History of Sardinia strongholds on strategic points in the south and west of Sardinia, often peninsulas or islands near estuaries, easy to defend and natural harbours, such as Tharros, Bithia, Sulci, Nora and Caralis (Cagliari). The majority of the inhabitants in these cities were of indigenous nuragic stock while the Phoenician element was, although culturally predominant, in minority. The Phoenicians came originally from what is now Lebanon and founded a vast trading network in the Mediterranean. Sardinia had a special position because it was central in the Western Mediterranean between Carthage, Spain, the river Rhône and the Etruscan civilization area. The mining area
Project Republic of Sardinia Sardinian diaspora in regional politics. Party constituencies publish their own online magazines. For instance, the Disterru constituency publishes "Su Bandu" with articles in Sardinian, Italian and English. Project Republic of Sardinia Project Republic of Sardinia (, ProgReS) is a separatist political party in Sardinia, founded in January 2011 following an acrimonious split from Independence Republic of Sardinia (iRS). The party's current secretary is Gianluca Collu, while Carla Carcangiu and Sebastian Madau serve as presidents. In January 2011, after a struggle with Gavino Sale, president of iRS, the iRS faction led by former leader Ornella Demuru, including iRS founding members Frantziscu