30 things you may not have known about the Campania region

30 THINGS YOU MAY NOT HAVE KNOWN ABOUT THE CAMPANIA REGION

1. Oftentimes residents of Campania along with other southern regions consider themselves to be "Meridionali" instead of Italiani. It is a away of acknowledging a cultural rift between the punctual industry focused north and the more laid back warm natured south.

2. People within Campagna will oftentimes write and speak Napulitano instead of Italiano to each other. Napulitano is commonly referred as a dialect but UNESCO has recognized it as a proper language.

3. Those giant fragrant yellow fruit in the markets are not lemons. They are citrons or cedri in Italian. When you cut them open you will notice that they have a huge sweet edible pith and not much pulp. Try making an insalata di cedri while you are here in Sorrento!

4. The last time Mt. Vesuvius erupted was March 18th, 1944.

5. Soccer or calcio is of upmost importance in Italy and thorough out Europe. It is so important in Naples, that locals even created a shrine for Diego Maradona; their superstar who brought Naples to their peak in the sport. You can visit the shrine in Piazetta Nilo and even see the "Napolitan tears" from when he was traded.

6. Naples is famously known for being the birthplace of modern day pizza.

7. Campagna is divided into five different provinces: Avellino, Benevento, Caserta, Naples, and Salerno.

8. If you go down to the big rocks by the beach, scogli, you will oftentimes see locals hunting for octopus with spears.

9. The hottest temperature recorded to date in Campagna is 110.6 degrees F (August, 1962). Let's keep it that way!

10. There is an "Adults Only section" inside the National Archaeology Museum in Naples.

11. The best foods to get in the region are: Neapolitan Pizza, Risotto alla pescatora (seafood risotto), Spaghetti con le vongole (spaghetti with clams), Eggplant parmesan, Fitto Misto di mare (mixed fried seafood), Gnocchi alla Sorrentina.

12. The aglianico grape is arguably the region's most important grape for producing its red wine.

13. Europe's oldest aquarium is located in Naples: the Stazione Zoologica.

14. The Campanian Archipelago consists of three islands: Capri, Ischia, and Procida.

15. The highest point in the Campania region is on top of Mt. Cervati within the Cilento National park.

16. Naples is one of the most affordable places in the country to purchase clothing Made in Italy.

17. The name Campania is derived from the Latin name for field.

18. Via San Gregorio di Amino in Naples is famous for it's gigantic variety of Christmas nativity scenes.

19. In ancient times, Campania was part of the Greek colony called Magna Graecia.

20. There is an accessible underground waterway used in WWII in Naples called Napoli Sottoterrania

21. With thermal steams running through it, the island of Ischia enjoys numerous hot springs where locals and travelers can bathe.

22. The tiny town of Roscigno within the province of Salerno has of population of less than 1000.

23. The current population of the region of Campania is 5.8 million (3rd most populous in the country).

24. The Medical School in Salerno Scuola Medica Salernitana combined Italian, Greek and Arab knowledge of medicine during the middle ages. At the time, this was the most important school in Europe.

25. Pompeii is visited by 2.6 million people every year.

26. After Pompeii was destroyed by the ashes, a landslide of molten rock and debris covered the city of Herculaneum.

27. Along with boasting a gorgeous coastline, Campania also has an impressive mountainous region further inland.

28. Tourism and agriculture are the top two economies in Campania.

29. Fish is of the highest quality on the coastline while cheese is better further inland. Make sure to try the seppia !

30. Naples is so beautiful that locals use the phrase "Vedi Napoli e poi muori" meaning you see Naples and then you die. As if to say that Naples is so enchanting that you can die happily after being there.