Province of Cuneo

Province of Cuneo
Province

Map highlighting the location of the province of Cuneo in Italy
Country  Italy
Region Piedmont
Capital(s) Cuneo
Comuni 250
Government
  President Gianna Gancia
Area
  Total 6,903 km2 (2,665 sq mi)
Population (2012)
  Total 595,209
  Density 86/km2 (220/sq mi)
Time zone CET (UTC+1)
  Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code 12100
Telephone prefix 0171
Vehicle registration CN
ISTAT 004
Website www.provincia.cuneo.it

Cuneo (Italian) or Coni (French and Piedmontese) is a province in the southwest of the Piedmont region of Italy. To the west it borders on the French region of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur (departments of Alpes-Maritimes, Alpes-de-Haute-Provence and Hautes-Alpes). To the north it borders on the province of Turin. To the east it borders on the province of Asti. To the south it borders on the Ligurian provinces of Savona and Imperia. It is also known as the Provincia Granda, the big province, because it is the third largest province in Italy (following the provinces of South Tyrol and Foggia) and the largest one in Piedmont.[1] This has created problems in the past with Alba's inhabitants, frustrated from the long trip to Cuneo every time they need to have business with the provincial government. The issue of dividing the province into two has been brought up several times. Briga Marittima and Tenda were part of this province before cession to France in 1947.[2]

Reforestation projects

The 75% of the area is mountain or hill. During 1867 to 1950 the province received about 68% of the total investments in Piedmont granted by the Italian government for consolidation and reforestation in the hilly areas. A research study speculated that Stura valley, the largest and driest valley in Cuneo, located near French border and 60 kilometers in length was the most expensive restoration sites.[3] Italy's longest lasting and most extensive watershed restoration project was undertaken in Cuneo.[4] Italy's first forestry commission was established by the local government of Cuneo.[4] A forester Vittorio Perona became the director of Italy's forestry school in Vallombrosa.[4]

Administration

Its capital is the city of Cuneo.[5] Of the 250 communes in the province, the largest by population are:

Commune Population
Cuneo 54,853
Alba 30,181
Bra 28,890
Fossano 24,224
Mondovì 22,092
Savigliano 20,510
Saluzzo 16,244
Borgo San Dalmazzo 11,761
Racconigi 9,838
Busca 9,687
Boves 9,536
Cherasco 7,633
Barge 7,584
Dronero 7,127

Economy

Map of the province of Cuneo.

Many important industrial groups have branches in the province: Michelin (Cuneo and Fossano), Saint-Gobain (Savigliano), Valeo (Mondovì), Asahi Glass Co.(Cuneo), ITT Galfer (Barge), Diageo(Santa Vittoria d'Alba) and Nestlé(Moretta).[6]

See also

References

Bibliography


Coordinates: 44°23′N 7°33′E / 44.383°N 7.550°E