Maierato

Maierato
—  Comune  —
Comune di Maierato
Maierato Location of Maierato in Italy
Coordinates: 38°42′N 16°12′E / 38.7°N 16.2°E / 38.7; 16.2Coordinates: 38°42′N 16°12′E / 38.7°N 16.2°E / 38.7; 16.2
Country	Italy
Region	Calabria
Province	Province of Vibo Valentia (VV)
Area
- Total	39.9 km2 (15.4 sq mi)
Population (Dec. 2004)
- Total	2,305
- Density	57.8/km2 (149.6/sq mi)
Demonym	Maieratani
Time zone	CET (UTC+1)
- Summer (DST)	CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code	89843
Dialing code	0963

Maierato is a comune (municipality) in the Province of Vibo Valentia in the Italian region Calabria, located about 40 km southwest of Catanzaro and about 11 km northeast of Vibo Valentia. As of 31 December 2004, it had a population of 2,305 and an area of 39.9 km².^[1]

Maierato borders the following municipalities: Capistrano, Filogaso, Francavilla Angitola, Monterosso Calabro, Pizzo, Polia, Sant'Onofrio.

Demographic evolution

2010 landslide

In February 2010 a landslide occurred near Maierato which was filmed by an amateur cameraman, where the whole nearby hillside slid downwards. Some 200 people were evacuated from their homes.The incident was shown by the BBC and can be found below at links No 2 and 3 ^[2][3]

Maieratani in North America

Many Italians from the town of Maierato set sail for the American East Coast, in hope to find work to provide for their families, as Southern Italy had been quite impoverished at the time. Many Maieratani men came to the United States pre-world war II, but returned after the war to marry other Maieratani or to bring family to America. Most Maieratani settled in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area, and many became steel mill workers. Now, many Maieratani control government positions in the city.

The Maieratani that came to Canada mostly settled in the Golden Horseshoe area of southern Ontario, mainly in Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area. This group is very tight knit and even have a social club called "Maierato Club" with annual events such as the "Festa Di San Rocco".

References

1. ^ All demographics and other statistics: Italian statistical institute Istat.
2. ^ http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/8517378.stm
3. ^ http://daveslandslideblog.blogspot.com/2010/02/watch-this-extraordinary-landslide.html

External links

• BBC website page on February 2010 landslide in Maierato, with video
• Geologist's landslide blog featuring the Maierato landslide and longer video
• page on Maierato