Eastern Europe CROATIA HVAR Croatia (Hrvatska), officially the Republic of Croatia, is a democratic parliamentary republic at the crossroads of Central Europe, the Balkans and the Mediterranean. Hvar (romanized: Pharos, Latin: Pharia, Italian: Lesina) is a Croatian island in the Adriatic Sea, located off the Dalmatian coast, lying between the islands of Brač, Vis and Korčula. Approximately 68 km long, with a high east–west ridge of Mesozoic limestone and dolomite, Hvar is unusual in the area for having a large fertile coastal plain, and fresh water springs. Hvar Lesina Adriatic Sea Dalmatian coast june 2023 Hvar's hillsides are covered in pine forests, with vineyards, olive groves, fruit orchards and lavender fields in the agricultural areas. The climate is characterized by mild winters, and warm summers with many hours of sunshine. The island has 10,678 residents according to the 2021 census, making it the 4th most populated of the Croatian islands. Hvar's location at the centre of the Adriatic sailing routes has long made this island an important base for commanding trade up and down the Adriatic, across to Italy and throughout the wider Mediterranean. The ancient Greeks founded the colony of Pharos in 384 BC on the site of today's Stari Grad, making it one of the oldest towns in Europe. In medieval times, the town of Hvar rose to importance within the Venetian Empire as a major naval base. Prosperity brought culture and the arts, with one of the first public theatres in Europe, nobles' palaces and many fine communal buildings. Hvar island, Lesina, Adriatic Sea, Dalmatian coast, Croatia, june 2023. Hvar island, Lesina, Adriatic Sea, Dalmatian coast, Croatia, june 2023. Hvar island, Lesina, Adriatic Sea, Dalmatian coast, Croatia, june 2023. Hvar island, Lesina, Adriatic Sea, Dalmatian coast, Croatia, june 2023. Hvar island, Lesina, Adriatic Sea, Dalmatian coast, Croatia, june 2023. Hvar island, Lesina, Adriatic Sea, Dalmatian coast, Croatia, june 2023. Hvar island, Lesina, Adriatic Sea, Dalmatian coast, Croatia, june 2023. Hvar island, Lesina, Adriatic Sea, Dalmatian coast, Croatia, june 2023. Hvar island, Lesina, Adriatic Sea, Dalmatian coast, Croatia, june 2023. Hvar island, Lesina, Adriatic Sea, Dalmatian coast, Croatia, june 2023. Hvar island, Lesina, Adriatic Sea, Dalmatian coast, Croatia, june 2023. Hvar island, Lesina, Adriatic Sea, Dalmatian coast, Croatia, june 2023. Hvar island, Lesina, Adriatic Sea, Dalmatian coast, Croatia, june 2023. Hvar island, Lesina, Adriatic Sea, Dalmatian coast, Croatia, june 2023. Hvar island, Lesina, Adriatic Sea, Dalmatian coast, Croatia, june 2023. Hvar island, Lesina, Adriatic Sea, Dalmatian coast, Croatia, june 2023. Hvar island, Lesina, Adriatic Sea, Dalmatian coast, Croatia, june 2023. Hvar island, Lesina, Adriatic Sea, Dalmatian coast, Croatia, june 2023. Hvar island, Lesina, Adriatic Sea, Dalmatian coast, Croatia, june 2023. Hvar island, Lesina, Adriatic Sea, Dalmatian coast, Croatia, june 2023. Hvar island, Lesina, Adriatic Sea, Dalmatian coast, Croatia, june 2023. Hvar island, Lesina, Adriatic Sea, Dalmatian coast, Croatia, june 2023. Jerolim island Hvar Lesina Adriatic Sea Dalmatian coast june 2023 Jerolim island, Hvar Lesina, Adriatic Sea, Dalmatian coast, Croatia, june 2023. Jerolim island, Hvar Lesina, Adriatic Sea, Dalmatian coast, Croatia, june 2023. Jerolim island, Hvar Lesina, Adriatic Sea, Dalmatian coast, Croatia, june 2023. Jerolim island, Hvar Lesina, Adriatic Sea, Dalmatian coast, Croatia, june 2023. Jerolim island, Hvar Lesina, Adriatic Sea, Dalmatian coast, Croatia, june 2023.