Dalmatia's name is derived from the name of an Illyrian tribe called the Dalmatae who lived in the area of the eastern Adriatic coast in the 1st millennium BC. (Information About Dalmatia)
Today Dalmatia is Croatia's largest region. There are three large cities located in the region: three thousand year old city of Zadar, Split - residence to the Roman Emperor Diocletian, and Dubrovnik to the far south, a UNESCO World Heritage List city. The smaller but equally beautiful towns are Sibenik, Trogir and Makarska and the tranquil places on the Zadar, Šibenik and Makarska Rivieras. The Velebit and Biokovo mountain ranges, the Paklenica, Krka, Kornati and Mljet National Parks, wonderful speleological and diving locations, vineyards on the Peljesac peninsula and olive groves - all of this and much more can be found in sunny Dalmatia.
The major islands from north to south are Krk , Cres, Rab, Pag, Dugi Otok, Brač, Hvar, Vis, Korčula, Mljet, and Lastovo. A rugged range of mountains, the Dinaric Alps, divides Dalmatia from the interior. With peaks ranging from 1,500 feet (450 m) to more than 6,200 feet (1,900 m), the Dinaric Alps offer only two main passes: the Krka River canyon and the Neretva River valley. The Dalmatian coastline has numerous bays and harbours and is noted for its scenic beauty. The climate is mild, with dry summers, abundant rain in autumn and winter, and very little snow.