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Tuscany

Toscana
Region of Italy
Flag of Tuscany
Flag
 Coat of arms of Tuscany
Coat of arms
Italy Regions Tuscany Map.png
Country Italy
Capital Florence
Area
 • Total 22,990 km2 (8,880 sq mi)
Population
 (2007-12-31)
 • Total 3,677,048
 • Density 159.94/km2 (414.25/sq mi)
Time zone UTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST) UTC+2 (CEST)
GDP/ Nominal € 99.1 billion (2006)
NUTS Region ITC
Website www.regione.toscana.it

Tuscany (in Italian Toscana ) is a region in the center of Italy. It has an area of 22,990 km² and a population of about 3.6 million people (in 2004). The capital is Florence. Tuscany is known for its landscapes and its artistic legacy. Six Tuscan localities have been made UNESCO protected sites: the historical center of Florence (1982), the historical center of Siena (1995), the square of the Cathedral of Pisa (1987), the historical center of San Gimignano (1990), the historical center of Pienza (1996) and the Val d'Orcia (2004).

Geography

Tuscany, bordering Emilia-Romagna to the north, Liguria to the north-west, Tyrrhenian Sea to the west, Umbria and Marche to the east, Lazio to the south-east. The territory is two thirds hilly and one fourth mountainous. The remainder is constituted of the plains that form the valley of the Arno River.

Economy

Tuscany is known for its wines (most famous of which are Chianti, Morellino di Scansano, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, and Brunello di Montalcino) and has 120 protected regions (nature reserves). Other agricultural products include Chianina cattle (particularly the famous "Fiorentina" steak) and the production of olive oil, principally in Lucca.

Tourism is the economic principally of the called "Cities of Art" (Florence, Arezzo, Lucca, Pisa, Siena, San Gimignano), as well as on the coast and in the isles (Elba).

Demographics

In the '80s and '90s the region attracted an intense influx of immigrants, in particular from China and Northern Africa. There is also a significant community of British and Americans. As of 2006, the Italian national institute of statistics ISTAT estimated that 215,490 foreign-born immigrants live in Tuscany, about 5.9% of the people in Tuscany.

Towns of Tuscany with a population of 50,000 or more:

Comune Population (2006 est.)
Florence 366,901
Prato 183,823
Livorno 160,534
Arezzo 95,229
Pisa 87,737
Pistoia 85,947
Lucca 84,422
Grosseto 76,330
Massa 69,399
Carrara 65,125
Viareggio 63,389
Siena 54,147
Arezzo 100,455

Provinces

Provinces of Tuscany map

Important points for industry in Tuscany

Famous people born in Tuscany

Related pages



Images for kids

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Toscana para niños

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