Friuli-Venezia Giulia

I

Introduction

Friuli-Venezia Giulia, region in north-east Italy, bordered on the north by Austria, on the east by Slovenia, on the south by the Gulf of Venice (an arm of the Adriatic Sea), and on the west by the Italian region of Veneto. The region is divided into Gorizia, Pordenone, Trieste, and Udine provinces and has a total land area of 7,844 sq km (3,029 sq mi).

II

Physical Geography

The northern portion of Friuli-Venezia Giulia is mountainous, with some elevations exceeding 2,740 m (8,990 ft); the highest point is Mount Coglians in the Carnic Alps, which rises to a maximum elevation of 2,780 m (9,121 ft) above sea level. The River Tagliamento runs in a north-south direction through the centre of the region into the Adriatic Sea. The River Isonzo enters the region near Gorizia and flows south-westwards before emptying into the Gulf of Trieste. The coastline between the two rivers encompasses a brackish lagoon dotted with small islands, including Martignano, Sant’Andrea, Buso, Morgo,and Grado. The reedbanks, sandbanks, and flooded meadows that line the shore provide an important overwintering ground for migratory waterbirds, and the area was designated a wetland of international importance in 1979, under the Ramsar Convention. Friuli-Venezia Giulia receives the highest rainfall in Italy.

III

Population

The region has a population of 1,212,602 (2007 estimate), with an average population density of 154 people per sq km (398 per sq mi). Trieste is the regional capital and largest city, with 205,363 inhabitants (2007 estimate). Other leading cities are Udine (population, 2007 estimate, 96,750); Pordernone (2007 estimate, 50,518); Gorizia (2007 estimate, 36,172); and Monfalcone (2007 estimate, 27,701); Cividale del Friuli (2007 estimate, 11,515); and Grado (2007 estimate, 8,641). Friulian, a Rhaeto-Romanic language, is spoken alongside Italian throughout the region.

The Friuli-Venezia Giulia region is rich in Roman monuments. The well-preserved remains of an amphitheatre dating from the 1st century bc were unearthed in Trieste in the 1930s. Archaeological remains in the ancient town of Aquileia were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1998; the site features extensive Roman ruins, as well as the remains of a 6th-century Christian patriarchan Basilican complex. Higher education institutions in the region include the University of Trieste (1938); the International School for Advanced Studies of Trieste (1979), which focuses on postgraduate research in mathematics, physics, and neurosciences; and the University of Udine (1978). Udine is associated with Italian painter Giovanni Tiepolo and a number of his works are held at the city’s archbishop's palace and civic museum. A film festival dedicated to silent cinema is held in Pordenone each October.

IV

Economy

The chief agricultural products of Friuli-Venezia Giulia are wheat, maize and other vegetables, and fruit, particularly grapes for wine. The northern part of the region is known for its trade in ham and dairy products. Other industries include livestock raising, lead and zinc mining, and some forestry. In the south a low fertile coastal plain supports subsistence agriculture. Along the coast fishing is important. Tobacco is produced in the south-east around Trieste, which is one of Italy's chief ports. Both Trieste and Monfalcone contain shipyards. Industries include the manufacture of textiles, chemicals, cutlery, and machinery.