South Istria is characterized by a greatly indented and long coastline. Because of its location that area has much more pronounced features of Mediterranean climate than the surrounding region. Naturally, this is reflected in its flora and vegetation. 

The latest research speaks of the uniqueness of plant life in this area. Nearly 500 plant species on such a smal space are proof of the biological diversity. This very specific and valuable landscape of Kamenjak is created by a combination of meadows, bushes and macchia. On the meadows of Kamenjak one finds numerous species of orchids, among which is the endemic Istrian serapias (Serapias istriaca). The coastal belt is the only habitat of several rare plant species in Croatia. 

Owing to the scenic beauty and remarkable 'features of its plant life, lower Kamenjak has been protected by law since 1996 and is about to be proclaimed a botanical reserve. Lovely coves and beaches, as well as a crystal-clear sea make this area a particularly attractive destination.

Donji Kamenjak i Medulinski Arhipelag
Zašticeni Krajolik
English

Južna se Istra odlikuje vrlo visokom razvedenošću i dugačkim obalnim rubom. Zbog svog položaja taj dio ima mnogo izraženije karakteristike mediteranske klime nego okolno područje. To se, dakako, odrazava i u vegetaciji. 

Najnovija istraživanja potvrduju osobitost biljnog svijeta ovog podrucja. Gotovo 500 biljnih vrsta na ovom malom prostoru dokaz je visoke bioloske raznolikosti. Vrlo osebujan i vrijedan pejsaz Kamenjaka cini kombinacija travnjaka, gariga i makije. Na travnjacima raste mnostvo vrsta orhideja, medu kojima i endemski istarski serapias (Serapias istriaca). U obalnom su pojasu jedina nalazista nekih rijetkih biljnih vrsta u Hrvatskoj. 

Zbog pejsazne vrijednosti prostora i osobitosti biljnog svijeta, krajolik je od 1996. zakonom zasticen, a u tijeku je i proglasenje dijela krajolika botanickim rezervatom. Lijepe uvale i plaze te cisto more cine ovo podrucje izuzetno privlacnim odredistem za odmor u prirodi.

Source:

• InfoNews Istra, Summer 2001. No. 2, Turistička zajednica Istarske županije - Istria County Tourist Association, p. 13.