Apulia ( ; ) is a
region of Italy in
Southern Italy bordering the
Adriatic Sea in the east, the
Ionian Sea to the southeast, and the
Strait of Òtranto and
Gulf of Taranto in the south. Its southernmost portion, known as
Salento peninsula, forms a high heel on the "boot" of Italy. The region comprises , and its population is about 4.1 million. It is bordered by the other Italian regions of
Molise to the north,
Campania to the west, and
Basilicata to the southwest. Across the Adriatic and Ionian Seas, it faces
Albania,
Bosnia-Herzegovina,
Croatia,
Greece, and
Montenegro, The Apulia region extends as far north as
Monte Gargano. Its capital city is
Bari.
