Garigliano

Garigliano is a river in southern Italy that flows through the regions of Lazio and Campania before emptying into the Tyrrhenian Sea near the Gulf of Gaeta. It is a relatively short river, with a length around 40 kilometers. The Garigliano rises in the Monti Aurunci on the Lazio–Campania border and travels generally southwest, passing through rural areas and agricultural land until it reaches the coast.

In antiquity the Garigliano was known as Liris in Latin sources. The river valley has long been settled and cultivated, and the river has historically supported irrigation for local agriculture. The lower course has shaped settlement patterns and provided a corridor for movement and trade in the region.

The Garigliano has notable military history. In the early modern period, the Battle of Garigliano in 1503 occurred near the river during the Italian Wars, resulting in a victory for Spanish forces over the French. In the 20th century, the river was again a focus of combat during the Italian Campaign in World War II, as Allied forces conducted operations to cross the waterway and advance inland.

Ecologically, the lower Garigliano supports wetlands and habitats for birds and other wildlife, though agricultural development has altered much of the landscape. The river continues to be used for irrigation and contributes to the local economy, while conservation efforts seek to balance ecological health with human activity.