• Mezzogiorno or Southern Italy is the region of Italy which includes the Southern part of the Italian Peninsula and the islands of Sardina and Sicily.
• The region covers 40% of Italy and 33% of the population lives there.
• Soils are poor with the exception of the volcanic soils near to Naples-Vesuvius and some of the coastal plains.
• The area is dominated by low-intensity agriculture due to; poor rainfall reliability, flash floods which can wash away both soils and crops, and overgrazing which has reduced the quality of the soil and made it more susceptible to erosion.
• The Mezzogiorno is the poorest part of Italy, not only because of its physical environment but also because of historical and economic reasons.
• In particular:
- High birth rates among peasants living in overcrowded hilltop villages.
- A legacy of landlords occupying the fertile low-lying land.
• The region has remained dependent on agriculture because, unlike the industrial north of Italy. it has fewer other resources.
• Its infrastructure has been poor and the market for imported goods minimal.
• As a result of this, economic development has been restricted.
• The location of the Mezzogiorno on the periphery of European economic activity, away from major markets, industry and employment opportunities has meant that it has remained an underdeveloped region not just of Italy but of the whole of Europe.
• The disadvantages of the region were recognised in 1950.
• The EU CAP benefitted the region and 89,000 new farms have been established but it still remains the poorest part of the country.
• Tourism is a potential growth sector and not only are efforts been made to attract people to Naples, Sicily and the Amalfi Coast but also to less accessible areas near Brindisi.
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