Sardinia
Sardinia ( Sardinian Sardigna, Sardegna Italian, Catalan Sardenya ) is - to Sicily - the second largest island in the Mediterranean. The Egyptians called Schardana that Euboier " Ichnoussa " and the Greeks " Sandalyon " because its shape resembles a footprint.
The island forms with some offshore islands of Italy, the same autonomous region. The Sardinia region has an area of 24,090 km ² and 1,640,379 inhabitants (as of 31 December 2012). Its capital is Cagliari.
- 3.1 amphibians
- 3.2 Reptiles
Population
The majority of the population speaks one of the dialects of Sardinia the Sardinian language, which belongs to the family of Romance languages. In practice dominates public life in Sardinia but the Italian.
In addition, spoken in Alghero since the 14th century a Catalan dialect, and along the north coast to keep Corsican language islands.
The majority of the population of Sardinia belongs to the Roman Catholic Church.
Geography
Location
Sardinia is a politically to Italy owned island in the Mediterranean. It is located 202 km from the Italian mainland (190 km from the Monte Argentario Peninsula), located between the Tyrrhenian Sea. From Tunisia in the south of Sardinia is 184 km away. To the north is 12 km from the French island of Corsica, only separated by the Strait of Bonifacio ( Strait of Bonifacio ). To the west lies Menorca, which belongs to Spain Balearic island, closest (335 km).
The north - south extent is about 270 km, east- west extension of about 145 km.
Climate
The climate is Mediterranean in essence, with warm spring and autumn, hot summers and mild winters. The island suffers from water shortage in summer (precipitation: 500-600 mm / year) and it is especially in the winter often stormy.
Administrative divisions
The autonomous region of Sardinia was politically long divided into three provinces: Cagliari, Sassari and Nuoro. In 1974, the province of Oristano was re- formed; since 2005, there are four more: Olbia- Tempio, Ogliastra, Carbonia- Iglesias and Medio Campidano.
Areas
The island is divided into areas (landscapes ), which result from the mountains or plains.
- Meilogu
- Monti Ferru
- La nurra
- Ogliastra
- Planargia
- Quirra
- Sarcidano
- Sarrabus
- Sulcis
- Supra Monte
- Trexenta
- Turritano
Cities
Coasts
Including the small offshore islands Sardinia reaches a coastline of 1848.6 km. Some coastal areas have well-known names.
The longest rivers are the opening out in Sardinia Oristano on the west coast Tirso 150 km, the Coghinas with 123 km, of which opens into the sea on the south east coast Flumendosa 122 km away and the opening out at Bosa six to eight kilometers of navigable Temo.
Mountains
The highest mountains are 1834 meters with the Punta La Marmora and with 1829 meters of Bruncu Spina in the centrally located Gennargentu Mountains. In the north of the 1359 meter high Mount Limbara dominated. Geological features are the gold, silver and iron deposits, particularly in the southern part of the island.
Islands
The main island of Sardinia are preceded by numerous islands:
- Archipelago of La Maddalena in the Northeast
- Asinara in the northwest
- Mal di Ventre in the West
- Sulcis archipelago in the South West with the islands San Pietro
- Sant'Antioco
- Isola il Toro
- Isola la Vacca
Fauna
Sardinia is considered as a nature reserve, are found in the thousands of rare animals and plants under protection.
Amphibians
The following are the known amphibian species are listed.
- Sardinian Brook Newt ( Euproctus platycephalus )
- West Sardinian cave salamander ( Hydromantes genei )
- Northeast Sardinian cave salamander ( Hydromantes flavus )
- Southeast Sardinian cave salamander ( Hydromantes imperialis )
- Middle East Sardinian cave salamander ( Hydromantes supra montis )
- Sardinian Disc- ( Discoglossus sardus )
- Green toad (Bufo viridis)
- Tyrrhenian tree frog ( Hyla sarda )
Reptiles
The following are the known reptile species are listed.
- Hermann's tortoise (Testudo hermanni )
- Thighed tortoise (Testudo graeca )
- Marginated tortoise (Testudo marginata )
- European pond turtle ( Emys orbicularis)
- European half- finger ( Hemidactylus turcicus )
- European Journal of fingers ( Phyllodactylus europaeus)
- Wall Gecko ( Tarentola mauritanica )
- Dwarf keel lizard ( Algyroides fizingeri )
- Tyrrhenian rock lizard ( Lacerta bedriagae )
- Ruin lizard ( Podarcis sicula )
- Tyrrhenian Wall Lizard ( Podarcis Tiliguerta )
- Spotted skink ( Calcides ocellatus )
- Skink ( Calcides calcides )
- Horseshoe snake ( Coluber hippocrepis )
- Yellow Green Whip Snake ( Hierophis viridiflavus )
- Aesculapian (Elaphe longissima )
- Grass Snake (Natrix natrix )
- Viper snake ( Natrix maura )
History and prehistory
Sardinian literature
Coat of arms
Description: Argent, a continuous red cross of facing to the left Moors heads will bewinkelt with silver hair band. The flag is allegedly back to Peter I of Aragon, to commemorate his victory at the Battle of Alcoraz during the Reconquista.
Justice
Economy
In comparison with the GDP of the EU, expressed in purchasing power standards, Sardinia reached an index of 83.4 (EU -25: 100 ) (2003 ).
The Sardinian economy has its main focus on tourism as well as in the oil industry, trade, services and information technology. Significance of the famous wines ( cannonau ) and feta cheese ( Pecorino Sardo ) and the catering trade. In the north of the island traditional cork production plays an important role.
Transport and Traffic
In addition to the railways Ferrovie dello Stato, there are several narrow-gauge regional routes Ferrovie della Sardegna of and their tourism project under its popular name Trenino Verde inter alia between Bosa Marina - Macomer and Arbatax - Manda. The Electrification of the lines of the Ferrovie dello Stato was - unlike the electrified lines on the mainland and Sicily with single-phase 25 kV 50 Hz - started but discontinued after a short construction period. The public overland transport is, however, especially from a close-knit network of intercity buses that are operated by different companies.
In addition to the airports of Cagliari, Olbia and Alghero in Sardinia, there are still civil airports in Oristano ( Fenosu ) and Arbatax ( Tortoli ). The latter two will be flown to the season of regional airlines and charter.
A few kilometers northwest of the airport Cagliari is the military airfield Decimomannu, the use of the NATO air forces, including the German Air Force ( Tactical Training Command of the Air Force in Italy - TaktAusbKdoLwIT ). In Salto di Quirra there is a starting place for military missiles and rockets to explore the upper atmosphere.
Tourism
In 2009 Sardinia recorded 2,456,746 arrivals and almost 12.3 million overnight stays. There were 199 042 beds available in accommodation facilities available.
Historic goals
- Romanesque churches in Pisa or Provencal style in Sardinia
- Byzantine churches in Sardinia
Geographical landmarks
- List of nature parks in Italy / Sardinia
- The red rocks of Arbatax
- Capo d' Orso
- Capo Testa
- Gennargentu
- Grotta del Bue Marino
- Grotta di Nettuno
- Grotta su Marmuri
- Grotta di Ispinigoli
- The mountain and coastal roads between the well -see places Alghero and Bosa
- Parco del Sulcis
- La Maddalena ( island)
- Porto Cervo
- Roccia dell'elefante
- Supra Monte
Specialty
Dine
- Pecorino, a sheep's milk cheese
- Carasau, a thin dried shepherd bread, also Carta di musica ( music paper ) is called. This Sardinian shepherds bread is made from wheat flour, yeast and salt. The thin pancakes are baked quickly and very hot two-fold. Thus, the thin bread remains durable.
- Pane Guttiau, a version of the carasau with olive oil
- Grilled Porcheddu, suckling pig
- Culurgionis, a noodle specialty of Sardinia, like ravioli
- Seadas / Sebadas, large baked in olive oil, cheese pockets with honey ( sweet )
- Malloreddus small Sardinian gnocchi ( Noodle )
- Bottarga, dried roe of mullet especially used with pasta dishes (mainly spaghetti)
- Casu Marzu, over-ripe sheep's cheese with maggots
Drinks
- Cannonau (also known as Grenache ), a robust red wine
- Monica di Sardegna, an autochthonous Rotweinrebe from Sardinia
- Vernaccia di Oristano, a white wine
- Ichnusa, a lager, which is brewed from maize meal
- Mirto, white or red liqueur made from the fruit of the spread on the island myrtle
- Limoncello, a sweet lemon liqueur