Page 24 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Italian Riviera

22  INTRODUCING THE IT ALIAN RIVIER A

The Landscape of Liguria

Most visitors to Liguria are focused only on one thing –
the beaches, luxuriant vegetation and rocky slopes of the
Riviera. Behind the coast, on the fertile plains and valleys,
agriculture takes over – in particular, the age-old cultivation
of olives and a burgeoning modern horticultural industry.
Step further back and visitors can discover the mountains,
with their isolated villages and silent forests (Liguria is the
most forested region in Italy). In winter, snow whitens the
peaks just a short distance from the Mediterranean. The rocky coast of Portovenere

The Coast The Coastal Plains
Liguria’s coastline would measure 440 km Although the plains occupy just one per cent
(274 miles) if a line were traced following the of the region, they have always performed an
shore into every inlet and cove. To the west, the important function. The climate here is
beaches are wider and the coastline gentler, temperate and favourable for agriculture, and
while to the east, the landscape is characterized the soil is very fertile. As a result, the plains are
by cliffs and mountains reaching down to the crammed with cultivated fields, as well as the
shore, making beaches a rarity. The Ligurian Sea industries that cannot be located in rockier
is the richest area for cetaceans (whales and areas. This is the most densely populated part of
dolphins) in the Mediterranean. Liguria: despite large areas of natural landscape,
the plains have an average population of more
than 300 inhabitants per square kilometre.
Dolphins can be seen in the Ligurian Sea, especially
in the sea off the coast of the Cinque Terre. Sperm
whales and the occasional marine turtle can also be Mimosa, originally from
seen. It is not unusual to see groups of these friendly southwestern Australia,
creatures following the wash behind brightens up many parks
ferry boats, emerging from the and gardens with its
water and performing bright yellow flowers
somersaults. in spring.

Glasshouses are a
The palm tree (“la palma” common feature of
in Italian) was imported the plains. The cultiva­
from North Africa and is tion of vegetables,
now so common on the Riviera fruit and flowers is
that it has given its name to a one of Liguria’s prime
stretch of the Riviera di Ponente. economic activities.

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