Mljet

Mljet (Latin Melila, Italian Meleda) is the most southerly and easterly of the larger Adriatic islands of the Dalmatia region of Croatia. Population 1,111 (2001).

Related Topics:
Latin - Italian - Adriatic - Island - Dalmatia - Croatia

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Mljet lies south of the Pelje?ac promontory, from which it is divided by the Mljet Channel. Its length is 23 miles; its average breadth 2 miles. It is of volcanic origin, with numerous chasms and gorges, of which the longest, the Babino Polje, connects the north and south of the island. Port Pola?e (It. Palazzo), the principal harbour, on the north, is a port of call for tourist ferries. Mljet contains one hotel - The Obisej (from the greek Oddyseus) in the north-west corner of the island.

Related Topics:
Pelje?ac - Miles

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The northwestern part of the island includes an inland sea as well as a small island within it. It has been a national park since November 12, 1960.

Related Topics:
National park - November 12 - 1960

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Mljet has been regarded as the "Melita" on which Saint Paul was shipwrecked, this view being first expounded, in the 10th century, by Constantine Porphyrogenitus. As at Malta, a St. Paul's Bay is still shown.

Related Topics:
Saint Paul - 10th century - Constantine Porphyrogenitus - Malta

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The island has a long history of eco-damage. In the early middle ages, Benedictine monks settled on the inland island referred to earlier. In order to ease their transport problems, they dug a channel to the south coast, from the lake, thus turning both fresh-water lakes into sea-water based ones.

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The second incident involves mongeese. These were introduced onto the island in the middle ages in order to reduce the snake population (the island was apparently completely overrun). Whilst the mongeese completed this task, they also disposed of pretty much all the birdlife of the island, especially eggs. To this day, the island is notably short of hedgerow birds such as sparrows etc.

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