Abruzzi, also called ABRUZZO, region, central Italy, fronting the Adriatic Sea and comprising the provinces
of L'Aquila, Chieti, Pescara, and Teramo. Most of the region's area of 4,168 sq mi (10,794 sq km) is mountainous or hilly,
except for such intermontane basins as those of L'Aquila, Sulmona, and Fucino. The Apennines, chiefly of limestone and the
dominant physical feature, consist of three chains trending northwest-southeast, of which the easternmost, including the Gran
Sasso d'Italia (9,560 ft. [2,914 m]) and Maiella groups, is the highest. From the Gran Sasso, sand and clay hills present
a gradual slope eastward to the narrow Adriatic shoreline. The few small coastal harbours have little economic importance
for fishing or commerce. The principal rivers (the Tronto, Pescara, Sangro, and Trigno) drain to the Adriatic, providing irrigation
in their lower courses. The course of these streams is irregular, and, because of massive deforestation on the upper slopes,
floods and landslides occur frequently during the spring and fall rains.
The ancient Italic tribes that once inhabited tbe region long resisted conquest and
retained their own character even after Roman rule was imposed on them. The name of the region, originally Aprutium, is believed
to have come from that of one of the ancient tribes, the Praetutii. Under Lombard rule during the early Middle Ages, the Abruzzi
was controlled by the Duchy of Spoleto, and Molise (the region to the south) by the Duchy of Benevento. The Normans established
themselves in the area in the 12th century, and the region sided with the Hohenstaufens in their long struggle with the papacy.
After the fall of the Hohenstaufen dynasty in the 13th century, Abruzzi and Molise came under the Angevin dynasty (House of
Anjou), Spanish, and Bourbon rulers of the Kingdom of Naples (and were divided into Abruzzo Ulteriore I, Abruzzo Ulteriore
II, Abruzzo Citra, and Molise). As Abruzzi e Molise they became part of the Kingdom of Italy in 1860 and in 1965 were divided
into the separate reglons of Abruzzi and Molise. The regional capital is L'Aquila.
The rugged terrain of Abruzzi long hindered its economic development.
The construction of a motorway from the west to the Adriatic coast opened the region to the rest of Italy. Agriculture is
mainly of local importance, except in the intensively cultivated intermountain basins. Wheat, grapes, fruit, and olives are
the most widespread crops, while tobacco, sugar beet, and saffron represent the cash crops. Livestock raising has been the
mainstay of a large part of the region; migratory herding (transhumance) of sheep from mountain pastures in the Abruzzi to
lowland winter pastures outside of the region continues although on a slowly decreasing scale. Pigs are raised and the region's
smoked ham and sausages are well known. Industrial development, concentrated chiefly in the provincial capitals, is slight.
The main rail artery is the Rome-Pescara line, and there are local rail connections, slowly losing traffic to buses and trucks.
Tourism is increasing in the coastal resorts but is not yet a major economic factor. Pop. (1981 prelim.) 1,215,136.
