TOSCANA

Population: 3.700.000 abitanti
Regional Capital: Firenze
Provinces: Arezzo, Firenze, Grosseto, Livorno, Lucca, Massa Carrara, Pistoia, Prato and Siena
Vineyards planted: 64.000 hectares
Main Red Varietals: Cannaiolo, Cliegino, Colorino, Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot
Main White varietals: Vernaccia San Gemigniano, Trebbiano, Vermentino and Canaiolo Bianco

It is interesting to note that 25% of Tuscany is covered with mountains, only 8% are plains, and overall, hilly terrain make up two-thirds of the region's total area. The Tuscan Hills are one of the most beautiful environments in Italy, colored with many mediaeval villages. In addition to this hilly countryside, you can also enjoy the beautiful Tyrrhenian coast with lovely seaside villages and natural parks. And then, the Central Apennines even offer winter ski resorts that reach 6.000 feet. Tuscany is renowned for its rich history and architectural sites which are often the principal interests of many tourists. Tuscany boasts six designated World Heritage Sites.

Tuscany includes a variety of climates, from mild coastal ranges, to the harsher interior regions with sudden downpours. The differences in temperature between summer and winter are significant, but neither too extreme. Grapes growing is particularly suited to the hilly countryside, and especially, on the higher, sloping vineyards. The northern part of Tuscany is more rainy, where the southern part is dry, and therefore better suited to vineyards. The most planted varietal is the Sangiovese, although in the last 20 years Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot have been planted with great success. More wine regions have been developed near the southern coast from Livorno to Grosseto, and several of these appellation have become quite famous, such as Bolgheri and Suverto. Then you have the more traditional appellations such as Chianti Classico, Brunello di Montalcino, and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano.

Tuscany per capita income is about Euro 28.000.

Tuscany has a long history that has left behind marvelous arts. We can start from the Etruscan ruins dating from the 8th century B.C. until the 1st century B.C., then the Romans until the 6th century AD. After that, the medieval period started, with many different historical changes, and finally ,the peak of Tuscan history, “The Renaissance”. It was a time of incredibility activity that brought the best artist and businessmen to live and work in this area. Some of the greatest artists of the day came from this region, such as Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci and Galileo Galilei. Centuries later, there was the great Puccini.

 
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