Taurianova
The Province of Reggio Calabria
The Province of Reggio Calabria was replaced in 2017 by the Metropolitan City of Reggio Calabria. It faced the Tyrrhenian Sea to the west, the Ionian Sea to the south and east, and bordered the provinces of Catanzaro to the northeast and Vibo Valentia to the northwest. The province was made up of 97 municipalities and stretched for about 220 km of coastline.
Physical Geography
Territory
The territory of the Province of Reggio Calabria was mostly characterized by the Aspromonte mountain range, which completely occupied the provincial territory. The only plain present was the Piana di Gioia. The province covered the southernmost area of the Italian peninsula and represented 28% of the Calabrian population and 21% of the Calabria region.
The Administrative Subdivisions
Between 1998 and 2010, the province operated the decentralization of administration through the creation of three subdivisions: the Stretto District, the Palmi District, and the Locri District.
The Municipalities
The Province of Reggio Calabria was made up of 97 municipalities. Among the main ones were Africo, Bagnara Calabra, Bovalino, Brancaleone, Bruzzano Zeffirio, Campo Calabro, Condofuri, Ferruzzano, Gallico Marina, Gioia Tauro, Melito di Porto Salvo, Monasterace, Polistena, Reggio Calabria, Rizziconi, Roccella Jonica, San Ferdinando, Siderno, and Taurianova.
History
The Province of Reggio Calabria had as its main predecessor the ancient Province of Calabria Ulteriore Prima, established in 1817 by the division of Calabria Ulteriore into Ulteriore I and Ulteriore II.
The Province of Reggio Calabria has always been an important tourist and economic hub, thanks to its natural beauty and the numerous opportunities offered by the territory.
Conclusions
The Province of Reggio Calabria represented an important part of the history and economy of Calabria, and even though it was replaced by the Metropolitan City of Reggio Calabria, the territory and its municipalities will still have great importance for the region.
