The New Student's Reference Work/Naples (city)

Naples (nā' p'lz), until 1860 the capital of the kingdom of Naples, is the largest Italian city and one of the busiest ports, exporting wine, olive-oil, chemicals, perfumery, live animals, animal products, hemp, flax and cereals, and importing cereals, metals, cottons, woolens, earthenware, silks, groceries etc. The well-known proverb: " See Naples and die" originated on account of its attractiveness and delightful climate. Naples lies upon the base and sides of a hill-range rising from the sea and divided into two unequal parts. The most ancient part of the city, in the eastern crescent, is divided from north to south by its oldest street, Via Toledo (now Via di Roma), and is the most populous district of its size in Europe. Back of the wharf extending to Castel del Carmine lies the poorest and most densely-peopled quarter. The city is always full of life, the streets crowded and noisy. There are few buildings of any note, only the forts and gates, university, royal palace, catacombs, national museum and law-courts being worth a visit. It has three large libraries, the national, the university and the Brancacciana. The university, founded in 1224, has 81 professors, and 4,745 students. Population 723,208.