A Tour of Italian Regions Trivia Quiz

Named after its capital, Aosta (founded by the Romans with the name of "Augusta Pretoria Salassorum"), Aosta Valley is the smallest and least populous of Italy's twenty regions. Located in the northwest, bordering France to the west, and Switzerland to the north, it is one of Italy's five autonomous regions. Its official languages are Italian and French, though most of the population speaks a dialect of Franco-Provençal named Valdôtain. Aosta Valley's most remarkable attraction are the towering alpine peaks with which it is surrounded: Mont Blanc, Western Europe's highest mountain, Monte Rosa, Matterhorn, and Gran Paradiso. The first national park established in Italy (1922), Gran Paradiso National Park, lies in the southern part of the region, on the border with Piedmont. Another of this small but beautiful region's claims to fame are its many medieval castles, among which is the spectacular 14th-century Fénis Castle, about 13 km from Aosta.

Aosta Valley's cuisine is characterized by hearty, rustic ingredients, such as polenta and the renowned Fontina cheese, used to make a local version of the Swiss fondue.

The name "Piedmont" means "at the foot of the mountains", and, indeed, the region is surrounded by the Alps from three sides. The Po, Italy's longest river, rises in Piedmont, and flows through its capital, Turin - the first capital of the Kingdom of Italy, and one of the country's largest metropolitan areas. Like Aosta Valley, Piedmont also borders France and Switzerland; it is Italy's second-largest region, with a very diverse landscape that spans rugged mountain peaks, gently rolling hills covered in vineyards, fertile plains, and beautiful alpine lakes - as well as a wealth of historic cities and towns. Turin has been the main hub of Italy's automotive industry for over a century, serving as the headquarters of FIAT.

Piedmont is also a favourite destination for foodies and wine buffs. The world-famous hazelnut and chocolate spread known as "gianduja" (of which Nutella is a version) originated there, and the white truffles of Alba command very high prices. Piedmont is also a producer of globally renowned dry red wines such as Barolo, Barbera, and Barbaresco, as well as the sweet, sparkling Asti Spumante.

Shaped like a narrow arch, Liguria lies south of Piedmont and Lombardy, between the Alps and the Apennines, facing the sea to which it gave its name; the westernmost end of Liguria borders the French region of Provence. Italy's third-smallest region after Aosta Valley and Molise, Liguria was named after its ancient inhabitants, the Ligures. Its beautiful coast is home to world-famous resorts such as Sanremo and Portofino, and the picturesque Cinque Terre. Liguria's capital, Genoa (Genova), was one of the great maritime powers of the Mediterranean region for over 700 years; Christopher Columbus was born there in 1451. Now Genoa is Italy's largest and busiest port, and one of Europe's major container and passenger ports.

In spite of its northern location, Liguria has a mild climate, which allows the cultivation of olive trees and the production of prized olive oil. The bright green sauce known as "pesto alla genovese" - made with fresh basil, pine nuts, Parmesan, and olive oil - has earned worldwide renown, but Liguria has many other delights to offer to foodies - including excellent seafood dishes.

With a population of almost 10 million, Lombardy - named after the Lombards (or Longobards), a Germanic people that controlled large parts of Italy in the Early Middle Ages - is one of Italy's main economic engines, and one of Europe's wealthiest regions. It occupies a sprawling area between the Alps and the flat, fertile Po Valley; the River Po marks the region's southern border. Besides its thriving industrial and commercial landscape, however, Lombardy is rich in art, culture, and natural beauty: at the time of writing, it is the Italian region that hosts the highest number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. These sites include prehistoric rock drawings, the beautiful Renaissance city of Mantua, and Leonardo da Vinci's famed "The Last Supper" fresco.

Lombardy's regional capital, Milan, is Italy's largest metropolitan area; it is internationally renowned as one of the world's fashion capitals, and a veritable mecca for fans of shopping and good food. One of Lombardy's most famous food exports is panettone, the sweet Christmas bread that can now be found in most supermarkets during the holiday season; Lombardy is also known for its outstanding cheeses (such as Gorgonzola and mascarpone) and wines.

As its name suggests, the autonomous region of Trentino-Alto Adige consists of two parts, the mainly Italian-speaking Trentino, and South Tyrol, or Alto Adige ("High Adige", a reference to the course of Italy's second-longest river), where German is also an official language. A third language, Ladin (closely related to the Romansch spoken in Switzerland), is spoken in some of the region's alpine valleys. Like Aosta Valley, Piedmont, and Lombardy, Trentino-South Tyrol is landlocked: however, the northern shore of Lake Garda lies in the Trento province, and many smaller lakes of glacial origin are found throughout this mountainous region. Most of the magnificent Dolomites range is located in Trentino-South Tyrol, attracting tourists from all over Europe and elsewhere both in summer and in winter. The two main cities of the region, Trento (also the regional capital) and Bolzano (Bozen in German), are also well worth a visit.

Trentino and South Tyrol were part of the Austrian Empire until the end of WWI, and the Central European influence is quite noticeable in the region's architecture, as well as its food. Outstanding red and white wines are produced in the southern part of the region, where the climate is milder; 50% of the apples produced in Italy are grown in Trentino-Alto Adige. The region is also famous for the many medieval castles dotted throughout its territory.

Originally named Venetia (after the Veneti, its original inhabitants), Veneto is a region of remarkable diversity, bounded by the majestic Dolomites in the north, and stretching south towards the shores of the Adriatic Sea and the vast delta of the River Po. For over 1000 years, the region was the centre of the powerful Republic of Venice, while nowadays it is one of the most populous and wealthiest areas of Italy. Venice, the regional capital, is one of the world's premier tourist destinations, a unique city of almost unearthly beauty whose existence is sadly threatened by rising sea levels. However, the region has a lot more to offer to discerning visitors, from the gorgeous medieval and Renaissance architecture of Verona, Padova, and Vicenza to the magnificent natural landscapes of the Po Delta, the eastern shore of Lake Garda, and the towering peaks of the Dolomites.

Prosecco is a globally renowned wine from Veneto: the area where this iconic dry, sparkling wine is produced was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2019. The popular aperitif called "spritz" also originated in Veneto, as well as the equally popular dessert "tiramisu". Excellent seafood dishes are characteristic of the cuisine of Venice and other coastal areas of the region.

Five of William Shakespeare plays are set in Veneto: "The Two Gentlemen of Verona" and "Romeo and Juliet" (Verona), "The Merchant of Venice" and "Othello" (Venice), and "The Taming of the Shrew" (Padua).

Like its western neighbour, Trentino-Alto Adige, Friuli-Venezia Giulia is an autonomous region consisting of two distinct halves: Friuli (from Latin "Forum Iulii"), and the smaller Venezia Giulia (also a reference to the "gens Iulia" of Roman times) to the east. The region is also characterized by the presence of linguistic minorities - namely speakers of Friulian (closely related to Romansch and Ladin), as well as Slovene and German in the border areas. The territory of the region is mountainous in the north, hilly in the south-east, and low-lying in the centre and near the Adriatic coast. In most of the region the vestiges of its Roman past are still clearly visible, especially in the city of Aquileia (a UNESCO World Heritage site) which rose to great importance in the 2nd century AD. Friuli-Venezia Giulia, like Trentino-Alto Adige, was one of the main military theatres of WWI, and became part of the country after the war.

The region's capital, Trieste (where James Joyce lived for a number of years), is a beautiful city strongly influenced by Central European culture, with renowned historic cafés; it is also one of the most important ports in Italy, and home to the Fincantieri shipyards, known for the construction of cruise ships. Excellent white wines are produced in the hills of Friuli-Venezia Giulia, which is also famous for its cheeses and cured meats.

As in the other "hyphenated" regions, Emilia-Romagna's two parts have significant historical, geographical, and cultural differences. Emilia, named after the Roman "Via Aemilia", lies to the west, and Romagna (a reference to the Roman Empire) to the east. A wealthy region with a high quality of life, it spans a large area centred around the Po Valley, bordered by the Apennines and the Adriatic Sea. At the time of writing, this large, densely populated region is home to eleven UNESCO World Heritage sites. Besides its renowned food industry, Emilia-Romagna is also known for the production of luxury sport cars (Ferrari and Lamborghini), and the many tourist attractions of its resorts on the Adriatic coast, such as Rimini, the home town of world-famous film director Federico Fellini. The tiny sovereign state of San Marino is located on the border with Marche.

Bologna, the regional capital, is a beautiful city rich in medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque buildings, with over 45 km (24 mi) of covered porticoes; its university was founded in 1088 - the first in the western world - and is the world's oldest university in continuous operation. Bologna's cuisine is well known for dishes such as lasagne and tortellini. Another important city in Emilia-Romagna, Parma, is globally renowned for the production of prosciutto (air-cured ham) and Parmesan cheese - as well as its opera house, Teatro Regio, specialized in performances of the works of Giuseppe Verdi, who was born near Parma.

The most celebrated of all Italian regions, Tuscany (from "Tusci", a common Latin name for the Etruscans) needs no introduction. Though not as densely populated as Lombardy, it is the fifth-largest Italian region, and one of the most varied in terms of landscape. Its territory is mostly hilly, with the Apennines marking the border with Emilia-Romagna in the north, and other ranges that run close to the Tyrrhenian coast. Tuscany offers serene expanses of green countryside dotted with olive groves and vineyards, extensive forests, and plenty of beaches - as well as its famous historic cities and towns, whose beauty and peerless cultural heritage draw tourists from all over the world. Many of Tuscany's urban centres - including, of course, its capital, Florence - were powerful city-states in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, and the legacy of those times is still on display for everyone to admire.

The famous "bistecca alla fiorentina" (Florentine-style steak) is an Italian version of the T-bone steak, obtained from young cattle of the Chianina breed, one of the oldest and largest cattle breeds in the world. These huge slabs of meat - usually meant for at least two people - are simply grilled on coals, and served rare; they pair very well with the region's famous red Chianti wine. Tuscany is also known for delicious cheeses, cured meats, and hearty vegetable and bean soups.

The fifth, and southernmost, of Italy's landlocked regions, Umbria is named after its ancient inhabitants, the Umbri people, who spoke a language related to Latin. The River Tiber flows through Umbria on its way to Rome, forming a fertile valley between the hills and mountains that characterize most of the region. Rich in underground and surface waters, Umbria was called "the green heart of Italy" by poet Giosuè Carducci, winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1906. Among Umbria's bodies of water there are Lake Trasimeno, located on the border with Tuscany, and the spectacular Cascata delle Marmore (Marmore Falls), one of the world's tallest man-made waterfalls. Umbria is also famous for its many historic cities and towns, such as Perugia, the regional capital, Assisi, Orvieto, Gubbio, Todi, and Spoleto. Unfortunately, the whole of Central Italy, especially around the Apennines, is prone to earthquakes, which have caused a lot of damage in past and recent times.

Saint Benedict, the founder of the monastic order named after him, was born in Norcia (Nursia), one of the towns worst hit by the 2016 earthquake. Assisi, on the other hand, was the birthplace of Saint Francis and Saint Clare, and a major pilgrimage destination. Norcia is famous for its succulent cured meats and black truffles; the Umbrian vineyards also produce excellent red and white wines.

Unlike its neighbours, Marche is a region that often flies under the radar of international travellers - which is unfortunate, because it has a lot to offer to lovers of both art and nature (not to mention food and beach life). The region owes its name ("The Marches") to its location as a borderland of the Holy Roman Empire in the Middle Ages. Marche's territory is mostly hilly, bordered by the Adriatic Sea to the east, and the Apennines to the west. Formerly a poor, mainly agricultural region, Marche is now home to many different industries, which include household appliances and furniture, shoes and leather goods, paper, and also musical instruments. Like Umbria, Marche is also prone to earthquakes, and many areas of the region (especially those in the Apennines) suffered substantial damage in 2016 and 2017.

The Adriatic coast of Marche is dotted with popular seaside resorts; the regional capital, Ancona, is also an important port, connected by ferries to Croatia, Albania, and Greece. The stunning Renaissance city of Urbino, in the interior, was the birthplace of painter and architect Raphael; among the many famous natives of of Marche there are composer Gioachino Rossini, poet Giacomo Leopardi, and educator Maria Montessori. Like neighbouring Umbria and Tuscany, Marche is renowned for its cured meats, cheeses and truffles, while the coastal areas offer delicious fish dishes.

Named after the Latini, an Italic tribe whose language became the "lingua franca" of the ancient world, Latium lies in the central-western part of Italy. Rome, the regional capital, and the capital of Italy, as well as the country's most populous city, is located not far from the Tyrrhenian coast. Most of Latium is flat or hilly; mountains are found in the east, on the border with Marche and Abruzzo, and in the south. Latium also boasts many lakes of volcanic origin, such as the small but beautiful Lake Nemi, nicknamed "Diana's Mirror" by the Romans. Latium is the second most populous region after Lombardy, and the second-largest regional economy. One of the world's major tourist destinations, Rome draws millions of visitors every year; it is also the only city in the world that contains another sovereign country (Vatican City). However, the whole region offers a wide range of cultural and natural attractions, which include national parks, beaches, and picturesque small towns.

The cuisine of the region is characterized by the use of local vegetables (such as globe artichokes and broccoli rabe) and herbs, as well as its emphasis on organ meats, called "quinto quarto" ("fifth quarter"). The hills south of Rome, known as Castelli Romani, are famous for their white wines.

Founded in 1900. S.S. Lazio is one of Rome's two major-league soccer clubs - the other being A.S. Roma.

In terms of physical geography, Abruzzo belongs to Central Italy, while historically and culturally it is often considered part of Southern Italy. This mountainous region is dominated by two large massifs, the Gran Sasso and the Majella, which contain the highest peaks of the Apennines range. The interior's rugged territory is offset by a narrow, urbanized coastal strip. Compared to other parts of Italy, Abruzzo is sparsely populated: its most populous city, Pescara, is located on the Adriatic coast, while its regional capital, L'Aquila, lies in the interior, at the foot of the Gran Sasso massif. With its three national parks, the region is one of the greenest in Italy and Europe, and a mecca for nature lovers; it is home to a small native population of brown bears, as well as wolves, various species of deer, and birds of prey. Abruzzo's remarkable cultural heritage includes many picturesque, well-preserved hill towns, castles, and monasteries. Sadly, the region has often been hit by violent earthquakes, such as the one that partially destroyed the historic centre of L'Aquila in April 2009.

Abruzzo's cuisine is rich and varied. As sheep farming was economically important for this once-isolated region, lamb and mutton feature in many traditional dishes, such as "arrosticini" (grilled lamb skewers). In 2005, the saffron produced in the province of L'Aquila - mentioned in the animated film "Ratatouille" - was granted protected designation of origin by the European Union. Another local gem, the red wine Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, is exported worldwide.

Alan Alda was born Alphonso Joseph D'Abruzzo - hence the hint.

Until 1970, Molise (probably named after a Norman family of feudal lords, De Moulins) was part of the region of Abruzzi e Molise, together with its northern neighbour. Somewhat larger than Aosta Valley, Molise is the smallest of the non-autonomous regions. Considered part of Southern Italy, it is mostly mountainous or hilly, with the sole exception of the Adriatic coast, which is only 36 km (22 mi) long. Various mountain ranges (all part of the larger Apennines range) mark the borders of Molise with Latium, Abruzzo, and Campania; a number of protected natural reserves are found there, with plentiful flora and fauna. Most of Molise's population lives in small communes of around 1,000 inhabitants, and even the more significant urban centres - such as the regional capital, Campobasso, founded by the Lombards in the late 9th century - are smaller than those found in other parts of Italy.

Being somewhat off the beaten track if compared to other larger, more developed regions, Molise boasts an unspoiled environment, and ancient traditions - such as transhumance (seasonal movement of livestock) - that have nearly disappeared elsewhere. Molise is also famous for the quality of its pasta, olive oil, and mozzarella cheese. The waffle-like cookies known in the US as "pizzelle" are traditionally made in Molise and Abruzzo for Christmas and Easter.

One of Italy's most populous and densely populated regions, Campania is a microcosm that encapsulates many of the positives and negative features of the country, blending stunning natural and artistic beauty with less savoury aspects such as pollution, uncontrolled urbanization, and a number of thorny social issues. The origin of the region's name is still disputed, though many believe it to be related to the Latin "campus" ("field"), a reference to the region's fertile plains. Though famous for its coastline, Campania also boasts rugged, thickly wooded mountain areas, and one of the world's most notorious volcanoes, Mount Vesuvius, located just south of the storied city of Naples, the regional capital. With UNESCO World Heritage sites such as Pompeii, the Royal Palace of Caserta, the Amalfi Coast, and the magnificent historic centre of Naples - not to mention the famed islands of Capri and Ischia - Campania receives millions of visitors every year.

Though Campania and Naples are mostly associated with pizza, the cuisine of Campania offers a much broader variety of dishes. Besides outstanding produce (such as the renowned San Marzano tomatoes), buffalo mozzarella, and delicious seafood, the region (especially Naples) is also famous for its desserts and pastries, as well as its excellent red and white wines.

With its two peninsulas - the smaller Gargano (the spur) and the larger Salento (the heel) - jutting out into the Adriatic and Ionian Seas, Apulia (named after the ancient Apuli people) has a readily recognizable shape. It is Italy's easternmost region, separated from the Balkan Peninsula (Albania) by the Strait of Otranto. Unlike the majority of Italian regions, Apulia is mostly flat, which accounts for the prominent role of agriculture in its economy. Vineyards and olive groves dot the region's territory, and its long coastline supports a thriving fishing industry. Apulia is also very popular as a tourist destination, both for its beaches - among the most beautiful in the country - and its rich cultural heritage, which includes spectacular medieval churches and castles (such as Castel del Monte, a UNESCO World Heritage site), and extensive archaeological sites. The regional capital, Bari, is a major port on the Adriatic Sea, famous for housing the relics of Saint Nicholas in a magnificent Romanesque basilica. Brindisi (also on the Adriatic) and Taranto (on the Ionian Sea) are also among Italy's largest ports.

Apulia's cuisine is rustic but very tasty, making the most of the region's plentiful fruits and vegetables (many of which are grown almost exclusively there), as well as its fish and seafood (especially mussels). The distinctively-shaped pasta known as "orecchiette" ("little ears") is one of the symbols of Apulian cuisine.

The second-smallest region in Southern Italy, Basilicata has coastlines on both the Tyrrhenian and the Ionian Seas; its interior, on the other hand, is largely montainous or hilly. Also known as Lucania (after its original inhabitants, the Lucani, which is also the name used to refer to the region's modern population), it was already named Basilicata in the 10th century: the name is derived from "basileus", the Greek word for "monarch", and is therefore related to both "basilica" and "basil". Basilicata is a ruggedly beautiful region, home to two national parks and a number of other protected areas where a wide variety of plant and animal species thrive. The most celebrated example of the region's cultural heritage are the striking Sassi di Matera, a unique complex of ancient rock dwellings that has often been used as a filming location. The regional capital, Potenza, is Italy's highest, sitting at an elevation of 819 m (2,687 ft) above sea level. Many of Basilicata's smaller hill towns are often listed among Italy's most scenic: one of them, Venosa, was the birthplace of famed Roman poet Horace.

One of Basilicata's most distinctive food products is the pork sausage known as "lucanica" - a name that has become "luganega" in Northern Italy, and "longaniza" in Spanish and Filipino. The region is also famous for its artisanal breads and sheep's milk cheeses.

A region of great natural beauty with a fascinating history, Calabria is sadly known to most people outside Italy for the pervasive presence of the powerful crime syndicate known as "'ndrangheta" although visitors to the region are quite unlikely to be impacted by it. Often referred to as the "toe" of the boot, Calabria (a name of still unclear origin) was the first part of the peninsula to bear the name "Italia", from the ancient people who resided there before the arrival of the Greeks in the 8th century BC. With a mountainous interior and a stunning coastline on both the Tyrrhenian and the Ionian Seas, Calabria's landscape is nothing short of dramatic, and rich in vestiges of its long history. The region boasts three national parks, one of which - Pollino National Park, shared with Basilicata - is the largest in Italy, and many protected nature reserves, home to a number of endemic plant and animal species; the pristine environment of those mountain areas draws visitors both in winter and in summer. The region's largest city (though not its capital, which is Catanzaro), Reggio Calabria, lies on the Strait of Messina; destroyed by the devastating earthquake and tsunami of 28 December 1908, it was rebuilt shortly afterwards.

A peculiarity of Calabria is the presence of small communities of speakers of Albanian, Greek, and Occitan. The region's cuisine is quintessentially Mediterranean, based on local produce (such as eggplant and red onions) and seafood such as swordfish and salted cod, and often seasoned with the fiery, local chili peppers; Calabrian cured meats have also earned worldwide renown. Calabria also accounts for about one-fourth of all the citrus fruit grown in Italy - including uncommon species such as citrons and bergamot oranges.

Immediately recognizable by its triangular shape, to which it owes its Greek name of Trinacria ("three-pointed"), Sicily is the largest island in the Mediterranean, and Italy's largest region; its current name comes from the Siculi, one of the island's ancient indigenous peoples. Like Campania and Calabria, Sicily tends all too often to be identified with organized crime - in this case, the notorious Mafia of "Godfather" fame. However, Sicily is also rich in natural beauty and a cultural heritage that goes back thousands of years. The region's numerous UNESCO World Heritage sites include archeological sites (such as the famous Valley of the Temples), stunning vestiges of the Arab and Norman domination, elaborate Baroque architectures, and the majestic Mount Etna, one of the world's most active volcanoes. Sicily's renowned beaches include those found on the many smaller islands scattered around the main island; the Aeolian Islands (also an UNESCO site) boast two more active volcanoes, Stromboli and Vulcano. Sicily is one of Italy's five autonomous regions; its regional capital, the bustling metropolis of Palermo, was the capital of the Kingdom of Sicily for almost 700 years.

Sicilian cuisine would deserve its own quiz. While sumptuous desserts such as cannoli and cassata, or heady wines such as Marsala, enjoy worldwide renown, the island's cuisine offers a panoply of unique dishes with diverse influences that include the original eggplant parmesan, arancini (fried rice balls), and spicy seafood dishes, as well as lesser-known local delights. Sicilian citrus fruits, especially blood oranges, are also deservedly famous.

The second-largest island in the Mediterranean, Sardinia is an ancient land, inhabited since prehistory. Its name is believed to date from the time of the civilization (flourished from 1500 BC onwards) that built the stone tower-fortresses known as "nuraghi". Globally known for the beauty of its long coastline - of which the famed, exclusive Emerald Coast ("Costa Smeralda") is only a small stretch - Sardinia is also one of the areas of the world with the highest density of sheep (about four million) - a distinction it shares with parts of the UK and New Zealand. Sardinia is one of Italy's autonomous and bilingual regions: its indigenous language, Sardinian, is the closest to Latin of the extant Romance languages; a small community of speakers of Catalan resides in the northwestern town of Alghero. The region's territory is largely hilly or mountainous, covered by typically Mediterranean vegetation, home to a number of animal species rarely found elsewhere. Some unique forms of Sardinian culture, such as the polyphonic singing style known as "cantu a tenore" have obtained recognition in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list. Sardinia's capital, Cagliari, is located in the southern part of the island.

Sardinian cuisine is as distinctive as the rest of the island's culture. Not surprisingly, "pecorino" (sheep's milk) cheese is one of Sardinia's most popular food products, both in Italy and abroad. The coastal areas offer superb seafood dishes, while in the interior slow-roasted suckling pig, lamb or kid are often prepared on festive occasions. In addition, Sardinia's red and white wines are among the finest produced in Italy.