Significance and role of islands in the economic development of the Republic of Croatia

Republika Hrvatska primorska je zemlja s razvedenom obalom i velikim brojem otoka, otočića, hridi i grebena, pa je potrebno valorizirati i iskoristiti smještajnu prednost kao i razvijati pomorsko gospodarstvo kao vodeću granu cjelokupnog razvoja zemlje. U ovome radu prikazat će se glavni čimbenici i strateške mjere razvoja gospodarstva na hrvatskim otocima kroz pojedine grane kao što su brodogradnja, ribarstvo, turizam i otočno gospodarstvo. Također, prikazat će se moguća ulaganja, tj. sufinanciranja u hrvatske otoke odnosno u pojedine pomorske djelatnosti koje su od velikog značaja za otoke u Hrvatskoj. Isto tako, prikazat će se važnost povezanosti otoka s kopnom za razvoj hrvatskih otoka koja ovisi o dostupnosti istog i o njegovim obilježjima.The Republic of Croatia is a coastal country with indented coastline and a large number of islands, islets, cliffs and reefs, so it is necessary to valorize and exploit accomodation advantage of islands, as well as develop the maritime economy as a leading branch of the overall development of the country. This paper will outline the main factors and strategic measures of economic development in the Croatian islands through particular branches such as shipbuilding, fisheries, tourism and the island economy. It will also shows possible investments, ie co-financing in the Croatian islands or in certain maritime activities that are of great importance for the islands in Croatia. Also, will be presented the importance of the island's connection with the mainland for the development of the Croatian islands, which depends on its availability and its characteristics