The largest island of the central Dalmatian group of islands, the third largest among the Adriatic islands is separated from the mainland (Split area) by the Brac Channel and from the island of Hvar by the Hvar Channel. The highest peak of the island, Vidova Gora (778 m), is also the highest peak of all Croatian islands.
The limestone part of the coast is rocky and steep, while the rest is rather low with pebble beaches (on the southern side from Farska to Bol, and on the northern side from Sutivan to Supetar). The island landscape is dominated by a karst limestone relief, with numerous gullies, crevices, cavities, round valleys and coves.
Average air temperatures in January range between 4.9°C and 7.2°C, and in July between 22.9 °C and 24.7 °C (Sutivan). Rainfall occurs mostly in the winter months. The climate on the island is mostly moderated by winds, i.e. the sirocco and the bora. The landward breeze occurs quite often in the summer months, especially along the north-western coast. There are no surface water streams on the island. Permanent water sources are provided only around Bol. Higher parts of the island (above 400 m) are at some places covered with black and Aleppo pine forests; larger or smaller forests of Aleppo pine are found around all coastal towns and villages; dominant are dense evergreen underbrush (macchia) and rocky ground.
The largest towns are Pucisca and Supetar. Major farming products are olive oil, wine and fruit (sour cherries and almonds). Working quarries, where the famous Brac building stone is excavated, are located on various parts of the island. This kind of building stone was used in the construction of the White House in Washington and the Palace of Diocletian in Split.
Brac was inhabited as early as the Neolithic period. It has since been occupied by the Romans, Slavs, Hungarians, Bosnians, Venetians, Austrians, Russians and French.
