Molise

Molise is a region of Southern Italy. Until 1963, it formed part of the region of Abruzzi e Molise together with Abruzzo. The split, which did not become effective until 1970, makes Molise the newest region in Italy. Covering , it is the second smallest region in the country, after the Aosta Valley, and has a population of 313,348 (as of 1 January 2015). The region is split into two provinces, named after their respective capitals: Campobasso and Isernia. Campobasso also serves as the regional capital. Geography Molise is bordered by Abruzzo to the north, Apulia to the east, Lazio to the west, and Campania to the south. It has of sandy coastline to the northeast, lying on the Adriatic Sea looking out towards the Tremiti islands. The countryside of Molise is mostly mountainous, with 55% covered by mountains and most of the rest by hills that go down to the sea.