CRES - LOŠINJ ARCHIPELAGO
The Cres and Lošinj archipelago, partly crossed by the 45? latitude, lies in the middle of the northern hemisphere.A greater part of the archipelago is situated within the subtropical zone of the southern half of the northern hemisphere, which influences the climate and the life-style of the people.
The islands of this archipelago form the natural bridge between Istria and Dalmatia.
The whole coastline abounds in attractive bays and coves, ideal for swimming and sunbathing.
Lošinj's highest hill is the wooded hill of Osoršcica (588 m), which is some 10 kilometres long and stretches along the northern part of the island.
On the island of Cres, which is generally higher than Lošinj, the highest hill is Sis (650 m).Cres has a freshwater lake, which is a natural phenomenon. It is needless to say that so much drinking water on a karst island represents a real treasure.
ISLAND OF LOŠINJ
The Lošinj archipelago includes the island of Lošinj (74.68 km2), a group of smaller islands, Unije
(16.77 km2), Ilovik (5.88 km2), Susak (3.76 km2), Vele Srakane (1.17 km2), as well as a number of small uninhabited islets - peaceful oases, where one can spend the day relaxing and swimming. The biggest island of the archipelago is Lošinj, the 11th biggest on the Adriatic Sea, 33 km long, with the width varying from 4,75 km in the north and middle of the island, to 0,25 km near the town of Mali Lošinj. The total coastline of the island is 112,7 km.
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 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.
MALI LOŠINJ
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.
The beginnings of tourism date back to 1885, when health tourism began to develop on the island. On 21st January 1885 the first tourist was registered. The first hotel in Mali Lošinj, named Vindobona, was built in 1887.
Owing to the exceptional characteristics of the climate Lošinj was proclaimed a climatic health resort by a decree of the Ministry of Health of the Austrian-Hungarian Monarchy in 1892. Soon it became a popular holiday destination of the Austrian-Hungarian aristocracy, who built numerous villas and summer residences on the island.
Lošinj is still a famous climatic health resort suitable for treating diseases of the respiratory tract and allergies. The island offers ideal conditions for a physical and psychological recovery, particularly during the winter, spring and autumn. The local hotels offer weekend and week's anti-stress and wellness programmes.
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Kvarner / otok Cres-Lošinj !
