Naples is the largest city in Italy, with a population of about 725,000. It is an important port on the western shore of the peninsula (pn-n´-s-lå), about 180 miles southeast of Rome. The Italians call the city "Beautiful Naples" because, of all the fine Italian cities, it is the most favored. It is situated on the west side of the Bay of Naples, on the slope of the hills that lead down to the water. The surroundings are so beautiful that they have called forth the finest tribute from the poets of all times. Aside from its natural beauty the chief points of interest are its large cathedral, its university, its public buildings, its National Museum, and the Royal Palace. But the city is more than a mere center of beauty. It is the second largest seaport of Italy, its commerce amounting annually to about $100,000,000. This places it next to Genoa (jn´ -å). It is the best trade center in southern Italy. Naples is said to be one of the noisiest cities in Europe. There is a constant shouting of peddlers, clatter of wheels, braying of donkeys, cracking of the whips of the drivers, and their sharp cries to their teams. Beggars run hither and thither, annoying tourists, asking gifts. The team here shown is an unusual one, but one not altogether uncommon in Naples. Both the ox and the horse are enjoying the feed of hay in the middle of the street while the driver is taking a nap in the shade of the trucks of his wagon. Naples was founded by the Greeks, about 2,500 years ago. From the Greeks it passed into the hands of the Romans. While in their possession the greatest men of the ancient world have either visited it or fought to take it. Both Pyrrhus (pr´s) and Hannibal attempted to capture the city. The mighty Augustus Caesar lived here, as did the poet Virgil. Keystone ID: 1972 Note: All titles, descriptions, and location coordinates are from the original Keystone Slide documentation as supplied by the Keystone View Company. No text has been edited or changed.