Žirje, Croatia

Žirje (pronounced [ʒîːrjɛ]) is an island and a settlement in the Croatian part of the Adriatic Sea.^[2] It is situated in the Šibenik archipelago, about 22 kilometres (14 miles) southwest of Šibenik, which makes it the most remote permanently inhabited island in the Šibenik archipelago.^[3][4] Its area is 15.08 km²,^[5] and it has a population of 103 (2011 census).^[6] Its population is steadily decreasing (720 residents in 1953,^[7] 207 residents in 1981,^[7] and 124 residents in 2001^[8]).

Country Croatia

TimezoneUTC+1 (CET)

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Žirje
East side of the island of Žirje, Croatia including parts of the old fortress
Interactive map of Žirje
Žirje Location within Croatia
Coordinates: 43.652311°N 15.661636°E / 43.652311; 15.661636
Country	Croatia
County	Šibenik-Knin County
Municipality	Šibenik
Area
• Total	15.08 km2 (5.82 sq mi)
Population  (2021)[1]
• Total	147
• Density	6.83/km2 (17.7/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+1 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+2 (CEST)

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The island is composed of two limestone ridges. Nestled between them is a fertile valley.^[7] The vegetation of the island is mainly composed of maquis shrubland, with some farm land in the central parts of the island.^[9] Main industries are agriculture (grapes, olives, plums, figs and sour cherries) and fishing.^[7][9] Fish are abundant in the waters around Žirje.^[3][10][11] Tourism on Žirje has remained largely undeveloped in comparison to the other islands in the Croatian Adriatic.^[12]

In the 12th and 13th centuries the island was defended by fortresses and walls^[7] constructed on the foundations of an earlier Byzantine fortress from the 6th century.^[13] Due to its use by the Yugoslav People's Army, the southern and south-western parts of the island were off limits to the islanders and visitors for nearly half a century.^[4]

The ferry port on the island provides a link to the county seat Šibenik via the D128 route.