Bari, Italy, the second largest city of Southern Italy, is capital of the Apulia (or Puglia) region, located on the Adriatic Sea. Named the fifth largest province in Italy and also the most populated, Bari carries a population of 1,551,331 as of 2001.

As a very prominent seaport, Bari is more than 5,000 square kilometers in size and its ports face the Adriatic Sea and connect to other Adriatic ports using railways, boat and roadways. Bari also connects with Naples by roadway.

Bari has become one of the top commercial and industrial leaders in Italy. People have come to know Bari as 'California of the South', which is a title given to the city for its amazing growth and leadership compared to other areas in the South.

The ancient district is the place to visit for historical enlightenment. The S. Giacomo is a church which is worth seeing.

Other great sites in this district are the Lungomare (promenade), a railway station which was constructed in 1875, the Fiera del Levante, which is one of the largest fairs in Italy. The fair takes place in September and is located close to the shore. The ancient seafaring center is located here as well.

On the more modern side of Bari, there are villas and supermarkets. Buses are available for travel in the city.

Bari offers many creative dishes with colorful vegetables such as turnip tops with orecchiette pasta or cavatelli. Red-yellow peppers stuffed with meat or rice, baked in the oven, is another delicious specialty. Local "farmhouses" carry these dishes and other similar 'veggie' delights! Other cuisines include bass, clams, cuttlefish, mussels, oysters, cod, prawns, sea bream, lobster, anchovies and sole, which are cooked using various methods.

If you like pizza, there are pizzerias for every type of pizza.

There's plenty to do in Bari during every season. From spending a day at the lovely beach to going horseback riding through the gorgeous countryside, you'll never get bored. Cinemas, theaters, museums and churches are abundant in Bari, combining modern entertainment with a marvelous taste of history.

Winter days are filled with festivals and nativity scenes. There are plenty of places to shop, women beware!

Bari has a little touch of everything, from the Metropolis scene to a stroll back to ancient history. This is a fabulous city to visit when in Italy.