The Yugoslav peninsula of Istria is divided into Bijela Istria: the white peaks, Siva Istria: the gray fertile interior and Crvena Istria: the blood-red area near the coastline.On the north side Istria is sheltered by the Alps and its own higher inland. It has a Mediterranean climate with dry and warm summers, while the Adriatic Sea provides a pleasant climate with temperatures between 26°C in Aug. and about 11°C in March. In winter, the 'Bora' brings cold and clear weather from the north, but freezing is rare even in the small and shallow bays. In the summer, the 'Jugo' brings rain from the south and the 'Mistral' blows a summer breeze from the interior to the sea.
After World War II, the vast majority of Istria was assigned to Yugoslavia. In 1944-‘45, many people fell victim to revenge and purges by Tito partisans. Mostly Italians, who were accused of collaboration during the so-called Italian occupation. Anyone who had held a position in the service of the former state authority, was considered guilty.