Ugljan Island today
Olives island Ugljan is one of the most picturesque islands in the Zadar archipelago, located opposite of Zadar, from which it is separated by the only a few nautical miles wide Zadar canal.
This ever-green island, covered with olive groves, with idyllic bays and picturesque small fishing ports, for generations has been tied to the sea, seafaring and fishing, and more than 2000 years of olive cultivation have left thousands of olive trees yielding oil of exceptional quality and aroma. Along the eastern side of the island there are fishing and tourist settlements in natural bays, the most famous of which are Preko, Ugljan, Kali and Kukljica.
The other side of the island is mostly steep and uninhabited. Due to the accompanying bays, islands and rich undersea, it is a real challenge for divers and sport fishermen. The undulating plateau in the interior of the island is streaked with tens of kilometres of hiking and biking trails, and the colours, scents and panorama are an unforgettable picture for every passer-by. Most of the inhabitants of the island (around 7500) are mainly engaged in olive cultivation, fishing and, of course, tourism.
The mild Mediterranean climate, the azure sea, the rocky and sandy beaches, the numerous nearby islands and islets and the memories of past times make the fertile island Ugljan increasingly desirable for fans of the sea and the islands.
Geographical cross section of the island Ugljan
It extends in the direction northwest – southeast, 24 km in length and 3-4 km in width. The total area of the island is 52 square kilometres and the coastline is somewhat over 70 km long.
The island's relief is extremely hilly, consisting of two parallel mountain ranges, with an altitude ranging from 100 to 300 m above sea level. The hilly plateau in the central part of the island is streaked with a network of dry walls, forming a labyrinth of hiking trails, and they are the result of thousands of years of clearing of land to provide more surfaces for olive groves. The eastern side of the island descends gently into the sea, and almost all settlements are located in the bays.
The opposite side of the island is mainly wild, steep and uninhabited.
Climate
The island has all characteristics of the Mediterranean climate with an average annual temperature of 16 degrees Celsius, approximately 800 mm of rainfall and 2600 hours of sunshine.
Flora and fauna
The vegetation of the island Ugljan contains all basic features of Mediterranean flora. The typical vegetation of the island are: Mediterranean holm oak, pine trees, cypresses and high macchia, and mostly grown are Mediterranean cultures, dominated by olives and figs. Nothing is more characteristic for the landscape of the island Ugljan than the thousands of olive trees.
Archaeological findings in Muline confirm that olive processing and oil production last for more than 2000 years. Olive groves have the function of ecosystems and they attract numerous singing birds with their microcosm. The ecologically clean undersea of the island Ugljan with the ten adjacent islands is a habitat for numerous species of fish, crabs, shellfish and corals, and it is a true revelation for divers.