Palazzo Canavese
Metropolitan City of Turin: A Vast Territorial Area
The Metropolitan City of Turin is a territorial entity inhabited by over 2 million people and covers an area of 6,827 square kilometers. It was established on April 7, 2014, with Law No. 56 and has been operational since January 1, 2015. It is the largest metropolitan city in Italy by municipal division, including 312 municipalities. It is located on the border with France (French departments of Savoy in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region and the Hautes-Alpes in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur).
The capital of the Metropolitan City of Turin is the city of Turin. It is composed of a mountainous part to the west and north, while the south and east is flat or hilly. The metropolitan city is crossed by the Po River and its tributaries.
Territory
Mountainous Territory
The mountainous part of the metropolitan city, to the west and north, hosts part of the Cottian Alps, Graian Alps, and, to a much lesser extent, Pennine Alps. The metropolitan city is almost crossed from west to east by the valleys of the Alps, except for some strips of high territory near the current state border ceded to France after the Treaty of Paris between Italy and the Allied powers in 1947.
The highest point of the Metropolitan City of Turin is the torrione del Roc (Gran Paradiso) (4061 meters), located in the Gran Paradiso massif on the border with the Aosta Valley.
Flat and Hilly Zone
The south and east of the metropolitan city is flat or hilly. Here is the capital Turin, crossed by the Po River, which rises in the province of Cuneo and flows eastward. The city is surrounded by hills and mountains, including Monviso and the Graian Alps.
The Metropolitan City of Turin is crossed by numerous rivers and streams. Among the most important are the Pellice, Chisola, Sangone, Dora Riparia, Stura di Lanzo, Malone, Orco, Dora Baltea, and Angrogna.
Anthropogenic Geography
The mountainous part of the metropolitan city, to the west and north, was divided into 6 mountain communities with the aim of safeguarding the riches of the mountainous territory. Such mountain communities, abolished following the reform of local authorities, were:
• Val Chiusella, Valle Sacra e Dora Baltea Canavesana Mountain Community
• Alto Canavese Mountain Community
• Valli Orco e Soana Mountain Community
• Valli di Lanzo, Ceronda e Casternone Mountain Community
• Valle Susa e Val Sangone Mountain Community
• Pinerolese Mountain Community
Nature
Protected Areas
The Metropolitan City of Turin boasts a great natural heritage, with numerous protected areas. Among the natural parks are:
• Gran Paradiso National Park
• Avigliana Lakes Natural Park
• Gran Bosco di Salbertrand Natural Park
• Collina di Superga Natural Park
• Val Troncea Natural Park
• Stupinigi Natural Park
• Orsiera-Rocciavrè Natural Park
• La Mandria Regional Park and Ponte del Diavolo Park in Lanzo Torinese
• Po Fluvial Park: Turin Po Park and Vercelli/Alessandria Po Park
Among the provincial reserves and parks are the Monte San Giorgio Natural Park and the Madonna della Neve Reserve on Monte Lera.
Environment
The Metropolitan City of Turin obtained third place in the European Gpp Award 2016 for its green purchases, just after the cities of Vienna and Turku.
The Metropolitan City of Turin is a wonderful place, with a great variety of landscapes, from the mountainous territory to the flat one, with numerous watercourses and protected areas. For these reasons, it is a perfect place for anyone who wants to spend time outdoors and enjoy nature.
