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The Basilicata

Formerly known as Lucania, the Basilicata is a region in the south of Italy, bordering on Campania to the west, Puglia to the north and east, and Calabria to the south. The Basilicata has a southwestern coastline on the Tyrrhenian Sea and one to the southeast on the Gulf of Taranto on the Ionian Sea. The region covers about 10,000 km2 and in 2012 had a population slightly under 600,000. The regional capital is Potenza. The region is divided into two provinces: Potenza (PZ) and Matera (MT).

The Pollino National Park comprised within the provinces of Cosenza, Matera and Potenza, with its 1,820 square kilometres it is the largest natural park in the country. It takes its name from the Pollino Massif (highest peak 2,267 m). It was founded in 1992 and includes both natural and archaeological points of interest. The park's symbol is the Bosnian Pine, which here has one of its last remaining growing areas in Italy. Towns with interesting sights include Rotonda, Castrovillari, Morano Calabro (convent of Colloreto), Laino Castello, Mormanno, Scalea, Papasidero, Civita, Cerchiara (church of Madonna delle Armi). Albanian-speaking communities are present in communes such as San Paolo Albanese, San Costantino Albanese and others. In the Valle del Mercure remains of pre-historic species such as Elephas antiquus and Hippopotamus major have been discovered.