Montefino

Montefino is a small town and predominantly rural comune of the province of Teramo in the Abruzzo region of eastern Italy. During the second half of the twentieth century the population of the comune declined steadily from 2,399 in 1951 to 1,184—less than half—in 2001. The town is situated on a hill of some 375 metres (1,230 ft) overlooking the Fino valley where olives and grain are the major crops. Until the 19th century Montefino was called Montesecco (Latin: Mons Siccus) meaning "dry mountain" and referring to a site lacking in springs. In 1863, however, it adopted its current name which refers to the river Fino.