Dalmatia, Historical region on eastern Adriatic coast, Croatia
Dalmatia is a historical region on the eastern Adriatic coast in Croatia, extending along the coastline and including numerous islands. The territory reaches from Rab island in the north to the Bay of Kotor in the south, bordered by mountain ranges inland.
The region took its name from the Illyrian tribe called the Dalmatae and later became a Roman province. Venice controlled the territory from 1420 to 1797, shaping architecture and administration for centuries.
Local people distinguish themselves by origin: coastal dwellers maintain different traditions from the mountain population of the hinterland. Italian influences appear clearly in everyday cooking, especially with pasta, olive oil and seafood, which appear on most household tables daily.
Modern administration divides the territory into four counties: Zadar, Šibenik-Knin, Split-Dalmatia and Dubrovnik-Neretva. Only two passages lead through the mountains to the hinterland: one through the Krka canyon and one through the Neretva valley.
The Dinaric Alps form a natural barrier between coast and interior, complicating trade for centuries. This geographic isolation made coastal cities orient themselves culturally and economically toward Italy rather than the Croatian hinterland.
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