Calabria facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Calabria
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| Country | Italy | ||
| Capital | Catanzaro | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 15,081 km2 (5,823 sq mi) | ||
| Population
(2007-12-31)
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| • Total | 2,007,707 | ||
| • Density | 133.128/km2 (344.801/sq mi) | ||
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) | ||
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) | ||
| GDP/ Nominal | € 32.5 billion (2006) | ||
| NUTS Region | ITF | ||
| Website | www.regione.calabria.it | ||
Calabria is a beautiful region located in the very south of Italy. It forms the "toe" of Italy's famous boot shape. The capital of Calabria is Catanzaro.
Calabria is almost completely surrounded by the sea, with the Tyrrhenian Sea to the west and the Ionian Sea to the east. It is separated from the island of Sicily by the narrow Strait of Messina. In 2004, about 2,009,506 people lived in Calabria.
Contents
Provinces of Calabria
Calabria is divided into five main areas called provinces. Each province has its own main city. These provinces help organize the region.
Nature and Geography
Calabria is known for its stunning natural beauty. It has a mix of mountains, hills, and beautiful coastlines.
Mountain Ranges
The region is very mountainous. The Apennine Mountains run through Calabria. You can find several national parks here. These parks protect the unique plants and animals of the area.
- The Pollino National Park is in the north. It is the largest national park in Italy.
- The La Sila National Park is in the central part. It has forests and lakes.
- The Aspromonte National Park is in the south. It offers amazing views.
Coastlines and Beaches
Calabria has a long coastline with many sandy beaches and rocky cliffs. The clear blue waters are perfect for swimming and other water sports. Towns like Tropea are famous for their beautiful cliffs and beaches.
History of Calabria
Calabria has a very long and interesting history. Many different groups of people have lived here over thousands of years.
Ancient Times
Around 2,800 years ago, the ancient Greeks settled in Calabria. They called this area "Magna Graecia" (Great Greece). Many important cities were built during this time. You can still see ancient ruins today.
Later, the Romans took control of the region. After the Roman Empire, Calabria was ruled by different empires. These included the Byzantine Empire. The Byzantine church known as the Cattolica is an example of this history.
Modern Era
Over the centuries, Calabria was part of different kingdoms. It finally became part of a united Italy in 1861. The region has a rich cultural heritage. This heritage comes from all the different groups who have lived there.
Economy and Activities
Calabria's economy relies on several key areas. These include farming, tourism, and trade.
Agriculture
Farming is very important in Calabria. The region is famous for growing olives. You can see many olive tree plantations. Other important crops include citrus fruits like citron and peaches, especially a variety called Percoca.
Tourism
Tourism is growing in Calabria. People visit for its beautiful beaches, national parks, and historical sites. In winter, you can even go skiing in places like Gambarie. The ski trails there offer views of the Strait of Messina.
Trade and Industry
The seaport of Gioia Tauro is one of the largest in the Mediterranean Sea. It is a very important place for trade and shipping goods.
Calabrian Food
Calabria has a unique and delicious food culture. Many dishes use local ingredients.
- 'Nduja is a spicy, spreadable pork sausage. It is very popular.
- Bottarga di tonno rosso is a delicacy made from dried tuna roe.
- Sardella calabrese is a spicy fish paste.
- Swordfish is a common seafood dish. It is caught in the local waters.
| Provinces of Calabria |
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| Catanzaro | Cosenza | Crotone | Reggio Calabria | Vibo Valentia |
Images for kids
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Cliff at Tropea
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Pollino National Park
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La Sila National Park
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Calabria in a photo from the ISS
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Geotectonic map of the Central Mediterranean Area and the Calabrian Arc. The blue area is the geotectonic cross section depicted below. From van Dijk (1992)
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Geotectonic Cross Section of the Calabrian Arc. Left: NW; Right: SE. From van Dijk (1992)
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Magna Grecia around 280 BC
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Costumes in Calabria about 1800
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Calabrian olive tree plantations
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Citron
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Percoca (Variety of peach)
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Ski trails near Gambarie overlooking the Strait of Messina
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The seaport of Gioia Tauro
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Provinces of Calabria
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The Byzantine church known as the Cattolica
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Sardella calabrese
See also
In Spanish: Calabria para niños
