Campagna (Campania), literally "countryside" in Italian, is on the south-west coast of Italy, sandwiched between Lazio Region to the north and the Region of Calabria to the south. <p>With a population of almost 6 million, the Campania Region is one of the most densely populated in Europe, even though, because of widespread poverty, millions of Campanians left the country and emigrated abroad, particularly to the United States, Canada. As a result of this widespread dispersion, the Napalese dialect is the most recognized of all Italian dialects.</p>

As Campanians have emigrated to other parts of the world, they have introduced some of their favorite foods, including mozzarella bufalo (from Buffalo milk), pizza and spaghetti. They also gave the world Sophia Loren! <p>Campania's capital city, Naples, and other major cities like Avalino, Salerno and Sorrento are important governmental, cultural and industrial centers in Italy, while the beautiful Amalfi Coast, south of Naples, deservedly hundreds of thousands of tourists every year, and has served as the backdrop for many a romantic movie. Most recently, the town of Positano was featured in the film version of Under the Tuscan Sun.</p>

In Campania, take all the time you can. Stop for a long lunch and a longer dinner to enjoy every mouthful of the stupendous local cuisine. Try the baked, stuffed artichokes (Carciofi ripeni all napoletana), dried figs on sticks (sproccolati) or the mouth-watering pizza. You'll be offered a wide selection of wines, but don't leave without trying a cold glass of limoncello, a local digestif made from lemons.

Campania, on the lower, west coast of the Italian peninsula, has been famous for its wines throughout most of history and remains home to several of Italy’s esteemed archaeological vines. These ancient varietals include Aglianico, Fiano, Greco di Tufo and Falanghina. For several years Campania’s viniculture remained in decline as growers left the region and DOC laws remained largely ignored. Despite these struggles, stories of success include the red Taurasi which due to its depth and ability to age, is often called the Barolo of the south, and two of Italy’s most distinguished white varietals: Fiano di Avellino and Greco di Tufo grown in the hills east of Naples.