There is no better way for getting to know a country
than cruising it’s highways and byways and sampling it’s many culinary delights
along the way.
So shown below, in alphabetical order, is a list of the
twenty Italian regions complete with a small overview of their geographical
attributes, tourist hot spots and their world famous culinary
classics.
I have also included a small overview of Italy's longest river, the River Po.
I have also included a small overview of Italy's longest river, the River Po.
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| REGIONAL MAP OF ITALY |
ABRUZZO
Situated in central Italy this mountainous region is a
land of contrasting tourist resorts, having
both a thriving beach resort industry on the Adriatic Sea coast and a
popular winter ski industry situated in the Appenine Mountains, where the
region is home to the highest peak in the Appenines, the 2,912 meter high,
Corno Grande.
The region’s capital is the university city and
popular cultural venue of l’Aquilla, situated at an altitude of over seven
hundred metres above sea level.
The region of Abruzzo is known for growing the wordl’s
most expensive spice, saffron, for having a thriving liquorice producing
industry, growing grapes for the production of Montepulciano d’Abruzzo wines
and for their local classic, the Polpettine meatball.
AOSTA VALLEY
The Aosta Valley is the smallest, least populated,
highest and coldest of all Italy’s regions. Situated in northern Italy the
region is home to Europe’s highest peak, Mont Blanc, where it is known as Monte
Bianco in Italy.
The area as a whole is a renowned ski destination
which is home to some of Europe’s most prestigious ski slopes located on Mont
Blanc and the Matterhorn. The area is also noted for the Great Saint Bernard
Pass, a high mountain pass which links Italy with Switzerland, and the Mont
Blanc Tunnel, which links Italy with France.
The region’s capital is the ancient alpine town of
Aosta, famous for producing the PDO culinary classics of Fontina cheese and
Jamon de Bosses.
APULIA
Situated on Italy’s east coast with a border on the
Ionian Sea, this area forms what we call the heel of Italy’s boot.
Apulia is a flat, dry region renowned for its many olive
groves where the area is the largest producer of olive oil in all of Italy,
it’s beautiful beaches and for introducing the world to the Calzoni, the
Italian take on pitta bread (also known as the folded pizza) and for Ragu alla
Baresse, a meat based sauce which is traditionally served with horse meat. This
ragu hails from the region’s capital city, Bari, a picturesque university and
port city located on the Adriatic Sea coast.
BASILICATA
This mainly mountainous region in southern Italy is
famous for it’s many ancient, cultural sites and for being home to Italy’s
highest regional and provincial capital city, Potenza.
The region is bordered by the vast Appenine Mountain
range and a small coastline along the Tyrrenhian Sea.
Basilicata is noted for it’s PGI
protected Senise Pepper, the local pasta, Orecchiete, and a thin, coiled, pork
sausage known as Lucanica.
CALABRIA
Situated in southern Italy, forming what we call the
toe of Italy’s boot, the region of Calabria is renowned for it’s mountainous
landscape and for having a coastline on both the Ionian Sea and the Tyrrenhian
Sea.
The region’s capital is the Ionian Sea port city of
Catanzaro, which is the gateway to the Italian offshore islands of Sicily,
Sardinia and Capri and the capital of the Italian cloth making industry, where
it manufactures the finest brocades, damasks, silks and velvets.
Calabria also introduced the world to the culinary
delights of the spicy Italian sausage Pepperoni and the ewes milk cheese Pecorino.
It is also here in Calabria where the world's finest liquorice is produced at the Amarelli factory in the small town of Rossano.
It is also here in Calabria where the world's finest liquorice is produced at the Amarelli factory in the small town of Rossano.
CAMPANIA
This large region is Italy’s most densely
populated area and one of the country’s main tourist destinations. The area of
Campania, which borders the Tyrrenhian Sea, is one of Italy’s most famous
locations, being home to the ancient city of Naples,the stunning Amalfi Coast
and for being the gateway to several of Italy’s offshore islands.
Neopolitan cuisine has introduced the world to the
culinary classics of Mozzarella and Provolone cheeses, Ragu alla Napolitana
sauce and the world famous Neopolitan Pizza.
EMILIO ROMAGNE
Considered to be Italy’s most prosperous region,
Emilia Romagne is a land of lagoons, marshland, rivers and undulating hills.
The area is most famous for being home to Italy’s
sports car industry, producing such automobile classics as Ferraris, Ducatis,
Lamborghinis and Maseratis.
The area is also famous for being the location of
Italy’s most famous holiday resort of Rimini and for being the gateway to the
enclave of San Marino, Europe’s oldest republic.
This vast region, which stretches across almost all of
the north of the country from it’s east coast to it’s west and incorporates
large swathes of the picturesque Po Valley, has produced several world renowned
culinary classics such as Ricotta Cheese, Minestrone Soup and Lambrusco wines.
The region’s capital city is the ancient city of
Bologna, home of Italy’s most famous dish of all, Spaghetti Bolognese. The area
is also famous for producing several other types of pasta including the all
time favourites of Fettucine, Tagliatelle and Tortellini.
The area is also home to the city of Parma, which is
famous for it’s Parmagianno Reggiano cheese (Parmasan) and Prosciutto di Parma
(Parma ham).
The area is also home to the ancient city of Modena,
famous for it’s production of the PGI designated, Aceto Balsamico, otherwise
known as balsamic vinegar, which is not really a vinegar at all as it is
actually made from cooked white grapes.
LAZIO
Situated on Italy’s west coast the region of Lazio is
home to the vast fertle plains of the River Tiber Valley which are famous for
it’s farmland, particularly it’s many vineyards, olive groves and acres upon
acres of globe artichokes.
Lazio is also the location of Italy’s capital and
largest city, Rome, and the world’s smallest country, the Vatican City
State.
This mainly flat, alluvial plain is surrounded by
mountains to it’s east and south and for it’s heavilly industrialised coastline
along the Tyrennian Sea to it’s west.
The area is also famous for several classic dishes
which originated in the area, some going back as far as Roman times, including
Spaghetti Carbonara, Bruschetta, Fettucine Alfredo, Crostata Ricotta (Italian
Cheesecake), Pecorino Romano cheese, Panne di Cenzaro bread, Frascati wines and
the ancient, iced dessert known as Grattachecca.
LIGURIA
This small coastal region situated on the Ligurian Sea
is home to several quaint fishing villages, miles of golden beaches and the
regional capital and ancient maritime city of Genoa.
The region is famed for introducing the world to Pesto
Sauce, Focaccia and Ciabatta breads and Genoise (Genoa Cake), a dessert made
from unleavened batter which has gone on to become the base for many different
types of sweet dishes found around the world.
LOMBARDY
Situated in the very north of the country where Italy
shares a border with Switzerland, this large mountainous region is home to the
Italian Lake District, it’s regional capital the city of Milan and the village
of Trepalle, famed for being Italy’s highest community, where it is situated at
an elevation of 2,209 meters above sea level.
The industrial city of Milan is the most populous city
in Italy and renowned for being home to Italy’s haute couture industry and the
world renowned Milan Fashion Week.
Milan is also the city in which Achille Gaggia first
patented his famous coffee machine in 1937, enabling the rest of the world to
all become familiar, some may even say addicted, to the delights of Espresso
and Cappuccino coffees.
Lombardy is also the region where Marscapone and
Gorgonzola cheese, the fruit loaf Pannetone and the liqueur Amaretto all
originated.
Italy produces around six hundred brands of mineral water, the highest number of any country in the world, but most of it is sold within Italy. The classic brand San Pellegrino however is exported all over the world and is produced at San Pellegrino Terme here in Lombardy.
Italy produces around six hundred brands of mineral water, the highest number of any country in the world, but most of it is sold within Italy. The classic brand San Pellegrino however is exported all over the world and is produced at San Pellegrino Terme here in Lombardy.
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| THE CITY OF NAPLES, THE BAY OF NAPLES & MOUNT VESUVIUS |
MARCHE
Situated on Italy’s west coast with a border on the
Adriatic Sea, Marche has a hilly terrain which is surrounded by the giant peaks
of the Appennine Mountains.
The area is noted for it’s traditional seaside
resorts, it’s many cultural venues, being the headquarters of international
whitegoods manufacturer Indesit and it’s capital, the port city of Ancona.
Ancona is a major sea port and ferry terminal on the
Adritic Sea, flanked by two large peaks of the Appenine Mountains, making this
secluded natural harbour and port city one of the most visited cities in the
region.
Marche is famous for several interesting and unusual
gourmet delicacies, including the smoked cheese, Casciotta, a fish stew made
from red mullet known as Brodetto, a sweet dessert pizza known as Pizza Dolce
and for it’s locally sourced white truffles and Porcini mushrooms.
MOLISE
Situated in the south west of Italy this small rural
region renowned for it’s high mountains and pristine beaches, is located along
the Adriatic Sea coast where it has a thriving tourist industry which is
particularly popular with Italian families.
The area’s regional capital is the medeival city of
Campobasso, famous for it’s university and many ancient churches and for the
age old production of high quality knife and scissor blades.
The fertile land of Molise is mainly noted for it’s
pear growing and the area as a whole is famous for introducing the smoked curd
cheese, Scamorza, to the world.
PIEDMONT
Situated in the north west of Italy and surrounded on
three sides by Europe’s highest mountain range the Alps, Piedmont is home to
some of Italy’s most stunning countryside and it’s regional capital the
heavilly industrialised city of Turin.
Piedmont is renowned for introducing four of Italy’s most famous products to the
world - Nutella chocolate and hazelnut
spread, Ferrero Roche chocolates, Asti Spumante sparkling wine and the vermouth
known as Cinzano.
The popular Italian cream dessert Pannacotta and the
biscuits known as Ladies Fingers (Savioardi) also originated here in Piedmont.
SARDINIA
The island of Sardinia is the second largest island in
the Mediterranean Sea. The island is renowned for it’s many coastal villages,
stunning beaches and it’s regional capital, the ancient, walled, port city of
Cagliari.
Although Sicily is one of the few Italian regions
which has not produced a world famous foodstuff or wine, the island does have
one area of culinary expertise, the ability to produce the most stunningly
elaborate wedding cakes, known as Torta di Pistoccus Mostra.
The island’s diet features many varieties of local
breads, several lamb and suckling pig dishes and Pecorino Romano cheese.
SICILY
The island of Sicily is both the largest island in the
Mediterranean Sea and Italy’s largest region. Situated to the west of what is
known as the toe of Italy’s boot, this predominantly agricultural island is
most famous for being the location of it’s active volcano, Mount Etna, it’s
many acres of vineyards and orange, lemon and olive groves and it’s beautiful
capital city, the ancient maritime port of Palermo.
It is here in Sicily where the italian dessert of
Cannoli, it’s savoury counterpart Cannelloni, the flat pasta sheets known as
Lasagne, Marsala Port and Limoncello Liqueur all originated.
TUSCANY
Situated on Italy’s west coast where it borders the
Tyrrhenian Sea, this large, mainly rural region is renowned for it’s stunning
countryside and cultural venues, making it Italy’s second most visited tourist
location after Venice.
Home to Italy’s art capital, the city of Florence, and the UNESCO World Heritage Site city of Siena, the
area has also introduced the world to several culinary classics including Biscotti,
Florentine Beef, Florentine Biscuits and Chianti wine.
Tuscany is also noted for it’s white truffles and the
rustic speciality known as Ribollita, which is an unusual bread soup.
TRENTINO ALTO ADIGE / SUDTIROL
Situated in north east Italy and bordered by
neighbouring Switzerland and the Austrian Tyrol, Trentino Alto is the most
mountainous of Italy’s twenty regions.
This picturesque, alpine location is a major tourist
destination for winter sports enthusiasts, visitors to Italy’s Lake Garda and
it’s regional capital, the medeival city of Bolzano.
The region is a major producer of silk and dessert
grapes and is renowned for being the symbolic home of the boiled cornmeal
delicacy known as Polenta, which features hugely in most of it’s regional
dishes.
UMBRIA
This small region situated in central Italy is
geographically renowned for being Italy’s only landlocked region. The area’s
rural landscape is criss-crossed by a fine network of rivers and lakes and
acres of vineyards, olive groves and tobacco fields.
The regional capital is the medeival hill top city of
Perugia, which is reknowned for being one of Italy’s major art centres.
The area is also renowned for producing black
truffles, stuffed olives and several popular national wines.
VENETO
This wealthy industrialised region is situated in the
north east of the country and is home to the Italian Lakes, a large swathe of
the picturesque Po Valley, the wine region of Valpolicella and for being the
gateway to the city of Venice, resulting in it being one of Italy’s largest
tourist destinations.
This hugely popular region, which is home to the
international fashion house of Benetton and acres and acres of radicchio,
chestnut and asparagus fields, is also the traditional home of the vanilla
flavoured sweet bread Pandoro, a local PDO Prociutto and
several local PDO cheeses.
Veneto is also home to the world famous Italian champagne known as Prosecco. It's DOC Glera grapes are grown in and around the town of Valdobbiadene located in the north of the region.
Veneto is also home to the world famous Italian champagne known as Prosecco. It's DOC Glera grapes are grown in and around the town of Valdobbiadene located in the north of the region.
VENEZIA
Venezia, more commonly known as Venice, is located on
the Adriatic Sea coast of north east Italy and is one of the most visited
cities in the world.
Famed for it’s striking architecture, it’s annual film
festival, annual carnival and for having it’s own regional dialect, this city
of islands, bridges and canals is unique for being the world’s only traffic
free city.
The city has introduced the world to the exquisite
crafts of Murano glass and Murano lace, the iconic sea craft known as the
gondola, the rice classic known as Risotto, the potato dumplings known as
Gnocci, the internationally renowned dessert of Tiramisu and the Italian
liquer, Grappa.
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| MAP OF THE RIVER PO |
RIVER PO
Italy's longest river is the 652 kilometer long River
Po, which flows from west to east across the north of the country, making it's way through the three Italian regions of Piedmont, Emilio Romagna and
Veneto and the large industrial cities of Turin, Ferrara, Comachio and
Piacenza.
The river rises in the Cottian Alps of north west
Italy and drains into the Adriatic Sea near the city of Venice in the north
east of the country, where it goes on to form the Po Delta Regional Park, a 132,580 acre
wetlands formed by several active channels which carry the waters of the river
out to sea. Due to the high bio diversity of this area the delta has been
designated as an UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Several of the river's north bank tributaries also flow on
into Italy's Lake District where they drain into Lake Maggiore, Lake Como and
Lake Garda.
The river runs through two main geographical regions,
a dry upper plain which runs through Italy's heavilly industrialised north and
the more fertile lower plain known as La Brassa. La Brassa is renowned for
producing Arborio Rice, a short grain rice which is manufactured for the
Italian culinary classic known as Risotto, which got it's name from the small
Piedmont town of Arboro.
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| THE RICE FIELDS OF PIEDMONT Image courtesy of Alessandro Vecchi, wikimedia commons. |
The area surrounding the vast Po Valley, which is flanked
by the Alps Mountain Range to it's north west, the Italian Lakes to it's north
east and the lush, green foothills of the northern Appennine Mountains to it's
south, is home to over sixteen million people, about one third of Italy's
entire population.
The River Po, which has one hundred and forty one tributaries and even a small, ancient canal network which links it to the city of Milan, is renowned for bursting it's banks and causing heavy flooding. Because of this the river is served by several impressive hydro electric plants and dams and many interesting bridges, both ancient and modern.
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| VINEYARDS OF TUSCANY |
TO read about the geography of Italy, visit - Facts about Italy.
YOU may also want to visit my blog page - Some of Italys most scenic roads.
FIND HOTELS AROUND ITALY
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