Serrapetrona
The Province of Macerata: a vast and diverse area in the Marche region
The Province of Macerata is located in the Marche region and has a population of 303,684. With a surface area of over 2,774 km², it is the largest province in the region and is mainly hilly (67.7%) and mountainous (32.3%). In 2009, there was an administrative reorganization that separated Valmarecchia from the Province of Pesaro and Urbino. This change solidified the Province of Macerata as the largest area of the region.
The province borders the Adriatic Sea to the east, Umbria (Perugia) to the west, and the Province of Ancona to the north. It also borders the Province of Ascoli Piceno to the southwest and the Province of Fermo to the south. Its territory extends beyond the Umbrian-Marche Apennine watershed into the Valnerina (Visso), representing the main "beyond the border" of the Marche region.
Economy
The economy of the Province of Macerata is based mainly on small, highly specialized artisanal businesses. An important economic sector is that of footwear. In 2006, the Bank of the Province of Macerata was established to support the development of commercial activities in the region.
Infrastructure and transport
Before the automobile era, the Province of Macerata was crossed by many historic roads leading to Rome through the Colfiorito plateau and the Via Lauretana. The latter still exists and leads from Foligno to the Chienti Valley, and then to the Sanctuary of the Holy House and the Port of Ancona.
With the advent of railway transport, the Rome-Ancona railway line through the Fossato di Vico-Fabriano-Vall'Esina Pass thwarted the province's ambitions to have a direct railway connection to the capital.
Conclusion
The Province of Macerata is a vast and diverse area of the Marche region, stretching from the Adriatic Sea to the hills and mountains of the Apennines. With a wide range of small artisanal activities, including those producing footwear, and the Bank of the Province of Macerata supporting the local economy, the region has a strong economic impact. The province is crossed by many historical roads, including the Via Lauretana, which connects the province to the Chienti Valley and the Port of Ancona. Despite the difficulties in creating a direct connection to the Italian capital, the Province of Macerata represents one of the most interesting and unique areas to visit in the Marche region.
