Introduction: The coasts of Sardinia
The first human settlements in Sardinia, dated back to prehistoric and thus remote eras, as some findings witness, were established along the island's coasts, undoubtedly more practicable and hospitable with respect to the impervious and wild inland areas. Hence, the proto-Sardinians were probably able seamen, capable of moving from a place to another and of practising methods of fishing, even if primitive. At the dawn of history, which coincides with the beginning of the Nuragic Age (circa 2000 B.C.), that progressive peopling of the coastal area continued, which would decidedly fail in later centuries: it is not just by chance that many of the remains of permanent settlements or even of simple nuraghi lie on the coasts. Sardinia, because of its insularity and position in the middle of the Mediterranean sea, was considered one of the most desired conquest lands by nearby peoples, more warlike and economically strong. From time to time, it was dominated by the Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans, Aragonese, Spanish and lastly Piedmontese. In spite of this it continued (to the almost total disinterest of the dominators) to undergo, for centuries, ferocious piratical raids, against which numerous coastal Spanish towers - still standing - were built, often in vain. Consequently it seems to be justified the Sardinians' millenarian mistrust of foreigners "colonizers" and of that sea and those coasts, which constantly revealed themselves as treacherous as well as dangerous sources of mournings and misfortunes. With reference to this, we must also remember - certainly not as a lesser reason - the scourge of malaria, which hit above all the coastal area. Nowadays, obviously, only the memory is left of those ancient problems. The shores are once again populated. The Sardinians have revalued their own coasts and have understood that they represent a priceless heritage for the entire region, above all being included among the last unpolluted stretches in the Mediterranean.

Geographical aspects
Sardinia has an elongate and regular shape. Eastern ..and western coasts are roughly parallel from north ..to south. There is also a certain symmetry between the other two sides: the wide Gulf of Cagliari or of the Angels (in the south) and the equally wide Gulf of Asinara (in the north). The coasts are steeper on the eastern side, but the highest cliffs are on the opposite one, in correspondence with the massive limestone arc of the Gulf of Orosei. The extreme variety in the geological substrate creates landscapes, which are always enchanting but very different from each other. The schystous rocks of the peninsula of Stintino are separated from the trachytic cliffs, southwards of Alghero, by the sheer limestone faces of Capo Caccia, with Porto Conte and Punta Giglio. The splendid granite creates ever different, emotional images along all the coast of Gallura and also in the north of the Province of Nuoro. The wide limestone cliffs of the Gulf of Orosei mark the eastern boundary of the wild Supramonte.The solitary coasts of Ogliastra and Sarrabus are famous for their red porphyries; the granite corners of Villasimius and Muravera are similar to those of far away Gallura. The coast of Villanova Monteleone, is made up of volcanic rocks, as far as Bosa with the wild Capo Marargiu. The coast of Sinis is calcareous and interspersed with large beaches. The Costa Verde is marked by the imposing dunes of Arbus. Southwest of it, the archipelago of Sulcis is curiously opposite to that of La Maddalena, situated at northeast. Eventually, in the south, the abovementioned Gulf of the Angels, closed by the sheer faces of Capo Teulada and Capo Carbonara.

Ecology, Flora and Fauna
The multiform conformation of Sardinian coasts - characterized by a continuous series of high vertical cliff, wide gulfs with vast sandy expanses, or tiny coves hidden by inaccessible bluffs and sinuous headlands - could not but be found in the extreme variety of its floral specimens. There is, however, a particularity, often pointed out by scholars, which prevents from making any general catalogue: for example, it does not allow describing a definite vegetable association with reference to a particular type of coast, because the relationship that is valid in a certain area is not such in another one. This lack of a match has no apparent justifications but makes one think - as it has been observed - of the existence of invisible limits which are nevertheless impassable and which do not allow a certain species to establish itself outside a precise area of development: it is up of such a characteristic that conditions the entire coastal Sardinian landscape. The phenomenon concerned with the numerous floral endemisms existing in the island is even more evident. Still, in this case, the limits of the spreading area are more markedly linked to often consistent variations in the original ecological conditions. These are caused by a pressing antropic action which has determined serious alterations, particularly along the coasts. It is the so called macchia, among the various types of flora, that dominates the Sardinian coastal landscape. It is characterized, in its purest form (according to Sardinian climate), by the olive and carob; it is frequently subject to various stages of degradation indicated by the presence of cistus, lantisk, myrtle, helichrysum and euphorbia; it conditions long stretches of coast at various altitudes, often with formations which are remarkable because of their vastness and compactness. One of the restricted areas of major botanical interest is that of the dwarf palm, today vegetating only in the Gulf of Asinara, at Capo Caccia (Alghero), on the Peninsula of Sinis, at Orosei and in the Archipelago of Sulcis. The area of the Centaurea horrida is not less important, above all because it is considered a vegetable landscape unique in the world: it is up of a real living fossil which grows exclusively at C. Caccia, on the peninsula of Stintino, on the islands of Asinara and Tavolara. Other prized endemisms exist, among which Evax rotundata, Erodium Corsicum, Genista Corsica, all of them vegetating in somewhat restricted areas. On the contrary, the cistus macchia is widespread and represents the last stage of degradation of the original vegetable covering (irrationally cut and burnt); it grows almost everywhere on the Sardinian coasts (above all in Gallura). Between these extremes the holm-oak macchia represents the result of the degradation, due to the man, of the vast forests of holm-oak (Quercus ilex), once spread all over the island, from the coasts to the hinterland. It vegetates together with beautiful formations of arbutus, ramnus alaternus and flowering ash on the highest cliffs, such as in the Gulf of Orosei. Lastly also the juniper, symbol-plant of Sardinia, is much widespread, in spite of serious alterations and fellings (made also in the XX century). The juniper vegetates in beautiful, compact, coastal formations (Platamona, Gulf of Orosei, western sandy coasts, etc.) or in single, twisted, centuries-old specimens, which colonize dunes, the most secluded recesses of high rocky faces and the rocks next to the shores. Eventually, we must mention the self-sown pinewoods on the western coasts of Cagliari and the others of sylvicultural origin, by far more numerous (above all spread over eastern and north- western coasts) which, even with their artificiality, contribute to create a splendid landscape which would be otherwise arid and barren. Among the commonest herbaceous species growing in the sands of the whole island, they are to be remembered the sweet-smelling sea lily or pancratium, with a white corolla, and also the stinging suakeroot eryngo with sky blue leaves. The subject concerning fauna is less complex, although it too is linked to a particular coastal morphology. Royal seagulls are spread almost everywhere, sometimes accompanied by the rarer Corsican seagulls; shags - less frequent, still present locally in colonies, often crowded - prefer cliff areas as well as cory's shearwater (living above all in the offing). Among birds of prey the rare osprey, the peregrine falcon and sometimes the gos-hawk often haunt the coastal areas in search of food, as the rare Eleonora's falcon, which lives in the rocky recesses of some high coasts. The great number of lagoons and coastal ponds on the island favours the development of a marshy avianfauna, including coots, mallards, black-necked grebes, little terns, pochards, water rails, avocets, wigeons, herons and little egrets, often nesting or present only in the migration season, generally in numerous colonies. It is not unusual to see the beautiful pink flamingoes, which stop in the island's southern and western ponds and - more and more frequently in the last years - along the hospitable eastern coast, it too favourable for its climate and high number of damp areas. Among the other animals of the Sardinian sea, it must be mentioned one of its most extraordinary inhabitants, the monk seal, present with an appreciable number of specimens until 1965, aproximately; however, it was possible to sight it at Tavolara, Asinara, Capo Caccia and particularly in the Gulf of Orosei. Perhaps in these places the last specimens of the rare pinniped, now almost extinct, still live. The richest sea-beds, teeming with a great variety of species, are those of the island of Asinara, declared national park in 1997. Prized species such as basses, saddled bream, pandoras and white breams are spread along almost all its coast: they live in shoals, preferably along the numerous shallows in front of the shores, and are often accompanied by big specimens of dog-steeth and amberjacks. Along its high coasts and bluffs, rich in recesses and underwater grottoes, moray eels and groupers have their dens. Lobsters, which in the past populated the whole of the northern coast, are today fished plentifully along the shores of Alghero, Anglona and Santa Teresa di Gallura. A positive note comes from the diffusion of tunny fish. After the closure (since circa 1970) of the tunny-fishing grounds, mostly placed along the western coast of the island, at present the ones of Portoscuso and Carloforte are working.

Northern coasts
The northern coast, not particularly indented apart from the stretch in front of the Arcipelago della Maddalena, is however extremely varied under the geological and morpholigical outline of the shores. It extends from west to east, from the schystous peninsula of Stintino - faced by the beautiful island of Asinara - to the long sandy shores of the Gulf of Asinara, followed by a higher stretch of coast along the trachytic shore of Anglona; to the red, striking porphyritic bluffs between Valledoria and Costa Paradiso; and lastly to the very beautiful granitic coasts of Gallura, with vertical, steep tracts, but above all, with an infinity of inlets and charming beaches. From Stintino to Santa Teresa a scenic road follows the coast and allows seeing its many attractions and reaching its most beautiful coves by short detours. The main localities, from the west, are: Stintino, Platamona, Castelsardo, Costa Paradiso; the beaches of Vignola and Portobello; the charming inlets of Aglientu and Santa Teresa. often closed by wide, stupendous, granitic masses eroded into fascinating shapes; then La Maddalena, Caprera and the marvellous smaller islands of the archipelago, where some of the island's most beautiful beaches are situated. Western coasts The western coast, which begins with the verticality of Capo Falcone near Stintino, follows a relatively linear north-south direction and is mostly high and steep, except in the wide Gulf of Oristano. It is not short of large and small beaches and also vast sandy stretches, such as Marina di Arbus, but the whole shore is decidedly higher than the eastern one. The most beautiful scenic roads wind along the coast of Alghero as far as the wild promontory of Capo Caccia; along the stretch of coast south of Alghero as far as Bosa; through the subregions of Iglesiente and particularly Sulcis, with the islands of Sant'Antioco and San Pietro. Among the most impressive localities, we must mention Capo Falcone near Stintino; the coast of Argentiera; the wide panoramic bay of Porto Conte with Capo Caccia and the celebrated Grottoes of Neptune; the coasts of Cuglieri and the Penisola del Sinis; the splendid Marina di Arbus and the cliffs of Iglesiente; finally the beautiful islands of San Pietro and Sant'Antioco, rich in uncontaminated environments and beautiful beaches. An outstanding feature of the whole southwestern coast is represented by vast sandy dunes, formed by the mistral wind at the back of the shores, which are among the biggest in Europe: such as those of Piscinas and Torre dei Corsari, near Arbus.

Western coasts
The western coast, which begins with the verticality of Capo Falcone near Stintino, follows a relatively linear north-south direction and his mostly high and steep, except in the wide Gulf of Oristano. It is not short of large and small beaches and also vast sandy stretches, such as Marina di Arbus, but the whole shore is decidedly higher than the easter one. The most beautiful scenic roads wind along the cost of Alghero as far as the wild promontory of Capo Caccia; along the strech of coast south of Alghero as far as Bosa; through the subregions of Iglesiente and particulary Sulcis, with the island of Sant'Antioco and San Pietro. Among the most impressive localities, we must mention Capo Falcone near Stintino; the coast of Argentiera; the wide panoramic bay of Porto Conte with Capo Caccia and the celebrated Grottoes of Neptune; the coasts of Cuglieri and the Penisola del Sinis ; the splendid Marina di Arbus and the cliffs of Iglesiente; finally the beautiful islands of San Pietro and Sant'Antioco, rich in uncontaminated environments and beautiful beaches. An outstanding feature of the whole southweastern coast is represented by by vast sandy dunes, formed by the mistral wind at the back of the schores, which are among the biggest in Europe: such as those of Piscinas and Torre dei Corsari, near Arbus.

Eastern coasts
From a tourist point of view, this is the most well-..known side, above all its northern part, owing to ..the famous, splendid Costa Smeralda (Emerald Coast). This lies on the most indented stretch of all the Sardinian coasts and thus rich in small islands, reefs and innumerable charming inlets with clear sandy sea-beds: all elements that create incomparable vistas. The coast of Olbia and that of San Teodoro stretch further south, with a wealth of beaches, both characterized by the facing islands of Molara and Tavolara. Further on, after the low, sandy coasts of Posada, Siniscola and Orosei, it begins the impressive limestone coast of the Gulf of Orosei, the most uncontaminated tract in Sardinia. These coasts, belonging to Dorgali-Cala Gonone and Baunei, are protected by the national park of the Gennargentu. They are concerned with a tourist flow which is ever substantial thanks to the renowned grotta del Bue Marino and above all to people's wish to be brought into contact with a really primordial nature. Other attractions are Cala Mariolu and Cala Luna, the beaches that are by now unanimously defined the most beautiful in Italy. Still further south, the coast continues to be rather rectilinear, with high or bluff stretches, alternated with shores or sandy and pebbly beaches at Arbatax, Barisardo, Marina di Gairo, Marina di Tertenia, Villaputzu, Muravera as far as the splendid Costa Rei. The ss125 or Orientale Sarda road allows reaching every locality on the eastern coast by making only short detours. It offers indescribable panoramas towards both the sea and the hinterland: in fact, the route leaves the coast for long tracts and crosses the Supramonte - a vast limestone high plain among Dorgali, Urzulei and Baunei, one of the wildest and most impervious areas on the island, the heart of the national park of the Gennargentu - the subregions of Ogliastra and Sarrabus (through the mountains of the Sette Fratelli) and reaches Cagliari.

Southern coasts
The southern coast, stretches between Capo Teulada and Capo Carbonara. It is characterized eastwards by the wide Gulf of Cagliari with the long sandy shores of Poetto and of the beach of Quartu. To the west, beyond the wild bulk of Capo Teulada, the splendid Costa del Sud, facing the homonymous gulf, is rich in stupendous sandy shores which continue, beyond Capo Spartivento, along the beautiful Costa di Chia, as far as the notable archaeological site of Nora, near Pula. This is, from a tourist point of view, the best known area on the southern coast together with the splendid coast of Villasimius to the east, dominated by the rock of Capo Carbonara and characterized by the fascinating presence of the island of I Cavoli and Serpentara island. Beautiful and panoramic coastal roads wind from Cagliari towards Villasimius and towards Teulada: they are almost always within sight of the sea, thus offering innumerable vistas of great beauty.