Province of Foggia

The Province of Foggia (Italian: Provincia di Foggia [proˈvintʃa di ˈfɔddʒa]; Foggiano: provìnge de Fogge) is a province in the Apulia (Puglia) region of southern Italy.

Province of Foggia
Palazzo Dogana, the provincial seat.
Palazzo Dogana, the provincial seat.
Coat of arms of Province of Foggia
Map highlighting the location of the province of Foggia in Italy
Map highlighting the location of the province of Foggia in Italy
Country Italy
RegionApulia
Capital(s)Foggia
Comuni61
Government
  PresidentNicola Gatta
Area
  Total7,007.54 km2 (2,705.63 sq mi)
Population
 (30 April 2017)
  Total627,102
  Density89/km2 (230/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
  Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code
71100
Telephone prefix0881
Vehicle registrationFG
ISTAT071

This province is also known as Daunia, after the Daunians, an Iapygian pre-Roman tribe living in Tavoliere plain, and as Capitanata, derived from Catapanata, since the area was governed by a catepan as part of the Catepanate of Italy during the High Middle Ages. Its capital is the city of Foggia.

Geography

The province of Foggia can be divided in three parts: one centered on its capital called Tavoliere, another along the Apennines named Daunian Mountains and the third on the spur of the boot-shaped Italian peninsula called Gargano.

The Tavoliere is an important agricultural area: grapefruit, olives, durum wheat and tomato are the chief products. It is called "the granary of Italy" because of its significant wheat production.

Daunian Mountains lie along the border with Molise and Campania. Scattered with small villages, the mountains are covered by forests and pastures, with the main produce being hams and caciocavallo cheese. Faetar, a language descended from Franco-Provençal, is spoken in two villages: Faeto and Celle di San Vito.

The Gargano peninsula is partially mountainous and partially forested, Foresta Umbra with vegetation typical of Central Europe, the only part of the ancient Black Forest remaining in Italy. Allegedly its name comes from the word ombra (shadow) because of its density that prevents light from entering. The coast of Gargano has many beaches and tourist facilities. In the north are two major salt lakes Lesina and Varano. It produces olives, olive oil and typical mountain and seafood items.

Population

It has an area of 7,007 square kilometres (2,705 sq mi) and a total population of 627,102 (2012). There are currently 61 comuni (singular: comune) in the province, see Comuni of the Province of Foggia.

Population centers

Foggia, entrance arch of the imperial palace of Frederick II
Monte Sant'Angelo.
Daunian earthenware pot, 550–400 BC, found in Foggia.

Main centers in the province are:

Other centers of interest are:

Economy

Although less important today, the agricultural sector remains the mainstay of Foggia's economy; it is nicknamed the "granary of Italy". The few industries present are mostly devoted to food processing.

Most peeled tomatoes in Europe come from Foggia. Every year, two million tons of tomatoes are produced but farmers receive only eight cents per kilo. To survive in the free market, most tomato farmers recruit illegal immigrants.[1]

Tourism

Foggia receives many Catholic pilgrims each year to locations such as the Sanctuary of Saint Michael the Archangel in Monte Sant'Angelo, which was visited by Pope John Paul II in 1987, and to nearby San Giovanni Rotondo, the home of Saint Pio of Pietrelcina from 1916 until his death in 1968. As the number of pilgrims to San Giovanni Rotondo kept increasing over the years, in 2004 a new shrine near the church was built. The sanctuary has a capacity of around 6,000 people and its parvis has a 30,000 people capacity.

See also

  • Daunia, historical region and people in the 7th through 5th centuries BC

References

  1. (in Dutch) Angelo van Schaik, "Bureau Buitenland: de Italiaanse tomaat," Villa VPRO Radio1 (26 August 2010).


41°28′N 15°34′E

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