- published: 29 May 2014
- views: 297
Žitný ostrov, also called Veľký Žitný ostrov (Great Rye Island) (German: Große Schüttinsel or Great Schütt Island, Hungarian: Csallóköz) to differentiate it from Malý Žitný ostrov (Small Rye Island) (German: Kleine Schüttinsel or or Little Schütt Island, Hungarian: Szigetköz), is a river island in southwestern Slovakia, extending from Bratislava to Komárno. It lies between the Danube and its tributary Little Danube and is a major part of the Danubian Flat. It is the biggest river island in Europe with an area of 1,886 km², being 84 km long and 15 – 30 km wide.
The main towns on the island are Komárno, Dunajská Streda, and Šamorín. The island is an important reservoir of drinking water and an agricultural region.[citation needed]
Southern parts of Žitný ostrov by the Danube are protected by Dunajské luhy Protected Landscape Area.
Coordinates: 47°57′N 17°39′E / 47.95°N 17.65°E / 47.95; 17.65