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The island of Korcula belongs to the county of Dubrovnik-Neretva, and with its 276 km2 is the 6th biggest island in the Adriatic. It is also one of the most populated islands of Dalmatia with its around 18 000 inhabitants. The oldest name for the island is "Korkyra Melania", meaning “Black Korcula” - probably “black” because of the dark pine forest whose trees served as the main material for shipbuilding. The eastern side of the island is 1270 m away from mainland, while the western side spreads towards the open sea. A narrow channel (20 km long, 1.5 km wide) divides the island from the Peljesac peninsula.
The northern side of the island is low and accessible with several protected ports: Korcula, Vrbovica, Babina, Banja, Racisce. The southern side of the island more indented than others, but in some places it is steep with its high rocks. In the area there are many anchorages and bays protected from the northern wind like: Prižba, Zavalatica, Rasohatica, Orlandusa, and the Brna bay which is protected from the southern wind. The best protected bay, and simultaneously the biggest bay is that of Vela Luka on the western side of the island. There are also about 50 smaller islands near the coast of Korcula. Medicinal and aromatic plants (rosemary, mint and sage) can be found on the island, as well as different types of palms, eucalyptus, oleandar, boungavilla, cactus... Korcula is an extremely hilly island (almost 90 per cent of it), and 60 per cent of its surface is covered is pine forest and macchia. The highest peak is Klupca (569 m), situated in the centre of the island, then Gradina (554 m) and Kom (510 m). Korcula attracts tourists with its natural beauty, beautiful bays and islets, gravel and sandy beaches, crystally clear sea, cultural and historical events and its mild climate (2 700 sunny hours per year) that are perfect for vacation on the island throughout the whole year.
Tourism is very developed on the island, but so are olive-growing, viticulture, seamanship, shipbuilding, stone-masonry. The island was inhabited in prehistory, which is confirmend by the findings of stone knifes form the Neolithic period on the islet of Badija near Korcula. The most famoust and most valuable Neolithic find is the Vela spilja situated on the slope of the hill named Pinski rat, which is famous for its beauty but also due to the fact that the cave is one of the most important Mediterranean archeological sites. The island is daily connected with the mainland by boat, ferry and catamaran. The most beautiful place on the island is the town of Korcula, which is, according to legend, the birth place of Marco Polo. There are many activites available on the island: bycicle riding in nature, kayaking, sea exploring with profesional divers, climbing, yacht sailing, tennis, different sea sports. There is also a rich gastronomical offer, top seafood specialties, image 3and especially the first-rate white wines are famous (Posip, Rukatac, Grk, Plavac). Three largest places on the island are: the mentioned town of Korcula, which is a tourist, cultural and economical centre of the island; Blato, in the interior, is famous for its dance with swords called Kumpanija (it is performed every year on the April 23rd in the town square on the high day of St.Vicenza, the patron-saint); and the little port town of Vela Luka on the western side of the island. Some other popular tourist destinations are Žrnovo, Racisce, Pupnat, Cara, Prižba i Smokvica.
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