In the ancient times the region was called Samnium, in the Middle Ages it was denominated Aprutium. The origins of the modern name, Abruzzi, come from the devision of the territory by the French Buorbon administration in Closer Abruzzo and Further Abruzzo ("abruzzo"- sing., "abruzzi"-pl. (it.)). The region that we know now was born only in 1963, because from 1860 till this year Abruzzi and Molise formed one region and only in 1963 were separated into two.
Area: 10 796 sq.km (4166 sq.miles) (3.5%), population: 1 275 000 inhabitants (2.2%), density of population: 118 inhab./sq.km.

The factors served as the obstacles for the population and economical development of the region were the following: geographical position far from the main roads connecting north and south of the country; lack of the plain zones, rigid climate and very scarce mineral resources.
Nevertheless Abruzzi was already inhabited in pre-Roman epoch by various peoples. Later Romans created here well developed road network: via Salaria, Valeria, Claudia Nuova, Cecilia, Numicia.
After Romans Abruzzi came under the government of Lombards, Franks and Normans. The latter united the region with their south Italian kingdom.
The next after Romans who built or created something on this territory were the French Bourbons who constructed a number of roads among which the most important was Strada Regia.

United Italian state continued this work: dried up the territory of lake Fucino which gave 140 sq.km. of excellent agricultural land, railways and highways. In 1923 was established the national Park of Abruzzi covering the area of 400 sq.km and representing the precious natural complex of flora and fauna. During the 70's and 80's on the Adriatic coast was created the new industrial economy which together with tourism provide not rich but stable existence of the population.