Vis (island)

Vis

Satellite image of Vis and Biševo
Geography
Location	Adriatic Sea
Coordinates	43°02′N 16°09′E / 43.033°N 16.150°E / 43.033; 16.150Coordinates: 43°02′N 16°09′E / 43.033°N 16.150°E / 43.033; 16.150
Area	89.72 km2 (34.64 sq mi)
Highest elevation	587 m (1,926 ft)
Highest point	Hum
Administration
Croatia
County	Split-Dalmatia
Largest settlement	Vis (pop. 1,920)
Demographics
Population	3,617 (2011)

Vis (pronounced [ʋîːs]; Ancient Greek: Ἴσσα; Latin: Issa, Italian: Lissa) is a small Croatian island in the Adriatic Sea. The farthest inhabited island off the Croatian mainland, Vis had a population of 3,617 in 2011. Vis has an area of 90.26 square kilometres (34.85 square miles). The highest point of the island is Hum which is 587 metres (1,926 feet) above sea level. The island's two largest settlements are the town of Vis on the eastern side of the island (the settlement after which the island was originally named), and Komiža, on its western coast.

Once known for its thriving fishing industry in the late 19th and early 20th century, the main present-day industries on the island are agriculture and tourism. Vis town and Komiža are also seats of separate administrative municipalities which cover the entire island and nearby islets, which are both part of Split-Dalmatia County.

Vis was inhabited by the time of the Neolithic period. In the 4th century BC, the Greek tyrant of Syracuse, Dionysius the Elder, founded the colony Issa on the island. Later, it became an independent polis, and even minted its own money and founded its own colonies, the most notable of which was Aspálathos (the modern-day city of Split). In the 1st century BC, the island was held by the Liburnians. Its importance in the region ended with the first Illyro-Roman war (29-219 BC). Having sided with Pompeus during the period of civil struggles in Rome, became an "oppidum civium Romanorum" in 47 BC.