Tuscany [antikvár]

General Aspects of Tuscany The Tuscan region is mostly hilly and mountainous. The major range running north south on the east, the Tusco-Emiliano Apennines, vaunts peaks of respectable heights (e.g., Mt. Prato at2053 m., Mt. Corno allé Scale at 1945 m, and Mt. Falterona at 1654 m): theApuane on the west are almost as high. As you go south, the mountains gradually turn into hills (Chianti, Metal-lifere, andAmiata hills) collectively known as theAntiappennini (pre-Apen-nines). Valleys of considerable size (Lu-nigiana, Garfagnana, Mugello and Casentino) are sandwiched between the Apennines. The rare plains are either of the coastal type (e.g., Versilia andMaremma) or alluvional (e.g., the Arno Valley). The coastline alternates long stretches of beach (Versilia, Cecina) with promontories and cliffs (Piombino, Argentario). The islands of the Tuscan archipelago may be considered a continuation of the geological configuration of the coast. The major Tuscan rivers are the Arno, Ombrone, Ser-chio and Sieve, while no lakes worthy of mention exist. In terms of vegeta- T ^ Pictures of the Tuscan landscape tion, there are great chestnut forests in the mountain regions, Mediterranean pines and brush along the coast, with neat olive groves and vineyards covering the hillsides. Subterranean Tuscany also yields rich fruits: mercury (Amia-ta), copper and alabaster (Colline Metal-lifere), marble (Apuane, especially Carrara), and iron (Elba and Grosseto). The Larderello geysers near Volterra generate some of the region's electricity. Typical features ofTuscany's winter climate are heavy rainfall and frequent temperature plunges, mainly due