Province of Bolzano-Bozen facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Bolzano-Bozen Provincia autonoma di Bolzano Autonome Provinz Bozen Provinzia autonoma de Bulsan
Province
Coat of arms
Country	Italy
Region	Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol
Capital	Bolzano
Area
• Total	7,399.97 km2 (2,857.14 sq mi)
Population  (2006)
• Total	487,673
• Density	65/km2 (170/sq mi)
Postal Code	39XXX
Telephone prefix	0471, 0472, 0473, 0474
ISTAT	021
Vehicle registration	BZ
No. of communes	= 116

The Province of Bolzano-Bozen is an autonomous province in the northern part of Italy. It's often called South Tyrol (in German: Südtirol) or Alto Adige (in Italian: Alto Adige). In the Ladin tongue, it's known as Provinzia autonoma de Bulsan.

Being "autonomous" means it has special powers to make its own rules, especially about language and culture.

About South Tyrol

A map showing the "Province of Bolzano" (also known as Alto Adige or South Tyrol)

This province is unique because it has two main official languages: Italian and German. In some areas, a third language called Ladin is also official. This makes it a really interesting place where different cultures meet!

The Province of Bolzano shares borders with Graubünden and Lombardia in the west. To the north, it borders Tyrol and Salzburg. In the south, you'll find Trentino and Veneto. The main city and capital of the province is Bolzano.

A Mix of Languages and History

The Italian Victory Monument in Bolzano

For a very long time, people speaking languages similar to Latin lived here, even since Roman times. But after the year 1000 AD, German-speaking settlers also began to move into the area.

Over many centuries, especially before the 19th century, more German speakers moved in. This led to many people in the region speaking German. However, in the Dolomite mountains, especially in the Val Venosta area, people continued to speak languages related to Latin.

Later, during a time called Fascism in Italy, many Italian speakers moved to Alto Adige, especially to cities like Bolzano and Merano.

Today, about three-quarters of the people in South Tyrol speak German as their first language. About one-quarter speak Italian as their first language. A smaller group, less than 4 percent, speak Ladin.

The capital city, Bolzano, has mostly Italian speakers. In 2011, about 73.80% of the people in Bolzano spoke Italian as their first language. About 25.52% spoke German, and 0.68% spoke Ladin.

The province is also one of the wealthiest in Italy, meaning people living here generally have a good income.

Other pages

• Alto Adige
• Trentino

Links

Images for kids

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  The Atlas Tyrolensis, a map of the entire County of Tyrol, printed in Vienna in 1774.

• 

  A map from 1874 showing South Tirol with borders similar to today's South and East Tyrol.

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  A plaque at a German-language school, written in both Italian and German.

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  A detailed map of South Tyrol.

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  The beautiful Ulten Valley.

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  The Laubengasse or Via dei portici, a famous street in the capital city of Bolzano.

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  Brixen is the third largest city in the province.

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  A view over Meran/Merano in the summer.

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  The impressive Tre Cime di Lavaredo in the Sexten Dolomites, near the border with the province of Belluno.

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  Val Badia, a scenic valley near the town of Badia.

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  Braies Lake, also known as Pragser Wildsee.

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  A group of spruce and pine trees in the Latemar forest.

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  Vineyards of St. Magdalena in Bozen, with St. Justina church and the Rosengarten group of mountains in the background.

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  A cable car on Mount Seceda in the Dolomites.

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  Electronic identity cards issued in South Tyrol are in three languages: Italian, German, and English.

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  The Cathedral of the Assumption of Mary in Bolzano.

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  A Musikkapelle (music band) wearing traditional Tyrolean costumes.

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  An example of traditional Tyrolean architecture.

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  Tirol Castle, which gave the entire wider region its name.

See also

In Spanish: Provincia autónoma de Bolzano para niños