The Mediterranean Sea has been known by a number of alternative names throughout human history. It was, for example, commonly called Mare Nostrum (Latin, “Our Sea”) and occasionally Mare Internum by the Romans (Sallust, Jug. 17). The Greeks name it Mesogeios (?????????), meaning “inland, interior” (????, “middle” + ?????, “land, earth”)^[1]. In the Old Testament, on the west coast of the Holy Land, and therefore behind a person facing the east, it is called the “Hinder Sea”, sometimes translated as “Western Sea”, (Deut. 11:24; Joel 2:20), and also the “Sea of the Philistines” (Exod. 22:81), because that people occupied a large portion of its shores near the Israelites. Mostly, however, it was the “Great Sea” (Num. 34:6,7; Josh. 1:4, 9:1, 15:47; Ezek. 47:10,15,20), or simply “The Sea” (1 Kings 5:9; comp. 1 Macc. 14:34, 15:11). In Modern Hebrew, it is called Hayam Hatikhon (?????? ??????????), “the middle sea”, a literal adaptation of the German equivalent Mittelmeer. In Turkish, it is Akdeniz, “the white sea”. In Arabic, it is Al-Ba?r Al-Abyad Al-Muttawasit (????? ?????? ???????), “the middle white sea”.

There is small game, as well as big game on the island – fallow deer and moufflons, which have been colonized in this area.There is a lot of feathered game.The birds of prey found in this area include hawks, sparrow-hawks, falcons and giant griffon vultures.Because of the small number of preserved individuals griffon vultures have been protected by law as an endangered species.
The most common domestic animals found in this area are sheep.The sheep on the rocky pastures in the northern part of the island of Lošinj present an idyllic picture.

The local waters of the archipelago abound in various fish, shellfish and molluscs, such as cuttle-fish, squid and octopus.
Unlike some waters of the neighbouring countries, where they have become extinct, dolphins are frequent visitors of this area, playful and ready to make contact with humans.

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Thick pinewoods around Mali Lošinj became the green belt that protects the town and the harbour from the north wind. On the side of ?ikat the woods slowly changed into a park. Today the thick pinewoods of Lošinj are the symbol of the island and a valuable asset in its tourist development. The ?ikat has been nominated a park of nature.

The vegetation on the island is growing luxuriant during all seasons. Based on professor A. Hara?i?’s research the state of vegetation makes the climate better. The culmination of vegetation is in May when most plants flourish. The most beautiful months on Lošinj are from March until May, because of the mild temperatures, richness of flourishing vegetation and the aromatic scents in the air.

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The whole coastline abounds in attractive bays and coves, ideal for swimming and sunbathing.
Lošinj’s highest hill is the wooded hill of Osorš?ica (588 m), which is some 10 kilometres long and stretches along the northern part of the island.

On the island of Cres, which is generally higher than Lošinj, the highest hill is Sis (650 m).Cres has a freshwater lake, which is a natural phenomenon.It is needless to say that so much drinking water on a karst island represents a real treasure.a

The Lošinj archipelago includes the island of Lošinj (74.68 km2), a group of smaller islands, Unije ( 16.77 km2), Ilovik (5.88 km2), Susak (3.76 km2), Vele Srakane (1.17 km2), as well as a number of small uninhabited islets - peaceful oases, where one can spend the day relaxing and swimming. The biggest island of the archipelago is Lošinj, the 11th biggest on the Adriatic Sea, 33 km long, with the width varying from 4,75 km in the north and middle of the island, to 0,25 km near the town of Mali Lošinj. The total coastline of the island is 112,7 km.

Many, many years ago the island of Cres and Lošinj where one, only after the channel of Osor was excavated, probably during the Roman period, two islands emerged. Today a bridge connects the islands and in the geographically trafficable sense they form one unit. In ancient times the islands where know under a common name of Apsyrtides.

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Historical changes have hit these islands like sea waves.Millenia have passed like a storm.The presence of small and big nations that have conquered this area has left permanent traces of their material culture, brought with them or created on this soil.
The oldest island settlements (Lubenice, Osor, Beli) have more than 4000 years of history.The Roman town of Osor was the seat of the bishopric in the 9th century.Lošinj, which had been almost uninhabited until the middle of the 13th century, developed into a leading regional maritime power by the 19th century.The town of Lošinj became the second most important port in the Adriatic, immediately after Trieste.The inhabitants of Lošinj were not only known for their skillfulness in constructing sailing ships but they were also known as the best seamen in the Mediterranean.The architectural appearance of the centre of Mali Lošinj, which has remained almost the same until the present day, was determined in that period.

The beginnings of tourism date back to 1885, when health tourism began to develop on the island. On 21st January 1885 the first tourist was registered. The first hotel in Mali Lošinj, named Vindobona, was built in 1887. Owing to the exceptional characteristics of the climate Lošinj was proclaimed a climatic health resort by a decree of the Ministry of Health of the Austrian-Hungarian Monarchy in 1892.Soon it became a popular holiday destination of the Austrian-Hungarian aristocracy, who built numerous villas and summer residences on the island.
Lošinj is still a famous climatic health resort suitable for treating diseases of the respiratory tract and allergies.The island offers ideal conditions for a physical and psychological recovery, particularly during the winter, spring and autumn.The local hotels offer weekend and week’s anti-stress and wellness programmes.

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The main characteristic of the Mediterranean climate are light winters and not too hot summers. The island of Lošinj is far enough from the coast, so that the sea has a dominant influence. The sea does not warm up as fast as the coast, but looses warmth much slower, so that during winter times the sea is the reservoir of warmth that heats the air. Consequently, winters are lighter and warmer then on the coastal part of Primorje region.

This specific maritime climate is seen also in its lessening of the summer heat, so that Mali Lošinj has noticeably less days with the maximum temperature higher then 25°C. Based on the temperature characteristics and the micro-climate Mali Lošinj is similar to the places on the Cote d’Azur (Cannes, Nice), while from San Krf and Palermo it has 1 to 20°C higher average temperatures.

Sea temperatures throughout fall, winter and first days of spring higher then air temperatures. The cooling effect of the sea is appreciated during the hottest days of the year. If we take that the sea temperature of 20°C is pleasant for bathing, then the bathing season in Mali Lošinj could last up to 126 days, from the first week in June to the second week in October.

Sunny days are also one of the most important characteristics of the climate of Lošinj. Average number of yearly sunny hours is 2532,6. Based on the number of sunny days Mali Lošinj is comparable to North African cities and parts of the southern Adriatic. Mali Lošinj has on average 106 days of clear sky and 83 cloudy days. Cloudiness acts depressively on people, thus the element of sun exposure is of greatest importance for the tourists, which makes it a determinant element for choosing a vacation destination.

September, November and December have most rainfalls, while there is least in April and August. Mali Lošinj has relatively high average of rainfalls in a year, which is good for the air purification, diminishing of carbohydrate acid and stabilization of air. This is most important for places that function as spas.

Snow is extremely rare in Lošinj, because air temperature rarely falls under 0°C. The northeastern wind is the strongest and it hits mostly the east coast of the island. The south wind or the refreshing landward breeze usually hit the west coast of the island. The northeastern wind, the south wind and the landward breeze are typical of the Primorje. The frequency of the northeastern wind is highest during fall, winter and spring. The north wind is strongest in January, while the south wind dominates during the fall.

Because of the afore mentioned position of Mali Lošinj in a closed harbour with south-western orientation, with the background of high vegetation that protects the island from the Velebit range, the influence of the north wind is not felt in the town. The entrance to the harbour, next to the bays of ÄŒikat and Krivica, is completely protected, so that even during the strongest north winds, walking is possible in that part of the island. On average Mali Lošinj has 118 days of total calmness without winds.

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>>> Perfect place for your vacation<<<

Mali Losinj is today the tourist centre on the island. Its offer includes versatile, good quality accommodation facilities (hotels, oarding houses, apartments, campsites), sports and recreational facilities (yachting school, diving school, surfing, angling, tennis, iniature golf, bowling centre), specialities of domestic and international cuisine, as well as several cultural events, walks - sightseeing tours, ship excursions.
Major events: international tennis tournaments - Losinj Riviera (in June and July); Losinj Regatta (beginning of August); International Spear-Fishing Competition (in December); Assumption (15th of August); Fishermen’s Nights (July to August); Brass Orchestra and the Majorettes - held every week (from 1st of July to 31st of August).
MALI LOSINJ, a town, port and tourist resort on the island of Losinj, situated on the south-eastern part of a large and well-protected bay. Chief occupations are farming, fishing, shipbuilding, seafaring and tourism. The climate is mild, with warm winters; the average air temperature in January is 7.3 °C and in July 24.7 °C; an average annual air temperature is 15 °C. The favourable climate, hotels and villas, afforestation, well-equipped and easily accessible beaches have given rise to intense development of tourism. The town itself lies in the most protected part of the bay. The houses are arranged amphitheatrically. Along the coast, free space is left, designated for public life of the town. Much of the town lies on the eastern side, exposed to the sun. A road to Veli Losinj runs from the south-eastern part of the bay. As nautical tourism started to develop intensely, there is a marina in the port of Mali Losinj, equipped for all types of yachts and motor boats.

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