Aq'vila

Aq'vila, the capital of the Italian province of the same name, beautifully situated on the Alverno, near the loftiest of the Apennines, 64 miles SE. of Terni by a railway opened in 1884. It was built by the Emperor Frederick II. from the ruins of the ancient Amiternum, a town of the Sabines, and the birthplace of Sallust the historian. In 1703 it was almost destroyed by an earthquake, in which 2000 persons perished. Aquila, which is a bishop's see, is a busy place, and besides a large trade in saffron, which is the principal product of the surrounding district, the manufacture of paper, linen, and wax is carried on. Pop. 20,500. The province of Aquila is most picturesque, snow-topped mountains and smiling valleys alternating. Area, 2484 sq. m.; pop. (1892) 377,068.