SPACEPHOTOS

Gargano Peninsula, Italy Winter/Spring 1997 The Appennine Mountains, trending northwest to southeast along the central spine of Italy, become lower in elevation near the southern end of mainland Italy, specifically the mountainous area east of Naples. The Naples urban area can be located by identifying the Gulf of Naples (two islands—Capri and Ischia border the south and north entrance) in the upper, center section of the picture. The small, dark, roughly circular feature, Mt. Vesuvius, is also discernible near the Gulf of Naples coastline. Snow capped mountains (numerous white features—right middle) that are higher than 7000 feet (2134 meters) above sea level can be identified along the right (middle) margin of the image. In the foreground (left) the limestone peninsula of Gargano extends into the Adriatic Sea. This feature, known as the “spur” of Italy, includes limestone terraces; caves; precipitous cliffs; white, sandy beaches; and forests. Lake Varano, one of the coastal lakes is visible along the north coast of the Gargano Peninsula. Numerous swift-flowing, short rivers drain the narrow strip of plains along the east coast of Italy.