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| Crotone (province) | |
|---|---|
| Name | Province of Crotone |
| Native name | Provincia di Crotone |
| Country | Italy |
| Region | Calabria |
| Capital | Crotone |
| Area km2 | 1723 |
| Population | 174000 |
| Established | 1992 |
Crotone (province) is a province in the Calabria region of southern Italy with its capital at Crotone. The province occupies a coastal plain on the Ionian Sea and contains a range of archaeological, agricultural and industrial sites tied to ancient Magna Graecia and modern Italian development. Its territory links classical heritage such as Croton and figures like Pythagoras with contemporary institutions including regional offices of Regione Calabria and national frameworks like the European Union.
The province borders the Province of Catanzaro, the Province of Cosenza and the Province of Matera and fronts the Ionian Sea along a coastline with beaches near Capo Colonne, the mouth of the Esaro River and the Gulf of Sibari. Topographically it includes the Sila uplands, the Greci Mountains and the plain of the Piana di Sibari, with elevations ranging from coastal lowlands to peaks associated with the Pollino National Park and the Serre Calabresi. The climate varies from Mediterranean along the shore—comparable to Reggio Calabria and Taranto—to continental influences inland near Castrovillari and Rende. Key natural areas include the Capo Rizzuto National Marine Reserve and wetlands near Isola di Capo Rizzuto as well as archaeological landscapes tied to Greek colonies like Croton and Sybaris.
The provincial territory was central to Magna Graecia with colonies such as Croton founded by Achaeans and associated with Pythagoras, Miltiades and clashes recorded in sources like Herodotus. During the Roman era it formed part of Bruttium within the Roman Republic and later the Roman Empire, with sites linked to Via Popilia and settlements noted by Pliny the Elder and Strabo. The medieval period saw control by the Byzantine Empire, the Norman Kingdom of Sicily, the Hohenstaufen dynasty and Aragonese influence alongside local lordships such as the Carafa and Sanseverino families. In the modern era the area experienced events connected to the Napoleonic Wars and the Italian unification process under figures like Giuseppe Garibaldi and the Kingdom of Sardinia, leading to integration in the Kingdom of Italy and later forms of regional administration culminating in the 1992 establishment of the present province.
Administratively the province is part of Calabria and contains comuni such as Crotone, Isola di Capo Rizzuto, Cirò Marina, Petilia Policastro, Santa Severina, Roccabernarda, Strongoli and Ciro (note: variants). It hosts provincial institutions linked to the Prefecture system and the Corte d'Appello and interfaces with regional bodies in Catanzaro and national ministries like the Ministero dell'Interno. Local councils and mayors such as those of Crotone coordinate with supra-municipal entities including the Metropolitan City frameworks used elsewhere in Italy and national agencies like the Istituto Nazionale di Statistica. Judicial and electoral districts connect the province to parliamentary constituencies represented in the Camera dei Deputati and the Senato della Repubblica.
Economic activity combines agriculture in the Piana di Sibari—notably olives, citrus and viticulture linked to Cirò appellations—with fishing ports such as Crotone and light industry around industrial districts similar to those in Catanzaro and Cosenza. Energy infrastructure includes former oil and gas operations and contemporary renewable projects near Capo Colonna and studies connected to the ENEA research framework and national energy policy forums in Rome. Tourism tied to Capo Rizzuto National Marine Reserve, archaeological parks like Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Crotone, and beaches supports hospitality businesses influenced by trends in Italian tourism and European markets. Transport and logistics via the Strada Statale 106, regional ports and proximity to airports in Lamezia Terme and Crotone Airport shape trade patterns and investment from firms registered in Reggio Calabria and Naples.
Population centers include Crotone, Isola di Capo Rizzuto, Cirò Marina, Petilia Policastro and Santa Severina, with demographic trends reflecting internal migration to northern Italian cities like Milan, Turin and Rome as well as emigration waves to Germany, Belgium and Switzerland in the 20th century. The province exhibits age-structure challenges similar to those in Calabria and southern regions, with birth rates and population ageing documented by Istituto Nazionale di Statistica surveys and studies by universities such as Università della Calabria and Università di Messina. Cultural identity links to historical groups such as the Bruttii and successive communities influenced by Greek and Byzantine heritage.
Cultural life draws on classical heritage from Croton and festivals in towns like Santa Severina and Cirò Marina, with museums including the Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Crotone and heritage sites such as the Temple of Hera Lacinia at Capo Colonne. Religious architecture includes the Cathedral of Crotone and Norman-era castles like those associated with the Norman presence and later noble houses such as the Sanseverino and Carafa families. Gastronomy features local products tied to Cirò wine, peperoncino traditions, olive oil from regional olive groves and cuisine comparable to broader Calabrian cuisine highlighted in guides alongside coastal attractions like the Capo Rizzuto Marine Reserve. Events such as archaeological exhibitions linked to Magna Graecia, music festivals and patron saint celebrations attract visitors from Naples, Bari and Rome.
Transport infrastructure includes the Strada Statale 106, regional rail links on lines connecting to Catanzaro and Reggio Calabria, and port facilities at Crotone and Cirò Marina supporting fishing and commercial traffic. Air connectivity is provided by Crotone Airport with links to hubs such as Rome–Fiumicino Airport and seasonal services to European cities like London and Paris at times. Utilities and communications involve regional providers and networks coordinated with agencies in Catanzaro and national operators like Rete Ferroviaria Italiana and Enel. Conservation and civil protection efforts coordinate with bodies such as Protezione Civile and environmental authorities managing sites like the Capo Rizzuto National Marine Reserve and Pollino National Park.
Category:Provinces of Italy Category:Geography of Calabria