THE ISLAND OF KRK is located in the Kvarner Bay and, along with the island of Cres, it is the largest island in the Adriatic.

The members of the Illyrian tribe of Japodi were the first inhabitants of the island. In the 4th century BC, they were thrust back by another Illyrian tribe - the Liburnians. They were seamen and shipbuilders who established connections with Greek tradesmen and utilised the fact that the island of Krk was on the Amber Road that spread from the Baltics to the Mediterranean. The name of the island dates back to that period. Its root comes from the Illyrian name Kurikum. When the Croats arrived, they shortened the name into Kark, Kerk and finally Krk.

The Roman leads can be traced back to the end of the antiquity and the first centuries of the new era.
However, at the end of the 6th century, the Croats started populating the island and became the absolute majority population.

Christianity came early to the island of Krk, so it was in the 5th century AD that a diocese with a centre in the city of Krk was established. Its first known bishop was Andrija (680 AD). The Croats populated the castles of the island in clans and that is why the island now has four different dialects.
At the end of the 12th century, the Frankopan Dukes of Krk emerged from these clans.
It is the only family from the Adriatic islands that become as powerful as some European rulers - they originated from Vrbnik and they acquired possessions on the continent: in Trsat, Bakar, Kraljevica, Crikvenica, Novi Vinodolski, in Otočac, Brinje etc. At the height of their power, the Frankopans owned the territory equal to one half of the territory of today's Croatia.
Some of the dukes from this family were also Croatian Viceroys or governors (Croatian: ban).  The first famous Frankopan was Dujam I (1118), and the last was Fran Krsto whom the emperor and king Leopold of the Habsburg family executed in 1671.
The island of Krk was the last island in the Adriatic to fall under the Venetian rule in 1480, when the duke Ivan Frankopan was tricked and taken into captivity by the Venetians.
Following the demise of the Croatian Dukes of Frankopan in the 15th century, Krk had many different rulers - Venice, France, Austria-Hungary, Italy, Germany, Yugoslavia and finally, after 5 centuries, it once again became the integral part of Croatian territory.

The island of Krk today is a tourist island and tourism is the most important economic branch as well as the driving force of the island's development, which was initiated once the bridge that now connects the island of Krk with the mainland was built.
The island of Krk continued its development when Croatia became independent. Development was briefly interrupted during the Croatian War for Independence which ended in 1995 and after it ended, renovation of the previously built hotels and camps was initiated and new ones were built as a means of further tourist development of the island.
In the last few years, significant funds have been invested into the development of the island's infrastructure and into the building of roads, water, sewerage and telecommunication systems etc.
The spread of urban zones enabled the building of condos, apartments, houses, weekend cottages, villas, stone houses and business facilities (hotels, restaurants etc.) with the aim of bettering the living standard of the domestic population and enriching the tourist accommodation offer, which can also enrich the tourist and the overall development of the island. The consequence is that there are around one hundred thousand people residing on the island at the height of the season; the domestic population and the so called "weekenders" and tourist included.  
Renovation of old stone houses in the island's centre was initiated recently in order to preserve the indigenous coastal house.

When Croatia enters the European Union, we can expect a large number of new inhabitants who will, due to pleasant weather conditions, clean air and sea, good traffic connections and other preconditions for quality of life, live on Krk most of the year.

In case of smart territory management, further bettering of the infrastructure quality, widening of the tourist offer and preservation of clean nature, air and sea, the island will have a remarkable perspective and the inhabitants of the island of Krk will be enabled the same level of quality of life that the inhabitants of the developed Europe have.

The island of Krk is today administratively divided between seven units of local self-government and government. These are the city of Krk and counties: Omišalj, Malinska - Dubašnica, Dobrinj, Vrbnik, Punat and Baška.

THE TOWN OF KRK

The town of Krk is the central and the largest settlement on the homonymous island and is also one of the oldest settlements on the island of Krk. Its location in the southern and the central part of the island makes it the ideal base for the tour of the whole island.  As the developed tourist centre, it has all the necessary facilities for a pleasant holiday experience, in season as well as out of season (supermarkets, restaurants, post office, cafés, discotheque, port authority...) With its narrow streets, "worn out" flagstones and eternally lively squares and bars, the old part of Krk is remarkably beautiful. A waterfront ideal for evening walks or dinners in restaurants overlooking the sea spreads from the town centre.
In the administrative sense, the following settlements are a part of the town of Krk: Krk, Kornić, Muraj, Lakmartin, Kosić, Salatić, Vrh, Skrpčić, Pinezić, Žgaljić, Linardić, Milohnić, Brzac, Poljica, Bajčić, Brusić, Nenadić.

THE OMIŠALJ COUNTY

The Omišalj County with corresponding settlements: Omišalj, Njivice, Kijac, is located on the north-western part of the island of Krk, in the part where the island is closest to the mainland. Rising on a steep cliff, Omišalj dominates the surrounding Kvarner area. Its climate and weather, the vicinity of the bridge, airport and the city of Rijeka, make it an attractive destination for numerous tourists.

THE MALINSKA - DUBAŠNICA COUNTY

The Malinska County, with its administrative and tourist centre Malinska, is located at the nortwestern coast of the island of Krk, in a spacious bay, only 15 km from the Krk Bridge. Once known as a safe harbour for ships, today is a well known tourist town which takes care of its fishing and maritime tradition. Malinska is attractive in every season in a special way. Tidy and well equipped swimming areas, pebbled and sand beaches in the vicinity of the town or hidden in coves provide choice for everyone. For some it is enjoying the sun from the early morning till the late evening and for the others it is being in the shade, in seclusion, with a view wondering in the blue distance that they take joy in. Original folklore, various cultural-entertainment shows, exhibitions, water sports, fishing, tennis, riding, disco clubs, night bar, terraces for dancing, rich gastronomic offer, berths, cranes for boats, series of shops and services and the vicinity of interesting excursion sites provide the guests with diverse offer and facilities. Corresponding settlements: Malinska ,Vantačić, Porat, Milčetić, Turčić, Strilčić, Ljutić, Sv.Anton, Sabljić, Milovčić, Sv.Ivan, Barušić, Oštrobradić, Žgombić, Kremenić, Maršić, Sv.Vid Miholjice.

THE DOBRINJ COUNTY

Dobrinj has always been a cultural, historic and general centre of the homonymous County which includes twenty one picturesque settlements. This area is located in the north-eastern part of the island of Krk, in one of its best preserved oases, rich with cultural and historic landmarks.  Unspoilt nature and moderate climate of these small towns offers the chance to rest both your soul and body. Stone Gothic Church of St. Stjepan with its recognizable "cergan" porch, and a tall rock bell-tower, 200 meter over the sea, which watches over and dominates its "plovanija" and offers a view of the large part of the Kvarner Bay, are the most typical characteristics of the old fortification - the town of Dobrinj, that has, until this day, kept many characteristics and traits of these medieval buildings. Its indigenous old stone houses and narrow stone streets ooze peace and quiet in this place where time had stopped. The entire town of Dobrinj is attractive due to its appearance and location and it is a true revalation to each visitor, and endless perspectives and views from its lookout offer a special experience. Dobrinj is the soul of the area, and there you do not come to take a tour of the past, you go there to live it.
The particularities of the County are the Soline lagoon, known for its healing mud used for treating rheumatic conditions, and the so called "Biserujka" Vitezić Cave.
Corresponding settlements: Čižići, Dobrinj, Gabonjin, Gostinjac, Gornja i Donja Hlapa, Klanice, Klimno, Kras, Meline, Polje, Rasopasno, Rudine, Soline, Sužan, Sveti Ivan, Sveti Vid, Šilo, Tribulje, Žestilac and Županje.

THE VRBNIK COUNTY

The Vrbnik County, with its centre Vrbnik, or the cliff over sea, the town on the cliff - Vrbnik. The narrowest street in the world, the Fort of the Frankopans and the historical churches and chapels are located in one of the oldest towns in the world, Krk, the cradle of literacy. For the lovers of swimming and sunbathing, Vrbnik offers the cleanest sea. Gastronomic experts know Vrbnik for the restaurants, taverns and wineries that do not leave even the pickiest gourmands feeling indifferent. The famous Vrbnik vineyards and the indigenous wine Vrbnička Žlahtina can be found close by.
Corresponding settlements: Vrbnik, Risika, Garica.

THE PUNAT COUNTY

The Punat County with its centar, the town of Punat, is located on the southern coast of the island of Krk, only 8 km from the town of Krk.
Old crafts that remain to this day are fishery, sheep farming and olive growing. The latter is still performed by almost every family. In front of the settlement, in the central part of the shallow bay, a forested islet of Košljun is located. Punat - once a well known shipyard for wooden boats and a headquarters of a powerful steamship company - is a well known tourist destination today, due to appreciation of excursion/tourist values of the islet of Košuljan and one of the largest and best equipped tourist marinas on the eastern coast of the Adriatic. Due to marina's year-round operation and happenings such as the Croatia Cup regatta and olive days, Punat attracts foreign visitor even after the tourist season.
Aside from Punat, the Stara Baška settlement is also a part of the County. There are many interesting coves with gorgeous hidden pebbled beaches and crystal clear sea between Punat and Stara Baška. 

THE BAŠKA COUNTY

The Baška County, with its central town Baška, the best known tourist centre on the island, is located on the south-eastern coast of Krk (43 kilometres from the bridge). The town of Baška is well known for its interesting architecture and a long pebbled beach called "Vela plaža". The beach is 1800 meters long and is definitely one of the most beautiful ones in the Mediterranean. It is located in the very town centre and surrounded by numerous bars, restaurants, pizza places, caffes, hotels, private accommodation and other facilities that are an integral part of the town's offer.
It is located in a tame valley, in a bay, and surrounded by vineyards, olives groves and Spanish broom, with a picturesque background in the form of the Velebit Mountain and the island of Prvić, that seem to be protecting the unique pebbled beach from all sides.
Baška's location enabled it to evolve and prosper continuously and to be recognized in a tourist environment today. Nowadays, Baška is one of the most desirable tourist destinations of the Croatian part of the Adriatic.

Baška is a cultural centre, with the oldest written monument of Croatian culture (900 years of the Baška Tablet), and a long-standing tourist tradition.
The Baška Bay is located 4 km from Baška, a town that the 45th parallel passes through. Batomalj is a village in the Baška valley and Jurandvor is a town known for one of the most important Croatian monuments - the Baška tablet, written in the Glagolitic script around the year 1100. You can see it in the Curch of St. Lucija.

IN THE IMMEDIATE VICINITY OF THE ISLAND OF KRK lies the CRIKVENICA RIVIERA with one of the oldest tourist centres in Croatia - the town of Crikvenica.
The entire town of Crikvenica is in fact a Riviera, with a series of pratically connected tourist towns: Selce, Crikvenica, Dramalj and Jadranovo.

It borders the town of Kraljevica, the Vinodol County and the town of Novi Vinodolski.
The Vinodol County includes four settlements located in the Vinodol Valley: Bribir, Drivenik, Grižane-Belgrad and Tribalj.

The town of Novi Vinodolski consists of 20 settlements and these are: Bater, Bile, Breze, Crno, Donji Zagon, Drinak, Gornji Zagon, Jakov Polje, Javorje, Klenovica, Krmpotske Vodice, Ledenice, Luka Krmpotska, Novi Vinodolski, Podmelnik, Povile, Ruševo Krmpotsko, Sibinj Krmpotski, Smokvica Krmpotska and Zabukovac.