Municipality of San Ferdinando - Info on the city

San Ferdinando, also known as San Ferdinandu in Calabrian, is an Italian municipality located in the metropolitan city of Reggio Calabria, Calabria, with a population of 4,269 inhabitants. Characterized by a completely flat territory, the municipality overlooks the Gulf of Gioia Tauro on the Tyrrhenian coast. With an altitude varying between 0 and 44 meters above sea level, San Ferdinando stands out for having the smallest altimetric range in Calabria, testifying to its unique topography. Located within the Gioia Tauro Plain, the municipality is an example of a flat landscape that extends to the coast, offering an enchanting view of the Tyrrhenian Sea and direct access to one of the most fertile and productive areas of the region.

The history of San Ferdinando is rich and varied, starting with its connection to the county of Borrello and the Pignatelli family. The area, formerly part of the Rosarno territory, has witnessed significant historical events since the Byzantine era. Rosarno, once the site of the Greek city of Medma, played a crucial role due to its strategic position in the fertile Mesima river valley, attracting the attention of various feudal lords, including the Ruffo and Pignatelli families.
The project to create San Ferdinando dates back to the 19th century, when General Vito Nunziante proposed the transformation of the malarial Mesima valley into a commercial agricultural city. The area, damaged by an earthquake in 1783, had undergone significant geological and ecological changes, creating a habitat for malaria. This catastrophic event drastically reduced the local population.
In response, the government undertook a reconstruction project to improve living conditions in the area. In 1818, King Ferdinand I authorized the reclamation project proposed by Nunziante, aimed at agricultural development and the construction of homes and infrastructure. The first settler of San Ferdinando was Pasquale Barbalace, who settled in 1823 with his family, giving life to the community. The town originally called Romolo was renamed San Ferdinando in honor of the king.
With the construction of houses and the Church of Forgiveness, San Ferdinando began to grow, attracting many families from the surrounding villages. The houses, built of volcanic stone, were organized around courtyards and provided the necessary living facilities for the growing population. The practice of employing petty criminals to build additional homes was initiated by Nunziante and continued until 1862, contributing significantly to the development of the city.
In 1891, with the construction of the Gioia Tauro-Nicotera railway, San Ferdinando lost the opportunity to have a railway station, influencing the economic development of the area. It remained a fraction of Rosarno until 1977, when it became an independent municipality.

The municipal coat of arms of San Ferdinando, granted in 1990, symbolizes the history and identity of the municipality. It is divided into three parts: the first features the gold letters S and F on a red background; the second, a silver star on a blue background; the third, a black plow on a gold background. These elements respectively represent the municipal identity, the geographical position and agriculture, the pillar of the local economy. The banner, a truncated yellow and blue cloth, is decorated with silver embroidery and bears the municipal coat of arms with the inscription of the name of the municipality. These external symbols are an expression of the culture and history of San Ferdinando.

San Ferdinando is home to several foreign communities, in particular migrant workers employed in agriculture in the Gioia Tauro plain. As of December 31, 2017, there were 1,041 legal foreigners, with the largest communities coming from Mali, Gambia, Senegal, Bulgaria, Romania and other countries. The presence of these communities reflects the demographic and social dynamics of the municipality, which has evolved over the years. However, the plight of migrants has attracted attention due to the difficult living conditions in the tent cities, underscoring the social and humanitarian challenges the city faces.

The economy of San Ferdinando is strongly linked to agriculture, in particular the cultivation of citrus fruits, and fishing, two traditional sectors that continue to support the local community. Livestock farming represents another important economic sector. The small industrial activities present are mainly concentrated in the canning, construction and mechanical sectors, reflecting the economic diversification of the municipality.
An important source of economic development for San Ferdinando is the port of Gioia Tauro, located nearby. This port, one of the largest transshipment hubs in the Mediterranean, has a significant impact on the local economy, offering job opportunities and encouraging the development of services and related industries.

San Ferdinando is well connected via the SP51 to State Road 18 Tirrena Inferiore, facilitating access and movement of people and goods. The port of Gioia Tauro, located between the municipalities of Gioia Tauro and San Ferdinando, is a crucial element of local infrastructure. Functioning primarily as a transhipment hub, it connects global and regional networks spanning the Mediterranean, contributing significantly to the local and regional economy.

The current mayor of San Ferdinando is Gianluca Gaetano, elected on 12 June 2022 with the Civic list "Vivi San Ferdinando". His administration reflects the political and social context of the municipality, with a focus on economic development, improved infrastructure and attention to social issues, including the rights and well-being of migrant workers. The administrative approach seeks to balance the needs of a diverse population with sustainable development and the promotion of a livable environment for all residents.

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