Mezzodiurno

Mezzodiurno is one of the five administrative regions of Istalia. It is the southernmost region of the Sarrentina Peninsula and is the fourth largest region and the third most populated. The capital of Mezzodiurno is Romula, which is also Istalia's capital and the country's largest city.

Name
The current name of the region, like the ones of the other istalian regions, was adopted officially only during the fourth Republic. Previously, Mezzodiurno was called Ingrisu, descenting directly from the Qolshamin name Ingris and which was resumed during the Quanzar Emirate.

History
The history of Mezzodiurno is obviously closely connected with the history of the civilizations which arise or conquered the Istalian peninsula across the millennia, but among the istalian regions, Mezzodiurno is the one which probably can boast the longest history due to the fact that the northern part of this region was the core of the Kingdom of Qolshamih, one of the most ancient civilizations of Majatra and of all the world.

Geography
   See also: Geography of Istalia

Mezzodiurno is a region largely hilly and almost totally occupied by the large Southern Plateau (Istalian: Altopiano del Meridione) but the north-westernmost part is indeed occupied by the southern side of the Basin of Pheykran, a depression of more than 250 m under the sea level.

Along the south-western coast, instead, arise the Mezzodiurno's section of the Akhayl Mountains which last offshots delimit to the south the Plateau. The Temperate Rainforests of the Akhayl are among the most notable natural beauty of Mezzodiurno and Istalia and, protected into natural parks and reserves, they are situated along the southern slopes of the mountain range.

The northern part of the Plateau is carved from west to east by the valley of the river Sala and it is in this river vally that arise Romula.

Economy
As mentioned, Mezzodiurno is the fourth largest and most populed region of Istalia with a territory mostly rural. However, the internal GDP of the region is the second among the istalian regions, this due to the presence of large industrial zones concentrated in the outskirt of the larger cities, to the fact that the headoquarters of many istalian multinational corporations are based in Romula and to the fact that the Capital itself is one of the most important financial hub of Majatra.

Demographic
Mezzodiurno is the most homogeneus regions of the mailand, with almost 94% of Istalians while the remaining 6% is divided between Majatrans and ethnicities of more recent immigration. The region was also important for the Hosianism in Istalia, due to the fact that Romula for centuries was the house of the local Patriarch. The homogeneity of the region is due also to the importance of the Church for this region, which in the past was very hostile to the ahmadi faithful and always considered itself the "most istalian" region on the mainland. Probably this affected also the social developement of the region which still today is notably one where the conservative movements find traditionally a broad support.

Administrative divisions
Mezzodiurno is divided into four provices, named after the provincial capital, and they are:
 * Romula
 * Bescara
 * Nepoli
 * Angona