Ucka
Encyclopedia
The Učka is a mountain range that rises behind Opatija riviera, on the Istria
n peninsula, in northwestern Croatia
. It forms a single morphological unit together with the Čičarija
range which streches from the bay of Trieste
to Rijeka
. Učka is a limestone massif with numerous areas of karst, streching for 20 km from the Poklon Pass (920 m) to Plomin Bay, and is between 4 and 9 km wide.
It differs from all the other coastal mountains in Croatia because of its abundant vegetation on the seaward side. Best known are the forests of sweet chestnuts in the area around Lovran
.
Učka's highest peaks are considered nature reserves and memorial areas. The highest peak, Vojak, is located at 1396 meters above sea level. From it there is a magnificent view over the whole of Istria, the Bay of Trieste, the Julian Alps
and the Adriatic islands, right down to Dugi Otok
.
The subject of a degree of local folklore, Učka is visible from much of the peninsula and is snow
-capped some months of the year. The town of Opatija
is said to have derived its popularity as a resort in Imperial Austria
because it is located "in the shade" of Mt. Učka, which by legend shields it from the fierce Mediterranean heat in summertime.
The area of Učka is designated a nature park
(park prirode), a kind of protected area
in Croatia.
Istria
Istria , formerly Histria , is the largest peninsula in the Adriatic Sea. The peninsula is located at the head of the Adriatic between the Gulf of Trieste and the Bay of Kvarner...
n peninsula, in northwestern Croatia
Croatia
Croatia , officially the Republic of Croatia , is a unitary democratic parliamentary republic in Europe at the crossroads of the Mitteleuropa, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean. Its capital and largest city is Zagreb. The country is divided into 20 counties and the city of Zagreb. Croatia covers ...
. It forms a single morphological unit together with the Čičarija
Ćićarija
Ćićarija is a mountainous plateau in the northern and north-eastern part of Istria peninsula, 45 km long and 10–15 km wide. It mostly lies in Croatia, while its northern part lies in Slovenia...
range which streches from the bay of Trieste
Trieste
Trieste is a city and seaport in northeastern Italy. It is situated towards the end of a narrow strip of land lying between the Adriatic Sea and Italy's border with Slovenia, which lies almost immediately south and east of the city...
to Rijeka
Rijeka
Rijeka is the principal seaport and the third largest city in Croatia . It is located on Kvarner Bay, an inlet of the Adriatic Sea and has a population of 128,735 inhabitants...
. Učka is a limestone massif with numerous areas of karst, streching for 20 km from the Poklon Pass (920 m) to Plomin Bay, and is between 4 and 9 km wide.
It differs from all the other coastal mountains in Croatia because of its abundant vegetation on the seaward side. Best known are the forests of sweet chestnuts in the area around Lovran
Lovran
Lovran is a town in Istria, Croatia. It is situated on the western coast of the Kvarner Bay with a population of 3,241 . Its name derives from Laurel , as shown in the coat of arms....
.
Učka's highest peaks are considered nature reserves and memorial areas. The highest peak, Vojak, is located at 1396 meters above sea level. From it there is a magnificent view over the whole of Istria, the Bay of Trieste, the Julian Alps
Julian Alps
The Julian Alps are a mountain range of the Southern Limestone Alps that stretches from northeastern Italy to Slovenia, where they rise to 2,864 m at Mount Triglav. They are named after Julius Caesar, who founded the municipium of Cividale del Friuli at the foot of the mountains...
and the Adriatic islands, right down to Dugi Otok
Dugi Otok
Dugi otok is the seventh largest island in the Adriatic Sea, part of Croatia. It is located off the Dalmatian coast, west of Zadar. It is the largest and eastern-most of the Zadarian Islands, and derives its name from its distinctive shape...
.
The subject of a degree of local folklore, Učka is visible from much of the peninsula and is snow
Snow
Snow is a form of precipitation within the Earth's atmosphere in the form of crystalline water ice, consisting of a multitude of snowflakes that fall from clouds. Since snow is composed of small ice particles, it is a granular material. It has an open and therefore soft structure, unless packed by...
-capped some months of the year. The town of Opatija
Opatija
Opatija is a town in western Croatia, just southwest of Rijeka on the Adriatic coast. , the town proper had a population of 7,850, with the municipality having a total 12,719 inhabitants.-Geography:...
is said to have derived its popularity as a resort in Imperial Austria
Habsburg Monarchy
The Habsburg Monarchy covered the territories ruled by the junior Austrian branch of the House of Habsburg , and then by the successor House of Habsburg-Lorraine , between 1526 and 1867/1918. The Imperial capital was Vienna, except from 1583 to 1611, when it was moved to Prague...
because it is located "in the shade" of Mt. Učka, which by legend shields it from the fierce Mediterranean heat in summertime.
The area of Učka is designated a nature park
Nature park
A nature park is a landscape protected by means of long-term planning, use and agriculture. These valuable landscapes are preserved in their present state and promoted for touristic purposes....
(park prirode), a kind of protected area
Protected area
Protected areas are locations which receive protection because of their recognised natural, ecological and/or cultural values. There are several kinds of protected areas, which vary by level of protection depending on the enabling laws of each country or the regulations of the international...
in Croatia.