Falconara Marittima

Falconara Marittima
Comune
Comune di Falconara Marittima

Coat of arms
Falconara Marittima

Location of Falconara Marittima in Italy

Coordinates: 43°38′N 13°24′E / 43.633°N 13.400°E
Country Italy
Region Marche
Province Ancona (AN)
Frazioni Castelferretti, Falconara Alta, Fiumesino, Palombina Vecchia, Rocca a Mare, Villanova
Government
  Mayor Goffredo Brandoni (Il Popolo della Libertà)
Area
  Total 25 km2 (10 sq mi)
Elevation 5 m (16 ft)
Population (28 February 2009)[1]
  Total 27,879
  Density 1,100/km2 (2,900/sq mi)
Demonym Falconaresi
Time zone CET (UTC+1)
  Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code 60015
Dialing code 071
Patron saint Madonna del SS. Rosario
Saint day May 8
Website Official website

Falconara Marittima is a comune on the Adriatic coast, in Italy. It is located 9 kilometres (5.6 mi) north of Ancona, in the Marche region, province of Ancona.

Its main characteristic is a long sandy beach where during the summer people practice sports such as beach volleyball, beach tennis and beach soccer.[2]

As of 2010, 90.94% of the population was Italian. The largest immigrant group came from Albania and Romania 4.75%, followed by North Africa 1.17%..

Main sights

Falconara developed around a castle which in the second half of the 16th century was bought by the noble family of Bourbon del Monte, who, in the 19th century, were still present as owners of ancient trappings.

The Castle of Falconara, together with those of Rocca Priora and of Castelferretti, represented a defence system articulated around Ancona, the system which controlled the territory, demanded bridge toll for crossing over the river Esino and had many other functions.

Falconara Marittima has a 6-hectare (15-acre) zoo.[3]

Every year a fireworks display takes place on 15 August, the Ferragosto holiday.

The Frecce Tricolori show took place in the sky of Falconara Marittima in the summer of 2007[4] and 2009[5]

The Cormorano park on the north side of town in the past year has hosted numerous important cultural events, including concerts of Francesco De Gregori, Goran Bregovic[6] and Piero Pelù.

Climate

The weather in winter is quite cold due to the bora, an icy wind that blows along the coast, however snow is rare. The last recorded heavy snowfall occurred in February 2012.[7]

From April to June the climate is warm and pleasant, with moderate humidity.

July and August can be very hot, with high temperatures usually above 30 °C (86 °F).

In 2003 Falconara experienced twin tornados along the coast .[8]

Climate data for Falconara Marittima
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Average high °C (°F) 8
(46)
10
(50)
12
(54)
16
(61)
20
(68)
25
(77)
27
(81)
27
(81)
24
(75)
18
(64)
13
(55)
10
(50)
17
(63)
Daily mean °C (°F) 5
(41)
7
(45)
9
(48)
13
(55)
17
(63)
21
(70)
24
(75)
24
(75)
21
(70)
15
(59)
10
(50)
7
(45)
14
(57)
Average low °C (°F) 3
(37)
4
(39)
6
(43)
11
(52)
14
(57)
18
(64)
21
(70)
21
(70)
18
(64)
13
(55)
8
(46)
5
(41)
12
(54)
Average precipitation cm (inches) 6
(2.4)
4
(1.6)
5
(2)
5
(2)
4
(1.6)
4
(1.6)
3
(1.2)
4
(1.6)
7
(2.8)
9
(3.5)
7
(2.8)
6
(2.4)
69
(27.2)
Source: Weatherbase[9]

Transportation

Ancona Airport is located in Falconara Marittima. Falconara beach is about 3 kilometres (2 mi) from the airport. The Falconara-Orte main line is one of the few transversal lines on the Italian Railway Network; the Adriatic line also passes through Falconara railway station.

Sport

The local volleyball team Pallavolo Falconara won the CEV Cup in 1986 and reached play-off semifinal of Italian Volleyball League two times in the eighties. Notable former volleyball players of the club include Ferdinando De Giorgi, Daniel Castellani, Tom Sorensen, Raimonds Vilde, Jan Kvalheim, Andrea Anastasi, Leondino Giombini, Pasquale Gravina, Valerio Vermiglio and Samuele Papi.

Notes

  1. http://demo.istat.it/pop2007/index1.html
  2. http://nuke.turismofalconara.it/AmbienteeCultura/Spiaggia/tabid/70/Default.aspx
  3. Falconara Zoo - Official website
  4. YouTube Video of 2007 show
  5. YouTube Video of 2009 show
  6. www.allaradio.com
  7. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fSCVoSSY8mU&feature=fvwrel
  8. www.wunderground.com
  9. "Falconara Marittima".