Italian Regions Part 1 Trivia Quiz

Answer: Sicilia (Sicily)

Sicily is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea and the largest of the Italian regions. The capital city (as well as the most populous) is Palermo near the north-western corner of the triangular island, while Messina is at the North-East. The longest river is the Salso (144 km long), originating near the geographical centre of the region and flowing south towards the city of Licata. The highest mountain (and also the best known) is Etna, a volcano reaching its top at 3,350 m, near the eastern coast.
The island has a very rich history. Various architectural styles can be found in Agrigento, Ragusa, Syracuse, Palermo, Monreale... Etna has been classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site, as have six other sites.
The Sicilian economy thrives upon tourism. Agriculture is still an important economic sector, and Sicilian oranges, wine, cheese, tomatoes and pistachio nuts have all gained some kind of international protection.
Sicily lies in the south of Italy. In the popular comparison of Italian mainland to a boot, Sicily resembles the football at the tip of the boot.

Answer: Piemonte (Piedmont)

Torino is the capital, most populous city and best known city in Piemonte. Other important cities include Novara and Asti.
The river Sesia (140 km) is not the best known river in Piemonte, but the longest that flows only through this region. The longest river (as well as the best known) is the Po (652 km), but as this one flows through several other regions, I've not mentioned it in the question. The Ticino (280 km) comes from Switzerland. The Tanaro (276 km) forms part of the frontier between Piemonte and Liguria. The Dora Baltea (160km) finds its origin in the region of Aosta.
The Monviso (or Monte Viso) is the highest mountain situated only in the region of Piemonte. It reaches an altitude of 3,841 m. Higher peaks are shared with Switzerland (the Monte Rosa, at 4,618 m) or with the region Aosta (the Gran Paradiso, 4,061 m).
Piemonte was one of the origins of the Italian reunification in the mid- Nineteenth Century. Briefly Torino was the Italian capital, but as the country's capital moved south to Firenze and later to Rome, the political importance of Piemonte dwindled.
The economy of Piemonte relies on industry (FIAT automobile factory near Torino, Olivetti typewriters) and agriculture (rice, dairy products, and wine).
Piemonte lies far to the northwest and borders France and Switzerland.

Answer: Sardinia

Sardinia is one of the two island regions of Italy (the other being Sicily).
Cagliari is the capital and the most populous city and lies to the south of the island. It has regular ferry services to Napoli and Palermo. The most important city in the north of the island is Sassari.
The river Tirso is the longest river on Sardinia, flowing 152 km from east to west.
The highest mountain on Sardinia is Punta la Marmora, at 1,834 m.
Sardinia's economy is based upon services. Tourism, finances and telecommunication together are responsible for over half of the gross domestic product of Sardinia. Sardinia was also one of the first Italian regions to develop the internet. Agricultural products of renown are cheese and cork.
Contrary to what one might suppose, sardine fishing is NOT a major activity in Sardinia. In fact the fishing industry is underdeveloped.
Sardinia lies to the north of Sicily, and just south of the French department of Corsica.

Answer: Lombardia (Lombardy)

The capital city of Lombardia is Milano (Milan) in the west, also the most populous city. Second in the list is Brescia, situated in the east of the region. Other important cities are Bergamo in the centre, Mantova (Mantua) in the south-east and Pavia in the south-west.
The longest river in Lombardia (but also in some other regions) is the Po. The longest river entirely in Lombardia is the Adda (313 km), which flows into Lake Como at the north-east end and out of the same lake at the south end. Lake Como is known for the villas of rich and famous Italians since the ancient Roman time.
Monte Resegone is at 1,875 m the highest mountain situated only in Lombardia. The Punta Perrucchetti (4,021 m) is significantly higher, but is situated exactly on the border with Switzerland.
Economically Lombardia is best known for its role in finances. During the Middle Ages banking and accounting were developed in Lombardia. Tourists flock to Lombardia especially for Milano (the cathedral and the opera house), or for the fashion. Agricultural products of renown are various cheeses.
Lombardia forms the centre of northern Italy.

Answer: Toscana (Tuscany)

Ah, Toscana - the cradle of the Renaissance. I'd better say the Rinascimento, for this quiz is of course about Italy.
The capital city of Toscana is Firenze, home to several noteworthy museums and churches. Other important cities (and art centres) are Lucca, Siena, San Gimignano, and Pisa.
The Arno is the longest river in Toscana, with a length of 241 km. Its origin is situated near Valdalena, and then the river flows roughly to the southeast through the province of Arezzo. But then it takes a sharp turn to the northwest, and about half a dozen km from Firenze finally settles for a western course.
The Monte Prado reaches a height of 2,054 m and is the highest point in Toscana.
Toscana is a region with a flourishing touristic industry. You may visit almost any city and village in Toscana and find one or more artistic highlights.
You'll find Toscana on the west coast of Italy, north of Lazio and south of Lombardia.

Answer: Emilia-Romagna

Emilia-Romagna is a region containing several noteworthy cities. The capital is Bologna (with the oldest university worldwide), and other famous cities are Parma, Modena, Ferrara, Ravenna and Rimini.
The longest river in Emilia-Romagna is the Po, but as this one is shared by several regions, I've not included it in the question. The Reno (at 212 km) forms part of the border with Toscana. Finally I found the Secchia: 172 km long and entirely in the region Emilia-Romagna.
The Monte Cimone at 2,165 m is the highest peak in Emilia-Romagna.
Emilia-Romagna has an important agricultural sector (balsamic vinegar from Modena, ham and cheese from Parma...) but is also well known for the automotive industry: factories of Ferrari, Lamborghini and Maserati sports cars and Ducati motorcycles.
Emilia-Romagna has a coastline on the east coast of Italy. The region resembles a rectangle with the long axis oriented west to east.

Answer: Apulia

Apulia is the south-eastern region of Italy - more or less the "heel" of the Italian peninsula. The capital is Bari, and the port of Brindisi may be a bit more famous.
I had to cheat a little with the rivers: not a single river that I discovered is solely in the region Apulia. The Carapelle (98 km) has its origin in Campania, about 1 km from the border with Apulia, and forms part of this regional border for about 2 km. So of the 98 km I'd say 95 are in Apulia, and the rest in Campania.
The highest peak in Apulia is the Monte Cornacchio - at 1,152 m the lowest of the regional high peaks.
Agriculture is still important in Apulia: the region produces about 40% of all Italian olive oil.

Answer: Veneto

Veneto has as capital city Venice. But mentioning Venice in the question would make it a giveaway. The second city is Verona, the setting of Shakespeare's famous theatre play "Romeo and Juliet". Furthermore Veneto has the cities of Padova (Padua), Vicenza and Treviso.
The river Bacchiglione is with 118 km the longest river entirely in the region Veneto. The Po and the Adige are longer, but they flow through more than one Italian region.
The Marmolada (3,342 m) is the highest peak of Veneto. It is situated in the province of Belluno, the most northern of Veneto's provinces.
With Venice and Verona, it is no wonder that Veneto has a large tourist industry. But agriculture still plays an important role. The region of Veneto specializes in laborious agricultural produce, such as cherries or green peas.
Veneto lies in the north-east of Italy. The main port of Venice is just north of the Adriatic Sea.

Answer: Lazio

Rome is not only the capital and most populous city of the region of Lazio, but also of Italy as a whole. Other noteworthy cities include Viterbo, Fiumicino and Tivoli.
The most important river in Lazio is the Tiber (406 km), but it finds its origin in another region. The second longest river in Lazio, the Liri, also stretches over more than one region. The longest river entirely in Lazio is the Aniene (99 km), a tributary to the Tiber.
Rome is built proverbially on seven hills, but none of these hills is the highest peak of Lazio: that one is the Monte Gorzano at 2,458 m.
Lazio is in the middle of Italy's west coast, south of Toscana and north of Campania.

Answer: Calabria

Calabria is the most southwestern part of mainland Italy, compared to the toe of the boot.
The capital city of Calabria is Reggio di Calabria, directly across from Sicily. Second most populous is Catanzaro, on the south coast.
The river Crati (91 km) is the longest river fully in the region of Calabria.
Montalto (literally translated: high mountain) is at 1,955 m the highest peak completely in Calabria. The official highest peak in Calabria is the Serra Dolcedormo (Pollino) at 2,267 m, but Calabria shares this peak with the region of Basilicata.
Did none of these points of interest in Calabria ring a bell? Well, Calabria is not one of the most touristic regions of Italy, but it has a variety of benefits to offer to the tourists. The coastal region offers mostly unspoiled marine life, and some of the cities more inland have still traces of the rich history (mostly during medieval times). And winter sports can be enjoyed in the national parks of Montalto and other peaks.