Rava (island)

Rava
	Panoramic picture of Rava
Waters	the Adrian Sea
Geographical location	44 ° 1 '18 " N , 15 ° 3' 58" E Coordinates: 44 ° 1 '18 " N , 15 ° 3' 58" E
length	4.8 km
width	1.4 km
surface	3.63 km²
Highest elevation	Babićovac ; 98 m
Residents	117 (2011) ; 32 inhabitants / km²
main place	Vela Rava
	Situation map

Rava is a Croatian island in the Adriatic Sea , located in the Zadar archipelago .

Location and inhabitants

Rava is located between the islands of Dugi Otok and Iž in the archipelago 30 km from Zadar . 117 people live on the 3.6 km² island, spread over the villages of Vela Rava and Mala Rava . In terms of size, it is the 53rd island in Croatia, and 37th in terms of population. There is a daily boat connection with Zadar. There are no cars on the island.

Population development
1857	1869	1880	1890	1900	1910	1921	1931	1948	1953	1961	1971	1981	1991	2001	2011
173	219	247	335	400	400	491	375	411	371	305	234	147	120	98	117

history

The island of Rava is first mentioned as Raua in the 13th century . With the onset of the economic crisis in the 1930s, more and more residents emigrated to the city of Zadar or abroad, especially to North and South America and Australia. While 491 people lived on the island in 1921, the number of inhabitants fell to 305 (1961) and now 117 (2011). The few residents live from tourism and fishing. Occasionally, wine and olives are also grown. The island used to be known for its basket weaving . There is no surface water on the island, which forces residents to collect rainwater in cisterns .

There is a sign on the Kolešće square in the village . It says that this is the center of the world. A symmetrical circle can be seen in the square. There are several versions of the legend. One of them is this one. "In order for the earth to turn better, the inhabitants of the island have poured olive oil in this district." The translation of the text in archaic Dalmatian dialect on the blackboard in this place reads:

Visitors

With the voice of my waves
I want to tell
you you cannot escape my beauty.
I am Rava - the center of the world

God made me.