Latium / Lazio (around Rome)

Region: Latium/Lazio

Provinces: Roma (ROMA), Frosinone (FR), Latina (LT), Rieti (R) and Viterbo (VB)

Area: 17,203 sq.km/6,640 sq.mi

Population: 5,156,100

Situation

The historic area and the present-day region of Latium occupies the west side of the Central Apennines, extending southwest from the Monti Sabini to the coast of the Tyrrhenian Sea between the mouths of the River Chiarone in the north and the Garigliano in the south. The center of Latium is the densely populated city of Rome.

Montains and lakes

Most of the region is occupied by four volcanic massifs of the Quaternary era, in the craters of which four large lakes and a number of smaller ones have been formed. To the northwest are the Monte Volsini (639m/2,109ft), with the Lago di Bolsena; farther southeast the Monti Cimini (1,053m/3,475ft), with the Lago di Vico, and the Monti Sabatini (612m/2,020ft), with the Lago di Bracciano; and southeast of Rome the Monti Albani or Alban Hills (948m/3,128ft), with the Lago Albano. Maremma

Through the fertile volcanic soil of the region the Tiber has carved out its wide bed. Along the coast extends the Maremma, a broad strip of alluvial soil, once marshy and malaria-ridden, which has been drained and brought under intensive cultivation. This varied geological and geographical pattern has made Latium a region of great scenic diversity.

Agriculture and fishing

The main elements in the economy are still arable and sheep-farming. The lower-lying areas produce corn, vegetables and sugar-beet, while the volcanic soils of the uplands yield citrus fruits, olives and good quality grapes. Along the coast (e.g. at Civitavecchia) fishing is of some economic importance.

Industry

In recent years there has been a rapid development of modern industry, particularly around Rome, in the Sacco and Liri valleys and in the catchment area of the Autostrada del Sole - chemicals and pharmaceuticals, metal-working, textiles, building materials, etc. There are thermo-electric power stations at Civitavecchia and Borgo Sabatino. A considerable contribution is also made to the economy by tourism, particularly in and around Rome.

History

Present-day Latium was occupied in early antiquity by Etruscans and, around the mouth of the Tiber, by the Latin peoples, who formed a league of 30 republics under the leadership of the city of Alba Longa. During the sixth and fifth c. b.c. the rising city of Rome became a member of the Latin League and steadily increased in influence until, after the transfer of the federal sanctuary to the Temple of Diana on the Aventine, it became de facto the leading city of the League. The Latin towns sought to counter the predominance of Rome by force of arms (Latin War, 340-338 B.C., but were defeated. Thereupon the League was dissolved and the various towns became subject to Rome, on varying terms, and thereafter shared the destinies of Rome.