Island of Mljet

The island of Mljet is one of the larger islands off the coast of Southern Croatia. Although many people live on the island, mainly in the port of Sorba on the west end, the east end port of Polače holds the entrance to the national park of Mljet.

Mljet was originally one of the Roman possessions (indeed, Polače means "palace," and holds some Roman Ruins). Over the course of history, traded hands with the rest of the Balkans (to the Ottomans, the Austro-Hungarians, etc.) It was even promised to Italy at one point in the early 20th century. Once the Kingdom of the Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes was declared, the Island became part of that group.

Over 72% of the island of 388 square miles is forest. The island's geological structure consists of limestone and dolomite forming ridges, crests and slopes. A few depressions on the island of Mljet are below sea level and are known as blatine ("mud-lakes") or slatine ("salt-lakes"). During the rain seasons all blatine are filled with water and turn to brackish during dry seasons.