Žirje | |
|---|---|
 Satellite image of Žirje | |
 Interactive map of Žirje | |
  Žirje | |
| Coordinates:43°39′08″N15°39′42″E / 43.652311°N 15.661636°E /43.652311; 15.661636 | |
| Country |  Croatia |
| County | Šibenik-Knin County |
| Municipality | Šibenik |
| Area | |
• Total | 15.08 km2 (5.82 sq mi) |
| Population (2021)[1] | |
• Total | 147 |
| • Density | 6.83/km2 (17.7/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) |
Žirje (pronounced[ʒîːrjɛ]) is an island and a settlement in theCroatian part of theAdriatic Sea.[2] It is situated in theŠibenikarchipelago, about 22 kilometres (14 miles) southwest of Šibenik, which makes it the most remote permanently inhabited island in the Šibenik archipelago.[3][4] Its area is 15.08 km2,[5] and it has a population of 103 (2011 census).[6] Its population is steadily decreasing (720 residents in 1953,[7] 207 residents in 1981,[7] and 124 residents in 2001[8]).
The island is composed of twolimestone ridges. Nestled between them is a fertilevalley.[7] The vegetation of the island is mainly composed ofmaquis shrubland, with some farm land in the central parts of the island.[9] Main industries areagriculture (grapes,olives,plums,figs andsour cherries) andfishing.[7][9] Fish are abundant in the waters around Žirje.[3][10][11] Tourism on Žirje has remained largely undeveloped in comparison to the other islands in the Croatian Adriatic.[12]
In the 12th and 13th centuries the island was defended byfortresses andwalls[7] constructed on the foundations of an earlierByzantine fortress from the 6th century.[13] Due to its use by theYugoslav People's Army, the southern and south-western parts of the island were off limits to the islanders and visitors for nearly half a century.[4]
The ferry port on the island provides a link to the county seat Šibenik via theD128 route.
In 2021, its population was 147.[1]
| population | 341 | 629 | 453 | 482 | 534 | 661 | 780 | 686 | 766 | 720 | 506 | 336 | 209 | 160 | 124 | 103 | 147 |
| 1857 | 1869 | 1880 | 1890 | 1900 | 1910 | 1921 | 1931 | 1948 | 1953 | 1961 | 1971 | 1981 | 1991 | 2001 | 2011 | 2021 |
| International | |
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| National | |
