Calabria

Calabria (Latin: Bruttium or Brutium), is a region in southern Italy which occupies the "toe" of the Italian peninsula south of Naples. It is bounded in the north by the region of Basilicata, region of Sicily in SW, to the west by the Tyrrhenian Sea, and to the east by the Ionian Sea. The region covers 15,080 km² and has a population of 2 million. Capital is Catanzaro.

Calabria is crossed by the Apennines range, starting from the Sila plateau. The south tip of the range is the Aspromonte massif.

Calabria was first settled by Italic Oscan-speaking tribes. Two of these tribes included the Oenotri (roughly translated into the "vine-cultivators") and the Itali. Greek contact with the latter resulted in the entire peninsula (modern Italy) taking the name of the tribe.

• Reggio Calabria, on the strait between Italy and Sicily, biggest and oldest city in Calabria, renowned for its fabulous panoramic Seaside with botanic gardens between the art nouveau buildings and the beautiful beaches, and its 3.000 years of history with the old Aragonian Castle and the great National Museum of Magna Grecia where are the famous Riace Warriors (Bronzi di Riace). • Sibari, on the Ionian sea, is a village situated near excavation of ancient Sybaris, colony of Greek people in VII century b.c. • Scilla, on the Tyrrhenian Sea, "pearl" of the Violet Coast, has delightful panorama, important religious traditions, and is the place of some tales of Homer. • Tropea, on the Tyrrhenian Sea coast, is a beautiful town, with a nice seaside, and the S. Maria dell'Isola sanctuary. It is also renowned for its sweet red onions (mainly produced in Ricadi). • Siderno, on the Ionian Sea coast, has good hotels. • Gerace, near Locri, is a beautiful medieval city with a Norman castle and an ancient cathedral. • Squillace, a seaside resort and important archeological site • Stilo, the home of Tommaso Campanella, with a Norman castle and a beautiful Byzantine church, the Cattolica • Cosenza, famous for its cultural institutions, the old quarter, a Romanesque Cathedral and a Swevian Castle. • Pizzo Calabro, on the Tyrrhenian Sea coast, surely much more beautiful than Tropea, its town known for its famous ice cream called "Tartufo", a world specialty. Interesting places are Repubblica Square, the Aragonian castle where Murat was killed, that points out in the Goulf of S.Eufemia. • The Sila, with its national park. • Soverato on the Ionian Sea, Also known as the "Pearl" of the Ionian Sea. Especially renown for its beaches, boardwalk and nightlife.