Casacalenda

Casacalenda (Molisan dialect Casacalenna; Calena) is a comune (municipality) in the Province of Campobasso in the Italian region Molise, located about 25 kilometres (16 mi) northeast of Campobasso. As of 31 December 2004, it had a population of 2,367 and an area of 67.0 square kilometres (25.9 sq mi). The Greek historian Polybius mentions a battle in 217 BC between the Roman army, based in Kalene, and Hannibal, based in Gerione (now a hamlet of Casacalenda). The name might have been derived from the Latin Kalendae or Kalends, the first day of the month in the Roman calendar. Casacalenda borders the following municipalities: Bonefro, Guardialfiera, Larino, Lupara, Montorio nei Frentani, Morrone del Sannio, Provvidenti, Ripabottoni. Demographic evolution Emigration Since the end of World War II until the 1970s, the town's population declined considerably due to emigration. The places of choice for these emigrants were the Canadian cities of Hamilton, Montreal and Toronto. Montreal even has its own Casacalenda Association. Duncan, British Columbia also has a sizeable community per its population. Cleveland, Ohio and East Greenwich, Rhode Island also have a large population of citizens from Casacalenda. Transportation Casacalenda is served by a railway station on the Termoli–Venafro line. External links Italy Revisited (photo archives) References ^ All demographics and other statistics: Italian statistical institute Istat. ^ a b http://www.italyworldclub.com/molise/campobasso/casacalenda.htm , accessed 24 January 2009 ^ ship manifest from the U.S.S. Canopic, 1912