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«On
the last day of the Creation God desired to crown his work, and
thus created the Kornati Islands out of tears, stars and breath»
- wrote George Bernard Shaw. According to the legend the islands
of Kornati were created out of white rocks which remained after
God has completed the Creation. He threw those rocks into the sea
and as He saw the result, He decided to leave it that way, because
they were perfect in His eyes. Beautiful nature, a network of
countless islands and islets (a folk saying goes: «one island or
islet for each day of the year»), the magnificent sea – all
this makes the Kornati Islands a true promised land for boaters
and yachting enthusiasts.
Kornati
Islands are the largest archipelago in the Adriatic (147 islands),
the islands stretch in the length of about 35km, between the
island of Dugi otok (Long Island) and the island of Žirje. The
archipelago was named after Kornat, its biggest island. Pliny
called them Cratea. From the 14th century the island of Kornat had
several names: Insula Sancte Marie, Stomorin Otok, Tarac, Toreta.
In the 17th century the archipelago got the name Coronati. The
islands were populated as early as the Neolithic. In recent times
there are no permanent habitations.
Due
to limestone formation there are no water streams or sources on
the islands, the vegetation is very sparce, the predominant type
is rocky ground with sparse pastures.
On the south-western side the coast is extremely steep; the
highest cliffs are those on Klobučar (80m), Mana (65m), Rašip
Veli (64m). The islands abound with karst
phenomena, cavities, caves, gullies, crevices and represent the
natural habitat of a number of bird species.
The
Kornati area is one of the richest fishing grounds in the
Adriatic, especially rich in benthos species.
The islands have a number
of small coves, «wild» harbours, where boaters may take shelter
and dock. Boaters spend the nights on their boats, the other may
rent a modest house or just a stone cottage. There are several
yachting schools in the area. On the island of Piškera there is
also a modern well equiped ACI-marina with 120 berths. The islands
are a unique pleasure and experience to all those who are keen on
bathing in the crystal-clear sea, who appreciate peace and
quietness but also feel ethusiastic about eco-tourism. |
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