Pontine Marshes is a swamp area in Italy that covers about 174,860 acres (70,820 hectares) south of Rome, between Cisterna and Terracina. For centuries, the Pontine Marshes were responsible for widespread malaria epidemics in central Italy. The early Roman emperors, and later Pope Sixtus V, drained the parts above sea level by digging drainage canals. In the 1930’s, Benito Mussolini, the ruler of Italy, had the rest of the marshes drained by a system of dikes and pumps. In addition to getting rid of the malaria menace, drainage of this area made available rich farmland. Grain and various other agricultural products now are grown in the Pontine region. Cattle and sheep are also raised in this area. Towns built on this reclaimed land include Aprilia, Latina, Pomezia, Pontinia, and Sabaudia.
