ABSTRACT
Regional diversity is an ever-present theme in all writings on Italy’s historical, economic and social development. Regional differences in rhythms and styles of industrial development are an important key to understanding Italy’s contemporary human geography. From the point of view of industrial geography, three major ‘regional formations’ can be recognised, and these are the subjects of the last three chapters of this book. First, in this chapter, is considered Northern Italy, the amphi theatre of Italian industrial development since before the industrial revolution and still the dominant industrial region today. The next chapter examines Central Italy, traditionally a region of transitions but now the part of Italy where a new style of industrial growth and organisation is emerging most forcefully. Finally, the concluding chap ter will examine the pattern of industrialisation in the South, with its strong overtones of regional development policy.
