Back Elafitska ostrva BS Illes Elàfites Catalan Elafitské ostrovy Czech Elafitiøerne Danish Elaphiten German Îles Élaphites French Elafitski otoci Croatian Elafiti-szigetek Hungarian Isole Elafiti Italian Elaphites Insulae Latin
Native name: Elafitski otoci | |
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 View from Sutvrač Fort in Lopud | |
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| Geography | |
| Location | Adriatic Sea |
| Archipelago | Elaphiti Islands |
| Total islands | 13 |
| Major islands | Šipan, Lopud, Koločep |
| Area | 30 km2 (12 sq mi) |
| Administration | |
| County | Dubrovnik-Neretva |
| Largest settlement | Šipan (pop. 419) |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 850 |
The Elaphiti Islands or the Elaphites (Croatian: Elafitski otoci or Elafiti) is a small archipelago consisting of several islands stretching northwest of Dubrovnik, in the Adriatic Sea.[1] The Elaphites have a total land area of around 30 square kilometres (12 square miles)[2] and a population of 850 inhabitants. The islands are covered with characteristic Mediterranean evergreen vegetation and attract large numbers of tourists during the summer tourist season due to their beaches and pristine scenery.
Roman author Pliny the Elder was the first to mention the islands by the name Elaphiti Islands (Croatian: Jelenski otoci or Deer Archipelago) in his work Naturalis Historia, published in the 1st century. The name comes from the Ancient Greek word for deer (Doric: ἔλαφος; élaphos), which, according to Pliny the Elder, used to inhabit the islands in large numbers. [2] There is, however, no evidence of deer ever inhabiting the archipelago.[3]
- ^ The Rough Guide to Croatia:Elaphiti Islands by Jonathan Bousfield
- ^ a b Glamuzina & Glamuzina 1999, p. 89.
- ^ Glamuzina & Glamuzina 1999, p. 91.