engleski

Croatian Islands in Littoralization Process

Littoralization, i.e. concentration of economic activities and population along the coast, is a global process which is also present in Croatia, considering its position along the Eastern Adriatic coast. Littoralization in Croatia can be observed through many indicators: intensive development of industry, development of maritime and land transport, concentration of the population in bigger coastal towns (Pula, Rijeka, Zadar, Sibenik, Split and Dubrovnik). However, not all parts of the Croatian coast have been equally affected by this process. Immediate hinterland of the coastal towns and the islands have recorded significant depopulation thus becoming problem areas from a socio-economic point of view. The most prominent processes on the islands are depopulation and deagrarization that result in landscape transformation, changes in population patterns and in population structures. Depopulation and economic stagnation are particularly evident on smaller and remote islands. On the other hand, these islands represent attractive tourist destinations due to their relief features, mild Mediterranean climate, specific Mediterranean vegetation and cultural and historic heritage. Development of tourism coupled with revitalization of traditional economic activities (olive growing, wine growing, fishery and shipping) within sustainable development concept should reduce these negative trends. Integration of the islands into favorable littoralization trends of Littoral Croatia should contribute to more balanced spatial development and more intensive inclusion of the whole country into socio-economic system of Europe and whole Mediterranean.

Croatian Islands; Littoralization Process; Adriatic Sea

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