Vallebona
Discover the Province of Imperia
The Province of Imperia is one of the provinces of Liguria, located in the western and southern part of the region. With a population of over 200,000 inhabitants, it borders Piedmont, Savona, France, and the Ligurian Sea. In this article, we provide an overview of the geography, history, society, and culture of the province.
Physical Geography
The Province of Imperia is historically divided into three districts: "Imperiese", "Sanremese" and "Ventimigliese". The province occupies the western and southernmost part of Liguria and is surrounded by mountains and sea. Among the main art cities of the province are Ventimiglia, Imperia, and Sanremo.
History
The territory of the current Province of Imperia historically belonged to the Province of Nice until its cession to France in 1860. Following the merger of the capital Porto Maurizio into the new city of Imperia, the province assumed its current name. During World War II, the province was part of the partisan struggle and was awarded the Gold Medal for Military Valor in 1979.
Symbols
The official coat of arms of the Province of Imperia was approved in 1927 and consists of an heraldic image representative of the region.
Honors
The Province of Imperia was awarded the Gold Medal for Military Valor for the sacrifices of its people and for its activity in the partisan struggle during World War II.
Society
Ethnic groups and foreign minorities
According to Istat data, in 2014 the foreign population residing in the Province of Imperia was 10.66% of the total population. The municipality with the highest number of foreign residents was Sanremo, while Montegrosso Pian Latte was the only municipality without foreign presence.
Religion
The predominant religion in the Province of Imperia is Catholicism, divided between the dioceses of Albenga-Imperia and Ventimiglia-Sanremo.
Culture
The Province of Imperia boasts numerous art cities, including Ventimiglia, Imperia, and Sanremo. Ventimiglia is known for the Balzi Rossi, the Roman archaeological area, the medieval city, and the Hanbury botanical gardens. Imperia is famous for the Basilica of San Maurizio, the largest church in Liguria. Sanremo is renowned for the famous Liberty-style Sanremo Casino and the Russian Church.
Furthermore, the Province of Imperia offers numerous gastronomic specialties, such as first courses based on fish, delicious focaccia, and sweets such as rice cake and apricot tart.
In conclusion, the Province of Imperia offers a perfect mix of mountains and sea; an ideal destination for anyone who wants to immerse themselves in the culture and tradition of Liguria.
