Tavoliere delle Puglie

Tavoliere delle Puglie. The Tavoliere delle Puglie is a vast plain and the second-largest lowland area in Italy, after the Po Valley. Located in northern Apulia, it stretches from the Gargano promontory in the north to the Murge plateau in the south, bounded by the Adriatic Sea to the east and the Apennines of Daunia to the west. Historically known as the "granary of Rome" and later the "granary of Italy," this fertile tableland has been a crucial agricultural region for millennia, characterized by its extensive cultivation of durum wheat, olives, and vineyards.

Geography and Topography

The plain is a broad, slightly undulating alluvial expanse, with elevations generally ranging from sea level to around 200 meters. Its formation is primarily the result of sedimentary deposits from several rivers, including the Ofanto, the Fortore, and the Cervaro, which have carved their courses from the western Apennines toward the Adriatic Sea. The northern boundary is sharply defined by the limestone massif of Gargano, while to the south it transitions into the karstic landscapes of the Murge. The coastline along the Gulf of Manfredonia features sandy beaches and coastal dunes, with notable wetlands such as the Saline di Margherita di Savoia.

History and Human Settlement

Human presence dates to the Paleolithic era, with significant development during the Neolithic period, evidenced by sites like Passo di Corvo. During the Iron Age, it was inhabited by the Daunians, a Iapygian tribe centered around cities like Arpi and Lucera. Following the Roman conquest after the Samnite Wars, the region, then part of Rome's Regio II Apulia et Calabria, was systematically centuriated and became a major supplier of grain, as noted by writers like Pliny the Elder. After the Fall of the Western Roman Empire, it suffered decline and malaria, with periods of control by the Lombards of the Duchy of Benevento, the Byzantine Empire, and later the Normans under Robert Guiscard, who established fortifications. From the 16th century, the Bourbon rulers of the Kingdom of Naples initiated large-scale land reclamation, a process continued after the Unification of Italy and intensified during the Fascist era under the Battle for Grain.

Agriculture and Economy

The economy is overwhelmingly agrarian, dominated by extensive cereal cultivation, particularly durum wheat used for pasta, making it a cornerstone of Italy's food production. Other major crops include tomatoes, artichokes, sugar beets, and olives, with significant olive oil production centered around areas like San Severo. Viticulture is also prominent, with vineyards producing wines under several DOC designations. The agricultural sector is supported by large-scale irrigation systems drawing from the Fortore river and the Lake Occhito reservoir. Industrial activity is largely agro-based, focusing on food processing, with important facilities in cities like Foggia and Cerignola.

Environmental Features and Hydrology

The hydrology is defined by seasonal torrents and the major rivers Ofanto, Fortore, and Cervaro, which are crucial for irrigation but can experience severe summer droughts. Key artificial reservoirs include Lake Occhito on the Fortore and the Capacciotti dam on the Cervaro. The eastern coastal fringe hosts important wetland ecosystems, most notably the Saline di Margherita di Savoia, a former saltworks that is now one of the largest salt pans in Europe and a vital habitat for migratory birds, designated as a Ramsar site and part of the Gargano National Park. Other protected areas include portions of the Daunian foothills.

Major Towns and Infrastructure

The principal urban center and transport hub is Foggia, a major railway junction connecting to lines to Naples, Bari, and Pescara. Other significant agricultural market towns include Cerignola, San Severo, Lucera, Manfredonia (a port on the Gulf of Manfredonia), and Ascoli Satriano. Critical infrastructure includes the A14 motorway (the Adriatic Highway) running along its eastern edge, the Bari–Naples railway, and the Foggia Airport. The Apulian Aqueduct system traverses the plain, channeling water from the Sele river in Campania to support the arid region. Category:Plains of Italy Category:Geography of Apulia Category:Landforms of the Province of Foggia