The largest towns in the province are: Salerno, the capital, which has a population of 131,950; Cava de' Tirreni, Battipaglia and Nocera Inferiore, all having around 50,000 inhabitants. The province has an area of 4,923 km2 (1,901 sq mi), and a total population of about 1.1 million. There are 158 comuni (sg.: comune), the one with the largest area being Eboli.
The Amalfi Coast—a UNESCOWorld Heritage Site since 1997—is located within the province, attracting tens of thousands of tourists from all around the world every year. The province also comprises the Cilento coast, whose sea quality is considered among the best in Italy.[2]
One of the many historical buildings in the province is the chapter house belonging to the Certosa di Padula (or Carthreuse of Padula or of San Lorenzo in Padula), a Carthusian monastery in the town of Padula. The building has evolved over centuries; the earliest parts were constructed in the early 14th century. A manneristcloister leads to the church, and a later 17th-century cloister has loggias supported by rusticated columns. These features add to the general baroque character of the building.[citation needed]
