Cambridge IGCSE Geography
Settlements and service provision
Sardinia’s urban population
Case Study Settlement and service provision in Sardinia
La Maddalena
N
Arzachena
Sardinia – a Mediterranean island
Porto Torres
Sardinia is an Italian island in the Mediterranean Sea with a total population of about 1.7 million people. Until recently most of the population lived in inland areas, and the economy was based on agriculture and the mining of coal, lead and zinc. However, in the last 50 years tourist development has taken place in the coastal areas. There are a number of large and small towns with different functions. Three examples are:
Olbia
Tempio Pausania
Sassari Ozieri
Alghero
Nuoro Macomer
Bosa
Cagliari, the capital city, is the main commercial and industrial centre of the island. It has one of the largest fish markets in Italy, with a vast array of fish for sale to both the public and trade. It is also one of the biggest container terminals in the Mediterranean area. ■ Carbonia was built to provide housing for the workforce of the nearby mines. The name Carbonia comes from the Italian word for coal, a resource that was abundant in this region. Since the mines closed in the 1970s, Carbonia has had to deal with high unemployment. ■ The small town of Bosa is situated on the west coast of Sardinia, about 3 km inland on the bank of the Temo River. Traditionally agriculture and fishing played an important part in the economy. Its beach has been voted the most beautiful beach in Italy and the town is growing in popularity for tourism.
Siniscola
Dorgali
■
44
Cabras Oristano
Lanusei
Tortoli
Terralba Sanluri
Guspini
Villaputzu Iglesias
Cagliari
Carbonia Pula
Population Over 250 000 50 000–250 000
Settlement hierarchy in Sardinia
15 000–49 999 0
Population
Over 250 000
The port of Olbia
Cagliari Olbia Sassari
50 000 to 250 000
Carbonia Iglesias Oristano Nuoro Porto Torres Alghero
15 000 to 49 999
Terralba Ozieri Villaputzu Siniscola La Maddelena Macomer Guspini Dorgali Bosa Tempio Pausania Pula Lanusei Cabras Arzachena Sanluri Tortoli Hundreds of small villages, hamlets and dispersed settlements
50 km
5000 to 14 999
Less than 5000
5000–14 999