Reggio Di Calabria Travel Guide, Italy

Reggio di Calabria Travel Guide – Location and Population

Reggio di Calabria, simply known as Reggio, is located in the south of Italy on the “tip of the boot” and is the capital of the Province of Reggio Calabria. It is one of the most important administrative focal points in the history of Italy and the second oldest city in the country. It has about 185.000 inhabitants and the urban area it belongs to counts over 260.000 people. Being right at the edge of the mainland, it is separated from the island of Sicily by the Straight of Messina. Its geographical positioning on the slope of the Aspromonte which is a very wild mountain chain means that Reggio di Calabria has always been exposed to many earthquakes and tsunamis throughout its history.

Reggio di Calabria Travel Guide – Climate and Economy

The climate in Reggio di Calabria is a typical Mediterranean one, with an average of 30 degrees in August and 14 degrees in January. This means that the locals can benefit from agricultural activities and the export of fruit and tobacco are two of the main economical supports of the city. This made the city the third most important economical center in mainland South Italy, and the citrus fruit called Bergamot is a local specialty known all over the world. Reggio di Calabria is also an important port and it has been using its position to trade merchandise and form strategic communication channels with all the Mediterranean area. This also assured a well developed fishing industry and you’ll find fresh fish all over town.

Reggio di Calabria Travel Guide – Unique Characteristics

The atmosphere in Reggio di Calabria can be characterized as tranquil and somewhat rural, in spite of its large number of inhabitants. Its proximity to the sea has assured a continuous flux of tourists but the feel of the city has mostly remained unchanged. There are lots of ferry boats leaving from Reggio to Catania (the closest city on the island of Sicily), but if you think the large coastal area isn’t enough, there is the National Aspromonte Park situated just outside the city, where you can ski at 1400 meters and enjoy a totally different atmosphere. Cross "the boot" and you'll get to Bari on the Adriatic coast, one of the most important cities in Southern Italy.

Reggio di Calabria has a major issue with organized crime, but since the 1980s it started being handled more efficiently and the dangers were considerably diminished. It became an important university town and cultural centre, as it hosts the Riace Warriors, two life-sized bronze statues that date back from 430 BC and are a testimony for the city’s Greek origins. The city is also known for a specific optical phenomenon that is visible from its coastal region due to temperature inversion, Fatamorgana.

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