Polesella
The Province of Rovigo: a Flat Territory
The province of Rovigo is located in the Veneto region and borders other provinces of Veneto, the Adriatic Sea, the province of Ferrara in Emilia-Romagna, and the province of Mantua in Lombardy. The province's territory is entirely flat and coincides with the geographical region of Polesine, of which it occupies almost the entire surface. It extends for about 100 km from the borders with the provinces of Verona and Mantua to the Adriatic coast, where the mouths of the Po River form its delta.
The province of Rovigo is a narrow strip of land about 100 km in length in the east-west direction and about 18 km wide in the north-south direction. The territory has an area of 1,789 km², and an altitude ranging from -4 to 15 meters above sea level. The territory is located between the lower reaches of the Adige and Po rivers, which define its borders.
Hydrosphere: Rivers and Canals
The province of Rovigo is crossed throughout its length by three main rivers: the Po, Italy's longest river, the Adige, the third-longest river in Italy, and the Tartaro-Canalbianco-Po di Levante. Most freshwater in Italy flows to the sea, touching or crossing the province of Rovigo, causing numerous hydraulic problems, with floods that periodically hit the area.
There are many artificial drainage canals in Italy, of which the main ones are the Padano Collector, the Ceresolo Drain, and the Valdentro Drain. Other watercourses, whose importance is mainly historical today, are the Adigetto, corresponding to the ancient course of the Adige, the Poazzo Drain, and the Polesella Ditch.
The Po Delta
The eastern part of the province corresponds to the Po Delta, a natural area of great importance located between the province of Rovigo and that of Ferrara. The Po Delta is constantly expanding eastward due to sediments deposited by the river at its mouth. The Po Delta area is characterized by a great variety of environments, including lagoons, reed beds, pine forests, and beaches.
The Po Delta is one of Europe's most important wetlands and hosts numerous species of animals and plants. Among the animals present in the Po Delta are flamingos, cormorants, night herons, and avocets. The area is also an important center for fishing and rice production.
Conclusions
The province of Rovigo is a flat territory located in Veneto, occupying almost entirely the geographical region of Polesine. The province is crossed by three main rivers and many artificial agricultural drainage canals. The eastern part of the province is characterized by the Po Delta, a crucial wetland area from both an environmental and economic standpoint. The province of Rovigo is a territory rich in history, culture, and biodiversity, worthy of being visited and appreciated.
