Abruzzo
Template:Infobox Region of Italy Abruzzo is a region in central Italy lying just 70 miles from Rome and bordering Marche to the north, Lazio to the west and south-west, Molise to the south-east and the Adriatic Sea to the east. Until 1963 it was part of the Abruzzi e Molise region (with Molise). The term Abruzzi derives from the time when the Bourbons administered the territory as "Closer Abruzzo" (Abruzzo Citeriore) and "Further Abruzzo" (Abruzzo Ulteriore).
The regional capital is L'Aquila. The region is divided into four provinces: L'Aquila (the largest), Teramo, Chieti (the most populous) and Pescara, Abruzzo's main economic centre. The four provinces are further divided into 305 municipalities. Abruzzo has a population of around 1.3 million.
One of the least populated regions of Italy, Abruzzo exprienced steep population declines through much of the early and mid-20th century. Population distribution within the region is greater in coastal and hilly zones in the provinces of Pescara and Chieti while mountainous areas, particularly in the Province of L'Aquila, experienced drastic decreases in population related to the collapse of pastoral agriculture. The economy of these mountainous areas in recent years has diversified being less dependent on agriculture with crafts and tourism increasingly important.
Culture
In the past, the region of Abruzzo was well known for the transumanza, the migratory movements of sheep to Puglia and Lazio during the cold winter months. The province of Pescara is home to Italian Serie B team Pescara Calcio.
The regional accents of Abruzzo include Teramano, Abruzzese Orientale Adriatico and Abruzzese Occidentale. The first two form part of the Italiano meridionale-interno dialect of southern Italy also known simply as "Neapolitan" due to the region having been part of the Kingdom of Naples and the Two Sicilies, while the Italian of L'Aquila Province is related to the Osco-Umbro dialect of central Italy, including the one of Rome. It should be noted that Abruzzo's Italian dialects are not particularly marked. In fact, Harvard University bases an intensive summer language program in Vasto, a resort town on Abruzzo's southern coast. There is, however, a small Albanian linguistic area at Penne, in the Province of Pescara.
Geography
The region covers 10,794 km² almost two-thirds of which is mountainous. The remainder of the land consists of hills sloping to a narrow plain that runs for most of the 129 kilometre long Adriatic coastline. The Apennine mountain chain runs through the Abruzzo and high points are Corno Grande (Gran Sasso massif) (2914m) and Monte Amaro (Maiella-group) (2795m). The main rivers are the Aterno-Pescara, the Sangro and the Tronto.
Nature
One third of the region is designated as national or regional park. The following parks lie, wholly or partially, within Abruzzo:
- Parco Nazionale d'Abruzzo, Lazio e Molise (Abruzzo National Park)
- Lago di Barrea (Barrea Lake Wetlands)
- Parco Nazionale del Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga (Gran Sasso National Park )
- Parco Nazionale della Majella (National Park of the Majella)
- Parco Naturale Regionale Sirente-Velino (Sirente Velino Regional Park)
The protected areas are environmentally important and are home to rare flora and fauna, such as the brown bear, the wolf and the chamois.
Tourism
Although rich in natural beauty and history, Abruzzo is only just starting to be discovered by mass tourism. Abruzzo's wealth of castles and medieval towns, especially near the town of L'Aquila has earned it in some quarters the nickname of "Abruzzoshire", by analogy with the "Chiantishire" nickname sometimes used to refer to the Chianti area of Tuscany.
Skiing. Abruzzo has 21 ski areas with 368 km. of runs, all within a few hours of Rome. The most developed resort being Roccaraso, followed by Campo Felice, and Campo Imperatore. Located in the highest region of the Apennines, these ski areas are at heights nearly comparable to many Alpine resorts. Because of their proximity to the Adriatic and winter precipitation patterns, they often have more snow than the Alps. Abruzzo also is popular for cross country skiing, especially on the high plain of Campo Imperatore in the Gran Sasso as well as the Piana Grande in the Majella.
Mountain Climbing. The Gran Sasso massif sports the Italian peninsula’s highest peak, Corno Grande, and Europe’s southernmost glacier, Il Calderone. The Corno Grande and its neighboring Corno Piccolo provide a range of climbing opportunities from mountain hikes suitable for novices to sheer rock wall ascents suitable only for expert alpinists. Abruzzo’s lesser known peaks, especially the gentler slopes of the Majella, offer climbers the opportunity to hike and climb in solitude.
Beach Resorts. Abruzzo’s 129 km. long sandy coastline is home to a many popular beach resorts, among them Vasto on Abruzzo’s southern coast; mid-coast are Silvi Marina, whose sands are considered among the best in Italy, Francavilla al Mare and Pineto, and on Abruzzo’s northern coast are Alba Adriatica and Martinsicuro.
Cities and towns
L'Aquila is Abruzzo's regional capital as well as the capital of the province of l’Aquila. Abruszzo’s other provincial capitals are Pescara, which is Abruzzo's largest city with a population of 150,000 as of 2000, Teramo (population 52,000) and Chieti (population 56,000). Other large municipalities in Abruzzo include Avezzano (population 40,000), an industrial and high technology center.
Among Abruzzo many historic towns are: Sulmona at the foot of the Maiella massif and known for Italy’s most famous ancient poet , Ovid, Scanno, a lakeside hill town, Atri a picturesque artistic center, and the hillside towns of Penne and Loreto Aprutino.
Medieval and Renaissance hill towns.
Abruzzo holds some of Italy's best-preserved medieval and Renaissance hill towns. The abrupt decline of Abruzzo’s agricultural economy in the early to mid-20th century saved some of the region’s most beautiful hill towns from the onslaught of modern development. Many lie entirely within regional and national parks so their preservation is all but guaranteed. Among the most well preserved are Castel del Monte (AQ) and Santo Stefano di Sessanio, which lie in the Gran Sasso National Park on the edge of the high plain of Campo Imperatore and nestled beneath the Apennines’ highest peaks; both hill towns, which were ruled by the Medicis for over a century-and-a-half, have relatively little tourism. Between the two towns sits Rocca di Calascio, the ruin of an ancient fortress popular with film makers.
Another medieval hill town of note is Pacentro. It has recently been nominated as one of the "Borghi più belli d'Italia" (the most beautiful villages in Italy). This town in located in the Parco Nazionale della Majella only a few kilometers from the City of Sulmona. It is a very well preserved medieval town featuring a 14th Century Castle with two of its four main towers almost fully intact. Other architectural and artistic jewels remain untouched by the forces of modernization.
Also within the Gran Sasso National Park is Castelli, an ancient pottery center whose artisans produced ceramics for most of the royal houses of Europe. Although still home to many artisans, Castelli has but a modest tourist trade. Pescasseroli in the Parco Nazionale d'Abruzzo is another well preserved hill town, which, however, tends to be more crowded with tourists.
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