History UsefulNotes / TheBraveRegionsOfItalia

->'''Capital (and largest city):''' [[UsefulNotes/{{Rome}} Roma (Rome)]]\\

Second most populous and second-richest region in Italy after Lombardy. This area has long been the centre of several kingdoms in the Italian peninsula, further increasing in prominence as the seat of the Roman Empire spanning much of the land around the Mediterranean Sea, then suffering a political decline with the city's fall to the Ostrogoths during the late fifth century, the only centralizing power at the area having shifted to the Papacy, which consolidated much of the area as the Papal States, before they were absorbed into the newly-founded Kingdom of Italy, during which the area regained its prestige as the centre of the newly-reunified peninsula.

->'''Capital:''' L'Aquila\\

'''Area:''' 10,763km (4,156mi)\\
'''Population (2012):''' 1,307,919\\
'''Provinces:''' Chieti, L'Aquila, Pescara, Teramo\\
'''President:''' Marco Marsilio (Brothers of Italy)

->Brescia, the fifth most populous province in Italy, is famed for a series of eight lakes, of which Lake Garda is the largest in all of Italy. Its eponymous capital is also one of the oldest in Italy and is an important regional centre since pre-Roman times.

->Capital of Lombardy and second-largest (and wealthiest) city in Italy. Having served at one point as capital of the Western Roman Empire, Milan became an economic hub since the Middle Ages, and is also famed for being one of the four "fashion capitals" of the world (alongside London, New York City, and Paris), strong association with Creator/LeonardoDaVinci (who worked for the ruling Sforza family and painted his iconic ''Art/TheLastSupper'' for a Dominican convent), a cathedral iconic for its spires, and a proud sporting tradition through a pair of successful football teams (A.C. Milan and Inter Milan) and playing host to the 2026 Winter UsefulNotes/OlympicGames.

->Largest and most populous province in the region, its eponymous capital is also the seventh most populous in Italy. Originally called Felsina by the Etruscans, it is home to the oldest university in the world, the University of Bologna, established in AD 1088. It is well known for its vast intellectual and artistic heritage ranging from writers to musicians and painters, and also for being the birthplace of a namesake pasta sauce (called ragù, pronounced "ra-goo", in Italian). Car manufacturer Lamborghini is based in nearby Sant'Agata Bolognese. Bologna itself is basically ''the'' hotbed of Italian UsefulNotes/{{basketball}}, with the city so defined by the rivalry between its historic clubs Fortitudo and Virtus that it's generally known as "Basket City".

->Capital of Lombardy and second-largest (and wealthiest) city in Italy. Having served at one point as capital of the Western Roman Empire, Milan became an economic hub since the middle ages, and is also famed for being one of the four "fashion capitals" of the world (alongside London, New York City, and Paris), strong association with Creator/LeonardoDaVinci (who worked for the ruling Sforza family and painted his iconic ''Art/TheLastSupper'' for a Dominican convent), a cathedral iconic for its spires, and a proud sporting tradition through a pair of successful football teams (A.C. Milan and Inter Milan) and playing host to the 2026 Winter UsefulNotes/OlympicGames.

->Largest and most populous province in the region, its eponymous capital is also the seventh most populous in Italy. Originally called Felsina by the Etruscans, it is home to the oldest university in the world, the University of Bologna, established in AD 1088. It is well known for its vast intellectual and artistic heritage ranging from writers to musicians and painters, and also for being the birthplace of a namesake pasta sauce (called ragù, pronounced "ra-goo", in Italian). Car manufacturer Lamborghini is based in nearby Sant'Agata Bolognese.

->The province bordering the southern third of the sovereign state of UsefulNotes/SanMarino (the rest by Rimini in Emilia-Romagna). Its name signifies the distinctiveness of its two major areas: Pesaro, the capital, is a Roman-era trading post famed for its environmentalism and encouragement of cycling, as well as being the birthplace of composer Music/GioachinoRossini; Urbino, the fourth most populous city, is a historic centre of Renaissance culture under the patronage of Duke Federico da Montefeltro during the mid-fifteenth century, as well as the birthplace of artist Creator/RaphaelSanzio.

->Eighth most populous city in Italy. For centuries a medieval trade centre and one of the wealthiest cities in its time, it also became a cultural powerhouse during UsefulNotes/TheRenaissance under the patronage of the House of Medici, as well as capital of the Kingdom of Italy from 1865 to 1871. Today the city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, home to hundreds of pieces of art and architecture from the Renaissance, and continues to exert an influence in art, culture, and politics. Among its most famous literary sons are Creator/DanteAlighieri (whose ''magnum opus'', ''Literature/TheDivineComedy'', achieved such prestige that the local dialect with which he wrote his epic poem formed the basis of Standard Italian), Creator/Petrarch, Creator/GiovanniBoccaccio, and Creator/NiccoloMachiavelli.

!Nord-Ovest (North-West)
[[folder:Liguria]]
!!Liguria
[[quoteright:200:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/liguria.png]]
-->'''Capital (and largest city):''' Genova (Genoa)\\

'''Area:''' 5,416 square kilometres (2,091 square miles) [18th of 20]\\
'''Population (2021):''' 1,518,495 [12th of 20]\\
'''Alternate name:''' Ligûria [Ligurian]
->A thin arc sandwiched between the Alps and the sea, Liguria is the home region of ''pesto alla genovese'' and where Genoa, the Cinque Terre, and the Italian Riviera can be found.
----
!!!'''Genova (Genoa)'''
-->'''Postal code:''' GE\\
'''Type:''' Metropolitan City\\
'''Area:''' 1,834 square kilometres (708 square miles) [1st of 4 regionally; 75th of 107 nationally]\\
'''Population (2021):''' 823,612 [1st of 4 regionally; 21st of 107 nationally]\\
'''Alternate name:''' Zêna [Ligurian], Genua [Latin]
->Regional capital and Italy's sixth-largest city, home to the busiest port in Italy and twelfth-busiest in the European Union, as well as one of the four ancient Maritime Republics (alongside Amalfi, Pisa, and Venezia) and a likely birthplace of UsefulNotes/ChristopherColumbus, as well as the ancestral home of the House of Grimaldi, rulers of the Principality of UsefulNotes/{{Monaco}} further west.

!!!'''Imperia'''
-->'''Postal code:''' IM\\

'''Area:''' 1,155 square kilometres (446 square miles) [3rd of 4 regionally; 94th of 107 nationally]\\
'''Population (2021):''' 209,244 [4th of 4 regionally; 89th of 107 nationally]
->A popular holiday destination for its glitzy Italian Riviera, beloved by wealthy Europeans and royalty (including, so it is claimed, Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom), centred on the town of Sanremo, famed for hosting the eponymous [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanremo_Music_Festival Music Festival]], the longest-running annual TV music competition in the world and a precursor to the Series/EurovisionSongContest (to which nowadays it serves as Italy's national selection show).

!!!'''La Spezia'''
-->'''Postal code:''' SP\\

'''Area:''' 881 square kilometres (340 square miles) [4th of 4 regionally; 99th of 107 nationally]\\
'''Population (2021):''' 215,887 [3rd of 4 regionally; 86th of 107 nationally]\\
'''Alternate name:''' A Spèza [Ligurian]
->Famed for the Cinque Terre ("Five Lands", Çinque Tære in Ligurian), five scenic coastal villages--Corniglia, Manarola, Monterosso al Mare, Riomaggiore, and Vernazza--built on terraces carved out of the cliffs facing the Ligurian Sea.

!!!'''Savona'''
-->'''Postal code:''' SV\\

'''Area:''' 1,546 square kilometres (597 square miles) [2nd of 4 regionally; 82nd of 107 nationally]\\
'''Population (2021):''' 269,752 [2nd of 4 regionally; 76th of 107 nationally]\\
'''Alternate name:''' Sann-a [Ligurian], Savo [Latin]
->A long-time rival to Genoa to the east (having allied with the Carthaginians during the Punic wars, the Holy Roman Empire during the middle ages, and France in the sixteenth century). The eponymous capital was a centre of Italian ironworks, and where Christopher Columbus farmed a nearby land in between his expeditions.
----

[[folder:Lombardia]]
!!Lombardia (Lombardy)
[[quoteright:200:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/lombardia.png]]
-->'''Capital (and largest city):''' Milano (Milan)\\

'''Area:''' 23,863 square kilometres (9,214 square miles) [4th of 20]\\
'''Population (2021):''' 9,981,554 [1st of 20]\\
'''Alternate name:''' Lumbardia [Romansh]
->The most populous region in Italy and centre of its economy. Its capital Milan is Italy's second largest city and it's a major international hub, especially for fashion and design. This doesn't mean that natural sights aren't to be found, especially in the northern Alpine provinces or on the shores of Lake Como and Lake Garda.
----
!!!'''Bergamo'''
-->'''Postal code:''' BG\\

'''Area:''' 2,755 square kilometres (1,064 square miles) [4th of 12 regionally; 43rd of 107 nationally]\\
'''Population (2021):''' 1,103,556 [3rd of 12 regionally; 8th of 107 nationally]\\
'''Alternate name:''' Bèrghem [Lombard], Bergomum [Latin]
->The eponymous capital is famed for an old city centre nestled within a series of hills. Its airport, Bergamo Caravaggio, is also one of the busiest in the country.

!!!'''Brescia'''
-->'''Postal code:''' BS\\

'''Area:''' 4,785 square kilometres (1,848 square miles) [1st of 12 regionally; 17th of 107 nationally]\\
'''Population (2021):''' 1,255,709 [2nd of 12 regionally; 5th of 107 nationally]\\
'''Alternate name:''' Brèsa [Lombard], Brixia [Latin]
->Brescia, the fifth most populous province in Italy, is famed for a series of eight lakes, of which Lake Garda is the largest in all of Italy. Its eponymous capital is also one of the oldest in Italy and is an important regional centre since pre-Roman times.

!!!'''Como'''
-->'''Postal code:''' CO\\

'''Area:''' 1,279 square kilometres (494 square miles) [8th of 12 regionally; 87th of 107 nationally]\\
'''Population (2021):''' 596,456 [6th of 12 regionally; 28th of 107 nationally]\\
'''Alternate name:''' Comm [Comasco Lombard], Comum [Latin]
->The same-named capital is a famed tourist destination for its location next to the Alps and a same-named lake, a favourite with aristocrats and the wealthy since Roman times, as well as the home of Roman philosopher [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pliny_the_Elder Pliny the Elder]] (Gaius Plinius Secundus), [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_Innocent_XI Pope Innocent XI]] (Benedetto Odescalchi), and scientist [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alessandro_Volta Alessandro Volta]], a pioneer of electricity, inventor of the electric battery, and namesake of [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volt the SI unit for electric potential]].

!!!'''Cremona'''
-->'''Postal code:''' CR\\

'''Area:''' 1,770 square kilometres (684 square miles) [6th of 12 regionally; 78th of 107 nationally]\\
'''Population (2021):''' 352,242 [9th of 12 regionally; 59th of 107 nationally]\\
'''Alternate names:''' Cremùna [Cremunés Lombard], Cramòna [Casalasco-Viadanese]
->Cremona's flat topography lends well to a strong agricultural profile, while the eponymous capital is famed for its musical tradition, with the violin-making Stradivari, Amati, Guarneri, and Bergonzi families among the most renowned.

!!!'''Lecco'''
-->'''Postal code:''' LC\\

'''Area:''' 806 square kilometres (311 square miles) [10th of 12 regionally; 102nd of 107 nationally]\\
'''Population (2021):''' 333,569 [10th of 12 regionally; 65th of 107 nationally]\\
'''Alternate name:''' Lècch [Lecchese Lombard]
->A quiet Alpine province lying at the southeastern end of Lake Como, whose capital was once a major ironworks centre.

!!!'''Lodi'''
-->'''Postal code:''' LO\\

'''Area:''' 783 square kilometres (302 square miles) [11th of 12 regionally; 103rd of 107 nationally]\\
'''Population (2021):''' 227,343 [11th of 12 regionally; 83rd of 107 nationally]\\
'''Alternate name:''' Lod [Lodigiano Lombard], Laus Pompeia [Latin]
->The province saw a young UsefulNotes/NapoleonBonaparte begin to distinguish himself after defeating the Austrians in 1796, and is famed for its ceramics industry.

!!!'''Mantova (Mantua)'''
-->'''Postal code:''' MN\\

'''Area:''' 2,341 square kilometres (904 square miles) [5th of 12 regionally; 60th of 107 nationally]\\
'''Population (2021):''' 406,061 [8th of 12 regionally; 47th of 107 nationally]\\
'''Alternate name:''' Mantua [Latin]
->A province centred on an Etruscan-era city surrounded by several nature reserves, famed for being one of the cultural (especially musical) hubs of northern Italy through the patronage of the House of Gonzaga from the fourteenth to eighteenth centuries, as well as the birthplace of Creator/{{Virgil}}.

!!!'''Milano (Milan)'''
-->'''Postal code:''' MI\\
'''Type:''' Metropolitan City\\
'''Area:''' 1,575 square kilometres (608 square miles) [7th of 12 regionally; 81st of 107 nationally]\\
'''Population (2021):''' 3,241,813 [1st of 12 regionally; 2nd of 107 nationally]\\
'''Alternate name:''' Mediolanum [Latin]
->Capital of Lombardy and second-largest (and wealthiest) city in Italy. Having served at one point as capital of the Western Roman Empire, Milan became an economic hub since the middle ages, and is also famed for being one of the four "fashion capitals" of the world (alongside London, New York City, and Paris), strong association with Creator/LeonardoDaVinci (who worked for the ruling Sforza family and painted his iconic ''Art/TheLastSupper'' for a Dominican convent), a cathedral iconic for its spires, and a proud sporting tradition through a pair of successful football teams (A.C. Milan and Inter Milan) and playing host to the 2026 Winter UsefulNotes/OlympicGames.

!!!'''Monza e Brianza (Monza and Brianza)'''
-->'''Postal code:''' MB\\
'''Capital (and largest city):''' Monza\\

'''Area:''' 405 square kilometres (157 square miles) [12th of 12 regionally; 105th of 107 nationally]\\
'''Population (2021):''' 870,113 [5th of 12 regionally; 18th of 107 nationally]\\
'''Alternate names:''' Monscia e la Brianza [Monzese Lombard], Modicia [Monza, Latin]
->A small province centered around an important textile-producing city which also hosts the Formula One Italian Grand Prix.

!!!'''Pavia'''
-->'''Postal code:''' PV\\

'''Area:''' 2,969 square kilometres (1,146 square miles) [3rd of 12 regionally; 38th of 107 nationally]\\
'''Population (2021):''' 535,801 [7th of 12 regionally; 33rd of 107 nationally]\\
'''Alternate name:''' Ticinum [Latin]
->Pavia was where the Germanic Lombard peoples first set up their kingdom. Nowadays it is a largely agricultural province, whose capital is home to one of the oldest universities in the world.

!!!'''Sondrio'''
-->'''Postal code:''' SO\\

'''Area:''' 3,196 square kilometres (1,234 square miles) [2nd of 12 regionally; 34th of 107 nationally]\\
'''Population (2021):''' 178,798 [12th of 12 regionally; 95th of 107 nationally]\\
'''Alternate names:''' Sùndri [Lombard], Sunder [Romansh]
->A quiet province surrounding a city which began as a Roman military camp.

!!!'''Varese'''
-->'''Postal code:''' VA\\
'''Largest city:''' Busto Arsizio\\

'''Area:''' 1,198 square kilometres (463 square miles) [9th of 12 regionally; 92nd of 107 nationally]\\
'''Population (2021):''' 880,093 [4th of 12 regionally; 17th of 107 nationally]\\
'''Alternate name:''' Varés [Varesino Lombard], Baretium [Latin]
->The same-named capital is famed for its many villas and footwear industry. [=AgustaWestland=], the largest helicopter manufacturer in the world, is based on the town of Samarate.
----
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Piemonte]]
!!Piemonte (Piedmont)
[[quoteright:200:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/piemonte_2.png]]
-->'''Capital (and largest city):''' Torino (Turin)\\
'''Type:''' Ordinary Region\\
'''Area:''' 25,387 square kilometres (9,802 square miles) [2nd of 20]\\
'''Population (2021):''' 4,274,945 [7th of 20]\\
'''Alternate names:''' Piemont [Piedmontese, Lombard, Occitan, Arpitan], Piémont [French]
->The region was the core territory of the Kingdom of Sardinia (along with Liguria, Aosta Valley, Liguria, plus Savoy and Nice in modern-day France), which eventually expanded over the whole peninsula to become the Kingdom of Italy (later the Italian Republic). Of course, people today might be more interested in the ''other'' thing born in Piedmont: the awfully addictive chocolate-and-hazelnut spread Nutella. It is also the center of the Italian automotive industry; FIAT and Alfa Romeo are based in Turin, the capital and the country's fourth-largest city, and appropriately twinned with Detroit.

!!!'''Alessandria'''
-->'''Postal code:''' AL\\

'''Area:''' 3,559 square kilometeres (1,374 square miles) [3rd of 8 regionally; 25th of 107 nationally]\\
'''Population (2021):''' 409,392 [3rd of 8 regionally; 46th of 107 nationally]\\
'''Alternate name:''' Lissandria [Standard Piedmontese], Lissändria [Alessandrian Piedmontese]
->Founded in 1168 as a vantage point during the Wars of Guelphs and Ghibellines, it is best known today as the birthplace of Creator/UmbertoEco and as a major railway hub in the region. Novi Ligure, the third-largest town in the province, is an industrial and tourism hotspot.

!!!'''Asti'''
-->'''Postal code:''' AT\\

'''Area:''' 1510 square kilometres (583 square miles) [6th of 8 regionally; 85th of 107 nationally]\\
'''Population (2021):''' 209,390 [5th of 8 regionally; 88th of 107 nationally]\\
'''Alternate name:''' Ast [Piedmontese], Hasta [Latin]
->Most people would instantly recognize Asti for its famous red and white wines, including its namesake sparkling white vine. However, it is also known for the Palio di Asti, one of the biggest horse races in Italy.

!!!'''Biella'''
-->'''Postal code:''' BI\\

'''Area:''' 913 square kilometres (353 square miles) [8th of 8 regionally; 98th of 107 nationally]\\
'''Population (2021):''' 170,724 [6th of 8 regionally; 96th of 107 nationally]\\
'''Alternate name:''' Biela [Piedmontese]
->Often called the "Italian Manchester" for its historical role in the region's industrial sector, particularly wool manufacturing, Biella is also home to the Santo Monte di Oropa, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

!!!'''Cuneo'''
-->'''Postal code:''' CN\\

'''Area:''' 6,895 square kilometres (2,662 square miles) [1st of 8 regionally; 4th of 107 nationally]\\
'''Population (2021):''' 581,798 [2nd of 8 regionally; 29th of 107 nationally]\\
'''Alternate name:''' Coni [Piedmontese]
->Fourth-largest province in Italy. Its name literally means "wedge," befitting its namesake capital's location between the rivers Stura and Gesso. Alba, the province's second-largest town, is famous for its truffles and for being the birthplace of Nutella.

!!!'''Novara'''
-->'''Postal code:''' NO\\

'''Area:''' 1,340 square kilometres (517 square miles) [7th of 8 regionally; 86th of 107 nationally]\\
'''Population (2021):''' 362,925 [4th of 8 regionally; 56th of 107 nationally]\\
'''Alternate name:''' Nuàra [Piedmontese], Novaria [Latin]
->Despite being on the smaller end for a province, Novara was blessed with an advantageous position that makes it a crossroads for commercial traffic between Milano and Torino and from Genova to the Swiss border. It is also famed for its red and white wines.

!!!'''Torino (Turin)'''
-->'''Postal code:''' TO\\

'''Area:''' 6,827 square kilometres (2,636 square miles) [2nd of 8 regionally; 5th of 107 nationally]\\
'''Population (2021):''' 2,219,206 [1st of 8 regionally; 4th of 107 nationally]\\
'''Alternate names:''' Turin [Piedmontese], Augusta Taurinorum [Latin]
->Fifth-largest and fourth most populous in Italy, as well as the first capital of a unified Italy. Located mainly on the western bank of the Po river, it is oftentimes called as the birthplace of modern-day Italy as it was the political and intellectual center of the ''Risorgimento'', and is part of the Italian industry triangle alongside Milano and Genova. Beyond that it is also famous for its art galleries, its football clubs (Juventus and Torino FC), automotive heritage (FIAT, Lancia, and Alfa Romeo operate from here although Alfa's origins are in Milan), the reputed shroud used on Jesus after his crucifixion, and playing host to the 2006 Winter UsefulNotes/OlympicGames and the 2022 Series/EurovisionSongContest.

!!!'''Verbano-Cusio-Ossola'''
-->'''Postal code:''' VB\\
'''Capital (and largest city):''' Verbania\\

'''Area:''' 2,261 square kilometres (873 square miles) [4th of 8 regionally; 63rd of 107 nationally]\\
'''Population (2021)''': 154,926 [8th of 8 regionally; 101st of 107 nationally]
->A relatively new province, formed in 1992, and least populous in Piemonte, sitting just below the border with Switzerland on the northern tip of the region, it straddles part of Lago Maggiore, where the capital Verbania sits next to. Its official name refers to the province's three main parts: Verbano to the east, Cusio to the south, and Ossola to the northwest, though most people call the province simply Verbania for simplicity's sake.

!!!'''Vercelli'''
-->'''Postal code:''' VC\\

'''Area:''' 2,082 square kilometres (804 square miles) [5th of 8 regionally; 69th of 107 nationally]\\
'''Population (2021)''': 166,584 [7th of 8 regionally; 98th of 107 nationally]\\
'''Alternate names:''' Vërsèj [Piedmontese], Vercellae [Latin]
->This province is nestled right between Turin and Milan, and thanks to its frequent rainfalls and fertile soil is host to much of the region's production of rice. The eponymous capital was host to the world's first publicly funded university in 1228, though it has closed in 1372.

[[folder:Valle d'Aosta]]
!!Valle d'Aosta (Aosta Valley)
[[quoteright:200:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/valle_d_aosta_5.png]]
-->'''Capital (and largest city):''' Aosta\\
'''Type:''' Autonomous Region\\
'''Area:''' 3,260 square kilometres (1,259 square miles) [20th of 20; 30th of 107 if counted alongside provinces]\\
'''Population (2021):''' 124,089 [20th of 20; 106th of 107 if counted alongside provinces]\\
'''Alternate name:''' Augusta Praetoria Salassorum [Latin]
->The smallest and least populous region in Italy, Aosta is a mountainous area nestled next to France and Switzerland. As a result, it has a significant Francophone population, and French is its second official language. Mont Blanc, Italy's (and France's) tallest mountain, is found here, right on the border between both countries.
[[/folder]]

!Nord-Est (North-East)
[[folder:Emilia-Romagna]]
!!Emilia-Romagna
[[quoteright:200:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/flag_of_emilia_romagna.png]]
-->'''Capital (and largest city):''' Bologna\\

'''Area:''' 22,445 square kilometres (8,666 square miles) [6th of 20]\\
'''Population (2021):''' 4,438,937 [6th of 20]\\
'''Alternate names:''' Emégglia-Rumâgna [Emilian], Emélia-Rumâgna [Romagnol]
->One of the main industrial hubs of the country and home to Italy's third-largest economy. It mostly encompasses the Po Valley going from the rolling hillsides of Parma and Bologna all the way to the pristine beaches of Rimini and Ravenna. It is also a hotspot of the Italian automobile industry, being home to brands like Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati, and Dallara.

!!!'''Bologna'''
-->'''Postal code:''' BO\\
'''Type:''' Metropolitan City\\
'''Area:''' 3,702 square kilometres (1,430 square miles) [1st of 9 regionally; 21st of 107 nationally]\\
'''Population (2021):''' 1,015,608 [1st of 9 regionally; 11th of 107 nationally]\\
'''Alternate name:''' Bulåggna [Bolognese], Bononia [Latin]
->Largest and most populous province in the region, its eponymous capital is also the seventh most populous in Italy. Originally called Felsina by the Etruscans, it is home to the oldest university in the world, the University of Bologna, established in AD 1088. It is well known for its vast intellectual and artistic heritage ranging from writers to musicians and painters, and also for being the birthplace of a namesake pasta sauce (called ragù, pronounced "ra-goo", in Italian). Car manufacturer Lamborghini is based in nearby Sant'Agata Bolognese.

!!!'''Ferrara'''
-->'''Postal code:''' FE\\

'''Area:''' 2,627 square kilometres (1,014 square miles) [4th of 9 regionally; 48th of 107 nationally]\\
'''Population (2021):''' 342,061 [7th of 9 regionally; 61st of 107 nationally]\\
'''Alternate name:''' Fràra [Emilian]
->Best known as the town of the House of Este, who founded a university in the late fourteenth century, Ferrara's identity is still strongly intertwined with its old Renaissance self. Thanks to its picturesque locales dating all the way to the Middle Ages, the entire city has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

!!!'''Forlì-Cesena'''
-->'''Postal code:''' FC\\
'''Capital (and largest city):''' Forli\\

'''Area:''' 2,378 square kilometres (918 square miles) [6th of 9 regionally; 59th of 107 nationally]\\
'''Population (2021):''' 392,642 [5th of 9 regionally; 49th of 107 nationally]\\
'''Alternate names:''' Furlè-Cisêna [Romagnol], Forum Livii [Forli, Latin], Caesena [Cesena, Latin]
->Located just alongside the Adriatic Sea, the province's namesake major towns also known for their intellectual backgrounds; Cesena in particular hosts the Malatestiana Library, the first civic library in Europe.

!!!'''Modena'''
-->'''Postal code:''' MO\\

'''Area:''' 2,688 square kilometres (1,038 square miles) [3rd of 9 regionally; 46th of 107 nationally]\\
'''Population (2021):''' 703,696 [2nd of 9 regionally; 23rd of 107 nationally]\\
'''Alternate name:''' Mòdna [Emilian], Mutina [Latin]
->Although it also has other claims to fame, such as being the birthplace of opera star Luciano Pavarotti, Modena is ''far'' better known as the heart of the Italian automotive industry: Ferrari, Italy's most famous car brand, is based in nearby Maranello, Maserati and De Tomaso in Modena itself, and Pagani in nearby San Cesario sul Panaro.

!!!'''Parma'''
-->'''Postal code:''' PR\\

'''Area:''' 3,447 square kilometres (1,331 square miles) [2nd of 9 regionally; 28th of 107 nationally]\\
'''Population (2021):''' 449,628 [7th of 9 regionally; 41st of 107 nationally]\\
'''Alternate name:''' Pärma [Emilian]
->Divided by the namesake river in half, this city's biggest claim to fame is being the birthplace of Music/GiuseppeVerdi, one of the world's greatest opera composers. It is also well-known for its namesake cheese and its cut of ham, while sports car manufacturer Dallara is based in nearby Varano de' Melegari.

!!!'''Piacenza'''
-->'''Postal code:''' PC\\

'''Area:''' 2,586 square kilometers (998 square miles) [5th of 9 regionally; 50th of 107 nationally]\\
'''Population (2021):''' 283,742 [9th of 9 regionally; 75th of 107 nationally]\\
'''Alternate name:''' Piaṡëinsa [Piacentine], Placentia [Latin]
->Located just below the border with Lombardy, its biggest landmark is the "Gotico" town hall built in the thirteenth century. It is well-known for its production of meat, particularly pork.

!!!'''Ravenna'''
-->'''Postal code:''' RA\\
'''Type:''' Ordinary province\\
'''Area:''' 1,859 square kilometers (718 square miles) [8th of 9 nationally; 74th of 107 nationally]\\
'''Population (2021):''' 386,643 [6th of 9 regionally; 50th of 107 nationally]\\
'''Alternate name:''' Ravèna [Romagnol], Ravenna [Latin]
->The last capital of the Western Roman Empire from AD 402 to the Ostrogothic conquest in 476, who in turn made it capital of their kingdom until the Byzantines conquered it in 540, and then the Lombards in 751, its Byzantine and late Roman architecture is well-preserved to this day. The city was also home to Creator/DanteAlighieri for the last years of his life after being exiled from his native Florence.

!!!'''Reggio Emilia'''
-->'''Postal code:''' RE\\
'''Type:''' Ordinary province\\
'''Area:''' 2,291 square kilometres (885 square miles) [7th of 9 regionally; 61st of 107 nationally]\\
'''Population (2021):''' 527,140 [3rd of 9 regionally; 35th of 107 nationally]\\
'''Alternate name:''' Rèz [Emilian], Regium Lepidi [Latin]
->Not to be confused with Reggio Calabria. The town of Canossa and its hilltop castle bore witness to an incident in 1077 when the Holy Roman Emperor Henry IV walked barefoot and fell on his knees in the middle of winter to have his excommunication lifted by the then-visiting Pope Gregory VII amidst controversy over whether kings or popes had the authority to appoint bishops. The city is a known center of education; the so-called [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reggio_Emilia_approach Reggio Emilia approach]], one of the most commonly used educational methods, takes its name from the city.

!!!'''Rimini'''
-->'''Postal code:''' RN\\
'''Type:''' Ordinary province\\
'''Area:''' 865 square kilometres (334 square miles) [9th of 9 regionally; 100th of 107 nationally]\\
'''Population (2021):''' 337,777 [8th of 9 regionally; 63rd of 107 nationally]\\
'''Alternate name:''' Rémin [Romagnol], Ariminum [Latin]
->A province almost entirely surrounding the sovereign state of UsefulNotes/SanMarino, the namesake capital is a resort town which served as a hotbed of the Risorgimento and the antifascist resistance during UsefulNotes/WorldWarII, as well as the birthplace of Creator/FedericoFellini.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Friuli Venezia Giulia]]
!!Friuli Venezia Giulia
[[quoteright:200:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/flag_of_friuli_venezia_giulia.png]]
-->'''Capital (and largest city):''' Trieste\\
'''Type:''' Autonomous Region\\
'''Area:''' 7,932 square kilometres (3,063 square miles) [17th of 20]\\
'''Population (2021):''' 1,201,510 [15th of 20]\\
'''Alternate name:''' Friûl Vignesie Julie [Friulian], Furlanija Julijska Krajina [Slovene], Friaul Julisch Venetien [German]
->A hotbed of diversity stemming from its history as the crossroads between Latin, Germanic, and Slavic cultures. Until 30 September 2017 it was divided in four provinces; as of present they are in the process of being replaced by Unioni Territoriali Intercomunali (Intercommunal Territorial Unions) which have undertaken some of the powers of the previous provinces. This folder will instead focus on the old provinces for simplicity's sake as there are eighteen planned [=UTIs=], which will be noted below.

!!!'''Gorizia'''
-->'''Postal code:''' GO\\

'''Successor [=UTIs=] (and capitals):''' Carso Isonzo Adriatico (Monfalcone), Collio-Alto Isonzo (Gorizia)\\
'''Area:''' 475 square kilometres (184 square miles) [3rd of 4 regionally; 104th of 107 nationally]\\
'''Population (2021):''' 139,070 [4th of 4 regionally; 105th of 107]\\
'''Alternate names:''' Gurize [Friulan], Gorica [Slovene], Goritia [Latin]
->Fourth-smallest and third least populous province in Italy. Located very close to the border with Slovenia, the eponymous capital was subject to territorial disputes between Italy and Yugoslavia after UsefulNotes/WorldWarII. After the new boundaries were established in 1947, Nova Gorica was built on the then-Yugoslav side of the city giving birth to a trans-national conurbation.

!!!'''Pordenone'''
-->'''Postal code:''' PN\\

'''Successor [=UTIs=] (and capitals):''' Livenza-Cansiglio-Cavallo (Sacile), Noncello (Pordenone), Sile e Meduna (Azzano Decimo), Tagliamento (San Vito al Tagliamento), Valli e delle Dolomiti Friulane (Maniago)\\
'''Area:''' 2,275 square kilometres (879 square miles) [2nd of 4 regionally; 62nd of 107 nationally]\\
'''Population (2021):''' 310,634 [2nd of 4 regionally; 69th of 107 nationally]\\
'''Alternate names:''' Pordenon [Venetian/Friulan], Portus Naonis [Latin]
->This old province was part of Udine until 1968, and was ping-ponged back and forth between the Republic of Venice and the Holy Roman Empire during the Middle Ages.

!!!'''Trieste'''
-->'''Postal code:''' TS\\

'''Successor UTI (and capital):''' Giuliana (Trieste)\\
'''Area:''' 213 square kilometres (82 square miles) [4th of 4 regionally; 107th of 107 nationally]\\
'''Population (2021):''' 230,689 [3rd of 4 regionally; 82nd of 107 nationally]\\
'''Alternate names:''' Triest [Friulan], Trst [Slovene], Tergeste [Latin]
->Smallest province of Italy. Sandwiched on a small strip of land between the Adriatic Sea and Slovenia, the eponymous city was a point of contention between the Western and Eastern Blocs throughout the UsefulNotes/ColdWar due to its strategic position, having been the premier seaport of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and its fourth-largest city (following Prague, Budapest, and Vienna). Nowadays it has gained prominence as a hotspot for researchers due to many scientific institutions being based there.

!!!'''Udine'''
-->'''Postal code:''' UD\\

'''Successor [=UTIs=] (and capitals):''' Agro Aquileiese (Cervignano del Friuli), Camia (Tolmezzo), Canal del Ferro-Val Canale (Tarvisio), Collinare (San Daniele del Friuli), Friuli Centrale (Udine), Gemonese [Gemona del Friuli), Mediofriuli (Codrolpo), Natisone (Cividale del Friuli), Riviera-Bassa Friulana (Latisana), Torre (Tarcento)\\
'''Area:''' 4,969 square kilometres (1,919 square miles) [1st of 4 regionally; 15th of 107 nationally]\\
'''Population (2021):''' 521,117 [1st of 4 regionally; 37th of 107 nationally]\\
'''Alternate name:''' Udin [Friulan], Videm [Slovene], Vydän [Resian], Weiden [German], Utinum [Latin]
->The eponymous capital was Italy's military capital until their defeat at the Battle of Caporetto in UsefulNotes/WorldWarI; after that it was briefly occupied by Austro-Hungarian forces before the Italians took it back at the Battle of Vittorio Veneto. Widely regarded as the capital and cultural center of Friuli, it is best known for its eponymous castle which overlooks the town's skyline from atop a hill.

[[folder:Trentino-Alto Adige]]
!!Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol (Trentino-South Tyrol)
[[quoteright:200:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/trentino_alto_adige.png]]
->'''Capital (and largest city):''' Trento\\
'''Type:''' Autonomous Region\\
'''Area:''' 13,605 square kilometres (5,253 square miles) [12th of 20]\\
'''Population (2021):''' 1,077,078 [16th of 20]
->The northernmost region in Italy, where its other official languages are German and Ladin, an Alpine Romance language related to Friulan. The region itself is a largely ceremonial entity, with most of the effective powers being held by its two component provinces, both of which rank among the wealthiest throughout Italy.

!!!'''Bolzano–Alto Adige (Bolzano-South Tyrol)'''
->'''Postal code:''' BZ\\
'''Type:''' Autonomous province\\
'''Area:''' 7,398 square kilometres (2,856 square miles) [1st of 2 regionally; 2nd of 107 nationally]\\
'''Population (2021):''' 534,912 [2nd of 2 regionally; 34th of 107 nationally]\\
'''Alternate names:''' Bozen–Südtirol [German], Bulsan–Südtirol [Ladin], Bauzanum [Latin]
->Second-largest and northernmost province of Italy, as well as the wealthiest thanks to its self-governance. It was originally part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, hence it is the only predominantly Germanophone province, before being surrendered to Italy at the end of UsefulNotes/WorldWarI; it then suffered a forced "Italianization" process by the fascist regime which has been mostly undone since the dawn of the Republic, giving the province autonomy in order to placate separatists.

!!!'''Trentino'''
->'''Postal code:''' TN\\
'''Capital (and largest city):''' Trento\\
'''Type:''' Autonomous Province\\
'''Area:''' 6,207 square kilometres (2,397 square miles) [2nd of 2 regionally; 10th of 107 nationally]\\
'''Population (2021):''' 542,166 [1st of 2 regionally; 32nd of 107 nationally]\\
'''Alternate names:''' Trient [German], Trent [Ladin], Tria [Cimbrian], Trea't [Mócheno], Tridentum [Latin]
->Annexed by Italy alongside neighboring Bolzano at the end of UsefulNotes/WorldWarI, Trentino's culture is a mish-mash of both Italian and Germanic and could be best described as a more "Italianized" counterpart to Bolzano. It is also the home province Alcide De Gasperi, the first Prime Minister of post-UsefulNotes/WorldWarII Italy. The province is famed for the sharp-inclined Dolomite mountain range, while the eponymous capital is famed for hosting a Roman Catholic council between 1545 and 1563 that set forth reforms in its doctrine, worship, and governance as a response to the Protestant Reformation, most notably the "Tridentine" Mass observed for centuries until the reforms of the Second Vatican Council in the late 1960s.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Veneto]]
!!Veneto
[[quoteright:200:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/veneto.png]]
-->'''Capital:''' [[UsefulNotes/{{Venice}} Venezia (Venice)]]\\
'''Largest city:''' Verona\\

'''Area:''' 18,345 square kilometres (7,083 square miles) [8th of 20]\\
'''Population (2021):''' 4,869,830 [4th of 20]
->Fourth most populous region in Italy. Once the centre of the sovereign Most Serrene Republic of Venice from AD 697 as a medieval thalassocracy to 1797, when, long in decline as an economic power following the discovery of the Americas and establishment of westward trade routes to Asia and subsequent defeats to the Ottoman Empire, it was partitioned between the Austrian Empire and Napoleonic France, ultimately being merged into the Kingdom of Italy in 1866.

!!!'''Belluno'''
-->'''Postal code:''' BL\\

'''Area:''' 3,610 square kilometres (1,394 square miles) [1st of 7 regionally; 23rd of 107 nationally]]\\
'''Population (2021):''' 199,704 [7th of 7 regionally; 92nd of 107 nationally]]\\
'''Alternate names:''' Belùn [Venetian], Belum [Ladin], Bellunum [Latin]
->An alpine province noted for its harsh climate, its production of beans and cheese, and a booming tourist industry (the town of Cortina d'Ampezzo hosted the 1956 Winter UsefulNotes/OlympicGames, and is also scheduled to co-host the 2026 edition alongside Milano).

!!!'''Padova (Padua)'''
-->'''Postal code:''' PD\\

'''Area:''' 2,144 square kilometres (828 square miles) [6th of 7 regionally; 65th of 107 nationally]]\\
'''Population (2021):''' 932,629 [1st of 7 regionally; 13th of 107 nationally]]\\
'''Alternate names:''' Pàdova (Venetian), Patavium [Latin]
->Most populous province in the region. Its eponymous capital is famed for its medieval and Renaissance art and architecture, its two UNESCO World Heritage Sites (the Orto Botanico, the oldest botanical garden in the world dating back to 1545, and a group of fresco-lined chapels, most famously those in the Scrovegni Chapel done by Giotto), its medieval university where UsefulNotes/GalileoGalilei once taught, and pilgrimage to the tomb of the city's beloved patron saint, Anthony, a Portuguese-born Franciscan friar frequently invoked by people who seek lost items.

!!!'''Rovigo'''
-->'''Postal code:''' RO\\

'''Area:''' 1,820 square kilometres (703 square miles) [7th of 7 regionally; 76th of 107 nationally]]\\
'''Population (2021):''' 230,763 [6th of 7 regionally; 81st of 107 nationally]]\\
'''Alternate names:''' Ruig [Emilian], Rodigium [Latin]
->The eponymous capital is famed for a combination of Venetian and Ferrarese influences.

!!!'''Treviso'''
-->'''Postal code:''' TV\\

'''Area:''' 2,480 square kilometres (957 square miles) [4th of 7 regionally; 53rd of 107 nationally]]\\
'''Population (2021):''' 880,417 [3rd of 7 regionally; 16th of 107 nationally]]\\
'''Alternate names:''' Trevixo [Venetian], Tarvisium [Latin]
->The eponymous capital is famed for its preserved medieval city centre, as well as its reputation as home to the Tiramisu dessert and Prosecco wine.

!!!'''[[UsefulNotes/{{Venice}} Venezia (Venice)]]'''
-->'''Postal code:''' VE\\

'''Area:''' 2,473 square kilometres (955 square miles) [5th of 7 regionally; 54th of 107 nationally]]\\
'''Population (2021):''' 843,545 [5th of 7 regionally; 20th of 107 nationally]]\\
'''Alternate name:''' Venesia [Venetian]
->The region's capital and twelfth most populous city in Italy, built on an archipelago of 118 small islands in a lagoon, linked together by over 400 bridges. Throughout the medieval and Renaissance periods the city was once a maritime power and one of the wealthiest cities in the world, culminating in UsefulNotes/MarcoPolo's eastward journeys to China and back in the late thirteenth century; long after its decline, the artistic, architectural, and cultural remnants of its golden age now fuel the city's booming tourism.

!!!'''Verona'''
-->'''Postal code:''' VR\\

'''Area:''' 3,096 square kilometres (1,196 square miles) [2nd of 7 regionally; 35th of 107 nationally]]\\
'''Population (2021):''' 927,810 [2nd of 7 regionally; 14th of 107 nationally]]\\
'''Alternate name:''' Veròna [Venetian]
->A cosmopolitan province strategically located between Venice, Milan, Bologna, and the Italian Tyrol. Its eponymous capital, the eleventh most populous city in Italy (surpassing even Venice), is a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its artistic heritage, such as its well-preserved, still functional Roman amphitheatre, as well as the setting of ''Theatre/RomeoAndJuliet'' and the birthplace of Isotta Nogarola, said to be the first major female humanist.

!!!'''Vicenza'''
-->'''Postal code:''' VI\\

'''Area:''' 2,722 square kilometres (1,051 square miles) [3rd of 7 regionally; 45th of 107 nationally]]\\
'''Population (2021):''' 854,962 [4th of 7 regionally; 19th of 107 nationally]]\\
'''Alternate names:''' Vicensa [Venetian], Vincentia [Latin]
->The eponymous capital is a cosmopolitan city famed for its rich history and culture, including museums, art galleries, palaces, and churches, in particular the works of its most famous son, the architect Andrea Palladio, as well as the birthplace of Federico Faggin, a co-inventor of the microprocessor.

!Centro (Centre)
[[folder:Lazio]]
!!Lazio
[[quoteright:200:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/flag_of_lazio.png]]
->'''Capital (and largest city):''' [[UsefulNotes/{{Rome}} Roma (Rome)]]\\

'''Area:''' 17,232 square kilometres (6,653 square miles) [9th of 20]\\
'''Population (2021):''' 5,730,399 [2nd of 20]\\
'''Alternate name:''' Latium [Latin]
Second most populous and second-richest region in Italy after Lombardy. This area has long been the centre of several kingdoms in the Italian peninsula, further increasing in prominence as the seat of the Roman Empire spanning much of the land around the Mediterranean Sea, then suffering a political decline with the city's fall to the Ostrogoths during the late fifth century, the only centralizing power at the area having shifted to the Papacy, which consolidated much of the area as the Papal States, before they were absorbed into the newly-founded Kingdom of Italy, during which the area regained its prestige as the centre of the newly-reunified peninsula.

!!!'''Frosinone'''
-->'''Postal code:''' FR\\

'''Area:''' 3,247 square kiloemtres (1,254 square miles) [3rd of 5 regionally; 31st of 107 nationally]\\
'''Population (2021):''' 472,559 [3rd of 5 regionally; 39th of 107 nationally]\\
'''Alternate names:''' Frusina [Latin]
->Strategically located in the centre of the Latin Valley spanning between the south of Rome and Cassino, the province is noted for being frequently subjected to earthquakes and its strategic position bearing witness to many battles. The provinces is famed for the hilltop Benedictine Abbey of Monte Cassino, one of the most important centres of medieval Christianity, where the order's founder, Benedict of Nursia, is buried, as is his twin sister Scholastica, who founded a parallel order for women.

!!!'''Latina'''
-->'''Postal code:''' LT\\

'''Area:''' 2,256 square kilometres (871 square miles) [5th of 5 regionally; 64th of 107 nationally]\\
'''Population (2021):''' 566,224 [2nd of 5 regionally; 30th of 107 nationally]
->While Latina is the smallest province in the region, it has a wide variety of geographical features, from hills and mountains to the since dried-up Pontine Marshes and the penitentiaries-turned-resorts of the Pontine Islands, as well as the Dominican Abbey of Fossanova, where Creator/ThomasAquinas died en route to the Second Council of Lyon in 1274.

!!!'''Rieti'''
-->'''Postal code:''' RI\\

'''Area:''' 2,750 square kilometres (1,062 square miles) [4th of 5 regionally; 44th of 107 nationally]\\
'''Population (2021):''' 151,335 [5th of 5 regionally; 104th of 107 nationally]\\
'''Alternate names:''' Reate [Latin], Riete [Sabino]
->The province covers the historical territory of the pre-Roman Sabine people, half of which willingly joined the nascent Roman people and the other joining opposing tribes which were eventually subsumed by Rome.

!!!'''[[UsefulNotes/{{Rome}} Roma (Rome)]]'''
-->'''Postal code:''' RM\\
'''Type:''' Metropolitan City\\
'''Area:''' 5,363 square kilometres (2,071 square miles) [1st of 5 regionally; 12th of 107 nationally\\
'''Population (2021):''' 4,231,451 [1st of 5 regionally; 1st of 107 nationally]\\
'''Alternate name:''' Roma [Latin],
->Capital and largest city of Italy, as well as third most populous in the European Union after Berlin and Madrid. Its history as the namesake capital of the UsefulNotes/TheRomanEmpire gave it an outsized influence in the history and culture of Western civilization; after suffering a decline after the fall of the Empire, it regained its influence as capital of UsefulNotes/ThePapalStates until it was conquered by the Kingdom of Italy and declared it the unified peninsula's capital in 1871. Dozens of relics of the imperial era and churches make Rome the most famous tourist city in Italy, as well as home to several UNESCO World Heritage sites, while to this day the Roman Catholic Church, the largest Christian sect in the world, continues to govern the spiritual lives of over 1.3 billion people worldwide from the sovereign enclave of the UsefulNotes/VaticanCity, a remnant of the Papal States established in a 1929 treaty between UsefulNotes/PopePiusXII and UsefulNotes/BenitoMussolini. The outskirts are not short on sights, either, such as the Etruscan-era ruins of Cerveteri, the Roman-era port town of Civitavecchia, and the hilltop monastery town of Subiaco, the birthplace of the Benedictines, one of the oldest monastic orders in Christianity.

!!!'''Viterbo'''
-->'''Postal code:''' VT\\

'''Area:''' 3,615 square kilometres (1,396 square miles) [2nd of 5 regionally; 22nd of 107 nationally]\\
'''Population (2021):''' 308,830 [4th of 5 regionally; 70th of 107 nationally]\\
'''Alternate names:''' Veterbe [Viterbese], Viterbium [Medieval Latin]
->Most northerly province of the region, famed for the Etruscan-era necropolis of Tarquinia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and its eponymous capital, famed as the seat of the Papacy during the late thirteenth century.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Marche]]
!!Marche
[[quoteright:200:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/marche.png]]
-->'''Capital (and largest city):''' Ancona\\
'''Type:''' Ordinary Region\\
'''Area:''' 9,401 square kilometres (3,630 square miles) [15th of 20]\\
'''Population (2021):''' 1,498,236 [13th of 20]
->A mostly hilly region except for a few river valleys and a narrow coastal strip, making it until recently one of the most difficult regions to travel over.

!!!'''Ancona'''
-->'''Postal code:''' AN\\

'''Area:''' 1,963 square kilometres (758 square miles) [3rd of 5 regionally; 71st of 107 nationally]\\
'''Population (2021):''' 464,419 [1st of 5 regionally; 40th of 107 nationally]
->The eponymous capital is the economic and demographic centre of the region since the Greek era for its strategic location on a bulge of the peninsula towards the Adriatic Sea, as well as a traditional ally of Ragusa (modern-day Dubrovnik, Croatia) across the Sea in their mutual rivalry with Venice during the middle ages before being absorbed by the Papal States in the mid-sixteenth century. The city was also home to one of the oldest Jewish populations in Italy, dating back to the early fourteenth century. Nearby, the town of Loreto is a Catholic pilgrimage destination famous for what is believed to be the house of the Virgin Mary miraculously transported by angels from Nazareth in modern-day Israel.

!!!'''Ascoli Piceno'''
-->'''Postal code:''' AP\\

'''Area:''' 1,228 square kilometres (474 square miles) [4th of 5 regionally; 90th of 107 nationally]\\
'''Population (2021):''' 203,425 [4th of 5 regionally; 90th of 107 nationally]\\
'''Alternate name:''' Asculum Picenum [Latin]
->The eponymous city was located on an important pre-Roman trade route connecting Latium (modern-day Lazio) with the salt mines of the Adriatic coast and is a major centre of the Sabines that constantly fought against the nascent Roman kingdom, and is famous for its attractive city centre and being the birthplace of ''olive all'ascolana'' (meat-stuffed fried olives).

!!!'''Fermo'''
-->'''Postal code:''' FM\\

'''Area:''' 863 square kilometres (333 square miles) [5th of 5 regionally; 101st of 107 nationally]]\\
'''Population (2021):''' 169,710 [5th of 5 regionally; 97th of 107 nationally]\\
'''Alternate name:''' Firmum Picenum [Latin]
->The area aligned itself with Rome in its early days; nowadays, it is famous for three large necropolis excavated near the eponymous capital dating back between the ninth and seventh centuries BC, as well as one of the best preserved Roman-era cisterns underneath the city.

!!!'''Macerata'''
-->'''Postal code:''' MC\\

'''Area:''' 2,779 square kilometres (1,073 square miles) [1st of 5 regionally; 42nd of 107 nationally]\\
'''Population (2021):''' 307,410 [3rd of 5 regionally; 71st of 107 nationally]
->The eponymous capital existed since Roman times and home to one of the oldest universities in Europe, dating back to 1260, its open-air opera, and being the starting point of annual pilgrimages to Loreto, as well as the birthplace of Matteo Ricci, a sixteenth-century Jesuit priest famous for his missions to China.

!!!'''Pesaro e Urbino (Pesaro and Urbino)'''
-->'''Postal code:''' PU\\
'''Capital (and largest city):''' Pesaro\\

'''Area:''' 2,568 square kilometres (991 square miles) [2nd of 5 regionally; 52nd of 107 nationally]\\
'''Population (2021):''' 353,272 [2nd of 5 regionally; 57th of 107 nationally]\\
'''Alternate names:''' Pisaurum [Pesaro, Latin], Urbinum Mataurense [Urbino, Latin]
->The province bordering the southern third of the sovereign state of UsefulNotes/SanMarino (the rest by Rimini in Emilia-Romagna). Its name signifies the distinctiveness of its two major areas: Pesaro, the capital, is a Roman-era trading post famed for its environmentalism and encouragement of cycling, as well as being the birthplace of composer Music/GioachinoRossini; Urbino, the fourth most populous city, is a historic centre of Renaissance culture under the patronage of Duke Federico da Montefeltro during the mid-fifteenth century, as well as the birthplace of artist Creator/RaphaelSanzio.

[[folder:Toscana]]
!!Toscana (Tuscany)
[[quoteright:200:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/toscana.png]]
-->'''Capital (and largest city):''' [[UsefulNotes/{{Florence}} Firenze (Florence)]]\\
'''Area:''' 22,987 square kilometres (8,876 square miles) [5th of 20]\\
'''Population (2021):''' 3,692,865 [9th of 20]
->Known as the cradle of the Renaissance, Tuscany is host to major landmarks such as the Florence, Pisa, and Siena. People from other regions tend to mock Tuscans for not putting salt in their bread and for not pronouncing the letter C. After all, [[Series/{{Boris}} with that murmured C and their cheap humour, Tuscans have devastated this country]].

!!!'''Arezzo'''
-->'''Postal code:''' AR\\

'''Area:''' 3,233 square kilometres (1,248 square miles) [4th of 10 regionally; 32nd of 107 nationally[\\
'''Population (2021):''' 336,501 [4th of 10 regionally; 64th of 107 nationally]\\
'''Alternate name:''' Arretium [Latin]
->The eponympus capital was settled since Etruscan times, disappeared shortly after the fall of the Roman Empire, then grew in population during the middle ages despite the presence of such powerful neighbours as Florence and Siena, thus becoming a prize possession that constantly changed hands between both; nowadays, it is famous for its sloping piazza which hosts a monthly antiques fair, as well as the initial setting of ''Film/LifeIsBeautiful''. The town of Camaldoli is the birthplace of the Camaldolese Hermits, one of the oldest eremitical orders in Christianity.

!!!'''[[UsefulNotes/{{Florence}} Firenze (Florence)]]'''
-->'''Postal code:''' FI\\
'''Type:''' Metropolitan City\\
'''Area:''' 3,514 square kilometres (1,357 square miles) [3rd of 10 regionally; 26th of 107 nationally]\\
'''Population (2021):''' 998,431 [1st of 10 regionally; 12th of 107 nationally]\\
'''Alternate name:''' Florentia [Latin]
->Eighth most populous city in Italy. For centuries a medieval trade centre and one of the wealthiest cities in its time, it also became a cultural powerhouse during UsefulNotes/TheRenaissance under the patronage of the House of Medici, as well as capital of the Kingdom of Italy from 1865 to 1871. Today the city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, home to hundreds of pieces of art and architecture from the Renaissance, and continues to exert an influence in art, culture, and politics. Among its most famous literary sons are Creator/DanteAlighieri (whose ''magnum opus'', ''Literature/TheDivineComedy'', achieved such prestige that the local dialect with which he wrote his epic poem formed the basis of Standard Italian), Creator/Petrarch, Creator/GiovanniBoccaccio, and Creator/NiccoloMachiavelli.

!!!'''Grosseto'''
-->'''Postal code:''' GR\\

'''Area:''' 4,503 square kilometres (1,739 square miles) [1st of 10 regionally; 18th of 107 nationally]\\
'''Population (2021):''' 217,846 [9th of 10 regionally; 85th of 107 nationally]
->Southernmost province of Tuscany, located along the former coastal marshes of the Maremma, namesake of several breeds of domesticated animals such as horses, cattle, dogs, and pigs, and a prize possession once fought over between Florence and Siena.

!!!'''Livorno'''
-->'''Postal code:''' LI\\

'''Area:''' 1,214 square kilometres (469 square miles) [7th of 10 regionally; 91st of 107 nationally]\\
'''Population (2021):''' 328,996 [5th of 10 regionally; 66th of 107 nationally]\\
'''Alternate name:''' Leghorn [English, traditional], Liburnum [Latin]
->The eponymous capital, the third most populous in Tuscany, is a coastal town which once prospered under the House of Medici and served as the main port of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany, reminders of which are still visible in the city's art and architecture.

!!!'''Lucca'''
-->'''Postal code:''' LU\\

'''Area:''' 1,774 square kilometres (685 square miles) [6th of 10 regionally; 77th of 107 nationally]\\
'''Population (2021):''' 383,957 [3rd of 10 regionally; 52nd of 107 nationally]\\
'''Alternate name:''' Luca [Latin]
->The province sits through the Via Francigena, a medieval pilgrimage route between Rome and Canterbury in England to the north. Its eponymous capital is famed for its preserved Renaissance-era city walls and centre, while its cathedral is home to a wooden crucifix said to have been carved by Nicodemus, an early follower of Jesus. The capital is also host to Lucca Comics and Games, Europe's largest and the world's second-largest comic con by average attendance, which is held every year around Halloween and All Saints' Day within the historic city center.

!!!'''Massa-Carrara'''
-->'''Postal code:''' MS\\
'''Capital (and largest city):''' Massa\\

'''Area:''' 1,155 square kilometres (446 square miles) [8th of 10 regionally; 95th of 107 nationally]\\
'''Population (2021):''' 189,836 [10th of 10 regionally; 94th of 107 nationally]\\
'''Alternate names:''' Masa [Massa, Emilian], Carara [Carrara, Emilian]
->Northernmost province in the region, whose proximility to Emilia-Romagna has given it an Emilian cultural tinge. Its name alludes to its two major cities, which are famed for the white and blue-gray marble quarried in their vicinity.

!!!'''Pisa'''
-->'''Postal code:''' PI\\

'''Area:''' 2,445 square kilometres (944 square miles) [5th of 10 regionally; 57th of 107 nationally]\\
'''Population (2021):''' 417,983 [2nd of 10 regionally; 44th of 107 nationally]\\
'''Alternate name:''' Pisae [Latin]
->A former maritime power and a rival of Genoa before being absorbed into the Grand Duchy of Tuscany, today Pisa thrives on its college life surrounding an elite university founded in 1343, as well as famed as the birthplace of UsefulNotes/GalileoGalilei. The city is far better known, however, for its [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leaning_Tower_of_Pisa freestanding bell-tower]] that leans on one side due to the soft soil unable to hold its massive weight (and from which Galileo first conducted experiments on gravity), as well as, to a lesser extent, its accompanying cathedral, baptistry, and cemetery containing soil said to have been shipped from Golgotha in Jerusalem, the hill where Jesus was crucified.

!!!'''Pistoia'''
-->'''Postal code:''' PT\\
'''Type:''' Ordinary Province\\
'''Area:''' 964 square kilometres (372 square miles) [9th of 10 regionally; 97th of 107 nationally]\\
'''Population (2021):''' 290,245 [6th of 10 regionally; 74th of 107 nationally]\\
'''Alternate name:''' Pistoria [Latin]
->A small province beloved by skiers. The eponymous capital is a pretty medieval town famous for its plant nurseries as well as in nearby Pescia.

!!!'''Prato'''
-->'''Postal code:''' PO\\
'''Type:''' Ordinary Province\\
'''Area:''' 366 square kilometres (141 square miles) [10th of 10 regionally; 106th of 107 nationally]\\
'''Population (2021):''' 265,269 [7th of 10 regionally; 78th of 107 nationally]\\
'''Alternate names:'''
->Second-smallest province in Italy, whose eponymous capital is nonetheless the second most populous in the region, and is famed as a hotspot of the Renaissance.

!!!'''Siena'''
-->'''Postal code:''' SI\\
'''Type:''' Ordinary Province\\
'''Area:''' 3,821 square kilometres (1,475 square miles) [2nd of 10 regionally; 20th of 107 nationally]\\
'''Population (2021):''' 263,801 [8th of 10 regionally; 79th of 107 nationally]\\
'''Alternate name:''' Sena Iulia [Latin]
->A medieval centre of banking and education, with the Monte dei Paschi bank being the oldest of its kind in the world, operating since 1472, and its university one of the oldest, dating back to 1240, as well as a centuries-long rival of Florence until the latter absorbed it during the rise of the House of Medici. Today it is famed for the Palio, an annual horse race in the city square, its Romanesque-Gothic catehdral, one of the largest in Italy, distinctive for its striped white-and-greenish-black marble walls, and veneration to its native daughter Saint Catherine, a Dominican laywoman and mystic. The surrounding region is also home to Chianti wine.

[[folder:Umbria]]
!!Umbria
[[quoteright:200:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/umbria.png]]
-->'''Capital (and largest city):''' Perugia\\
'''Type:''' Ordinary Region\\
'''Area:''' 8,464 square kilometres (3,268 square miles) [16th of 20]\\
'''Population (2021):''' 865,452 [17th of 20]
->A region famed for its mountains, hills, valleys, and such historical towns as Perugia and Assisi.

!!!'''Perugia'''
-->'''Postal code:''' PG\\
'''Type:''' Ordinary Province\\
'''Area:''' 6,337 square kilometres (2,447 square miles) [1st of 2 regionally; 9th of 107 nationally]\\
'''Population (2021):''' 645,506 [1st of 2 regionally; 25th of 107 nationally]\\
'''Alternate name:''' Perusia [Latin]
->Almost the entire province is famous for its medieval castles, palaces, and fortresses, as well as scenic cities such as the eponymous capital, also a vibrant college city centred around one of the oldest universities in Italy, founded 1308; Gubbio, famed for its annual group race; Spoleto, the old capital of the Lombard Kingdom overlooked by a medieval fortress; and Norcia, birthplace of Saints Benedict and Scholastica, siblings and founders of the Benedictine orders of monks and nuns. Overshadowing them all, however, is Assisi, which is forever associated with native son Francis, one of the most beloved saints in Christianity for his austerity and humility, and founder of the Order of Friars Minor (Franciscans), as well as the Order of Poor Ladies (Poor Clares) with his contemporary Clare, both of whom lived and ministered around the area for most of their lives.

!!!'''Terni'''
-->'''Postal code:''' TR\\
'''Type:''' Ordinary Province\\
'''Area:''' 2,127 square kilometres (821 square miles) [2nd of 2 regionally; 67th of 107 nationally]\\
'''Population (2021):''' 219,946 [2nd of 2 regionally; 84th of 107 nationally]\\
'''Alternate name:''' Interamna [Latin]
->Carved out of Perugia in 1927, its name alludes to the eponymous capital's location on the confluence of the Nera and Serra Rivers, famed for its steel industry which saw it become an economic powerhouse during the nineteenth century, while Orvieto is famed for its medieval city centre surrounding a Gothic cathedral, which houses a thirteenth-century altar cloth from Viterbo, said to be stained with blood from a host that miraculously poured from the eucharistic host of a priest who doubted the belief in its transubstantiation into the body of Christ.
[[/folder]]

->The province sits through the Via Francigena, a medieval pilgrimage route between Rome and Canterbury in England to the north. Its eponymous capital is famed for its preserved Renaissance-era city walls and centre, while its cathedral is home to a wooden crucifix said to have been carved by Nicodemus, an early follower of Jesus. The capital is also host to Lucca Comics and Games, Europe's largest and the world's second-largest comic con by average attendance, which is held every year within the historic city center.

->The province sits through the Via Francigena, a medieval pilgrimage route between Rome and Canterbury in England to the north. Its eponymous capital is famed for its preserved Renaissance-era city walls and centre, while its cathedral is home to a wooden crucifix said to have been carved by Nicodemus, an early follower of Jesus. The capital is also host to Lucca Comics and Games, Europe's largest and the world's second-largest comic con, which is held every year within the historic city center.

->The province sits through the Via Francigena, a medieval pilgrimage route between Rome and Canterbury in England to the north. Its eponymous capital is famed for its preserved Renaissance-era city walls and centre, while its cathedral is home to a wooden crucifix said to have been carved by Nicodemus, an early follower of Jesus.

-->'''Postal code: PG\\

->Almost the entire province is famous for its medieval castles, palaces, and fortresses, as well as scenic cities such as the eponymous capital, also a vibrant college city centred around one of the oldest universities in Italy, founded 1308; Gubbio, famed for its annual group race; Spoleto, the old capital of the Lombard Kingdom overlooked by a medieval fortress; and Norcia, birthplace of Saints Benedict and Scholastica, siblings and founders of the Benedictine orders of monks and nuns. Overshadowing them all, however, is Assisi, which is forever associated with native son Francis, one of the most beloved saints in Christianity for his austerity and humility, and founder of the Order of Friars Minor (Franciscans), as well as the Order of Poor Ladies (Poor Clares) with his contemporary Clare.

-->'''Postal code: TR\\

->Carved out of Perugia in 1927, its name alludes to the eponymous capital's location on the confluence of the Nera and Serra Rivers, famed for its steel industry which saw it become an economic powerhouse during the nineteenth century.

!!!'''[[UsefulNotes/{{Florence}} Firenze (Florence)'''

->'''Capital (and largest city):''' Perugia\\
'''Area:''' 8,456km (3,265mi)\\
'''Population (2016-05-31):''' 889,001\\
'''Provinces:''' Perugia, Terni\\
'''President:''' Donatella Tesei (League)

-->'''Postal code:''' RO\\

'''Population (2021):''' 464,419 [1st of 5 regionally; 40th of 107 nationally]\\

->'''Capital (and largest city):''' [[UsefulNotes/{{Florence}} Firenze]] (Florence)\\
'''Area:''' 22,985km (8,875mi)\\
'''Population (2019):''' 3,722,729\\
'''Metropolitan Cities:''' Florence\\
'''Provinces:''' Pisa, Livorno, Grosseto, Lucca, Massa e Carrara, Siena, Arezzo, Pistoia, Prato\\
'''President:''' Eugenio Giani (Democratic Party)
* Known as the cradle of the Renaissance, Tuscany is host to major touristic landmarks such as the Cathedral of Florence, the Leaning Tower of Pisa or Piazza del Campo in Siena and its Palio. People from other regions tend to mock Tuscans for not putting salt in their bread and for not pronouncing the letter C. After all, [[Series/{{Boris}} with that murmured C and their cheap humour, Tuscans have devastated this country]].

->The region's capital and twelfth most populous city in Italy, built on an archipelago of 118 small islands in a lagoon, linked together by over 400 bridges. Throughout the medieval and Renaissance periods the city was once a maritime power and one of the wealthiest cities in the world; long after its decline, the artistic, architectural, and cultural remnants of its golden age now fuel the city's booming tourism.

->'''Capital (and largest city):''' Ancona\\
'''Area:''' 9,366km (3,616mi)\\
'''Population (2012-10-30):''' 1,541,692\\
'''Provinces:''' Ancona, Ascoli Piceno, Macerata, Fermo, Pesaro e Urbino\\
'''President:''' Francesco Acquaroli (Brothers of Italy)

-->'''Capital (and largest city):''' [[UsefulNotes/{{Venice}} Venezia (Venice)]]\\
'''Type:''' Ordinary Region

!!!Vicenza

->'''Capital (and largest city):''' [[UsefulNotes/{{Rome}} Roma]] (Rome)\\
'''Area:''' 17,242km (6,657mi)\\
'''Population (2019):''' 5,864,321\\
'''Metropolitan Cities:''' Rome Capital\\
'''Provinces:''' Frosinone, Latina, Rieti, Viterbo\\
'''President:''' Nicola Zingaretti (Democratic Party)

'''Successor [=UTIs=] (and capitals):''' Livenza-Cansiglio-Cavallo (Sacile), Noncello (Pordenone), Sile e Meduna (Azzano Decimo), Tagliamento (San Vito al Tagliamento), Valli e delle Dolomiti Friulane (Maniago)

->'''Capital (and largest city):''' [[UsefulNotes/{{Venice}} Venezia]] (Venice)\\
'''Area:''' 18,345km (7,083mi)\\
'''Population (2012-10-30):''' 4,865,380\\
'''Metropolitan Cities:''' Venice\\
'''Provinces:''' Verona, Padua, Vicenza, Treviso, Rovigo, Belluno\\
'''President:''' Luca Zaia (League)

->Fifth-largest and fourth most populous in Italy, as well as the first capital of a unified Italy. Located mainly on the western bank of the Po river, it is oftentimes called as the birthplace of modern-day Italy as it was the political and intellectual center of the ''Risorgimento'', and is part of the Italian industry triangle alongside Milano and Genova. Beyond that it is also famous for its art galleries, its football clubs (Juventus and Torino FC), automotive heritage (FIAT, Lancia, and Alfa Romeo operate from here), the reputed shroud used on Jesus after his crucifixion, and playing host to the 2006 Winter UsefulNotes/OlympicGames and the 2022 Series/EurovisionSongContest.

'''Successor UTI (and capital):''' Giuliana (Trieste)

'''Successor [=UTIs=] (and capitals):''' Agro Aquileiese (Cervignano del Friuli), Camia (Tolmezzo), Canal del Ferro-Val Canale (Tarvisio), Collinare (San Daniele del Friuli), Friuli Centrale (Udine), Gemonese [Gemona del Friuli), Mediofriuli (Codrolpo), Natisone (Cividale del Friuli), Riviera-Bassa Friulana (Latisana), Torre (Tarcento)

'''Area:''' 13,606.87km (5,253.64mi)\\
'''Population (2019-01-01):''' 1,072,276\\
'''Autonomous Provinces:''' Trento, Bolzano\\
'''President:''' Arno Kompatscher (South Tyrolean People's Party)
->Special statutory region. The northernmost region, German and Ladin[[note]]An Alpine romance language, related to Friulan[[/note]] are its other official languages. The region itself is a largely ceremonial entity, with most of the effective powers being held by its two halves: the Autonomous Province of Trento ("Trentino") in the south, and the Autonomous Province of Bolzano/Bozen ("Alto Adige"/"Südtirol") further north.

!!!'''Bolzano/Alto Adige/Südtirol'''

'''Area:''' 7,399 square kilometers (2,857 square miles)\\
'''Population (2019):''' 531,178\\
'''Alternate names:''' Bozen (German), Bulsan (Ladin)
->Italy's second-largest and northernmost province, and also the wealthiest thanks to its self-governance. It was originally part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire before being surrendered to the Italians after the end of World War I; it then suffered a forced "Italianization" process by the Fascist regime which has been mostly undone since the dawn of the Republic.

!!!'''Trento/Trentino'''

'''Type:''' Autonomous province\\
'''Area:''' 6,212 square kilometers (2,398 square miles)\\
'''Population (2019):''' 541,098\\
'''Alternate names:''' Trient (German), Trent (Ladin)
->Annexed by Italy alongside neighboring Bolzano at the end of World War I, its culture is a mish-mash of both Italian and Germanic and could be best described as a more "Italianized" counterpart to Bolzano. It is also the province where Alcide De Gasperi, the first Prime Minister of post-WWII Italy, was born.

[[folder:Friuli-Venezia Giulia]]
!!Friuli-Venezia Giulia

'''Area:''' 7,924km (3,059mi)\\
'''Population (2017):''' 1,216,524\\
'''Provinces:''' Trieste, Gorizia, Udine, Pordenone\\
'''President:''' Massimiliano Fedriga (League)
->Special statutory region. Its other official languages are German, Slovene and Friulan[[note]]A romance language closely related to Ladin[[/note]], reflecting the linguistic minorities residing there and its historical role as the crosspoint between Latin, Germanic and Slavic cultures. Until 2018 it was divided in 4 provinces: these are in procinct of being replaced by Unioni Territoriali Intercomunali (Intercommunal Territorial Unions) which have undertaken some of the powers of the previous provinces. This folder will instead focus on the old provinces for simplicity's sake as there are 18 planned [=UTIs=].

'''Type:''' Ordinary province\\
'''Area:''' 466 square kilometers (180 square miles)\\
'''Population:''' 139,302\\
'''Alternate names:''' Gurize [Friulan], Gorica [Slovene]
->Located very close to the border with Slovenia, this town was subject to territorial disputes between Italy and Yugoslavia after WWII. After the new boundaries were established in 1947, Nova Gorica was built on the then-Yugoslav side of the city giving birth to a trans-national conurbation.

'''Type:''' Ordinary province\\
'''Area:''' 2,273 square kilometers (878 square miles)\\
'''Population:''' 312,794\\
'''Alternate names:''' Pordenon [Venetian/Friulan]
->This old province was part of the province of Udine until 1968, and was ping-ponged back and forth between the Republic of Venice and the Holy Roman Empire during the Middle Ages.

'''Type:''' Ordinary province\\
'''Area:''' 212 square kilometers (82 square miles)\\
'''Population:''' 234,688\\
'''Alternate names:''' Triest [Friulan], Trst [Slovene]
->Sandwiched on a small strip of land right between the Adriatic Sea and Slovenia, it was a point of contention between the Western and Eastern Blocs during the Cold War due to its strategic position. Nowadays it has gained prominence as a hotspot for researchers due to many scientific institutions being based there.

'''Type:''' Ordinary province\\
'''Area:''' 4,095 square kilometers (1,894 square miles)\\
'''Population:''' 530,849\\
'''Alternate name:''' Udin [Friulan], Videm [Slovene]
->Udine was Italy's military capital until their defeat at the battle of Caporetto in UsefulNotes/WorldWarI; after that it was briefly occupied by Austro-Hungarian forces before the Italians took it back with the battle of Vittorio Veneto. Widely regarded as the capital and cultural center of Friuli, it is best known for its eponymous castle which overlooks the town's skyline from atop a hill.

'''Alternate name:''' Zêna [Ligurian]

'''Alternate name:''' Sann-a [Ligurian]

'''Alternate name:''' Bèrghem [Lombard]

'''Alternate name:''' Brèsa [Lombard]

'''Alternate name:''' Comm [Comasco Lombard]

'''Alternate name:''' Lod [Lodigiano Lombard]

'''Population (2021):''' 406,061 [8th of 12 regionally; 47th of 107 nationally]

'''Population (2021):''' 3,241,813 [1st of 12 regionally; 2nd of 107 nationally]
->Capital of Lombardy and second-largest (and wealthiest) city in Italy. Having served at one point as capital of the Western Roman Empire, Milan became an economic hub since the middle ages, and is also famed for being one of the four "fashion capitals" of the world (alongside London, New York City, and Paris), strong association with Creator/LeonardoDaVinci (who painted his iconic ''Art/TheLastSupper'' for a Dominican convent), and a proud sporting tradition through a pair of successful football teams (A.C. Milan and Inter Milan).

'''Alternate name:''' Monscia e la Brianza [Monzese Lombard]

'''Population (2021):''' 535,801 [7th of 12 regionally; 33rd of 107 nationally]

'''Alternate name:''' Varés [Varesino Lombard]

'''Area:''' 25,402km (9,808mi)\\
'''Population (30 June 2020):''' 4,322,805\\
'''Metropolitan Cities:''' Turin\\
'''Provinces:''' Alessandria, Cuneo, Novara, Asti, Vercelli, Biella, Verbano-Cusio-Ossola\\
'''President:''' Alberto Cirio (Forza Italia)

'''Type:''' Ordinary province\\
'''Area:''' 3,558 square kilometers (1,374 square miles)\\
'''Population (2021):''' 425,297\\
'''Alternate name:''' Lissändria [Alessandrian Piedmontese]

'''Type:''' Ordinary province\\
'''Area:''' 1,505 square kilometers (581 square miles)\\
'''Population (2021):''' 215,871\\
'''Alternate name:''' Ast [Piedmontese]
->Most people would instantly recognize Asti for its famous red and white wines - including its namesake sparkling white vine. However, it is also known for the Palio di Asti, one of the biggest horse races in Italy.

'''Type:''' Ordinary province\\
'''Area:''' 913 square kilometers (352 square miles)\\
'''Population (2021):''' 178,551\\

->Often called the "Italian Manchester" for its historical role in the region's industrial sector - particularly in wool manufacturing, Biella is also home to the Santo Monte di Oropa - a UNESCO World Heritage site.

'''Type:''' Ordinary province\\
'''Area:''' 6,902 square kilometers (2,665 square miles)\\
'''Population (2021):''' 590,309\\

->Cuneo in Italian means "wedge", a fitting name for a town located smack-bang between two rivers - Stura and Gesso. Alba, the province's second-largest town, is famous for its truffles and for being the birthplace of Nutella.

'''Type:''' Ordinary province\\
'''Area:''' 1,339 square kilometers (517 square miles)\\
'''Population (2021):''' 373,081\\
'''Alternate name:''' Nuàra [Piedmontese]
->Despite being on the smaller end for a province, Novara was blessed with an advantageous position that makes it a crossroads for commercial traffic between Milan and Turin and from Genoa to the border with Switzerland.

'''Area:''' 6,827 square kilometers (2,636 square miles)\\
'''Population (2021):''' 2,211,114\\
'''Alternate name:''' Turin [Piedmontese]
->The first capital of the Kingdom of Italy, and the country's fourth-largest city. Located mainly on the western bank of the Po river, it is oftentimes called as the birthplace of modern-day Italy as it was the political and intellectual center of the ''Risorgimento'' - and is part of the Italian industry triangle alongside Milan and Genoa. Beyond that it is also famous for its art galleries, its football clubs (Juventus and Torino FC), as well as playing host to the 2006 Winter Olympics and the 2022 Eurovision Song Contest.

'''Largest city:''' Verbania\\
'''Type:''' Ordinary province\\
'''Area:''' 2,255 square kilometers (871 square miles)\\
'''Population (2021)''': 161,732
->A relatively new province (it was formed in 1992) sitting just below the border with Switzerland on the northern tip of the region, it straddles part of Lago Maggiore - which is also where Verbania sits right next to. Its official name refers to the province's three main parts - Verbano for the eastern part, Cusio for the southern part, and Ossola for the north-west - but most people call the province simply Verbania for simplicity's sake.

'''Type:''' Ordinary province\\
'''Area:''' 2,088 square kilometers (806 square miles)\\
'''Population (2021)''': 176,121\\
'''Alternate name:''' Vërsèj [Piedmontese]
->This province is nestled right between Turin and Milan, and thanks to its frequent rainfalls and fertile soil is host to much of the region's production of rice.

'''Area:''' 3,263km (1,260mi)\\
'''Population (30-10-2012):''' 126,933\\
'''Provinces:''' Aosta\\
'''President:''' Erik Lavévaz (Valdostan Union)
->Special statutory region.
->The smallest and least populous Italian region, it's a mountainous region nestled right next to France and Switzerland. As a result, it has a significant French-speaking population, and French is its second official language. The Mont Blanc, Italy's (and France's) tallest mountain, is found here, right on the border between the two countries.

'''Area:''' 22,446km (8,666mi)\\
'''Population (2010):''' 4,446,220\\
'''Metropolitan Cities:''' Bologna\\
'''Provinces:''' Ferrara, Forlì-Cesena, Modena, Parma, Piacenza, Ravenna, Reggio Emilia, Rimini\\
'''President:''' Stefano Bonaccini (Democratic Party)
->One of the main industrial hubs of the country and home to Italy's third-largest economy. It mostly encompasses the Po Valley going from the rolling hillsides of Parma and Bologna all the way to the pristine beaches of Rimini and Ravenna. It is also a hotspot of Italian automobile production, being home to brands like Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati and Dallara.

'''Area:''' 3,702 square kilometers (1,429 square miles)\\
'''Population (2021):''' 1,011,291\\
'''Alternate name:''' Bulåggna [Bolognese]
->The seventh most populous city in Italy. Originally called Felsina by the Etruscans, it is home to the oldest university in the world - the University of Bologna, established in 1088 AD. It is well known for its vast intellectual and artistic heritage ranging from writers to musicians and painters, and also for being the birthplace of bolognese sauce (called ragù - pronounced "ra-goo" - in Italian).

'''Type:''' Ordinary province\\
'''Area:''' 2,632 square kilometers (1,016 square miles)\\
'''Population (2021):''' 350,238\\

->Best known as the town of the House of Este, its identity is still strongly intertwined with its old Renaissance self. Thanks to its picturesque locales dating all the way to the Middle Ages, the entire city has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

'''Type:''' Ordinary province\\
'''Area:''' 2,378 square kilometers (918 square miles)\\
'''Population (2021):''' 398,322
->Located just alongside the Adriatic Sea, these two towns are also well-known for their intellectual backgrounds; Cesena in particular hosts the Malatestiana Library, the first civic library in Europe.

'''Type:''' Ordinary province\\
'''Area:''' 2,688 square kilometers (1,038 square miles)\\
'''Population (2021):''' 700,722\\
'''Alternate name:''' Mòdna [Emilian]
->Although it also has other claims to fame - such as being the birthplace of Luciano Pavarotti - Modena is ''far'' better known as the city of Ferrari, Italy's most famous car brand; their headquarters are located in Maranello, a stone's throw from the city.

'''Type:''' Ordinary province\\
'''Area:''' 3,449 square kilometers (1,332 square miles)\\
'''Population (2021):''' 449,191\\

->Divided by the namesake river in half, this city's biggest claim to fame is being the birthplace of Giuseppe Verdi - one of the greatest opera composers of all time. It is also well-known for its parmesan (which gets its name from the city) and its cut of ham.

'''Area:''' 2,585 square kilometers (998 square miles)\\
'''Population (2021):''' 286,572\\
'''Alternate name:''' Piaṡëinsa [Piacentine]
->Located just below the border with Lombardy, its biggest landmark is the "Gotico" town hall built in the XIII century. It is well-known for its production of meat, particularly pork.

!!!'''Ravenna'''
-->'''Postal code:''' RA\\

'''Area:''' 1,858 square kilometers (717 square miles)\\
'''Population (2021):''' 394,543\\
'''Alternate name:''' Ravèna [Romagnol]
->The last capital of the Western Roman Empire before its demise in 476, its Byzantine and late Roman architecture is well-preserved to this day.

!!!'''Reggio Emilia'''
-->'''Postal code:''' RE\\

'''Area:''' 2,291 square kilometers (885 square miles)\\
'''Population (2021):''' 531,942\\
'''Alternate name:''' Rèz [Emilian]
->Not to be confused with Reggio Calabria, it is host to the Castle of Canossa - where Henry IV HRE was publicly humiliated during the Investiture Controversy. The city is a well-known pole of education; the so-called [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reggio_Emilia_approach Reggio Emilia approach]], one of the most commonly used educational methods, takes its name from the city.

!!!'''Rimini'''
-->'''Postal code:''' RN\\
'''Type:''' Ordinary province\\
'''Area:''' 922 square kilometers (356 square miles)\\
'''Population (2021):''' 339,437\\
'''Alternate name:''' Rémin [Romagnol]
->A resort town located close to the border with San Marino, it was a center of both the Risorgimento and the antifascist resistance in WWII. It is also the place where Creator/FedericoFellini was born.

->The country's third-largest and most densely populated city, it traces its origins all the way back to Ancient Greece - making it one of the oldest continuously populated cities in the world. It has experienced massive economical growth since the formation of the Republic: its port is one of the most trafficked in Europe, and its historical city center is the largest of its kind in the entire continent.

!!'''Trento/Trentino'''

* Special statutory region.
* The northernmost region, German and Ladin[[note]]An Alpine romance language, related to Friulan[[/note]] are its other official languages.
* The region itself is a largely ceremonial entity, with most of the effective powers being held by its two halves: the Autonomous Province of Trento ("Trentino") in the south, and the Autonomous Province of Bolzano/Bozen ("Alto Adige"/"Südtirol") further north.

->'''Capital (and largest city):''' Trieste\\

* Special statutory region.
* Its other official languages are German, Slovene and Friulan[[note]]A romance language closely related to Ladin[[/note]], reflecting the linguistic minorities residing there and its historical role as the crosspoint between Latin, Germanic and Slavic cultures.

->Not to be confused with Reggio Calabria, it is host to the Castle of Canossa - where Henry IV HRE was publicly humiliated during the Investiture Controversy. The city is a well-known pole of education; the so-called [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reggio_Emilia_approach Reggio Emilia approach]], one of the most commonly used educational methods, takes its name from the city and is very commonly used to this day.

->A resort town located close to the border with San Marino, it was a center of both the Risorgimento and the antifascist resistance in WWII. Some people might also recognize it as the birthplace of Creator/FedericoFellini.

->Cuneo in Italian means "wedge", and is a fitting name for a town located smack-bang between two rivers - Stura and Gesso. Alba, the province's second-largest town, is famous for its truffles and for being the birthplace of Nutella.