FOCUS : Introduction to the youngest Italian national park

The National Park of the Val d’Agri was established on the 8th December 2007 and is therefore the youngest national park of the country. It protects an area of nearly 70,000.00 hectares in the Region Basilicata. This area is characterised by a high valued natural habitat, including rare species of flora and fauna. However, the potential of this park is not only due to its natural resources, but also to the social and religious traditions of the small municipalities herein located, to the wine and food production activities carried out and to the archaeological sites. Thanks also to the establishment of the park, oil extraction activities in the area, which represent a key resource for development, are carried out preserving the ecosystem and biodiversity of the region for the benefit of future generations.