Chianocco
Hi everyone! Today I will talk to you about Turin, a truly special Italian city!
Physical Geography
Territory
Turin is located in the plain delimited by the Lanzo Stura, Sangone and Po rivers. The beautiful Po river runs through the city from south to north, offering a particularly evocative landscape. The city is facing the opening of some alpine valleys, such as Val di Susa, which allows to reach nearby France through the Frejus tunnels (which include the Frejus railway tunnel and the Frejus road tunnel), the Lanzo Valleys and the Sangone Valley.
History
Turin has a two-thousand-year history. It was founded by the Taurini, probably near the current location, around the 3rd century BC. After being a Roman colony, Turin passed under the domination of the Ostrogoths. Later it became the capital of an important Duchy of Turin and, after being the capital of the Marca of Turin, it passed under the nominal lordship of the House of Savoy in the 11th century. The city became the capital of the Duchy of Savoy in 1563 and, from 1720, was the capital of the Kingdom of Sardinia, which in the 19th century would lead to the Risorgimento and which made Turin the first Capital (city) of the Kingdom of Italy (1861-1946).
Population and Economic Importance
Turin is the fourth municipality in Italy by population, with 842,472 inhabitants as of October 31, 2022. The city is part of the Metropolitan City of Turin, which counts about 1.7 million inhabitants. The city is the third industrial production complex of the country, along with Milan and Genoa. In its area, there are two goods protected by UNESCO: some buildings and areas belonging to the circuit of Savoy residences in Piedmont (world heritage) and the area of the Po hills (biosphere reserve). Turin is also one of the major university, artistic, tourist, scientific and cultural centers in Italy.
Culture and Sport
Turin has hosted international events such as the Turin International Exposition of 1911, the XX Winter Olympic Games of 2006, the ATP Finals since 2021 and the Eurovision Song Contest 2022. The city is the home of some food specialties known all over the world, such as vermouth, Gianduiotto, grissini and espresso coffee. It is the hub of the Italian automotive industry, as well as an important center of publishing, banking and insurance, information technology, cinema, food and wine, space sector (astronomy), industrial design, sport, fashion and artificial intelligence.
Conclusions
In conclusion, Turin is a city with many facets, characterized by a millenary history and national and international economic importance. Its territory offers unique landscapes, thanks to the presence of the Po river and the alpine valleys around it. Turin is also a city of art, culture, sport and good food, rich in specialties that deserve to be tasted at least once in a lifetime. In short, Turin is a city worth visiting and discovering!
