Madrelingua Italiana

Molise, a region of Southern Italy, has an Adriatic Sea coastline for a short distance to the north-east, borders to the north-west with Abruzzo, to the west with Lazio, to the south with Campania, to the east with Puglia. It is distributed in the provinces of Campobasso and Isernia. Campobasso also serves as the regional capital. The climate has continental characteristics in the interior, while it is mild near the coast. In Molise there are only few protected natural areas, which in practice correspond to the Molise section of the Abruzzo National Park. Among these protected areas are: the Oasis of Pesche, the Oasis of Castiglione and finally the Reserves of Collemeluccio and Montedimezzo. In the hills the Mediterranean vegetation is quite luxuriant, with thyme, rosemary and lavender bushes; at the highest altitudes there are beautiful woods of oaks, beeches, pines and firs. Even the fauna is richer than in most regions of Italy; some species, however, have been saved thanks to the protection offered by the Abruzzo National Park. The region is home to wolves, foxes, hares, squirrels, chamois and, rarer, wild cats; among the numerous birds are birds of prey. Molise has much tradition: From the religious to the pagans, many museum, archeological sites, musical and food events. International tourism is becoming more evident largely as a result of the availability of international flights from other European states, Great Britain, and North America, which enter Pescara not far to the north in Abruzzo. There are winter sports centers in Capracotta (Isernia), and above all in Campitello Matese, to which, on the coast, there are some seaside resorts, such as Termoli. The main attractions for tourists are a large expanse of unspoiled beaches, a relative lack of congestion, and the gentle pace of life.