The region, due to massive emigration in the past, is underpopulated, especially in the Eastern and central areas. The economy is mostly based on agriculture; industrial development is low, though there are some flourishing crafts sectors, such as ceramics, woodwork and textiles. A great promise and hope is tourism, mostly along the Thyrrenian coast.
Archeological findings show that the areas of the rivers were inhabited since Paleolithic times. In the 13th century BC the Lyki (probably at the origin of the name Lucani), coming from the Danube area, settled in the region and in the following century were greatly enriched culturally by the the Greeks, who colonized the region in the 8th century BC, who founded at the mouths of the largest rivers the cities of Metaponto, Heraclea, Posidonia.
