The islands belonging to the group are Silba, Olib, Premuda, Molat and Ist (with Skarda island). They pertain to small Croatian islands, with an area of 85, 9 km 2, and only 925 inhabittants in 7 settlements (1991). The geographical problems of recent development have been connected with the isolation and dispersion of the zone, singularity of each island, poor natural resources (carbonate sediments and soils, lack of water, dry summers etc.), and sociogeographical and economical decrease (depopulation, closing of industries, fisheries, schools etc.). In the 18th and 19th cenuries this zone was much more developed and well known for its maritime activities (fishing and navigation). The climax of inhabitation was at the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th c., and was accompanied by a specific balance between density of population and natural possibilities of the deve...

The islands of Kaprije (6.97 km2) and Kakan (3.12 km2) are part of Šibenik islands, situated in the South Croatian (Dalmatian) archipelago. The paper deals with their natural-geographical basis in function of past development and potential one, within the framework of the project on small Croatian islands. Besides analysing their size and extent, the authors emphasize the importance of their geographical position, geologic composition and structure, geomorphologic, climatic, pedological, hydrogeographical and biogeographical characteristics. The importance of their carbonate structure, mediterranean climatic conditions, lack of water and importance of their autochthonous vegetation are analysed in the same function. Population, building of settlements and weekend houses, as well as land use on the islands mostly depend on their natural-geographic resources. The recent possibilities of development are also based on them. Depopulation and deagrarisation impact the landscape of the isl...

Problem povezivanja malih Jadranskih otoka uključuje i cestovne mogućnosti povezivanja na tim otocima. Pojedini otoci imaju izgrađene kopnene prometnice kojima su povezana naselja međusobno ili pak poljoprivredne površine, pojedine gospodarske zone i sl. U kombinaciji s trajektnim pomorskim prometom cestovne su se prometnice pokazale potrebnima i korisnima i na malim otocima. Mogućnosti kretanja stanovništva i dobara, zdravstvena preventiva, školovanje, opskrba i infrastrukturno rješavanje poboljšani su i olakšani na otocima na kojima je moguć i kolni promet. Ovdje se ne radi o potrebi znatnijeg cestovnog prometa nego samo onog koji je u funkciji osiguravanja nužnih uvjeta života i razvoja na malim otocima.