Vis, island ofCroatia in theAdriatic Sea. It is the outermost major island of theDalmatianarchipelago.

The highest point on Vis is Mount Hum, at 1,926 feet (587 metres). Its climate and vegetation are Mediterranean and subtropical, with palms, Mediterranean pines, citrus, eucalyptus, cacti, and early vegetables. Fishing and canning are economically important. Wine making is also important, and Vis has a long history of fine wines.

The town of Vis itself contains the ruins of the Greek colony of Issa, founded in 390bce. The people were allied withRome during several of its wars and became part of the empire in 47bce. Slav settlers began arriving in the 8th centuryce, and during the Middle Ages,Byzantium heldsway over the island. Thereafter, it was ruled byVenice,Austria,Napoleon I’s short-livedIllyrian Provinces, and theAustro-Hungarian Empire. It became part of the newYugoslav state in 1918 and of independent Croatia in 1991.

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Islands and Archipelagos

Major naval engagements were fought in nearby waters: in 1811 between Franco-Venetian and British fleets, the latter being victorious; and in 1866 between Austrian and Italian navies, the first clash of modern ironclad steam fleets, in which the Austrians won the day. DuringWorld War II the island was liberated from the Germans by YugoslavPartisan forces and became a centre for joint Allied operations. Area 35 square miles (90 square km). Pop. (2001) town, 1,776; (2011) settlement, 1,672.