About

Vis (pronounced ['vi:s] in Croatian; Greek: Issa) is a Croatian island in the Adriatic Sea, with an area of 90.26 km2 and a population of 3,617 (as of 2001). Of all the inhabited Croatian islands, it is the furthest from the coast. The highest peak of Vis is called Hum, 587 m high.

There are two towns and municipalities on the island, Vis (1,960 inhabitants in the municipality) and Komiža (1,677), both located on the seacoast. There are smaller settlements on the island's interior: Podselje, Marine zemje, Podšpilje, and Podstražje.

History

Vis was inhabited by the time of the Neolithic period. In the 4th century B.C., the tyrant of Siracuse, Dionysius the Elder, founded the colony Issa on the island. Later, it became an independent city-state, and even minted its own money and founded its own colonies elsewhere. In the first century B.C., the island was held by the Liburnians, a Venetic[6] tribe.Queen Teuta originated from the island.

A part of the Byzantine Theme of Dalmatia, in 925 Croatian Monarch Tomislav took over administration over the island of "Ies". After the death of Croatian ruler Krešimir, a war of succession erupted and the Narentines under Serbian Prince Časlav Klonimirović took the island by 948, however they managed to rule it for only a short period, as the Byzantines restored control. Brothers of Serbian ruler Stefan Nemanja Miroslav and Stracimir made raids on Vis in 1184 and 1185.

In the Middle Ages it often changed rulers, and then for a long time it was under Venice, which founded the main settlement, named Velo Selo. During Venetian and Austrian domination, the island's official name was Lissa.

Later, the larger settlements also developed on the coast (Komiza and Luka of St. Juraj, the- present town of Vis). Administratively the island of Vis was for centuries bound to the island of Hvar.

Economy

Main industries on the island are agriculture (mainly viticulture), fishing, fish refinement and tourism.

Around 20% of arable land on the island is covered with vineyards. Autochthonous vine species cultivated on the island are Plavac Mali, Kurteloška and Bugava.

The sea around Vis is rich with fish, especially blue fish (sardine, mackerel and anchovy). Komiža fishermen of the 17th century developed their own type of fishing boat, the Falkuša which was used even in the second half of the 20th century because of its excellent features.

General information

Geographical coordinates

43° 3´ 32˝ N
16° 11´ 41˝ E

Area

90.3 km2

Coastline

about 77 km

Population (2001.)

Vis: 1776
Komiza: 1523
Total on the island: 3637

High peak

Hum (587 m)

Winds

northwestern
southeastern

Average temperature

July (24 °C)
January (8.8 °C)

Rainfall

summer (41 mm) - total (577 mm)

Climate

Mediterranean

Connection

daily ferry and catamaran lines