Molise is a region of Southern Italy. Until 1963, it formed part of the region of Abruzzi e Molise together with Abruzzo. The split, which did not become effective until 1970, makes Molise the newest region in Italy. Covering 4,438 square kilometres, it is the second smallest region in the country, after the Aosta Valley, and has a population of 313,348. The region is split into two provinces, named after their capitals: Campobasso and Isernia. Campobasso also serves as the regional capital.