GARGANO
Monte Gargano is a mountain in Apulia, Italy forming the backbone of the peninsula Promontorio del Gargano on the Adriatic Sea. Most of the upland area, about 1,211.18 km² above the development along the coasts and in the lower valleys, is now a national park, Parco Nazionale del Gargano, formed in 1995.
Gargano is a peninsula partly mountainous and partly covered by the remains of an ancient forest, Foresta Umbra , the only remaining part in Italy of the ancient oak and beech forest that once covered much of Central Europe as well as the Appenine deciduous mountain forests biome.
Gargano innermost area is scarcely populated since it is predominantly covered by the lush and dense Foresta Umbra. Most of the inhabitants live on the coast where the main industries are fishing, agriculture and tourism.
A panoramic route stretches along the coast and connects all the most important towns - Rodi Garganico, Vico del Gargano, Peschici, Vieste, Mattinata and Manfredonia. The best known town on the hillside is San Giovanni Rotondo, made famous by the monastery of Padre Pio.
