Regions

Campania From Ruins to Romance

With nearly six million people in just 5,000 square miles, Campania is the most densely populated region in Italy. It borders Lazio to the northwest, Molise to the north, Puglia to the northeast, and Basilicata to the south east. To the west, it borders the Tyrrhenian Sea, which includes the Gulfs of Naples, Salerno, and Policastro. In addition to the mainland, Campania also encompasses several islands, including Capri as well as the Phlegraean Is lands, which consist of Ischia, Procida, Vivara, and Nisida.

Campania is known by tourists across the world for two main reasons: the ruins in Pompeii and the romantic views along the Bay of Naples. More than 2.5 million tourists visit the ruins located in Pompeii (and nearby Herculaneum), which was destroyed by the volcanic erup tion of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. The ruins were buried under 15 feet of ash and not discovered until stumbled upon in 1599.

FUN FACT: The name Campania comes from the Latin “Campania Felix,” which means “fertile countryside” or “happy countryside.”

Of course, throngs of tourists also flock to the crystal waters in the Bay of Naples—which covers the Sorrento Peninsula, the Amalfi Coast, and the island of Capri. The Amalfi Coast, which rests on a cliff that offers dramatic views of the sea, incorporates several towns in addition to Amalfi, including Maiori, Minori, Ravello, Praiano, and Positano. Along the coastline is “Amalfi Drive,” a winding, cliffside road between Amalfi and Sorrento.

True to the origin of its name, Campania boasts an agriculture where crops flourish. The region accounts for over half of Italy’s nuts and also produces 1.5 tons of

Campitello di Fassa, a small village in Trentino

that sits within the Dolomites. (Dontsov Evgeny)

The ruins of Pompeii with Mount Vesuvius looming in the background. (Darryl Brooks)

tomatoes annually. In addition to these, a large amount of other produce—like peppers, artichokes, lemons, and oranges—comes from this region, in part due to the rich volcanic soil surrounding Mount Vesuvius.

When it comes to cuisine, Campania is famous for a few foodstuffs—but none as well known as … pizza, of course! Although there are several theories as to how pizza was invented, its rise is credited to the city of Naples, the

capital of Campania.

A look at Amalfi Drive that winds along the stunning

views of the Amalfi Coast. (leoks)

Campania

Capital: Naples Population: 5,801,692 (3 rd of the 20 regions) Size: 5,250 square miles (11 th of the 20 regions) Provinces: Avellino, Benevento, Caserta, Naples, Salerno

In addition to pizza—and specifically Neapolitan pizza—Campania is known for its buffalo mozzarella, limoncello, and many desserts, including sfogliatelle and zeppole. The buffalo are bred in Salerno and Caserta. The limoncello is an unavoidable part of Sorrento, where lemons can grow to be the size of softballs. Sfogliatelle and zeppole pastries both have their roots in the Amalfi Coast.

With so much that makes Campania recognizable— from its cities to its cuisine—it’s no wonder that Italy’s most densely populated region also takes on a large share of tourists.