Basilicata
The superb mountain scenery contrasts brilliantly with coastline on both the Golfo di Taranto and Mar Tirenno. While historic archeological sites characterize the south, ancient settlements and cave houses outline the east. Check out the ancient cave settlements at Matera or the archeology museum in Metaponto.
Location
Basilicata is a region in the south of Italy, bordering on Campania to the west, Apulia (Puglia) to the north and east, and Calabria to the south, having one short south-western coastline on the Tyrrhenian Sea between Campania in the north-west and Calabria in the south-east, and a longer one to the south-east on the Gulf of Taranto on the Ionian Sea between Calabria in the south-west and Apulia in the north-east. The region can be thought of as the “instep” of Italy, with Calabria functioning as the “toe” and Apulia the “heel”. The region covers 9,992 km² and in 2008 had a population of less than 600,000 inhabitants. The regional capital isPotenza. The region is divided into two provinces: Potenza and Matera.
Geography
0% Lowland – 65% Mountain – 35% Hill
Basilicata covers an extensive part of the southern Apennines, between me Ofanto in the north and the Monte Pollino massif in the south. It is bordered on the east by a large part of the Brandon river depression which is traversed by numerous streams and declines to the coastal plains on the Ionian sea. The region has a short coastline on the Tyrrhenian side of the peninsula.
Basilicata is the most mountainous region in the south of Italy, with 47% of its area of 9,992 km2 covered by mountains, whereas 45% is hilly and 8% is made up of plains.
Geological features of the region include the volcanic Monte Vulture and the seismic faults in the Melfi and Potenza areas in the north and around Monte Pollino in the south. There is also a problem of landslides, which are caused not only by the lithological structure of the substratum and its chaotic tectonic deformation, but also by the lack of foresty land.
The variable climate is influenced by three coastlines (Adriatic, Ionian and Tyrrhenian) and the complexity of the region’s physical features. The climate is continental in the mountains and Mediterranean along the coasts.
Climate
The variable climate is influenced by three coastlines (Adriatic, Ionian and Tyrrhenian) and the complexity of the region’s physical features. The climate is continental in the mountains and Mediterranean along the coasts.
Major Cities
- Potenza
- Matera
- Maratea
- Metaponto
- Melfi
- Policoro
- Ginestra
What to do
Cuisine
Pork is an integral part of Basilicata’s cuisine, often made into sausages or roasted on a spit by home cooks. Mutton and lamb are also popular meats in the region. Pasta is another common ingredient, made from duram wheat and water. The accompanying sauces for the pasta are generally of the meat or vegetable based variety. Spicy peperoncini are also popular in Basilicata. The bitter digestif Amaro Lucano is from this region.
- Pollo alla potentina – Potenza-style chicken; Chicken braised with tomatoes, onion, white wine, peperoncino, topped with fresh basil, parsley and pecorino cheese
- Agnello alla pastora – Lamb with potatoes
- Orecchiette con la salsiccia piccante – Ear-like pasta with typical spicy salami from Basilicata
- Pecorino di Forenza – Typical Forenza’s sheep cheese
- Salsiccia Lucana – Refined spicy salami called also Luganega
- Scarteddate – typical Christmas biscuits
- Sanguinaccio – homemade jam with chocolate and pig blood
Drinks
Politics
The Politics of Basilicata
The Politics of Basilicata, Italy takes place in a framework of a presidential representative democracy, whereby the President of Regional Government is the head of government, and of a pluriform multi-party system. Executive power is exercised by the Regional Government. Legislative power is vested in both the government and the Regional Council.
The Regional Government (Giunta Regionale) is presided by the President of the Region (Presidente della Regione), who is elected for a five-year term, and is composed by the President and the Ministers (Assessori), who are currently 6, including a Vice President.
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