Calabria, Administrative region in Southern Italy.
Calabria is a region in the southern part of Italy that forms the toe of the boot-shaped peninsula. The shape is long and narrow, framed by two coastlines that face west toward the Tyrrhenian Sea and east toward the Ionian Sea, with mountainous ridges running through the interior.
Greek settlers founded cities along the coast during the 8th century BC, which later became prosperous centers. Over the centuries, the region saw rule by Romans, Byzantines, Normans and Spanish dynasties, shaping its architecture and dialects.
Family gatherings matter deeply in everyday life and often turn into meals that stretch over hours, where guests taste handmade pasta and spicy salami. In the inland villages, older residents still speak Arberesh or Griko, historic languages that come from Albanian and Greek roots.
The climate is typically Mediterranean, with hot summers along the coasts and milder, rainier conditions in the mountains, where snow falls in winter. The best months to visit are spring and autumn, when temperatures are pleasant and fewer vacationers fill the beaches.
Three national parks lie across the territory and protect old forests where conifers grow taller than 150 feet (45 meters). The so-called Giants of Sila are among the oldest trees in the country and draw hikers who walk trails through thick undergrowth.
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