Campania

Campania is a region of multiple diversities, with a populous metropolis overlooking the sea (the Neapolitan capital), and many cities and villages where the time of nature flows slowly, between fields and countryside. The etymology would be connected to the term campaign. In addition, the four gulfs (of Naples, Salerno, Gaeta and Policastro) and the marvelous coasts present along the approximately 500 km, between the continental coast and archipelagos, give it its characteristic beauty.

Half of the territory has a hilly conformation, the rest mountainous and, minimally, flat. The main mountains are the Matese - an Apennine massif - the Trebulani and Taburno, which are also part of the Campania Apennines, the Picentini and Lattari mountains. The volcanoes, in addition to Vesuvius, are those of the Campi Flegrei, the Flegrean islands, some underwater volcanic centers and that of Roccamonfina. All, however, related to the metropolitan city except the last one, which is located in the province of Caserta (the remaining provincial capitals are Salerno, Avellino and Benevento). The most important plains are located near the Garigliano river and the so-called Pianura Campana, the Volturno river; the plain of Paestum and the Vallo di Diano are also relevant. The notable coasts are the Sorrento coast, the Amalfi coast, the Cilento coast and those of the Phlegraean islands (Ischia, Procida, Vivara and Nisida) which, with the addition of Capri, form the Campania archipelago. In these parts, on the sea, the climate is very mild, often with very sunny and in any case hot days, while in the innermost areas in winter the temperatures can easily become quite cold.

The spas are not limited to the famous spas of Ischia, Agnano and Pozzuoli: there are those of Contursi, Telese, Castellammare di Stabia, Vico Equense, Torre Annunziata, Villamaina. The mild climate, but above all the extraordinary fertility of the land of the coastal strips, hence the name of Campania Felix, has favored the spread of vineyards, orchards, the cultivation of vegetables; DOP tomatoes such as San Marzano and piennolo, but also aubergines, beans, potatoes, wheat. With the IGP brand, the Paestum artichoke, the Annurche apples, the Montella chestnut, the Giffoni hazelnut and the Amalfi Coast lemon. The wine production is also prestigious and includes, just to name a few, the DOCG wines Taurasi, Greco di Tufo, Fiano di Avellino, Aglianico del Taburno. Various with the DOP mark are also the extra virgin olive oils. Among the dairy products excel buffalo mozzarella, burrata, ricotta, Provolone del Monaco, Fior di latte. In the fish sector there are mussels, clams and blue fish.

The symbol of regional cuisine, but not only, is the Neapolitan pizza, STG, a guaranteed traditional specialty. There are many other gastronomic specialties, all pertinent to the Mediterranean diet, in particular based on spaghetti and pasta in general. Furthermore, the archaeological riches, such as the excavations of Pompeii, the Mitreo, the amphitheater of Santa Maria Capua Vetere, the sites of the Hellenic era and the subsoil of Neapolis, and the artistic ones are also considerable. Architecturally, the Royal Palace of Caserta, the monumental complex of Santa Sofia, and many basilicas, domes and churches stand out. The artistic pictorial, sculptural, musical, theatrical heritage (it should be emphasized that it is here that the first opera house in Europe, the San Carlo, was built), the countless cities of art, make it one of the regions with the greatest density of cultural resources from all over Italy.