Afragola

Infobox CityIT
img_coa = Afragola-Stemma.gif
official_name = Città di Afragola
region = Campania
province = Naples (NA)
elevation_m = 43
area_total_km2 = 17.99
population_as_of = December 31, 2004
population_total = 62319
population_density_km2 = 3464
timezone = CET, UTC+1
coordinates = coord|40|55|N|14|19|E
frazioni =
telephone = 081
postalcode = 80021
gentilic = Afragolesi
saint = St. January
day = September 19
mayor =
website = [http://www.comune.afragola.na.it www.comune.afragola.na.it ]

Afragóla (Neapolitan: "Afravóla"; Afragolese dialect: "Afraóra") is an important city in southern Italy. It is in Campania, in the province of Naples, between the territories corresponding to the ancient cities of Acerra and Atella. It is one of the 100 largest Italian cities (the ones that have a population of more than 50,000 inhabitants).

The city is administrated mainly by the commune of the same name (the territory of which borders on the municipalities of Acerra, Casalnuovo di Napoli, Caivano, Cardito and Casoria), that with its size of just 18 km² is one of the most densely populated of the country, and, for a short segment, by the communes of Cardito, Casalnuovo di Napoli and Casoria. As of the 2001 census, Afragola had a population of 65,187, but the real estimated population is about 100,000 (including the areas of the city administrated by other communes).

Famous for its St. Anthony's sanctuary-basilica, that made it well-known as the "Padua of the South", Afragola has the largest commercial center in all of Italy, with several megastores, a multiplex, and more than 100 shops on the eastern periphery of the city. It is also known as the city of churches, because of the many Catholic churches from the 11th to 19th century. It has the largest historical center of the region after Naples.

The project for the new high-speed railway between Turin and Naples plans a station in Afragola one of the three most important stations in Europe (the other two are in Bologna and Munich), designed by Zaha Hadid, is being realized and will be completed by 2009.

External links

* [http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?tb=1&city=Afragola&country=IT Mapquest - Afragola]
* [http://www.afragolaweb.it Afragolaweb - City independent portal]