This paper focuses on the economic system of a mountain area of a lagging region: Aspromonte, in Calabria (Italy). Aspromonte is a mountain area with a low level of economic development, i.e. with an underdeveloped productive fabric. Many causes might explain the lack of economic development in this region.
We examine the case of Aspromonte focusing on the analysis of the firms established there, based on quantitative desk data and qualitative findings coming from field investigations. We will try to conduct both a descriptive and an explanatory analysis of the trends and the current level of economic development of this mountain area. However, although the several weaknesses, our analysis shows also that this mountain area has many strengths which make a considerable potential for future development.