Roccacasale
The province of L'Aquila: a territory to discover
The province of L'Aquila is a region in Italy located in the Abruzzo region and is the only inland province without access to the sea. The area covers a surface of 5,035 square kilometers which places it ninth in size on a national scale. The province borders the province of Teramo to the northeast, the provinces of Pescara and Chieti to the east, Molise (Isernia province) to the southeast, and Lazio (Frosinone province, Rome Capital Metropolitan City, and Rieti province) to the west.
The physical geography of the province
The territory of the province of L'Aquila encompasses entirely the interior part of the region, without access to the sea, and is characterized by various mountain ranges such as the Gran Sasso, Monti della Laga, Sirente-Velino, Monti Carseolani, Monti Simbruini, Monti Cantari, and Monti Ernici. These mountain ranges surround numerous lacustrine basins present in the territory and where the most significant human settlements are located. Among these, there are the Altopiano di Cascina, Altopiano delle Rocche, Piano del Voltigno, and many more.
The province can be divided into four macro-areas:
- La Conca aquilana, the northern part of the province characterized by the Aterno river and including the Alto Aterno, la Conca aquilana, Altopiano delle Rocche, Valle Subequana, and Piana di Navelli.
- La Marsica, the area of Lake Fucino, drained at the end of the nineteenth century.
- Valle Peligna in the Sulmona area representing the closest part to the coast at the border with Pescara province.
- Alto Sangro, geographically linked to Molise at the southern end of the province.
The orography of the province
The province of L'Aquila is characterized by three series of mountain ranges, which extend from northwest to southeast. These mountain ranges define the territory and are:
- Monti della Laga, Gran Sasso, and Maiella, which constitute the border with the provinces of Teramo, Pescara, and Chieti.
- The Cicolano mountains, Monti Simbruini, and Monti Ernici, reaching 2156 meters with Mount Viglio, on the border with Lazio, define the southwestern margin of the territory.
The morphology of the province
The territory of the province of L'Aquila is very diverse and characterized by different natural landscapes. The landscape is characterized by karst areas at altitude and different lacustrine basins. Each area has its peculiarities, such as the Sulmona area, called Valle Peligna, where many tourist attractions can be found, such as the Abruzzo National Park and the Gran Sasso National Park. The Valle Peligna also represents the closest part to the coast at the border with Pescara province.
The province of L'Aquila is a territory to discover, with numerous tourist itineraries, hiking trails, and natural parks to visit. The territory is perfect for nature and outdoor sports lovers, such as climbing, trekking, skiing, and mountain biking.
In summary, the province of L'Aquila is a unique Italian region, characterized by a mountainous territory with lacustrine basins and breathtaking natural landscapes. The territory offers many attractions for tourists, sports enthusiasts, and those who want to immerse themselves in the beauty of nature.
