General
Sardigna, Sardinna or Sardinnia in the Sardinian language, Sardegna in Italian,
Sardenya in Catalan), is the second largest island in the Mediterranean Sea
, between Italy , France and Tunisia , south of Corsica . Sardinia has an
area of 24,090 km2 and a population of 1.65 million. It was called "Ichnusa" by
the Phoenicians and "Sandalyon" by the Greeks because of its shape,
recalling a footprint.
Geography
Sardinia is an autonomous region of Italy . The regional capital is Cagliari
. The region is divided into four provinces: Cagliari , Sassari , Nuoro and
Oristano; another four provinces have been proposed: Olbia-Tempio, Ogliastra,
Carbonia-Iglesias and Medio Campidano), to enter effect in 2005.
Tourism
The island contains numerous extraordinary tourist areas, including the Costa
Smeralda and Gennargentu. Mostly famous for its beaches, its land is rich
in other interesting places. The world renowned Costa Smeralda is
on the rugged North East coast of the island with sparking brilliant green
seas, coves and small sandy beaches. The area is centred around the picturesque Porto
Cervo, a sophisticated and bustling Mediterranean village full of
life and with the islands finest hotels nearby.
Climate
The climate is mainly Mediterranean , with a warm spring and fall, hot summer,
and mild winter. Sardinia is suffering from a multi-year drought, thought
by some to be due to global warming.
Language
The language of Sardinia is Sardinian, a Romance language with obscure origins
in Phoenician, Etruscan, and Near Eastern roots. While it has been significantly
supplanted by Italian for official purposes, and it is completely unknown
among some sections of Sardinian youth, specially in Cagliari , Sardinian
is still the main national language (Sardinians identify themselves as a
people and as a nation) in fact. In the northern regions of Gallura and Sassari
, the dialect spoken is not Sardinian but a variety of Corsican, an Italian
dialect. In the island of San Pietro , the dialect spoken is Ligurian, from
Genoa . In the city of Alghero , a mediaeval dialect of Catalan is still
spoken (the name of the city in Catalan is L'Alguer) as the city was a Catalan
colony in the past.
Business and commerce
Sardinia 's currency (as a part of Italy ) is now the Euro, but Sardinians
still unofficially refer to su Francu (or loc."su Pidzu"); 1 francu=1,000
former Italian Lira.
The Sardinian economy is
today focused on tourism, industry, commerce,
services and information technology; an increasing
income is coming from its famous wines and
gastronomy. Some gold and silver mines operate
on the island.
Transport
Trains on Sardinia connect the whole island but are rather slow. Some run on
narrow gauge track.
Environment
Sardinia is a precious natural resource, having protected thousands of rare
animal and plant species.
