Basilicata

Basilicata
/bah zee'lee kah"tah/, n.
Italian name of Lucania.

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Autonomous region (pop., 2001 prelim.: 595,727), southern Italy.

Roughly divided into a western mountainous region and an eastern section of low hills and wide valleys, its capital is Potenza. Known in ancient times as Lucania, the area was under Lombard League rule in the early Middle Ages. Until the fall of the Swabian Hohenstaufens (1254), it played a significant part in the affairs of southern Italy; later it followed the variable fortunes of the Kingdom of Naples until united with the Kingdom of Italy in 1861. The region suffered severe damage in a disastrous earthquake in 1980. Agriculture is an economic mainstay.

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      region, southern Italy, along the Golfo di Taranto (Gulf of Taranto), consisting of the provinces of Potenza and Matera. Bounded by the regions of Puglia (north and east), Calabria (south), and Campania (west), Basilicata is roughly divided into a western mountainous section, dominated by the Appennino Lucano, and an eastern section of low hills and wide valleys, while along the Ionian Sea the sand and clay hills overlook narrow coastal plains. The extinct volcano of Monte Vulture (4,350 ft [1,326 m]) stands isolated from the Apennines in the north.

      Known in ancient times as Lucania (q.v.), the region was under Lombard rule in the early Middle Ages. It was controlled by the dukes of Benevento and then by the princes of Salerno. After an interval of Byzantine control, the Normans took over and made Melfi (q.v.) the capital of one of their dominions. Until the fall of the Swabian Hohenstaufens (1254), Basilicata played a significant part in the affairs of southern Italy; afterward, passing through Angevin and Spanish hands, it followed the variable fortunes of the Kingdom of Naples until united with Italy in 1860. The region was coextensive with Potenza province until the establishment of Matera province in 1927.

      The mainstay of the economy is agriculture, but yields are generally low because of poor soil and the rugged terrain. Crops include wheat, rye, grapes, and olives; sheep, goats, pigs, and an increasing number of beef and dairy cattle are raised. New crops introduced in the eastern and coastal areas include tobacco, vegetables, sugar beets, and flowers. Industry is virtually nonexistent except for olive presses and flour mills, although natural gas has been discovered near Matera and there is a chemical plant at Pisticci. Potenza (q.v.), the regional capital, and Matera (q.v.) are the only sizable cities. The region suffered severe damage in a disastrous earthquake in 1980. The main railroad line of Basilicata links Potenza with Naples and Battipaglia in the northwest and with Taranto in the east, connecting also with the Ionian railroad (Taranto–Reggio di Calabria). Area 3,858 sq mi (9,992 sq km). Pop. (2006 est.) 594,086.

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Universalium. 2010.

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  • Basilicata — Basilicata …   Deutsch Wörterbuch

  • Basilicata — Basilicata,   im Altertum und 1932 1947 Lucania, Region in Süditalien, am Golf von Tarent, umfasst die Provinz Matera und Potenza, 9 992 km2, 607 900 Einwohner; Hauptstadt ist Potenza. Basilicata wird größtenteils von Gebirgs und Hügelland im… …   Universal-Lexikon

  • Basilicāta — Basilicāta, Provinz am Tarenter Busen des Königreichs Neapel, zwischen Otranto, Bari, Capitanata, Calabria citeriore; bewässert von wilden Bergflüssen (Acri, aus Principato citeriore, Basiento, Brandano, Sinno, Silaro), welche sämmtlich in den… …   Pierer's Universal-Lexikon

  • Basilicāta — Basilicāta, ital. Provinz, s. Potenza …   Meyers Großes Konversations-Lexikon

  • Basilicata — Basilicāta, früherer Name der ital. Prov. Potenza …   Kleines Konversations-Lexikon

  • Basilicata — Basilicata, neapolitan. Provinz, an den Meerbusen von Taranto stoßend. 195 QM. groß, fruchtbar an Getreide, Wein, Tabak, aber im Anbau vernachläßigt; Seidezucht, wenige Industrie; 190000 E., Hauptstadt Potenza …   Herders Conversations-Lexikon

  • Basilicata — Basilicata, históricamente conocido como Lucania es una región del sur de Italia situada entre Campania, Apulia y Calabria (en la dirección de las manecillas del reloj). Tiene 9.992km² con aproximadamente 600.000 habitantes y consiste de las… …   Enciclopedia Universal

  • BASILICATA — provinc. Regni Neapolitani, ubi maior et potior pars lucaniae, inter Principatum citeriorem, Calabriam, Sinum Tarentinum et Terram Barensem. Regio sat sterilis et inculta. Cui primaria urbs Acherontia, versus Apenninum …   Hofmann J. Lexicon universale

  • Basilicata — [bä sē΄lē kä′tä] region in S Italy, on the Gulf of Taranto: 3,858 sq mi (9,992 sq km); pop. 610,000 …   English World dictionary

  • Basilicata — Coordenadas: 40°35′27″N 16°5′36″E / 40.59083, 16.09333 …   Wikipedia Español

  • Basilicata — Infobox Region of Italy name = Basilicata fullname = Regione Basilicata isocode = capital = Potenza status = Region governor = Vito De Filippo ( Democratic Party ) zone = North Italy province = 2 municipality = 131 arearank = 14th area = 9,995… …   Wikipedia

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