Koper

Seaport in Slovenia, off the Istrian peninsula, 15 km/9 mi southwest of Trieste; population (2001 est) 23,700. It stands on an island in the Gulf of Trieste and is connected with the mainland by a causeway. The town has saltworks and vehicle production, and trades in fish, oil, and wine. It was the capital of Istria 1278–1797, under Venetian and Genoan rule.

Koper was held by Austria in 1797–1805 and 1814–1918, and by Italy 1915–1947. Its importance stems from its position on the shortest trade route between the commercial centres of central and eastern Europe and Mediterranean ports. The area surrounding the port was designated a Free Trade Zone in 1998, encouraging local and international businesses to invest in the area. The surrounding region is a major wine producer, with nearly 4,000 ha/10,000 acres dedicated to vineyards.