Basilicata

Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)

the ancient Lucania, in south Italy, composed solely of the province of Potenza; so called after the Emperor Basiltus II., who reconquered it from the Saracens and Lombards in the 11th century. It is mountainous, several peaks rising to upward of 4,500 feet (Monte Pollino, 7,375 feet). The Apennines here divide into two parts, which branch off to the E. and W. From these the rivers Bradano, Basento, Salandrella, Agri, and Sinni, take their source, and, after draining this fertile district, fall into the Gulf of Taranto in the Ionian Sea. There are also many lakes, some of volcanic origin. The chief are Monticchio, Pesole, Maorno, and Santa Palagina. The bulk of the people are poor and ignorant, and talk a dialect called basilisco. Its coast line is for the most part marshy, and, as a consequence, unhealthful. The products are varied. On the slopes of the Apennines, forests and pasture grounds are numerous, and the chestnuts plentiful. In the vast plains that extend to Apulia and Calabria wheat is the principal product, while toward Melfi and the neighborhood of Melfi it is noted for its excellent wine. The orange and lemon grow well nearer the coast. Among other products are cotton, flax, silk, honey, wax, liquorice, dried fruit, saffron, tobacco, etc. There are marble quarries at Avigliano, Latronico, Muro, Lucano, and Picerno; chalk at Mauro Forte and Montemuro; transparent quartz at Lagorgero; tufa at Matera; and excellent lignite at San Chirico Raparo and Rotonda. Capital, Potenza (pop. 20,000). Area, 3,855 square miles. Pop. about 500,000.