Cortino

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Comune di Cortino
Coat of arms of Comune di Cortino
Municipal coat of arms
Country Flag of Italy Italy
Region Abruzzo
Province Teramo (TE)
Area 62 km² (24 sq mi)
Population (as of 2001)
 - Total 845
 - Density 14/km² (36/sq mi)
Time zone CET, UTC+1
Coordinates 42°38′N, 13°33′E
Gentilic
Dialing code 0861
Postal code 64040

Cortino is a small town in the central Italian region of Abruzzo in the Province of Teramo.

The territory of surrounding Cortino sits on the perimeter of the Gran Sasso National Park. The residents of this area refer to themselves as "cortinesi". The major part of them live in small hamlets dotting the commune. In recent years the population of Cortino has been decreasing as people have moved to larger and more developed Teramo. The portions of Cortino that have the most population are those located closest to this provincial city. Cortino springs to life in the summer as this is when those who have left the commune return to visit old family and friends and to seek the cool, fresh air of the nearby forests and lakes.

The Cortino communal archives were almost completely destroyed in 1943. Prior to 1816 Cortino was one of 29 mountain villages which formed the "Stato di Roseto," in what was then known as Abruzzo Ulteriore I, known today as the Province of Teramo. In 1816 historical records show Cortino as forming part of the Kingdom of Naples. Administratitive changes took place in 1868 when the communal status of Valle San Giovanni was abolished. Collegilesco, Casanova, and Faieto were at that time annexed into the Comune of Cortino.

[edit] Suburbs and Surrounding Villages (Frazioni)

Pagliaroli (municipal seat), Agnova, Altovia, Caiano, Casagreca, Casanova, Collegilesco, Comignano, Cunetta, Elce, Faieto, Fonte Palumbo, Lame, Macchiatomella, Padula, Pezzelle, Piano Fiumata, Servillo, Vernesca.