Maremma

The Maremma is a historical and geographic region of central Italy that lies along the Tyrrhenian coast in western Tuscany and northern Lazio. The name has long referred to the marshy, low-lying inland and coastal lands that characterized the area, a landscape shaped by rivers, lagoons, and wetlands. Today it is used to describe a broad cultural and territorial district that includes both coastal zones and inland hills.

Geography and landscape: The Maremma stretches along the Tyrrhenian shoreline from the Arno basin in the north to the Lazio border in the south, incorporating parts of the provinces of Grosseto and Livorno in Tuscany and, in some schemes, portions of Lazio. The region features coastal lagoons such as the Orbetello Lagoon and protected areas including the Maremma Natural Park, as well as a hinterland of rolling hills and medieval towns. The landscape supports agriculture, viticulture, and pastoral activities, with notable wine and olive oil production.

History and culture: Historically malarial marshlands limited settlement until large-scale drainage and reclamation in the 18th and 19th centuries transformed the terrain for farming and habitation. The area preserves Etruscan and Roman archaeological remains and a distinctive local culture and dialect. The Maremma is also associated with the Maremma sheepdog, a large herding breed that originated in the region and remains a symbol of its pastoral traditions.

Economy and tourism: Today the Maremma economy blends agriculture (notably wine production such as Morellino di Scansano, olive oil), livestock, and tourism. The coastal and natural areas attract outdoor recreation, wildlife viewing, and coastal towns with historical architecture.