Southern Italy (Italian:
L'Italia Meridionale) or colloquially
Il Mezzogiorno (Midday) is a wide geographical, historical and cultural definition, without any administrative usage, used to indicate the southern half of the
Italian state, encompassing the southern section of the continental
Italian Peninsula and the two major islands of
Sicily and
Sardinia, in addition to a large number of minor islands. It coincides with the administrative regions of
Basilicata,
Campania,
Calabria,
Apulia,
Molise,
Abruzzo,
Sicily and finally
Sardinia, that is considered as part of Southern Italy more for geographic reasons than for historical and socio-economic reasons. Some also include the most southern and eastern parts of
Lazio (
Sora,
Cassino,
Gaeta,
Cittaducale and
Amatrice districts) within the
Mezzogiorno, because these territories were part, along with all the already listed ones (except Sardinia), of the historical
Kingdom of Two Sicilies.
Southern Italy carries a unique legacy of peculiar nature, archeology and culture. It features many major tourist attractions, such as the
Palace of Caserta, the
Amalfi Coast,
Pompeii,
Herculaneum, and other famous archaeological sites (many of which are protected by
UNESCO). Southern Italy is also well known for its beautiful beaches, woodlands and mountains (preserved in several
National Parks), its medieval towns, its rich cuisine and its colorful folklore. The history of Southern Italy boasts...
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