Plavnik

Plavnik
Geography
Coordinates	44°58′02″N 14°31′30″E / 44.96722°N 14.52500°E / 44.96722; 14.52500
Archipelago	Kvarner Gulf
Area	8.64 km2 (3.34 sq mi)[1]
Highest point	194 m
Administration
Croatia
County	Primorje-Gorski Kotar
Municipality	Krk (town)
Demographics
Population	0 (2011)

Plavnik is an unpopulated island in the Adriatic Sea, belonging to Croatia located between the Central Straits and the Kvarner Bay. The Krusija Channel cuts it off from the eastern coast of the island of Cres.^[2] This channel is the shortest route from the Adriatic Sea through the islands to Rijeka. A lighthouse, established in 1890, sits at the northwestern point of the islet, marking the east side of the narrowest opening of the Krusija Channel.^[3]

Geography

While covering an area of 8.64 km²,^[1] the island has a length of 6.3 kilometres (3.9 miles) and a width of up to 2.3 km (1.4 miles). Its highest elevation is 194 metres (636 feet). On the northern and north-eastern sides, the coastline is partially steep. Two islets that make up the Kormati island (Otok Kormati), lie to the southeast of Plavnik. In the middle of the straits between these islands and Plavnik, the sea depth is about 9 metres (30 feet).

Flora and fauna

Plavnik is home to birds such as the wheateaters, pheasant, and white-headed vulture. Hares are common as well. As of 2010^[update], the islet is in the process of being declared a zoological and botanical reserve.