The
Province of Belluno (
Provincia di Belluno) is a
provinceIn Italy, a province is an administrative division of intermediate level between municipality and region .||...
in the
VenetoVeneto , is one of the 20 regions of Italy. Its population is about 4.8 million, and its capital is Venice....
region of
ItalyItaly , officially the Italian Republic , is a country located on the Italian Peninsula in Southern Europe and on the two largest islands in the Mediterranean Sea, Sicily and Sardinia. Italy shares its northern, Alpine boundary with France, Switzerland, Austria and Slovenia...
. Its capital is the city of
BellunoBelluno is a town in the Veneto region of northern Italy. Located about 80 kilometers north of Venice, Belluno is the capital of the province of Belluno and the most important city in the Dolomiti's region. With its roughly 35,000 inhabitants, it the largest populated area of Valbelluna...
.
It has an area of 3,678 km², and a total population of 209,550 (2001).
The province of Belluno is rather wide, and almost entirely occupied by mountain areas. It encompasses the natural and historical regions of
CadoreCadore is a "comunità montana" in the Italian region of Veneto, in the northernmost part of the province of Belluno bordering on Austria, the Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol and Friuli-Venezia Giulia. It is watered by the Piave River poured forth from the Carnic Alps...
, Feltrino, Alpago, Val di Zoldo, Agordino,
ComelicoComelico is a mountainous region of northeast Italy, close to the Austrian border.-Geography:Comelico covers an area of circa 280 km². Encircled by the Dolomites and the Carnic Alps, it is covered by wide forests and meadows. Comelico comprises two main valleys, the upper part of Piave river...
and Ampezzano.
The
Province of Belluno (
Provincia di Belluno) is a
provinceIn Italy, a province is an administrative division of intermediate level between municipality and region .||...
in the
VenetoVeneto , is one of the 20 regions of Italy. Its population is about 4.8 million, and its capital is Venice....
region of
ItalyItaly , officially the Italian Republic , is a country located on the Italian Peninsula in Southern Europe and on the two largest islands in the Mediterranean Sea, Sicily and Sardinia. Italy shares its northern, Alpine boundary with France, Switzerland, Austria and Slovenia...
. Its capital is the city of
BellunoBelluno is a town in the Veneto region of northern Italy. Located about 80 kilometers north of Venice, Belluno is the capital of the province of Belluno and the most important city in the Dolomiti's region. With its roughly 35,000 inhabitants, it the largest populated area of Valbelluna...
.
It has an area of 3,678 km², and a total population of 209,550 (2001).
Geography
The province of Belluno is rather wide, and almost entirely occupied by mountain areas. It encompasses the natural and historical regions of
CadoreCadore is a "comunità montana" in the Italian region of Veneto, in the northernmost part of the province of Belluno bordering on Austria, the Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol and Friuli-Venezia Giulia. It is watered by the Piave River poured forth from the Carnic Alps...
, Feltrino, Alpago, Val di Zoldo, Agordino,
ComelicoComelico is a mountainous region of northeast Italy, close to the Austrian border.-Geography:Comelico covers an area of circa 280 km². Encircled by the Dolomites and the Carnic Alps, it is covered by wide forests and meadows. Comelico comprises two main valleys, the upper part of Piave river...
and Ampezzano. The eastern part of the province features the
DolomitesThe Dolomites are a section of the Alps. They are located for the most part in the province of Belluno, the rest in the provinces of Bolzano-Bozen and Trento . Conventionally they extend from the Adige river in the west to the Piave valley in the east...
, including the famous
TofaneTofane is a mountain group in the Italian Dolomites, west of Cortina d'Ampezzo, in the province of Belluno, Veneto, northern Italy. Most of the Tofane lies within Parco naturale delle Dolomiti d'Ampezzo, a nature park.-Peaks:...
,
MarmoladaMarmolada is a mountain in northeastern Italy and the highest mountain of the Dolomites ....
and Cime di Lavaredo. The province is rich in water, with the presence of the wide
Piave RiverPiave is a river in north Italy. It begins in the Alps and flows southeast for 220 km into the Adriatic Sea near the city of Venice....
, with its affluents Boite and Cordevole.
In the southern part is the Valbelluna, the widest and most populous valley of the province, with is bordered by the Venetian Prealps. The National Park of Belluno Dolomites is located in the province.
Climate
This province’s climate is among the most severe climates in the Alps. It is mostly influenced by the continentally, provided by the Dolomites and it’s very similar to the eastern Tyrol’s climate, or even more severe in the pre alps of the southern side, among the three provinces, Trento, Vicenza and Belluno, where an extremely continental climate is found.
This province may be divided in the following climatic zones:
The lowest valleys, at approximately that usually have an almost mild climate, at the board line between the Oceanic climate Cfb and the humid continental climate Dfb: the coldest month’s average is usually between 0 and -3C. The summers are hot but not as hot as the valleys of the rivers Po and Adige. The hottest month’s average temperature is between 18 and 21C. This area, as most of the oriental Alps, is very wet. Belluno’s precipitation average is above 1300mm per year, snow is usual during all the winter months, and may occur even in March or November. Some years the winter may be milder due to the humidity, with averages around the freezing point, and big snowfalls with frequent snowbound. Main cities in this area: Belluno, Feltre, Seren del Grapa.
The midland’s valleys, between 700m and 1500m (or until 1300 meters in the pre alps area), which have a typical humid continental climate Dfb. This climate is more severe in the extreme northern or southwestern regions of the province, while the central region (near Arabba or Cortina d’Ampezzo) is usually milder. Winter’s average temperature is between -7 and -5C in the North and Southwest during January, and between -5 and -3C around the central region. The coldest town, Santo Stefano di Cadore , at an elevation of only 900 meters, has temperature averages in January between -7 and -6,C. Other towns of relatively low elevations have really low averages, which would be found only above 1700 meters in other Italians provinces, as well as in any French or western Swiss provinces. The snow season depends on the altitude. Between 700 and 1200 meters, from early November until the middle of March, between 1200 and 1500 (or 1600 in Arabba), from late October until late April. The summer is usually wet and mild, but hotter than areas at the same altitude in the occidental valleys. In the lower lands (around 900 meters) temperature average around 16 or 17C. In higher lands (around 1400 meters) average around 14C. Rain is usual from March until November. Some towns and villages with this climate: Santo Stefano di Cadore (severe), Cortina D’Ampezzo (mild – sometimes Cfb), Arabba (mild if considered the altitude), Auronzo di Cadore (severe), Danta di Cadore, Sappada.
The valleys around 1500 to 1900 meters, with cold continental climate Dfc. It is the wettest climate of the province. Some areas on the southern side of the province may receive more than 2000mm of precipitation per year, especially near the lakes, which can’t make the climate mild in this region, as in other alpine regions. Winters are very cold and snowy, with temperature averages between -9 and -5C. The snow season usually starts in late September and lasts until late May. It’s not often, but it can snow even during the summer, in early September or late August. The summer is rainy, sometimes foggy, and cool. Temperatures average in July between 10 and 12C. This area has a very few numbers of sunny days per year, and the average sunshine hours per day is also quite low, around 1 hour or less in January and around 4 or 5 hours in June and July. Due to the severity of the climate, only a few villages are found in this area, usually fractions of other towns. One of the most inhabited places in this area is Misurina, a village near the lake with the same name.
The high lands, above 1900 meters, with mountain’s tundra climate ET. There are no inhabited places in this area. All the months have temperature averages below 10C. Above 2000 meters the precipitation rate starts to decrease. Higher the place, drier, and sunnier it is. The winter temperature averages in the mountain areas vary according to the altitude, and are always milder than the valley’s temperatures at the same quote. In January, the average temperature in mountains areas are around -3C at 1500m (while -6C in valleys), -6C at 2000m, -8C at 2500m and -10c at 3000 meters. Summers are cold above 2000 meters. The average temperature in July is around 12C at 1500m, 8C at 2000m, 6C at 2500 and 3C at 3000 meters. In Belluno province, the perpetual frost climate EF is not found, because the highest point, the Marmolada, at a few more than 3200 meters, has summer’s average temperature of approximately 20C.
History
The most ancient archeological finding in the province is that of Lagole di Calalzo, in
CadoreCadore is a "comunità montana" in the Italian region of Veneto, in the northernmost part of the province of Belluno bordering on Austria, the Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol and Friuli-Venezia Giulia. It is watered by the Piave River poured forth from the Carnic Alps...
, belonging to a c.
5th century BCThe 5th century BC started the first day of 500 BC and ended the last day of 401 BC.-Overview:This century saw the beginning of a period of philosophical brilliance among Western civilizations, particularly the Greeks which would continue all the way through the 4th century until the time of...
sanctuary dedicated to a health god of Paleoveneti. A greater site, a nechropolis, has been excavated in the
commune of
MelMel is a comune in the Province of Belluno in the Italian region Veneto, located about 170 km north of Venice and about 14 km southwest of Belluno and about 16 km northest of Feltre. As of 31 December 2004, it had a population of 6,311 and an area of 85.7 km².The territory of...
. Findings from these sites are now housed in the Museums of
Pieve di CadorePieve di Cadore is a comune in the province of Belluno in the Italian region Veneto, located about 110 km north of Venice and about 35 km northeast of Belluno.The painter Titian was born here, c. 1485...
and Mel.
Economy
Until recent times, the economy of the province was based on poor mountain agriculture. Now the latter has lost much of its importance, with the exception of the cultivation of
beanBean is a common name for large plant seeds of several genera of the family Fabaceae used for human food or animal feed....
s in the
LamonLamon is a comune in the Province of Belluno in the Italian region Veneto, located about 80 km northwest of Venice and about 35 km west of Belluno...
highlands. Now the Bellunese can boast one of the most important industrial sectors of northern Italy, that of glasses production (
LuxotticaLuxottica Group S.p.A. is the world's largest eyewear company. Its best known brands include Ray-Ban, Persol and the recently acquired Oakley, Inc.. It also makes sunglasses and prescription frames for a multitude of designer brands such as Chanel and Prada, whose designs and trademarks are used...
has its headquarters in
AgordoAgordo is a town and comune sited in the Province of Belluno, in the Veneto region in Italy. It is located about 100 km north of Venice and about 20 km northwest of Belluno...
, for example). Also important are the sectors of house appliances (
ZanussiZanussi was an Italian producer of home appliances that in 1984 was bought by Electrolux . The company can be traced to 1858, when it produced terracotta heaters under the brand of "Becchi"....
and others) and toilets furnitures (Ceramica Dolomite, IdealStandard).
One of the most important factors of the Bellunese economy is tourism.
Cortina d'AmpezzoCortina d'Ampezzo is a town and municipality in the southern Alps and the province of Belluno, Veneto, northern Italy. Located in the heart of the Dolomites in an alpine valley, it is a popular winter sport resort known for its ski-ranges, scenery, accommodations, shops and après-ski scene...
(where many scenes of the first
Pink PantherThe Pink Panther, directed by Blake Edwards and co-written by Edwards and Maurice Richlin, is a comedy film, starring David Niven, Peter Sellers, Robert Wagner, Capucine and Claudia Cardinale....
movie were filmed),
AllegheAlleghe is a village and commune in the province of Belluno, Veneto, NE Italy.To the west Alleghe borders with Alleghe Lake, which was formed in 1771 by a landslide from the adjacent Mount Piz.-Name:...
, Arabba,
SappadaSappada is a comune in the Province of Belluno in the Italian region Veneto, located about 130 km north of Venice and about 60 km northeast of Belluno...
and others are renowned in Italy and abroad.
Linguistic minorities
In the province, language minorities are present, which are now recognized by law:
- a Ladin minority is present in the three communes of Colle Santa Lucia
Colle Santa Lucia is a comune in the Province of Belluno in the Italian region Veneto, located about 120 km north of Venice and about 40 km northwest of Belluno...
-Col, Livinallongo del Col di LanaLivinallongo del Col di Lana is a comune in the Province of Belluno in the Italian region Veneto, located about 120 km north of Venice and about 45 km northwest of Belluno....
-Fodom and Cortina d'AmpezzoCortina d'Ampezzo is a town and municipality in the southern Alps and the province of Belluno, Veneto, northern Italy. Located in the heart of the Dolomites in an alpine valley, it is a popular winter sport resort known for its ski-ranges, scenery, accommodations, shops and après-ski scene...
-Anpezo.
- a German-speaking minority in the commune of Sappada
Sappada is a comune in the Province of Belluno in the Italian region Veneto, located about 130 km north of Venice and about 60 km northeast of Belluno...
-Plodn, Farra d'AlpagoFarra d'Alpago is a comune in the Province of Belluno in the Italian region Veneto, located about 80 km north of Venice and about 12 km east of Belluno...
and TambreTambre is a comune in the Province of Belluno in the Italian region Veneto, located about 80 km north of Venice and about 15 km east of Belluno...
.
Comuni
There are 69
comuni (singular:
comuneIn Italy, the comune is the basic administrative division of both provinces and regions, and may be properly approximated in casual speech by the English word township or municipality.- Importance and function :...
) in the province. As of June 30, 2005, the main
comuni by population are:
| Comune |
Population |
| Belluno Belluno is a town in the Veneto region of northern Italy. Located about 80 kilometers north of Venice, Belluno is the capital of the province of Belluno and the most important city in the Dolomiti's region. With its roughly 35,000 inhabitants, it the largest populated area of Valbelluna...
|
36,112 |
FeltreFeltre is a town and comune of the province of Belluno in Veneto, northern Italy. A hill town in the southern reaches of the province, it is located on the Stizzon River, about 4 km from its junction with the Piave, and 20 km southwest from Belluno...
|
20,122 |
| Sedico Sedico is a comune in the Province of Belluno in the Italian region Veneto, located about 80 km north of Venice and about 9 km west of Belluno...
|
9,174 |
| Ponte nelle Alpi Ponte nelle Alpi is a comune in the Province of Belluno in the Italian region Veneto, located about 80 km north of Venice and about 8 km northeast of Belluno...
|
8,180 |
Santa GiustinaSanta Giustina is a comune in the Province of Belluno in the Italian region Veneto, located about 80 km northwest of Venice and about 15 km southwest of Belluno...
|
6,517 |
MelMel is a comune in the Province of Belluno in the Italian region Veneto, located about 170 km north of Venice and about 14 km southwest of Belluno and about 16 km northest of Feltre. As of 31 December 2004, it had a population of 6,311 and an area of 85.7 km².The territory of...
|
6,288 |
| Cortina d'Ampezzo Cortina d'Ampezzo is a town and municipality in the southern Alps and the province of Belluno, Veneto, northern Italy. Located in the heart of the Dolomites in an alpine valley, it is a popular winter sport resort known for its ski-ranges, scenery, accommodations, shops and après-ski scene...
|
6,216 |
| Limana Limana is a comune in the Province of Belluno in the Italian region Veneto, located about 70 km north of Venice and about 5 km southwest of Belluno...
|
4,670 |
| Trichiana Trichiana is a comune in the Province of Belluno in the Italian region Veneto, located about 70 km north of Venice and about 10 km southwest of Belluno.-External links:*
...
|
4,604 |
| Pedavena Pedavena is a comune in the Province of Belluno in the Italian region Veneto. It is located about 70 km northwest of Venice and about 30 km southwest of Belluno...
|
4,435 |
AgordoAgordo is a town and comune sited in the Province of Belluno, in the Veneto region in Italy. It is located about 100 km north of Venice and about 20 km northwest of Belluno...
|
4,225 |
| Longarone Longarone is a town and comune on the banks of the Piave in province of Belluno in North-East Italy. It is situated 20 miles from the city of Belluno and is 473 metres above sea level....
|
4,114 |
| Cesiomaggiore Cesiomaggiore is a comune in the Italian region Veneto, located about 80 km northwest of Venice and about 20 km southwest of Belluno....
|
4,096 |
| Pieve di Cadore Pieve di Cadore is a comune in the province of Belluno in the Italian region Veneto, located about 110 km north of Venice and about 35 km northeast of Belluno.The painter Titian was born here, c. 1485...
|
4,017 |
External links
Province homepage