Abruzzo

ABRUZZO
Abruzzo a region of Italy, is known as the greenest province in Europe due to the large number of parks and nature reserves which have been allocated. The parks surrounding the peaks of Grand Sasse and Maiella dominate the province. Much of the area is unspoiled and tourism is still nascent except for the beach areas such as Pescara. 
The area has suffered over the years and centuries from earthquakes and recently the capital city of L’Aquila was seriously damaged by a huge earthquake and it is now being slowly rebuilt and strengthened to protect against the inevitable recurrence. The buildings are being restored to their old look but being strengthened inside to protect against further damage from future tremors. Many people left the city after the earthquake and have not yet returned. The small village of Cugnoli near La Fattoria di Maria Donata was also damaged and has been largely rebuilt, retaining much of its old character. Many other villages in the area are in various stages of restoration. Some of the work is being supported by the EU. There are still some villages which were evacuated after earthquakes and have not been repopulated. Some incentives are available if people would like to acquire and renovate properties in these villages.
Abruzzo is still an agricultural province and there are many olive groves as well as vineyards. Montepulciano, red and Trebbiano, white are the predominant wines. Sheep are still raised in the hills and there are other fruits, vegetables and crops grown in the large number of, mostly small, countryside farms. The pecorino cheese from the area is outstanding.
There is much traditional life in the area and many festivals throughout the year, especially in the spring. One of these is in the village of Cucolo where on 1st May annually, live, harmless snakes are draped over a religious statue and paraded through the street to huge crowds. Other festivals celebrate various saints and religious events.
The region of Abruzzo has an area of 4,156 sq miles (10,763 sq km) and supports a population of 1.322 million (2017).It has a coast line of about 1,500 kms bordering the Adriatic Sea. It is divided into four provinces L’Aquila, Teramo, Pescara and Chieti. These provinces are sub-divided into many communes.

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