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OPATIJA, a town, harbour, tourist, summer and climatic resort on the foot of Mt. Ucka, situated at the eastern coast of Istria in the Rijeka Bay, 13 km southwest of Rijeka; population 9,073. The coastal region formed of limestone, in which Opatija lies, is protected from the north and northwest by Ucka. Climatic conditions are favourable, with relatively mild winters; the mean air temperature in January attains 4.7 °C, and in July 23.3 °C; 2,230 hours of sunshine a year. The whole narrow coastal strip is covered with evergreen vegetation; there are no loose soils or water springs. Ucka holds the moist air and clouds driven by the westerly winds, so that Opatija has lower rainfall and more hours of sunshine than Rijeka. The climate and the specific historic and geographic features favoured Opatija's rapid development. The completion of the railway Vienna - Trieste (1857) and the branch railroad from Pivka (then called Sent Peter) to Rijeka (1873) opened the way from Vienna to Opatija. The climatic advantages of Opatija were famous already in the first half of the 19th century. Chief occupation is tourism. The harbour consists of a pier and a protected basin. The inner part of it is protected from all winds except from those blowing from the first quadrant; the bora is moderate, blowing from the east; the sirocco and the easterly winds are rather strong and heave the sea. The outer part of the port is designed for larger vessels, and smaller vessels can land at the inner part. The anchoring ground lies 500 m off the coast, but is far from being safe during strong easterly and south-easterly winds. The harbour comprises a marina. Situated on the road (m2, E751) Rijeka - Pula.
Opatija, often called the Nice of the Adriatic, is one of the most popular tourist resorts in Croatia and a place with the longest tourist tradition on the eastern coast of the Adriatic. In 1844 the powerful merchant Higinio von Scarpa erected Villa Angiolina, with beautiful green and a lavish park around it, visited by distinguished guests - the Croatian Viceroy Josip Jelacic, the Austrian empress Maria Anna - which soon made Opatija a popular excursion destination of the inhabitants from Rijeka, then of the Italians and Austrians. Opatija was the first in the region of the Adriatic to introduce tourist statistics already in 1884, and the first hotel on the Adriatic, called Kvarner, was built by the Society of the Southern Railways in 1884; situated on the very coast and luxuriously furnished, it attracted exclusively elite guests. With the construction of the hotel, Opatija became an elite summer resort, so that, apart from the 12km-long promenade (Lungomare) from Volosko - Opatija - Lovran, a mountain path from Opatija to Veprinac and farther to Ucka was laid. Already in 1889 Opatija was declared the first climatic seaside resort on the Adriatic, which strengthened its position as the most fashionable tourist resort. Numerous tourists and owners of the villas contributed by planting exotic plants to the horticultural grandeur. Opatija was so attractive that, at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries, it was visited by the then most prominent personalities of the noble rank - Princess Luise von Sachsen Coburg, the Romanian king Charles I, the Swedish-Norwegian king Oscar, etc. Tourist development is Opatija's main feature even today. Favourable climate, well-maintained landscape, maintained beaches and lively entertainment throughout the year make this place one of the most elite summer resorts in Croatia today. The offer includes 20-odd hotels, a large number of catering establishments, sports and recreational facilities, and especially entertainment opportunities. By the hotel Admiral there is a marina open throughout the year. Very many events in Opatija have a long tradition and offer a high-level entertainment: carnival (January/February), International Yachting Regatta (in May), the Opatija Yachting Cup (in November). Opatija is also a national centre in which Porin, the prize for the best musical pieces is awarded (in March), as well as one of the most important congress centres in Croatia. One of the best restaurants in Croatia is open in Opatija throughout the year.

RIJEKA, a city and port in the Rijeka Bay, on the northern coast of the Kvarner Gulf, cutting deep into the mainland; population 167,964. An average temperature in January reaches 5 °C, and in July 22.8 °C. The annual rainfall is 1,600 mm; 2,120 hours of sunshine a year. Good connections with the hinterland, modern port facilities and strong naval and commercial tradition helped Rijeka to develop into Croatia's biggest port. It also represents an important European transit port. - The town saw a more intense development in the 18th century, increased by the construction of the Louise Road (1810, to Karlovac), the port and, particularly, the railroads to Budapest and Vienna. Between the two World Wars, as Rijeka was cut off from the immediate hinterland, the port of Rijeka lost its original importance, but its eastern part, the port of Susak, started to develop. After 1945 Rijeka restored its position as a large centre of commerce and maritime affairs (seating several shipping companies), with developed industry (shipyard, oil refinery, diesel engines, ship cranes, ship equipment, paper, etc.). Rijeka is also a lively cultural and artistic centre, with a number of cultural and educational institutions and schools (several faculties). In Rijeka proper as well as in its surroundings, manufacturing industries, traffic and various services are concentrated, while tourism, farming, forestry and fishing represent chief occupations in its wider area. The main crossroads of the Adriatic tourist traffic, which flows from central Europe to the central and southern Adriatic. It is also an important road traffic intersection, with roads connecting the city with the hinterland through Gorski Kotar, where the Dinaric barrier is only between 40 and 50 km wide. From Rijeka, roads lead to the north, the border with the Republic of Slovenia, towards Istria, and to the south. Important railway junction. The airport "Rijeka" is located near Omisalj on the island of Krk.
The geographical position of Rijeka is crucial for its tourist image. This is where a visitor in transit meets the sea for the first time, regardless of whether coming by road or rail. The access to Rijeka is extremely attractive - both from the west and from the east - and the access from the sea offers the most charming view on Rijeka. The natural and cultural features of Rijeka, the Mediterranean climate, and the closer and broader surroundings of the mountainous landscape of the Primorsko-Goranska County add to the value of the city. The area around Rijeka represents the most developed tourist region in Croatia, with a tradition dating back to the 19th century; more than a half of the foreign tourists visiting Croatia stay in Rijeka. The importance of industry in Rijeka does not allow the city to develop into a holiday centre. However, by being the second largest city in Croatia and an important business centre, Rijeka has developed into a strong centre of business tourism. It hosts important business events, such as: the Spring Fair (in April), Nautica, Automobile Fair (in May), the North Adriatic Fair (in October) and the Christmas Fair, so that, apart from business tourism, congress tourism increasingly gains on importance. Trsat, the centre of Marianism in this part of Croatia (10th of May, the Day of Our Lady of Trsat - and the Seafarer's Day, the Assumption on the 15thof August, and the Nativity of the Virgin Mary on the 8th of August) make Rijeka the centre of religious tourism as well. Almost grown into one with Opatija - the oldest and the most renowned tourist centre in Croatia.
Apart from quality accommodation facilities, shops, theatres and other entertainment, visitors can attend important cultural events: the Biennial of Young Artists - international exhibition of young artists - painters, sculptors, alternative artists (1st of July - 30th of September), the Rijeka Summer, concerts and theatrical performances in the Old Town, on Trsat, in the cathedral of St. Vitus (in June and July), the Melodies of Istria and Kvarner (end of June), the Assumption - Trsat (15thof August), the Days of Zajc (in November), the Day of St. Vitus, the patron saint of Rijeka (15thof June), the Rijeka Carnival, the biggest carnival event in Croatia (in February), etc.

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