In ancient times this area was inhabited by the Illyrians. In the Middle Ages, until the 15th century, this part of the island was predominantly deserted and poorly inhabited. In order to increase tax revenues, Ivan VII Frankopan settled in the mid- 15th century in this area Vlachs and Morlachs from Velebit. However, there were very few true ethnic Vlachs among them, most of whom were Croats.