The second largest island in the Mediterranean, Sardegna (Sardinia) has always been considered an isolated, far-away land. Even today, its people and culture maintain a separate identity from the mainland, which they call ilk continente (the continent). The island is dotted with some 7000 nuyraghi, the conical-shaped megalithic stone fortresses that are the only remnants of the island's first inhabitants - the Nuraghic people. These people lived in separate communities led by warrior-king shepherds, and their culture flourished from around 1800 BC. Sardegna's coast was visited by Greeks and Phoenicians, first as traders then as invaders, and the island was colonised by the Romans. They, in turn, were followed by the Pisans, Genoese, Spanish, Austrians and, finally, the Royal House of Savoia, the future kings of a united Italy. In 1948 Sardegna became a semiautonomous region. The Irtalian government's Sardegna Rebirth Plan of 1962 influenced the development of tourism, industry and agriculture. The Sardinians of the interior speak an ancient Latin-based dialect and proudly maintain traditional customs and costume. Many of the island's shepherds exist in almost complete isolation, until about 10years ago still living in the traditional conical-shaped shelters of stone and wood called pinnettas. These days the shelters are used as refuges by trekkers.

Sardegna's cuisine is as varied as its history. Along the coast most dishes feature seafood and there are many variations of zuppa di pesce (fish soup) and pasta. Inland you will find porcheddu (roast sucking pig(), kid goat with olives, and even lamb's trotters in garlic sauce. The Sardi eat pecorino (sheep's-milk cheese) and you will rarely find Parmesan here. The preferred bread throughout the island is the paper-thin carta musica, also called pane carasau, often sprinkled with iol and salt. Sardegna's savage, dark-bushed, sky-exposed land' described by DH Lawrence has incredibly, beautiful gorges and highlands, and km of unspoiled coastline with salt lakes and herons.
The island offers visitoprs a wide range of attractions, from spectacular beaches and archaeological treasures to the isolated interior, perfect for the more adventurous traveller. If you do venture into the interior, you will find the people incredibly gracious and hospitable, although you might find it difficult to make initial contact. Try to avoid coming to the island in August, when the weather is very hot and the beaches are overcrowded. Warm weather generally continues from April to October.

Surface(Kmq): 24090
City: Cagliari (CA); Nuoro (NU); Oristano (OR); Sassari (SS).