Province of Foggia

Province of Foggia
Province
Palazzo Dogana, the provincial seat.
Map highlighting the location of the province of Foggia in Italy
Country	Italy
Region	Apulia
Capital(s)	Foggia
Comuni	61
Government
• President	Francesco Miglio
Area
• Total	7,007.54 km2 (2,705.63 sq mi)
Population (1 January 2016)
• Total	630,581
• Density	90/km2 (230/sq mi)
Time zone	CET (UTC+1)
• Summer (DST)	CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code	71100
Telephone prefix	0881
Vehicle registration	FG
ISTAT	071

The Province of Foggia (Italian: Provincia di Foggia) is a province in the Apulia (Puglia) region of southern Italy.

This province is also known as Capitanata, originally Catapanata, because during the Middle Ages it was governed by a catepan, as part of the Catepanate of Italy. Its capital is the city of Foggia.

The province of Foggia can be divided in two parts: the one centered in its capital Foggia called Tavoliere and the other one that represents the spur of the boot-shaped Italian peninsula called Gargano.

The Tavoliere, a term that recalls the word tavolo, table, is so called because it is lowland and it is important for agriculture (grapefruit, olives, durum wheat, tomato). It is also called "the granary of Italy" because of its important production of wheat.

The Gargano is a peninsula partly mountainous and partly covered by a forest, Foresta Umbra with vegetation typical of Central Europe, the only lasting part in Italy of the ancient Black Forest. Allegedly its name comes from the word ombra (shadow) because of its thickness that prevents the light to enter in contrast with the typical flora. The coast of Gargano is rich in beaches and touristic facilities. In the north are two major salt lakes Lesina and Varano. It is also important for the production of olives, olive oil and both mountain and sea typical food products.