Province of Lecce facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Province of Lecce
Lecce
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| Country |  Italy |
| Region | Apulia |
| Capital | Lecce |
| Area | |
| • Total | 2,759 km2 (1,065 sq mi) |
| Population
(2001)
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| • Total | 787,639 |
| • Density | 285/km2 (740/sq mi) |
| Postal Code |
73001-73100
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| Telephone prefix |
0832, 0833, 0836
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| ISTAT | 075 |
| Vehicle registration | LE |
| No. of communes | 97 |
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The Province of Lecce is a special area in the Apulia region of Italy. Its main city is Lecce. People often call this province the "Heel of Italy" because of its shape on the map. It is located on the Salento peninsula. This province is the second most populated area in Apulia. It is also the 21st most populated province in all of Italy.
The Province of Lecce covers about 2,799 square kilometers. In 2016, over 800,000 people lived here. There are 97 small towns and villages, called comuni, in the province. It is surrounded by the provinces of Taranto and Brindisi to the northwest. The Ionian Sea is to its west, and the Adriatic Sea is to its east. This location makes it a very popular place for tourists to visit. Many different groups have ruled this land, including the Romans and Normans. Important towns here include Lecce, Gallipoli, Nardò, Maglie, and Otranto. Farmers in the province grow a lot of wheat and corn.
History of Lecce Province
The Province of Lecce has a long history. It started as an ancient area known as the Province of Terra d'Otranto. From the 11th century, Terra d'Otranto included the lands of Lecce, Taranto, and Brindisi. Only a few towns like Fasano and Cisternino were not part of it.
During this time, Lecce faced many challenges. Even though it produced olive oil, many people were very poor. Some people moved to the Province of Bari to find work in the wine industry. Until 1663, the area of Matera was also part of Terra d'Otranto.
The first capital city was Otranto. But in the 12th century, during the Norman rule, Lecce city became the capital. After Italy became one country, the name Terra d'Otranto changed to Province of Lecce. The area was then divided into four main parts: Lecce, Gallipoli, Brindisi, and Taranto. In 1923, the Taranto part became its own new province.
After World War I, life became harder for many people. There were not enough jobs. This led to some disagreements between farm workers and farm owners. Lecce stone is a special type of rock found here. It has been used to decorate many old buildings and is popular for home decorations.
Fun Places to Visit
The San Cataldo Nature Reserve is a great place to explore in the province. It is a protected area of about 28 hectares. It was created in 1977 along the Adriatic coast, close to Lecce. This reserve is home to many animals. You might see foxes, hedgehogs, badgers, and weasels. There are also many reptiles and birds. Different types of Mediterranean plants grow here too.
The province also has two interesting lakes: Lake Alimini Grande and Lake Alimini Piccolo. Lake Alimini Grande is surrounded by rocks, pine forests, and Mediterranean plants. It is not very deep, only about four meters. Its water is full of shellfish. Lake Alimini Piccolo is further inland. It is a freshwater lake, fed by an underground river called Rio Grande. This lake is even shallower, usually less than half a meter deep.
See also
In Spanish: Provincia de Lecce para niños
