Apulia, Italy

Panoramic view of street in Alberobello, Apulia, Italy
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Alberobello_street_view.jpg
Author: MatthiasKabel


Apulia is a region on the southeastern part of mainland Italy. It is bordered by Molise to the north, Campania to the west and Basilicata to the southwest. Apulia covers 19,358 sq km (7,474 sq mi) and has a population of over four million people. Its regional capital is Bari.

Santa Maria al Bagno in Lecce province, Apulia, Italy
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Santa_Maria_al_Bagno.JPG
Author: Freddyballo


History of Apulia
Human habitation in Apulia can be traced back to the Illyric people. The Romans conquered it following battles against the Samnites and Pyrrhus in the 4th and 3rd centuries BC. After the all of the Romans, Apulia was controlled by the Goths, followed by the Lombards, and from the 6th century, the Byzantines. The Duchy of Apulia was formed in 1059. It came under the Kingdom of Sicily, then the Kingdom of Naples. It has also been occupied by the Ottomans as well as the Venetians.

Geography of Apulia
Apulia includes a portion of the Italian peninsula that extends between the Adriatic Sea and the Gulf of Taranto. The Strait of Òranto separates it from Albania. This area is on the whole low-lying. The only mountainous part is the Gargano promontory, on the northern part of the region, and Monti Dauni, reaching at most 1,150 m (3,800 ft).

Administrative Divisions of Apulia
Apulia comprises six provinces namely the provinces of Bari, Barletta-Andria-Trana, Brindisi, Foggia, Lecce and Taranto.

Languages spoken in Apulia
Although Italian is the national language, the people of Apulia speak a number of Neopolitan dialects. These include the Bari dialect, the Tarantino and Salentino dialects, and a Greek dialect called Griko. In two isolated villages in the Province of Foggia, some of the inhabitants also speak a rare Franco-Provençal dialect called Faetar.

Economy of Apulia
Compared to the rest of Italy, Apulia falls below the average per capita GDP. It is only 68.1% of the average EU level. The area is still characterized by farming and some service industries.

Apulia local cuisine: Sagne 'ncannulate with tomato and ricotta cheese
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sagne_ncannulate_pomodoro.jpg
Author: Florixc

Apulia on the map

The A14 (E55) motorway is the main expressway connecting Apulia with the rest of Italy. It runs east-west, following the coastal plains north of Apulia.

Cities & Towns in Apulia

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