Foggia, major city of its province, is situated at the centre of the Tavoliere (plains) of Apulia. It is the third city of the Region for density of population, approx. 150000 inhabitants. Even though the centre has been built at 70 metres above sea level, it is situated in a lower location to the rest of the surrounding area and it is built around a bay. The climate is Mediterranean, mild Winters and warm Summers.
The plain nature of the territory makes it an extraordinary agricultural area. Agriculture is still today the most important part of the local economy. In the past it was a marsh land, the drainage has been completed many times over the centuries as each time there was an abandon of the lands, it left way to the return to its original state. The first to order works to finalize this drainage of the area was the Norman "Roberto il Guiscardo", whilst in the recent times, it was the fascist regime that completed the activities, in order to transform the Tavoliere into the "Granary of Italy", due to the lack of food in those difficult times.
Foggia is situated in a strategic position, important for the sheep flock migrations from the hill to the valley during colder seasons. In 1447 the Spanish (Aragonesi), took advantage of these circumstances and imposed a tax to all the shepherds. The "Custom Tax" Palace, built in XVII century, is the symbol of this. This tax made the monarchies rich, whilst on the other side it made the farmers poorer, lands were abandoned and marshland came forth.
The return to agriculture, only after the foundation of "United Italy", relaunched the local economy.
Monuments of historical interest are: the Cathedral of the XII century, refurbished and redecorated in '700; the various churches, the three Arches of Porta Arpana, the Ach of Federico II and the Archeological Park of Passo di Corvo.
In the city's centre, near to the rail station, the "Villa Comunale" finds its location. It was built in the XIX century and it extends over a very large area.