Island Brac Croatia

BRAC, the largest island of the central Dalmatian group of islands, the third largest among the Adriatic islands; area 394.57 sq km. It is separated from the mainland by the Brac Channel, from the island of Solta by the so-called Splitska Vrata (Split Gate) and from the island of Hvar by the Hvar Channel. The highest peak of the island, Vidova Gora (Vitus' Mount) (778 m), is also the highest peak of all Croatian islands. The limestone part of the coast is rocky and steep, while the rest is rather low and sandy (on the southern side from Farska to Bol, and on the northern side from Sutivan to Supetar). The island landscape is dominated by a karst limestone relief, with numerous gullies, crevices, cavities, round valleys and coves. Milder forms of the relief, with brown Primorje soils (the most fertile on the island), are found mostly in the interior (especially between Lozisca and Nerezisca, as well as between Selca, Novo Selo and Sumartin). Average air temperatures in January range between 4.9°C (Praznice) and 7.2 °C (Sutivan), and in July between 22.9 °C (Nerezisca, elevation 360 m) and 24.7 °C (Sutivan). Rainfall occurs mostly in the winter months. The annual rainfall in Praznice reaches 1,450 mm and in Sutivan about 830 mm. The climate on the island is mostly moderated by winds, i.e. the sirocco and the bora (the so-called "vruljska" bora between Pucisca and Povlja). The landward breeze occurs quite often in the summer months, especially along the north-western coast. There are no surface water streams on the island. Permanent water sources are provided only around Bol. Higher parts of the island (above 400 m) are at some places covered with black and Aleppo pine forests; larger or smaller forests of Aleppo pine are found around all coastal towns and villages; dominant are dense evergreen underbrush (macchia) and rocky ground. The largest places are Pucisca and Supetar. Major farming products are olive oil, wine and fruit (sour cherries and almonds); chief occupations include also livestock breeding and fishing. Fish canneries are located in Postira and Milna. Major quarries, where the famous Brac building stone is excavated, are located near Pucisca, Selca, Postira, Splitska and Do-nji Humac (this kind of building stone was used in the construction of the White House in Washington and the Palace of Diocletian in Split). A road network has been constructed throughout the island; ferry lines Split - Supetar, Makarska - Sumartin; ship lines with Supetar and Bol. Airport (for smaller aircraft) above Bol.