Caravonica
The beautiful province of Imperia, or "provinsa de Impêia" in the Ligurian language, is located in the Italian region of Liguria and has a population of approximately 208,303 inhabitants. It borders the province of Cuneo in Piedmont to the north, the province of Savona to the east, the French region of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur to the west, and the Ligurian Sea to the south. In this text, we will talk about the physical geography of the province, its history, symbols, honors it has received, society, and culture.
Physical geography
The province of Imperia occupies the western and southern part of Liguria and is historically divided into three areas: "imperiese," "sanremese," and "ventimigliese."
History
The province of Imperia historically belonged to the Province of Nice in 1859. With the Treaty of Turin, most of the province was ceded to France, and the remaining part, consisting of the districts of Porto Maurizio and San Remo, became the Province of Porto Maurizio in the Kingdom of Sardinia. Following the merger of the capital Porto Maurizio into the new city of Imperia in 1923, the province assumed its current name. In May 1945, part of the province's territory was occupied by French troops with the intent to annex it. It was only a peremptory order from the US President Harry Truman that imposed the withdrawal of Charles De Gaulle's army beyond Ventimiglia.
Symbols
The official coat of arms of the province of Imperia was approved by decree on February 13, 1927.
Honors
The Province of Imperia was awarded the Gold Medal for Military Valor in 1979 for the sacrifices of its people and their activity in the partisan struggle during World War II.
Society
Ethnic groups and foreign minorities
According to Istat data as of December 31, 2014, foreign citizens residing in the province of Imperia were 23,104, or 10.66% of the then-provincial population. The municipality with the highest number of resident foreigners is Sanremo (5,862), while Airole is the only municipal entity where the percentage of foreign residents compared to the Italian population is higher, with 28.24%. Montegrosso Pian Latte is the only municipality where there are no foreign residents.
Religion
The prevalent religion is Catholicism, and the Imperia province is divided between the dioceses of Albenga-Imperia and Ventimiglia-San Remo.
Culture
The province of Imperia is famous for its art cities such as Ventimiglia, Imperia, and Sanremo. In Ventimiglia, you can visit the Balzi Rossi, an important Roman archaeological site, the medieval town, and the Hanbury Botanical Gardens, a symbol of the city. Imperia, on the other hand, boasts the Basilica of San Maurizio, which is also the largest church in Liguria. Finally, in Sanremo, you can admire the famous Sanremo Casino in Liberty style and the Russian Church.
In conclusion, the province of Imperia is a beautiful tourist destination that will leave you enchanted. If you love art, culture, and good food, you cannot miss visiting this wonderful Italian region.
