Sardinia is an autonomous region of Italy. The regional capital is Cagliari.
The region is divided into four provinces: Cagliari, Sassari, Nuoro and
Oristano; another four provinces have been proposed: Olbia-Tempio, Ogliastra,
Carbonia-Iglesias and Medio Campidano), to eventually enter effect during this
decade.
Sardinia is the second largest island (23,813 sq. km.) in the Mediterranean
(Sicily is larger), and as a result of its isolation, less dependent on
insularity than on the distance separating it from mainland Italy, it has
conserved its own economy and traditions far more than have other regions. Lying
in the Tyrrhenian Sea to the east, the Sardinian to the west and separated from
Corsica to the north by the Strait of Bonifacio, and including the smaller
islands round it (SantAntioco, San Pietro, Asinara, La Maddalena, Caprera,
etc.), it is the most extensive region after Sicily and Piedmont.
Sardinia as history: multi-millennial, with its countless archaeological findings
and splendid ruins of Phoenician, Punic and Roman cities.
Sardinia as gastronomy: very protective of its ancient traditions, over the
centuries this island has been able to preserve its old gastronomic customs.
The island’s capital, Cagliari, is situated in a bay on the southern coast
of Sardegna. It is a busy commercial port which has developed around the
medieval castle. Apart from the city’s medieval section there is the Duomo and
a popular beach. There are tiny isolated villages along the coast and
countryside surrounding the city. Nora, lying near to the capital, is the site
of important archaeological excavations.
Some remarkable Pisan - Romanesque churches are located around Sassari and here
too dialects reveal close links with the languages of Tuscany. Olbia is a boom
town made rich by tourism and the proximity of the jet - setting Costa Smeralda.
The coast presents an enchantingly splendid sea, bays and isolated inlets,
grottoes, very long stretches of white and pink sand. To the northeast the
mountains stick out along the Esmeralda coast, the most exclusive area of
coastline on the island. Further south the coastline around the Gulf of Orosei
is completely virgin. The area of Oristano and the strait of Bocche di Bonifacio
are also noteworthy. Other important sites are the Bay of Alghero, the Gulf of
Cagliari and Gallura.
The climate is mainly Mediterranean, with a warm Spring
and Fall, hot Summer, and mild Winter. Sardinia is suffering heavily from global
warming, which in the last years has produced an increasing drought.