The sea in Croatia set to claim world’s smallest sea title  

Karin

Croatia’s Zadar County is rich in natural and cultural treasures, some of which are internationally renowned. 

In the Croatian part of the Adriatic, there are several areas named as seas: Novigrad Sea, Vir Sea, Murter Sea, and among them, the smallest is undoubtedly the Karinsko more (Karin Sea), covering an area of about 5.5 km2. It is located around 30km east of Zadar. 

As LiveCamCroatia writes, the Karin Sea could officially become the smallest sea in the world. 

Despite being technically a bay in terms of shape and size, the local population refers to it as a sea, making it a truly curious feature that could be valued, among other things, in terms of tourism.

This bay of the Adriatic Sea was named Mare di Carin back in 1781 by the cartographer and public surveyor Giuseppe Antonio Grandis on the map of Dalmatia, distinguishing it from the neighbouring Novigrad Sea, named Mare di Novegradi.

The salinity values of Karin Sea are lower than the average values of the Adriatic Sea due to the inflow of fresh water from Karišnica and other smaller streams and springs. Despite being brackish because of the two rivers flowing into it, it still supports marine life, including various fish species and strictly protected ones like dolphins and turtles, LiveCamCroatia says. 

Karin

The therapeutic properties of its mud and climate have long been recognised. Breathing is easier here due to the collision of mountain and Mediterranean or marine climates.

Local residents hope that the declaration of Karin Sea as the world’s smallest sea will bring a new boost to tourism, as well as a higher level of protection for the maritime habitat.