Sardinia
Sardinia (Sardegna) Mountainous island of Italy, 208km (130mi) w of the Italian mainland, separated by the Tyrrhenian Sea. The only large city is Cágliari, the capital. A trading centre for the Phoenicians, Greeks, Carthaginians, and Romans, Sardinia became a kingdom in 1720, and in 1861 its king, Victor Emmanuel II, became the first king of Italy. Farming and fishing are the chief occupations of this sparsely vegetated island. Wheat, barley, grapes, olives, and tobacco are grown, and sheep and goats are reared. Salt extraction is important. Other minerals include coal, lead, magnesium, manganese, and zinc. Area: 24,090sq km (9300sq mi). Pop. (1999) 1,654,470.
http://www.sardegna.net/docs/cultura/storia_en.html
http://www.sardegna.net/docs/cultura/storia_en.html
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