Gargazzone
Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol: a special autonomous region in Italy
Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol is an Italian region located in the northeastern part of the country. This special autonomous region has a population of just under 1.1 million and its capital is Trento. The territory is not only very vast, but also mostly mountainous, except for the Adige Valley and the Valley of the Lakes. Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol is one of the least densely populated regions in Italy, with a population density of around 79 inhabitants per square kilometer.
Autonomy and institutional division of the region
Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol acquired its current autonomy status in 1972, which transferred most of the regional declaratory competences to the Autonomous Provinces of Trento and Bolzano. This decision is based on the linguistic division of the population: Italian is predominant in Trentino, while German is the majority language in Alto Adige, with the exception of some municipalities where Italian is predominant and others where the Ladin language is the majority.
Physical geography of Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol
Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol has a varied and magnificent landscape. The region extends from Lake Garda to the peaks of the Dolomites, the highest of which reach over 3900 meters in height. In the southern part of the region, the proximity to the Trentine shore of Lake Garda brings the altitude to only 65 meters above sea level. As for population density, it is extremely low and varies significantly within the region. High mountain areas tend to be sparsely populated, with depopulation and a tendency of the population to move to the main valleys, mainly in the Adige Valley, where Trento and Bolzano are also located.
Characteristics of Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol
Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol is one of the most unique and historically rich regions in Italy. The transition from Austria to Italy occurred with the Treaty of Saint-Germain-en-Laye in 1919, and it stands out from the regular annexation of the various pre-unitary states in the previous century, as no Risorgimento plebiscite was called to confirm the annexation to the Kingdom of Italy.
Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol is also part of a cross-border cooperation association called Euregio Tyrol-South Tyrol-Trentino and, together with the Austrian federal state of Tyrol, it incorporates the territories of the ancient County of Tyrol. Furthermore, Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol is well known for the beauty of its landscape and the variety of outdoor activities it offers to visitors. In fact, thanks to the numerous mountains, valleys, and lakes that make up the landscape, the region is ideal for a wide range of activities, from skiing to hiking, from sport climbing to mountain biking, to romantic walks in the vineyards.
In conclusion, Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol is a unique and spectacular region in the heart of Europe, with its wide geographical variety, bilingual institutional division, and cultural heritage between Italy and Austria. If you are a fan of outdoor sports, Nordic gastronomy, breathtaking landscapes, and authentic hospitality, this is definitely the region for you!
