The term Murgia derives from latin murex meaning projection of rock.

The aspect of this area is the result of limestone eroded by rain which is the main cause of the natural phenomenon known as carsismo.

This zone presents all the typical aspects of such a geological phenomenon (dolines, depressions, caves). The action of Carsismo has been facilitated by the limited presence of trees in the territory. Originally the Murgia was characterised by the presence of the typical mediterranean vegetation; nowadays the land presents pastures since sheep-breeding is dominant. One of the most obvious consequences of the Carsismo is the complete absence of lakes, torrents, marshes which originally were present. The only kind of vegetation characterising this zone is a sort of mediterranean steppe, while the fauna is rich of some of the most interesting species in Italy.

The aspect of this area is the result of the activities carried out by man such as deforestation, sheep-breeding, combined produced with the erosion produced by winter rain and the wind. Alta Murgia has not built up area; the few inhabitants are peasants and shepherds living in isolated farms.