Basilicata, Italy

Panoramic view of Matera in Basilicata, Italy, with its cathedral towering over the city
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:20100729_Cathedral_and_Sassis_Matera_Italy.jpg
Author: Ggia


Basilicata is a region in southern Italy. It covers 9,995 sq km (3,859 sq mi) and has a population of 590,000 people (2012 estimate). The regional capital is Potenza.

Potenza, the capital of Basilicata, Italy
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Potenza3.JPG
Author: Robespierre


Geography of Basilicata With one side facing the Gulf of Toranto to the east, it also shares borders with Apulia to the north, Campania to the west and Calabria to the south. Basilicata also has a short coastline facing the Tyrrhenian Sea to the west, between Campania and Calabria. Basilicata is mountainous, with only 8% of its land made up of plains, the rest being mountains and hills.

History of Basilicata
Human habitation in Basilicata can be traced to the late Paleolithic Age. Varous peoples inhabited the area, yielding archaeological remains from the Bronze Age, Iron Age, Greek and Roman periods of history. During ancient times it was called Lucania. The Lucanians were conquered by the Romans in AD272. The Romans were eventually replaced by the Goths, and in the mid-6th century, the Byzantines.

Basilicata became part of the Neapolitan Republic in 1647 and the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies in 1735. It joined the Kingdom of Italy in 1860.

Porta Fontana, Basilicata, Italy
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Porta_Fontana.jpg
Author: Rocco Stasi


Administrative Divisions of Basilicata
Today the region of Basilicata is composes of the Province of Matera and the Province of Potenza.

Economy of Basilicata
Farming and manufacturing are the two main industries in Basilicata.

Basilicata on the map

The SS407 (E847) is the main motorway serving Basilicata. It runs east-west, connecting the city of Potenza with the west coast, when it joins the A3 motorway.