primary source of sustenance of the local population for many years. However, after hitting a peak during the Fascist regime with the foundation of Carbonia, coal production has been largely abandoned by the early 1970s. Today, Sulcis is one of the poorest places in Italy, characterized by sky-high unemployment and emigration. See also Sulcis Mountains Iglesiente References External links http://www.sulcis.com/ http://www.sardegnasulcis.it/ Geography of Sardinia Phoenician colonies in Sardinia