Province of Siena

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Province of Siena
Nation Italy
Region Toscana
Capital Siena
Area 3,821 km²
Population (2004) 194,440
Density 51
Comuni 36
Vehicle Registration SI
Postal Code 53010-53015, 53017-53025, 53027, 53030-53031, 53034-53037, 53040-53043, 53045, 53047-53049, 53100
Telephone Prefix 0577, 0578
ISTAT 052
President Fabio Ceccherini
Map highlighting the location of the province of Siena in Italy

The Province of Siena (Italian: Provincia di Siena) is a province in the Tuscany region of Italy. Its capital is the city of Siena.

It has an area of 3,821 km² (1475 mile²), and a total population of 252,288 (2001). There are 36 comuni (singular: comune) in the province[1]. At June 30, 2005, the main comuni by population are:

Comune Population
Siena 54,337
Poggibonsi 28,634
Colle di Val d'Elsa 20,276
Montepulciano 14,142
Sinalunga 12,335
Sovicille 8,882
Chiusi 8,746
Monteriggioni 8,189
Castelnuovo Berardenga 8,081
Monteroni d'Arbia 7,548
San Gimignano 7,473
Torrita di Siena 7,305
Chianciano Terme 7,221

The province is divided into seven historical areas:

  1. Alta Val d'Elsa
  2. Chianti senese
  3. The urban area of (Monteriggioni and Siena)
  4. Val di Merse
  5. Crete senesi Val d'Arbia
  6. Val di Chiana senese
  7. Val d'Orcia and Amiata

The area is a hilly one: in the north is Monte del Chianti; Monte Amiata is the highest point at 1738 m; and in the south is Monte Cetona. To the west are the Colline Metallifere (“Metallic Hills”), whilst the Val di Chiana lies to east.

Historically, the province corresponds to the former republic of Siena.

The chief occupations are agricultural (wheat, grapes and fruit) and silk culture. The wine known as Chianti is produced here as well as in other parts of Tuscany: the Chianti Colli Senesi, however, is limited to this province.

Apart from the city of Siena the principal towns are Poggibonsi, Colle di Val d'Elsa, Montepulciano, Chiusi, and San Gimignano.

Val d'Orcia with Monte Amiata, view to the west from La Foce
Val d'Orcia with Monte Amiata, view to the west from La Foce

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