The province of Ogliastra (, , ) is a province in the autonomous island region of Sardinia in Italy. The province has two capitals; Lanusei and Tortolì. Ogliastra is the most mountainous province in Sardinia. With 53,722 inhabitants as of 2026, it is also the least populous province of Italy, and with a population density of 28 inhabitants per square kilometer, also the least densely populated.
It was established in 2005 from a section of the province of Nuoro, however it was disestablished 2016 Regional Decree and integrated back into the province of Nuoro, and then re-established on 1 May 2025 per a 2021 decree.
History The province of Ogliastra roughly corresponds to the medieval Judicate of Agugliastra.
The province was founded in 2001 when the number of Sardinian provinces was doubled.
On 6 May 2012, the regional referendums of Sardinia took place regarding the abolition of certain provinces and a variety of other matters. The suggestion of reforming or abolishing certain provinces in Sardinia was approved by the Regional Council of Sardinia on 24 May 2012. Due to this, the province of Ogliastra was ordered to form a new administrative body or be abolished on 1 March 2013, but this expiry date for constitutional changes was extended to 1 July 2013. After the regional law number 15 of 28 June 2013, the province was allowed to maintain its functions, before it was eventually disestablished in 2016, all of its municipalities but one joined the Province of Nuoro, with the municipality of Seui joining the newly-established Province of South Sardinia.
In April 2021, under Sardinian Regional Council's Regional Law Nr. 7, the province was restored with 22 municipalities; the municipality of Seulo remained a part of the province of Nuoro, whilst the comune of Seui joined the metropolitan city of Cagliari. Whilst the Italian government challenged the law, thus stalling its implementation, on March 12, 2022, the Constitutional Court ruled in favor of the Autonomous Region of Sardinia. On April 13, 2023, the regional council, at the proposal of the regional government, approved an amendment to the 2021 reform, defining the timeframe and manner of its implementation, which became effective on 1 May 2025.
Geography Facing the Tyrrhenian Sea to the east, it borders the metropolitan city of Cagliari to the southwest and the province of Nuoro to the northwest. It contained the river Flumendosa and the lake of Basso Flumendosa, and it also contained large massif Gennargentu.
Government List of presidents
Provincial elections Ogliastra Provincial Election Results June 2010 Name Party 1st Preference Votes % 2nd Preference Votes % Bruno Pilia PD 13,556 41.1 13,700 51.0 Sandro Daniele Mario Rubiu PdL 14,446 43.8 13,169 49.0
Municipalities
The province has 23 municipalities: Arzana Bari Sardo Baunei Cardedu Elini Gairo Girasole Ilbono Jerzu Lanusei Loceri Lotzorai Osini Perdasdefogu Seui Talana Tertenia Tortolì Triei Ulassai Urzulei Ussassai Villagrande Strisaili
Demographics As of 2026, the population is 53,722, of which 49.4% are male, and 50.6% are female. Minors make up 13.3% of the population, and seniors make up 28.1%.
Immigration As of 2025, the foreign-born population is 2,696, making up 5.0% of the total population.
See also Arbatax IT.A.CÀ - Festival of Responsible Tourism Monte Perda Liana
References
External links
Ogliastra official website