Latium - Reference Center

More Sponsored Links For:

Columbia Encyclopedia entry: Latium

Latiumlā'shēəm, Ital. Lazio, region (1990 pop. 5,170,672), 6,642 sq mi (17,203 sq km), central Italy, extending from the Apennines westward to the Tyrrhenian Sea. Rome is the capital of the region, which is divided into Frosinone, Latina, Rieti, Rome, and Viterbo provs. (named for their capitals). The region is mostly hilly and mountainous, with a narrow coastal plain, much of which has been reclaimed in the 20th cent. (see Campagna di Roma; Pontine Marshes). Agriculture forms the backbone of the regional economy; products include cereals, vegetables, grapes, olives, and fodder. Sheep and cattle are raised. Rome is Latium's main commercial, service, and industrial center. Industry in the region has been spurred (mid-20th cent.) by the construction of hydroelectric facilities on the Aniene and Liri rivers and a nuclear power plant at Latina. Manufactures include chemicals, cement, textiles, construction materials, and processed food. There is a large tourist industry, and fishing is pursued along the coast, especially at Civitavecchia, the region's chief port. In ancient times, Latium comprised a limited area E and S of the Tiber River that extended to the Alban Hills; only after it became part of Italy in 1870 did it approximately reach its present limits. In early Roman times Latium was inhabited by the Latins, the Etruscans (N of the Tiber River), and several Italic tribes. In the 3d cent. B.C., Rome subdued all of Latium. The fertile coastal plain became marshy, malaria-infested, and impoverished during the late Roman Empire and early Republic. After the fall of Rome, Latium was invaded in turn by the Visigoths, the Vandals, and the Lombards. From the 8th cent. the duchy of Rome, including most of modern Latium, belonged to the popes. Their authority was not always recognized in the towns, which were ruled at times as free communes or by local feudal lords. Except for the area S of Terracina, which belonged to the kingdom of Naples, Latium remained a part of the Papal States until 1870. In World War II, S Latium was the scene of bloody battles during the Allied drive on Rome (see Cassino; Anzio). There are two universities in Rome, which is also the site of the Vatican.

Wikipedia search results for: Latium

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Latium, the cradle of Rome, consisted originally of the coastal plain from the mouth of the Tiber to the Circeian promontory, and its adjacent foothills. Cary, M.; Scullard, H. H., A History of Rome. Page 31. 3rd Ed. 1979. ISBN 0312383959. Its area constituted a part of the much larger modern Italian Regione of Lazio, also called Latium in Latin, and occasionally in modern English. The ancient language of the region was to become the basis of Latin. Latium has played an important role in history owing to its status as the cradle of the Roman Empire and the city of Rome. Consequently, it is home to celebrated works of art...more »

Columbia Encyclopedia search results: Latium

Results 1 - 10 of 42

Regillus, Lake
Regillus, Lake, in ancient Latium, SE of Rome, possibly near Frascati. Traditionally it was the scene of a battle (499 or 496 B.C.) by which Rome gained supremacy in Latium.
Latins
Latins, in ancient times, inhabitants of Latium, particularly of the great plain of Latium. The Latins established themselves in many small settlements. Gradually increasing in size, these set...
Samnium
Samnium, ancient country of central and S Italy, mostly in the S Apennines. It was E of Campania and Latium and NE of Apulia.
Alba Longa
Alba Longa, city of ancient Latium, in the Alban Hills near Lake Albano, c.12 mi (19 km) SE of Rome. It was a city before 1100 B.C. and apparently the most powerful in Latium. Legend says that...
Mentana
Mentana, town (1991 pop. 30,360), in Latium, central Italy. On Nov. 3, 1867, Garibaldi was defeated there by French and papal troops during his unsuccessful campaign to capture nearby Rome.
Nettuno
Nettuno, town (1991 pop. 33,827), in Latium, central Italy, on the Tyrrhenian Sea. It is an agricultural center and a seaside resort. With nearby Anzio it was the site of an Allied landing (Ja...
Garigliano
Garigliano, lower part of the Liri River, S central Italy, below its junction with the Rapido, or Gari, River (hence Gari-Liriano) near Cassino. It separates Latium from Campania and empties i...
Latina
Latina, city (1991 pop. 106,203), capital of Latina prov., in Latium, central Italy, near the Tyrrhenian Sea. It is an industrial, commercial, and agricultural center. Manufactures include tir...
Latin language
Latin language, member of the Italic subfamily of the Indo-European family of languages. Latin was first encountered in ancient times as the language of Latium, the region of central Italy in ...
Bolsena
Bolsena, town (1991 pop. 4,064), Latium, central Italy, on picturesque Lake Bolsena, near the site of the second Volsinii. It is an agricultural and tourist center. Of note are an imposing cas...

1 2 3 4 5 Next

Video Results

Hotel Majestic Roma, Rom, Latium

Channel: YouTube
Marcella Royal in Rom / Latium / Italien by Gratistours.com

Channel: YouTube
Cicerone in Rom / Latium / Italien by Gratistours.com

Channel: YouTube

Sponsored Links

More Sponsored Links For:

Related Encyclopedia Matches

Video Results

Reference Center To Go