Ceriana
The Province of Imperia: A Friendly Introduction
Hello everyone! Today I will be talking about the province of Imperia, a beautiful region in Liguria with a population of 208,303. It is located north of the province of Cuneo, east of Savona, west of France, and south of the Ligurian Sea.
The capital city is Imperia, which has a population of 41,999, but the most populous city is Sanremo, with 54,042 residents. Other important cities include Ventimiglia, with 24,000 residents, and Taggia, with 13,900 residents.
Physical Geography: The Territory of the Province of Imperia
The province of Imperia occupies the western and southern part of Liguria and historically is divided into three areas: Imperiese, Sanremese, and Ventimigliese. It is a fantastic region for trekking, surrounded by the Maritime Alps.
History: From the Province of Nice to the Province of Imperia
Before becoming the province of Imperia, this territory was part of the province of Nice in 1859. After the Treaty of Turin in 1860, most of the province was ceded to France, while the remaining part in the Kingdom of Sardinia became the province of Porto Maurizio with the districts of Porto Maurizio and San Remo.
In 1923, after the merger of Porto Maurizio with the new city of Imperia, the province assumed its current name. During World War II, France occupied part of the province, but the intervention of US President Harry Truman forced the French troops to withdraw beyond Ventimiglia.
Symbols
The official coat of arms of the province was approved in 1927.
Honors
The province of Imperia was awarded the Gold Medal for Military Valor for the War of Liberation on July 6, 1979, for the sacrifices of its people and activity in the partisan struggle during World War II.
Society: People and Beliefs in the Province of Imperia
Ethnicities and Foreign Minorities
According to Istat data as of December 31, 2014, the province of Imperia had a population of 23,104 foreign citizens, accounting for 10.66% of the population at the time. Sanremo is the city with the highest number of foreign citizens with 5862, while Airole has the highest percentage of foreign residents compared to the Italian population.
Religion
The predominant religion in the province of Imperia is Catholicism, and the region is divided between the dioceses of Albenga-Imperia and Ventimiglia-San Remo.
Culture: Art and Architecture in the Province of Imperia
The province of Imperia is famous for its architecture and art. For example, Ventimiglia is known for its Balzi Rossi, the Roman archaeological area, the medieval city, and the Hanbury Botanical Gardens. Imperia has the basilica of San Maurizio, which is also the largest church in Liguria. Sanremo, on the other hand, is famous for its Liberty-style Casino and Russian Church.
In summary, the province of Imperia is a wonderful region of Liguria where you can trek, have fun at the Sanremo Casino, and admire beautiful monuments. Come and visit us!
