Istria
Istria (Croatian: Istra) is the north-westernmost area of Croatia. In a triangular shape, it is surrounded in the north by Slovenia, east by the Kvarner region of Croatia and on the south and west by the Adriatic Sea.History:
previously part of the Venetian Empire, this region has seen many empires such as Byzantine, Roman, Austro-Hungarian, and Yugoslavian (Communist). The cultural heritage of Istria is thus very rich.
Since 1797, the Croatian people of Istria worked really hard for independence and were ruthlessly subdued both by Austrians and Fascist Italy (after World War I), eventually ending with retribution from Yugoslav partisans after the World War II, forcing most Italians to leave. A tiny ethnic Italian community still lives in the coastal towns. comparatively spared from the Yugoslav Wars, Istria is now a thriving region. Recent years have seen a increasing regional sentiment and a reunion with its previously conflictive Italian character.
The Istrian peninsula offers stark contrasts: The inner area is intact and mountainous with ancient walled cities on hills with surrounding fields, whilst the coastline has various beachesand amazing panorama of stony walls dropping into the sea. The Istrian coastline is possibly the most urbanized holiday-maker target in Croatia. Hordes of Italian and French tourists enjoy package tourism throughout the crowded high season.
Although Pula is the main city according to inhabitants and culture, relatively rural Pazin is the administrative centre of the peninsula. Istria is a fine province to practise hiking and biking, as much in the hilly inland as on the coast. The Southern end of Istria is possibly the best point for biking. Ask for a bike map in Pula Tourist Office, showing well-marked routes around the coast and in the Cape Kamenjak.
Language
Croatian is the formal and most common language. There is still an Italian ethnic community in many coastal towns. German is also very widely spoken. A good number of restaurants in the main town also have an English speaker or two on staff.
