Madrelingua Italiana

Sardinia is an ancient Mediterranean island (the second-largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, after Sicily and ahead of Cyprus) as well as an autonomous region of Italy. Cagliari, the region’s largest city, is the capital of the island. Other provinces are Nuoro, Oristano and Sassari. Sardinia has an almost regular form, which measures about 260 km (length) and 120 km (width). The coast is considerably developed and extends for about 2,400 km. In the coastside, two interesting phenomena can be observed. One is the presence of caves, especially in areas where limestone formations are subject to karst. The other is the presence of deep funnel-shaped inlets, particularly in the Gallura, which the northeastern region of the island. Sardinia’s most important massif is the Gennargentu, which reaches the point of maximum elevation in the tip of Sardinia (La Marmora 1,834 m / 6,017 ft). Some of the island’s most significant and rare environments have been protected. The National Park of Gennargentu, the Nature Reserve of the island of Caprera, the Nature Reserve of Capo Caccia, the Natural Park of the Sinis Peninsula and the Nature Reserve of the Pond of Moentargius, where large colonies of aquatic birds have settled. The richest and most vigorous plant formation is the Mediterranean forest. It characterizes Sardinia’s landscape up to 800 m / 2,625 ft above sea level. The Mediterranean forest sometimes creates isolated, picturesque woods, on the coastal cliffs, where many different trees, such as wild olive, mastic, carob, myrtle, laurel, juniper, cistus and - along the streams - the oleanders, can be found. Among the other trees, cork oaks, holm oaks and chestnut trees prevail. With respect to wild birds, predators prevail: the griffon vulture, the black vulture, the bearded vulture, the royal eagle, Bonelli's eagle and the wonderful hawk of the queen, or Eleonora’s falcon. Although not completely developed, viticulture provides high quality wines such as Cannonau, Carignano, Bovale Sardo, Monica, Cagnulari, Vermentino, Nuragus, Nasco, Semidano, Vernaccia, Malvasia, Moscato, Torbato, etc. The delicious Sardinian gastronomy, rich in aromas and flavors, has strong pastoral characteristics.