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[[File:Iglesiente.png|thumb|Iglesiente]]
The '''Iglesiente''' is a traditional and geographical subdivision  of [[Sardinia]], [[Italy]]. It encompasses the northern [[province of Carbonia-Iglesias]]  and the south-western one of the [[province of Medio Campidano]], and its main center is [[Iglesias, Sardinia|Iglesias]].
Languages spoken include [[Italian language|Italian]] and [[Sardinian language|Sardinian]] ([[Campidanese|Campidanesu]]).
==History==
Historically, it was inhabited since pre-[[nuragic civilization|Nuragic]] times. Later, it became an important metallurgic district for the [[ancient Rome|Romans]], who had here a town known as ''[[Metalla]]''.<ref>{{cite book |last=Casula |first=Francesco Cesare |title=La Storia di Sardegna |year=1994 |page=111 |language=it |author-link=Francesco Cesare Casula}}</ref> From this period dates the construction of the [[Temple of Antas]] at Fluminimaggiore, dedicated to the cult of the [[Sardus Pater]].
In the Middle Ages, the [[republic of Pisa|Pisans]] founded here the mining town of [[Villa di Chiesa]] (modern Iglesias), which soon became one the largest in the island. Later it was conquered by the [[Kingdom of Aragon|Aragonese]], who held it until 1720, when the [[house of Savoy]] acquired the [[Kingdom of Sardinia]]. During the 17th-18th century were refounded the villages of [[Musei]], [[Gonnesa]] and [[Fluminimaggiore]].
[[File:Montevecchio.jpg|thumb|[[Montevecchio]] mines]]
From the mid-19th century the mining activity resumed at a rapid pace which led to the opening of the mines of Monteponi, Ingurtosu, Montevecchio and the mining villages of [[Buggerru]], Nebida, San Benedetto and Gennas Serapis.
Recently, the decline of the mining sector has caused a crisis of the local economy.
==See also==
*[[Monte Linas]]
*[[Sulcis]]
==References==
{{reflist}}
==See also==
* [[Sulcis-Iglesiente]]
[[Category:Geography of Sardinia]]