Ponza, Lazio

Ponza is an Italian commune in the province of Latina in the Lazio region with 3212 inhabitants ( 31 December 2012).

Geography

The municipality includes the islands of Ponza with the same name and the capital of the settlement Le Forna, and the uninhabited islands of La Botte, Gavi, Palmarola and Zannone, all belonging to the Pontine Islands.

History

Ponza was already in the 12th century BC stage point of the Phoenicians and later the Greeks on their maritime routes. 312 BC it became a Roman colony. 813 AD the Saracens raided Ponza and enslaved the inhabitants, mostly monks. It was not until 1202 Ponza was repopulated with the founding of the Abbey of Santa Maria a Ponza.

Since ancient times and up to the time of Italian fascism, the Pontine islands were often exile. So to have been dead and buried in 537 in exile on Ponza or Palmarola the Pope Silverius. Today, he is the patron of the church.

Since the Second World War, tourism became the main industry. In 1979, the island Zannone was integrated into the Circeo National Park.

Demographics

Source: ISTAT

Policy

Pompeo Porzio (right Citizens' List ) was elected in May 2003 to the Mayor and confirmed in April 2008 in the Official.

Economy

The most important economic factors are tourism and fishing. In small-scale farming is done. Crops are lentils and wine.

Traffic

There is a daily ferry service from Formia. In the summer months also ferries from Naples, Terracina, Ponza and Anzio to control.