Valle Aurina
Presentation of the Autonomous Province of Bolzano - South Tyrol
The Autonomous Province of Bolzano - South Tyrol is a territory belonging to the Trentino-Alto Adige region and the Triveneto geographical macro-area. With an area of 7,400 km² and a population of over 500,000 inhabitants, it is the largest province in Italy and the most northern one. It shares its culture and German language with the Austrian Tyrol and joins the Autonomous Province of Trento to form the Euroregion Tyrol-South Tyrol-Trentino.
Toponymy
The Autonomous Province of Bolzano - South Tyrol takes its name from Bolzano, its capital city, and is also called South Tyrol, Sudtirolo or Tirolo del Sud. This double denomination is found in all official documents and is accompanied by the official translation in German. Additionally, the use of the name South Tyrolean or sudtirolesi is found for its German and Ladin-speaking inhabitants. The Ladin form is used in provincial acts as Provinzia Autonoma de Balsan - Südtirol or Provinzia Autonoma de Bulsan - Südtirol.
History of the "Südtirol" Name
During the Habsburg domination, the territory of today's Province of Bolzano was also known as Mitteltirol, or Central Tyrol, while Südtirol (South Tyrol) often referred to the present-day Trentino province or the entire southern part of Tyrol. In any case, in the Treaty of London of 1915, art. 4 expressly referred to Trentino and Cisalpine Tyrol south of the Brenner separately. Therefore, according to some authors, the use of the term Südtirol to indicate only the territory between Brenner and Salorno would be unjustified.
Languages and Cultures
Italian and German are the two official languages and are spoken by a large part of the population, along with the original German Cimbrian and ancient Ladin. It is a land with a strong cultural identity, reflecting its tumultuous history, which sees a coexistence of diverse languages and cultural traditions.
Geography and Climate
The Autonomous Province of Bolzano - South Tyrol is located in the north-easternmost part of Italy and borders Switzerland to the west, Austria to the north and northeast, and the Autonomous Province of Trento to the south. Its geography is characterized by an alpine landscape, including the Dolomites, which have been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The climate is variable - in the winter months, the mountainous regions see abundant snowfall, while the valleys under their shadow are often covered in fog.
Economy and Tourism
The economy of Bolzano - South Tyrol is mainly based on agriculture, industry, and tourism. Tourism is one of the most important economic activities in the region, thanks to the thousands of visitors attracted by the spectacular panoramic views and numerous available outdoor activities such as skiing, mountain biking, hiking, and climbing.
In summary, the Autonomous Province of Bolzano - South Tyrol has a rich history and a unique culture, with its privileged geographical location and territory rich in natural beauty. With a strong economy and thriving tourism, it is a land that has much to offer to those who decide to visit it.
