Istria

Geographical Location	Western region of the Republic of Croatia, it the largest peninsula in Croatia.
Area	2,820 km² (triangulated at Dragonja, Kap Kamenjak, Ucka)
Population	200.000
Coastal Area(dimensions)	445.1 km (the coastline itself is twice as long as the coastal road). The west coast of Istria is 242.5m long, with the islands 327.5 cm (178.1 m).  The   east coast of Istria is 202.6 km long and including the islands, 212.4 km (114.5m).
Climate	Mild Mediterranean, the summers are not too hot and the winters are mild.  Average sunshine 2388 hours.  During the summer, on average the sun shines 10 hours per day in the Istrian beach resorts.  Prevailing wind (bora) blows from north to south and brings with it sunny weather.  Jugo (warm wind with rain), Maestral (light wind, during the summer from the land to the sea).
Vegetation	Istria is the largest oasis of green in the northern Adriatic.  Along the coast and on the islands there are predominantly pine woods and the typical green macchia.  The main types of plants are the macchia, the holm oak and the strawberry tree.  35% of Istria is covered by forest
Rivers	Mirna, Dragonja und Rasa
Sea	The lowest sea temperature is in March ,when it drops to 9.3-11ºC and the highest is in August when it reaches between 23.3 and 24.1ºC.  Salt content in the sea is 36-38 ppm.
Administrative Centre	Pazin, 9 000 inhabitants
Commercial Centre	Pula, 82 000 inhabitants
Currency	The national currency is the Croatian kuna (kn).  5, l0, 20 and 50 lipa notes are in circulation (100 lipa – 1 kuna) and also coins of 1, 2 and 5 kuna.  Exchange at official exchange offices (banks, post office, hotels, tourist offices), according to current rate.  Payment using credit cards, Diners, Visa, AmEx, Eurocard, MasterCard and Euro cheques accepted at most establishments.  In addition to the kuna, Euros notes are accepted.  Current rate : 1€ = 7,51 Kuna.