ABRUZZO, one of the four provinces into which the continental part of the kingdom of Naples, or of the two Sicilies, was formerly divided, but now the name given to three out of the 15 provinces of the later division of that country. It is the most northern part of the kingdom of Naples, being bounded on the north and west by the States of the Church, east by the Adriatic, and south by the provinces of Terra di Lavoro, Molise, and Capitanata. It has an area of somewhat more than 5000 square miles, extending from Lat. 41. 40. to 42. 55. N.; and though presenting to the Adriatic a coast of about 80 miles in length, yet it has not a single good port.
This territory is mostly rugged, mountainous, and covered with extensive forests, but contains also many fertile and well-watered valleys. The Apennines traverse its whole extent, running generally from N.W. to S.E., and here they attain their greatest elevation. Near Aquila is Monte Corno, the loftiest peak of that chain, called Il gran Sasso d'Italia, or the great rock of Italy, which rises to the height of 9521 feet. Monte Majella and Monte Velino attain the height of 8500 and 8397 feet respectively. From the main range of the Apennines numerous smaller branches run off towards the west. The country is watered by numerous rivers and streams, most of which fall into the Adriatic. They are often suddenly swollen by the rains, especially in the spring, and thus cause considerable damage to the lands through which they pass. The principal rivers are the Tronto, Trentino, Pescara, and the Sangro. A little to the south of the village of Albi in Abruzzo Ulteriore Seconda is lake Celano, the Lacus Fucinus of the Romans; see FUCINUS LACUS. The climate differs considerably with the elevation of the soil, but generally speaking, it is temperate and healthy; on the mountains it is cold and bracing, and in the valleys comparatively hot.
Agriculture is but little attended to or understood, although in many of the lower parts of the country the land is of considerable fertility. The art of irrigation is not understood, nor the embankment of the rivers practised, so that the best of the land is frequently rendered useless. Its principal productions are corn, hemp, flax, almonds, olives, figs, grapes, and chestnuts. In the neighbourhood of Aquila, saffron is extensively cultivated, although not to such an extent now as formerly. The rearing and tending of sheep is the principal occupation of the inhabitants of the highlands. The wool, which is of a superior quality, is an important article of commerce, and the skins are sent in large quantities to
Abruzzo the Levant. On the approach of winter, the shepherds with their flocks and families migrate to the more temperate territories on the south. Bears, wolves, and wild boars inhabit the mountain fastnesses; and in the extensive oak forests numerous herds of swine are fed, the hams of which are in high repute. The manufactures are very inconsiderable, being chiefly woollen, linen, and silk stuffs, and earthen and wood wares.
"Abruzzo," says Sir R. C. Hoare, "has been represented as a country uncivilised with regard to society, infested by robbers, inaccessible from mountains, and fitter for the residence of wild beasts than of rational beings. But I must here repeat with gratitude, that in these romantic unfrequented tracts, we met with that genuine and cordial hospitality which is too seldom to be found in more favoured and more populous countries." The inhabitants are a stout, well-built, brave, and industrious race. Many of them emigrate annually to the States of the Church to work during the harvest, and return home in winter with their wages. Their houses are generally miserable dirty huts; their food principally maize, and their beverage bad wine. Abruzzo is of great importance to the kingdom of Naples, as being its chief defence on the north. It has only three roads through which a hostile army could pass, only one of these being practicable for artillery; and they all afford such facilities for defence, that a passage could only be effected at a great loss, in the face of even a small body of defenders. The three provinces into which it is now divided are Abruzzo Ulteriore Prima, Abruzzo Ulteriore Seconda, and Abruzzo Citeriore, being so named from their position relative to Naples.
ABRUZZO ULTERIORE I., is the most northern of the three provinces, and has an area of 1239 square miles, with a population in 1845 of 216,486. The western part of the province is very mountainous; the highest crest of the Apennines divides it from Abruzzo Ulteriore Seconda, and extends towards the sea. The district on the sea-coast is flat, but everywhere else hilly. The valleys between the hills possess a rich soil, well watered by rivulets and brooks in the winter and spring, but which are generally dried up in the summer months. These streams either run into the Pescara, which bounds the province towards Abruzzo Citeriore, or into the Tronto, which is the boundary on the Papal frontier. The province is divided into two districts, Teramo and Civita di Penne. The city of Teramo is the capital of the province.
ABRUZZO ULTERIORE II., is an inland district, bounded on the north and west by the Papal States, on the north-east by Abruzzo Ulteriore I., on the south-east by Abruzzo Citeriore, and on the south by the province Terra di Lavoro. The whole province is nearly covered with mountains of various heights, one of which is the Gran Sasso d'Italia. There are no plains; but among these mountains some beautiful and fruitful valleys have been formed by the various streams that run through them. None of the rivers are navigable, but all of them have abundance of water, except in the hottest of the summer months. It has an area of 2523 square miles, and in 1845 contained 307,708 inhabitants. Its chief town is Aquila.
ABRUZZO CITERIORE is bounded on the north-west by Abruzzo Ulteriore I., on the north-east by the Adriatic Sea, on the south-west by the province Molise, and on the west by that of Abruzzo Ulteriore Seconda. This province is less hilly than the other two Abruzzi, but the Apennines are extended through the south-west part. They, however, gradually decline in height, and extend themselves in wide plains of sand and pebbles. The rivers all run to the Adriatic, and are very deficient in water during the summer months. Agriculture is in a very backward state, and the soil is rather ungrateful when labour is bestowed upon it; but the inhabitants prefer the chase and the fishery. It con-
tains 1245 square miles, with a population of 301,746 in 1845. Its chief town is Civita di Chieti.