Sardinia, an introduction
Sardinia, an introduction
Sardinia is the second largest island in the Mediterranean Sea next to Sicily. It lies west of the Italian peninsula and south of Corsica. With it's 24090 km² it is more than half the size of the Netherlands (33943 km²) and there live 1.655.677 Sardinians. The largest city and the capital of the region, Cagliari (derived from the latin Carales and punic Karali), lies on the south side of the island 1.
Sardinia, the Regione Autonoma della Sardegna, is one of the twenty administrative regions of Italy and has an autonomous statute. The region is subdivided in eight provinces of which Cagliari and Sassari are the oldest. Later the provinces of Nuoro (1927), Oristano (1974), Olbia-Tempio, Ogliastra, Medio Campidano and Carbonia-Iglesias (all in 2006) were created.
Geologically Sardinia is part of the oldest formations of Europe (600 million years old) and although it has a mountaineous aspect, the highest point does not reach above the 1834 meters (Punta la Marmora) in the mountains of the Gennargentu. The largest plain is the Campidano that lies accross the island between Cagliari in the south and Oristano on the central-west coast. Sardinia has more than 1800 km of coast with innumerous bays and beaches, and all around many smaller islands can be found. 2.
The climate is Mediterranean with a main northwest wind, the mistral. Little rainfall and the lack of large rivers and lakes have determined the landscape and the economic possibilities. The largest river in fact, the Tirso, is only 159 km long and along it's upper course an artificial lake has been created to contain the necessary water resources.
The natural environment, flora and fauna, is specific for Sardinia, with species particular to that island as for example the sardinian robin (Erithacus rubecula sardus). Some parts of the coast have been instated as natural parks (La Maddalena, Peninsula of Sinis).
For those that visit Sardinia the past is visible everywhere on the island. More than 6500 nuraghi (towers in crude basaltic blocks) are scattered all around the landscape, dolmens, tombe di Giganti and other prehistoric megalithic structures can be found nearby and in several places prehistoric water sanctuaries stress the importance water has always had. On the south and west coast the unique ruins of cities of Phoenician-Punic origin can be found and explored (Tharros, Nora, Monte Sirai).
Traditions, language, local religious and secular manifestations keep the characteristic culture of Sardinia alive. Some of the most reknowned are the Sartiglia, a colourful manifestation on horseback in the streets of Oristano, and the carnival of Mamoiada where past traditions are relived.
Travel guides and roadmaps for Sardinia are widely available.
In the following pages you will find more on the prehistory and history of Sardinia and some notions on the culture and nature. The last page contains useful information for the traveller.
1 source: ISTAT (Istituto Nazionale di Statistica) data of 2006 demo.istat.it
2 source: www.comuni-italiani.it
Sardinia, an introduction Prehistoric Sardinia The bronze age on Sardinia: The phenomena of the nuraghi The Phoenicians on Sardinia Sardinia under Punic rule From the Kingdom of Sardinia to the present Sardinian culture: Oristano The natural environment on Sardinia The natural environment: southwest Sardinia Travelling information for Sardinia