ISTRA (ISTRIA) AND THE SLOVENE COAST

 

After WW1 Italy occupied large part of Slovenian territory (coastal and western parts) and NW part of Croatia (Istrian Peninsula and some islands). Later this occupation was verified with an agreement between kingdoms of Italy and Yugoslavia.

After WW2 Yugoslav forces liberated those areas. Soon after, first provisional issues appeared. First stamps were issued for use on Istrian Peninsula (June 1945). New government simply overprinted stamps of Socialist Republic of Italy:

 

Later they were replaced by stamps for whole Istra and Slovene coast:

 

 

Southern and eastern part of this territory was given to Yugoslavia according to peace agreement signed in Paris, France (in February 1947) and regular Yugoslav stamps replaced the provisional issues. But northern part of Istria and area around Trieste Gulf remained an apple of discord between Italy and Yugoslavia. So, this territory (along with part of Venezia Giulia) was named a Trieste Free Territory.