Basic Physical-Geographical Characteristics of Rava Island in the Zadar Archipelago

Otok Rava (3.62 km2, 120 stanovnika 1991.) nalazi se u Zadarskom arhipelagu, u južnohrvatskom (dalmatinskom) otočju. U sklopu projekta geografske obrade malih hrvatskih otoka, ovdje su obrađena obilježja njegove prirodne osnove. Analizirani su položaj, veličina i obuhvat, geomorfologija, geološki sastav i građa, klimavegetacijske značajke, pedološke značajke, vode i živi svijet. Istaknuti su: važnost dolomitne građe, povoljne klimatske značajke (padaline, temperature, vjetrovi i sl.), nestašica vode, značenje autohtone vegetacije. Posebna pažnja u radu pridaje se obilježjima mora oko otoka (fizički, kemijski i biološki parametri). Naseljenost i vrednovanje otoka ovisila je o prirodnogeografskim potencijalima, a i suvremene mogućnosti razvoja zasnivaju se na njima. Rad daje i iscrpnu literaturu dosad objavljenih i neobjavljenih tekstova koji tretiraju ovaj otok o kome do sada u geografiji nije posebno pisano.The island of Rava (3,62 km2, 120 inhabitants 1991), which makes part of the Zadar archipelago, belongs to the South Croatian (Dalmatian) group of islands. In this paper, the features of its natural basis are elaborated as a part of the project connected with the geographical study of small Croatian islands. The authors anlyse its position, size and extent, geomorphology, geological composition and structure, climatovegetable properties, pedological and biogeographical features and waters. Attention has been paid to the importance of its dolomitic structure, favourable climatic conditions (precipitation, temperatures, winds, etc.), lack of water and significance of its autochthonous vegetation. Special heed has been given to the properties of the sea surrounding the island (physical, chemical and biological parametres). Inhabitability and valuation depended on its physicogeographical potential, and the contemporary possibilities are based on it too. The paper offers a detailed list of texts published up to the present and some unpublished ones, which deal with the island that has not been specially treated so far