Geography of Sardinia (Italy)

An island in the Mediterranean Sea, Sardinia is situated north of Africa (Tunisia), west of the Italian Peninsula, and east of the Iberian Peninsula. It is bordered to the north by the French island of Corsica, to the west by the Spanish archipelago of the Balearic Islands, and to the southeast by the Italian island of Sicily. Sardinia is divided from Corsica by the Strait of Bonifacio, which is located to the north of the island.

Other Mediterranean seas, such as the Tyrrhenian Sea to the east and the Sea of Sardinia to the west, also surround the island. Rome is located about 350 kilometres southwest of Sardinia.

Physical Features

The second-largest island in the Mediterranean after Sicily is Sardinia. It is 145 km broad at its widest point and 270 km long at its longest point. The length of its coastline is roughly 1,849 kilometres. Although there are occasional straight stretches, deep bays, headlands, and rias, the coastline is often rocky and high.

It covers a surface area of 24,100 km2. The Tyrrhenian Sea is to Sardinia's east and is also a component of the Mediterranean Sea. To the west of Sardinia is the Sea of Sardinia. The island of Corsica, the Italian Peninsula, Sicily, Tunisia, the Balearic Islands, and Provence are the closest land masses, going clockwise from the north. Between the east coast of Sardinia and the west coast of the Italian peninsula, the Tyrrhenian Sea region of the Mediterranean Sea is located directly to the east of Sardinia.

Sardinia and the French island of Corsica are divided by the Strait of Bonifacio, which is located directly to the north of Sardinia. The Campidano in the southwest between Oristano and Cagliari and the Nurra in the northwest are the two primary alluvial valleys and flatlands that divide the island's hills and plateaux.

Sardinia is not prone to earthquakes, unlike the Italian Peninsula and Sicily Island. The majority of highland regions were created by the erosion of schist, granite, ballast, sandstone, trachyte, and dolomite. Punta La Marmora, at 1,834 m, is the island's highest point. The Gennargentu Range, which cuts through the middle of the island, includes it. Monte Limbara, Monte Linas, Marghine, and Goceano are more noteworthy summits.

Climate

Due to a number of characteristics, including height and latitude extension, the island has a varied climate. Temperate oceanic and Mediterranean oceanic climates are present in Sardinia. Winter and autumn bring more rain to the area, and spring brings severe downpours to the highlands. The average high temperature along the shore can reach 30 ⁰C (86 ⁰F), with lows often falling between 8 and 11 ⁰C (48 and 52 °F) in January and 22 to 26 ⁰C (73 and 79 ⁰F) in July. The temperature in the mountains varies from 2 ⁰C (28 ⁰F) in January to 20 ⁰C (68 ⁰F) in July.

All around the island, rainfall has a Mediterranean distribution, with rainy autumns, winters, and springs and nearly entirely dry summers. However, the summer months in Sardinia are typically dry with little to no rain, but the other three seasons are typically rainy. But summertime can also bring forth brief downpours and powerful thunderstorms. The average annual rainfall in Cagliari is 428 mm, but the average annual rainfall in Fonni, which is located at a higher height, is 919 mm.

The proximity of the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Genoa (barometric low) both have a significant impact on the climate. Fall low pressure systems can lead to the development of extratropical cyclones known as "Medicanes" that have an impact on the Mediterranean basin. Due to its size and terrain, Sardinia has a variety of weather, with the East being very dry while paradoxically experiencing the strongest storms. The Cagliari Gulf shore is the island's driest area.

Flora And Fauna

Sardinia has a high level of endemism in terms of both flora and fauna, including insects and arachnids, as well as terrestrial vertebrates, with endemic amphibians. This is due to Sardinia's continued isolation from mainland Europe even during glacial sea level lows (when it was connected to Corsica). In example, the Sardinian pika was once in great abundance on the island and was exploited as a food source by the first settlers. Several newly introduced mammal species, like the Corsican red deer, are now a part of the island's fauna. Sea turtles and land tortoises both live on the island.

The griffon vulture, common buzzard, golden eagle, and long-eared owl are a few of the raptors that can be seen in this area. In contrast, Sardinia is devoid of several animals that are typical of Europe, including the viper, wolf, bear, and marmot. Additionally, the island has historically been utilized to graze herds of native Sardinian sheep. The Sardinian Anglo-Arab horse breed originated in Sardinia and has been carefully bred there for more than a century. The Sardinian Shepherd Dog, Dogo Sardesco, and Levriero Sardo are three distinct dog breeds that are unique to Sardinia.

River System

Sardinia is drained by a number of major and minor rivers, notably the 151-km Tirso River, which rises in the hilly area of the island and drains into the Mediterranean Sea. The Flumendosa (127 km) and Coghinas (115 km) are two further significant rivers. In addition, there are 54 artificial lakes and dams in the area, including Lake Coghinas and Lake Omodeo. The only natural freshwater lake in Sardinia is Lago di Baratz. Along its coastline, there are a number of sizable, shallow saltwater lagoons and pools.

National Parks and Reserves

Environmentally protected land covers over 600,000 hectares (1,500,000 acres) in Sardinia, or nearly 25% of the entire island. Asinara National Park, Arcipelago di La Maddalena National Park, and Gennargentu National Park are the three national parks on the island. There are 60 wildlife reserves, 5 W.W.F. oases, 25 natural monuments, and 1 Geomineral Park that have been safeguarded by UNESCO. The Pelagos Sanctuary for Mediterranean Marine animals, a marine protected area with a surface area of around 84,000 km2 (32,433 sq mi) and a goal of protecting marine animals, includes the northern Sardinian Coasts.

Conclusion

Italy's Sardinia region is a diversified and biologically rich island in the Mediterranean Sea. Sardinia offers a variety of scenery, from rocky coasts to lush valleys and high plateaus, due to its variable climate, which ranges from temperate oceanic to Mediterranean oceanic. With several endemic species of insects, amphibians, and terrestrial vertebrates, the island's flora and fauna exhibit a high level of endemism.

Three national parks and a number of wildlife reserves make up around 25% of the island's protected land in Sardinia. The abundant aquatic life on the island is also preserved thanks to Pelagos Sanctuary, a marine protected area. The Tirso and Flumendosa, among other rivers in Sardinia, support the island's ecosystem and serve as a supply of freshwater.

FAQs

1. Where is the island of Sardinia located?

Sardinia is an island in the Mediterranean Sea that lies north of Africa (Tunisia), west of the Italian Peninsula, and east of the Iberian Peninsula.

2. How big is Sardinia?

The Mediterranean's second-largest island, Sardinia has a surface area of 24,100 square kilometres.

3. What are the island's principal provinces?

Nuoro, Sassari, Oristano, and South Sardinia are the main provinces in the island nation of Sardinia.

4. How is the weather in Sardinia?

With rainy autumns, winters, and springs and dry summers, Sardinia features a diverse range of climates, including temperate oceanic and Mediterranean oceanic climates.

5. What distinguishes the flora and wildlife of Sardinia?

Due to its historical isolation from mainland Europe, Sardinia has a high level of endemism in both its flora and fauna, with some species being found exclusively there.

6. What percentage of Sardinia's land is under protection?

Nearly 25% of the entire island, or more than 600,000 hectares, is covered by environmental protections like three national parks, wildlife reserves, and UNESCO-protected regions.