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The elongated region of Puglia (Apulia) forms the south-east part of the peninsula, on the Adriatic and Ionian Seas, delimited by Molise to the north-west and by Campania and Basilicata to the west. As far as size and population are concerned, it is the seventh largest region in Italy and its population density is above the national average.

History. Although Puglia comprises a diversity of morphological zones with clearly defined characteristics, it retains a precise uniformity, conferred by the underlying rock and its structural constant, for the Puglia landscape consists prevalently of horizontal lines and gentle contours, which rarely take on the appearance of mountains, even at higher altitudes. These forms owe their existence to the large extensions of limestone rock in vast horizontal or sub-horizontal strata. As a result, there are few water courses, and consequently considerable karst phenomena.

From north to south, four geographical regions, Gargano, the Tavoliere, the Murge and Salento (or Salentino peninsula) blend into each other with little contrast; to these can be added the so-called Àppennino di Capitanata', i.e.. the Apennine belt rising with the Monti della Daunia (1,152 m.), blocking the Tavoliere to the west, and the flat coastal amphitheatre extending in the immediate hinterland of Taranto.

Gargano is a blunt compact promontory with a rolling landscape and steep or terraced slopes. Between the Candelaro and Ofanto rivers and the Apennines lies the Tavoliere, a vast plain on the Adriatic, with a low sandy dune-fringed coastline. Towards the south-east, lies the Murge tableland, formed of great limestone blocks which, to the south-west, drop steeply towards the Fossa Bradanica (in Lucanian territory) though sloping gently to the Adriatic coast. The Peninsula Salentina landscape, south-east of the Soglia Messapica, is very similar.

The Fortore and the Ofanto at the two ends of the Tavoliere are the principal rivers, both flowing into the Adriatic Sea. In Gargano, Murge and Salento, surface and underground karst phenomena are widespread (the Castellana Caves). The largest lakes are the Lesina and Varano coastal lakes.

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