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Revision as of 17:30, 10 January 2006 edit192.45.72.27 (talk) South Tyrol is not correct, Alto Adige is name of the region← Previous edit Latest revision as of 18:03, 23 December 2024 edit undoMai-Sachme (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users7,496 editsmNo edit summary 
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{{Short description|Autonomous province of Italy}}
#redirect ]
{{About|the Italian administrative division|other uses}}
{{Redirect|Alto Adige}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = South Tyrol
| native_name = {{native name|de|Südtirol}}<br />{{native name|it|Alto Adige}}<br />{{native name|lld|Südtirol}}
| official_name = Autonomous Province of Bolzano – South Tyrol<br />{{native name|de|Autonome Provinz Bozen – Südtirol}}<br />{{native name|it|Provincia autonoma di Bolzano - Alto Adige}}<br />{{native name|lld|Provinzia Autonoma de Balsan/Bulsan – Südtirol}}
| settlement_type = ] ]
| image_skyline =
| image_alt =
| image_caption =
| image_flag = Flag_of_South_Tyrol.svg
| flag_alt =
| image_shield = Suedtirol CoA.svg
| shield_size = x100px
| shield_alt = ]
| anthem = ] (unofficial)
| image_map = Bolzano in Italy.svg
| map_alt =
| map_caption = Map highlighting the location of the province of South Tyrol in Italy (in red)
| coordinates = {{coord|46|30|0|N|11|21|0|E|display=inline,title}} <!--Bolzano-->
| coordinates_footnotes =
| subdivision_type = ]
| subdivision_name = ]
| subdivision_type1 = ]
| subdivision_name1 = ]
| established_title =
| established_date =
| seat_type = Capital(s)
| seat = ]
| parts_type = '']''
| parts_style = para
| p1 = 116
| government_footnotes =
| leader_party = ]
| leader_title = Governor
| leader_name = ]
| unit_pref = Metric<!-- or US or UK -->
| area_footnotes =
| area_total_km2 = 7399.97
| elevation_footnotes =
| elevation_m =
| population_footnotes =
| population_total = 531178
| population_as_of = 1 January 2019
| population_density_km2 = auto
<!-- GDP --------------->| demographics_type2 = GDP
| demographics2_footnotes = <ref name=":0">, OECD.Stats. Accessed on 16 November 2018.</ref>
| demographics2_title1 = Total
| demographics2_info1 = €21.603 billion (2015)
| demographics2_title2 = Per capita
| demographics2_info2 = €41,568 (2015)
| blank2_name_sec1 = ] (2022)
| blank2_info_sec1 = 0.925<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://globaldatalab.org/shdi/shdi/ITA/?levels=1%2B4&interpolation=1&extrapolation=0&nearest_real=0&years=2019|title=Sub-national HDI - Area Database - Global Data Lab|website=hdi.globaldatalab.org|language=en|access-date=2023-03-05}}</ref><br />{{color|green|very high}}
]
| timezone1 = ]
| utc_offset1 = +01:00
| timezone1_DST = ]
| utc_offset1_DST = +02:00
| postal_code_type = Postal code
| postal_code = 39XXX
| area_code_type = Telephone prefix
| area_code = 0471, 0472, 0473, 0474
| iso_code =
| registration_plate = ]
| blank_name_sec2 = ]
| blank_info_sec2 = 021
| website = {{URL|www.provincia.bz.it/}}
| footnotes =
| governing_body = ]
}}

'''South Tyrol'''{{Efn|{{IPAc-en|t|ɪ|ˈ|r|oʊ|l|,_|t|aɪ|ˈ|r|oʊ|l|,_|ˈ|t|aɪ|r|oʊ|l}}, {{respell|tih|ROHL|,_|ty|ROHL|,_|TY|rohl}}.<ref>. '']''.</ref>}} ({{langx|de|Südtirol}} {{IPA|de|ˈzyːttiˌʁoːl||de-Südtirol.ogg}}, {{IPA|de-AT|ˈsyːtiˌroːl|local}}; {{langx|it|Alto Adige}} {{IPA|it|ˈalto ˈaːdidʒe|}}; {{langx|lld|Südtirol}}) is an ] ] in ]. An English translation of the official German and Italian names could be the '''Autonomous Province of Bolzano – South Tyrol''', reflecting the multilingualism and different naming conventions in the area. Together with ], South Tyrol forms the autonomous ] of ].<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190925185836/http://www.regione.taa.it/Moduli/933_STATUTO%25202018.pdf|date=25 September 2019}} Statuto speciale per il Trentino-Alto Adige.</ref> The province is the northernmost of Italy, the second largest with an area of {{convert|7400|km2|sqmi|0}}, and has a total population of about 534,000 inhabitants as of 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.citypopulation.de/en/italy/admin/04__trentino_alto_adige/|title=Trentino-Alto Adige (Autonomous Region, Italy) - Population Statistics, Charts, Map and Location}}</ref> Its capital and largest city is ].
]

The province is granted a considerable level of self-government, consisting of a large range of exclusive legislative and executive powers and a fiscal regime that allows it to retain 90% of revenue, while remaining a net contributor to the national budget. As of 2023, South Tyrol is the wealthiest province in Italy and among the wealthiest in the ].

In the wider context of the European Union, the province is one of the three members of the ], which corresponds almost exactly to the historical region of ].<ref>Cortina d'Ampezzo, Livinallongo/Buchenstein and Colle Santa Lucia, formerly parts of Tyrol, now belong to the region of ].</ref> The other members are the Austrian federal state ] to the north and east, and the Italian ] to the south.

According to the 2024 census, 57.6% of the population used German as their first language (] in the written form and the ] of ] in the spoken form); 22.6% of the population spoke Italian, mainly in and around the two largest cities (Bolzano and ]); 3.7% spoke ], a ]; 16.1% of the population (mainly recent immigrants) spoke another native language in addition to Italian and German. Of ], 102 have a German-speaking, eight a Ladin-speaking, and six an Italian-speaking majority.<ref>{{cite web
| title = Statistisches Jahrbuch 2024 / statistico della Provincia di Bolzano 2024
| work = 03 Bevölkerung
| url = https://astat.provinz.bz.it/downloads/JB2024_K3.pdf
| access-date = 23 December 2024}}</ref>
The ] and the settlement of Italians from the rest of Italy after 1918 significantly modified local demographics.<ref name="Provincial Statistics Institute of the Autonomous Province of South Tyrol">Oscar Benvenuto (ed.): ", Bozen/Bolzano 2007, p. 19, Table 11</ref><ref name="Steininger 2003">{{cite book | last = Steininger | first = Rolf | title = South Tyrol, A Minority Conflict of the Twentieth Century | publisher = Transaction Publishers | year = 2003 |isbn=0-7658-0800-5 }}</ref>

== Name ==
]]]

''South Tyrol'' (occasionally ''South Tirol'') is the term most commonly used in English for the province,<ref>Cf. for instance Antony E. Alcock, ''The History of the South Tyrol Question'', London: Michael Joseph, 1970; Rolf Steininger, ''South Tyrol: A Minority Conflict of the Twentieth Century'', New Brunswick, New Jersey: Transaction Publishers, 2003.</ref> and its usage reflects that it was created from a portion of the southern part of the historic ], a former state of the ] and ] of the ] of the ]s. German and Ladin speakers usually refer to the area as ''Südtirol''; the Italian equivalent ''Sudtirolo'' (sometimes parsed ''Sud Tirolo''<ref>{{Citation
|last=Bondi
|first=Sandro
|author-link=Sandro Bondi
|title=Lettera del ministro per i beni culturali Bondi al presidente del consiglio Durnwalder
|url=http://www.stol.it/content/download/152939/1808238/file/Der%20Bondi-Brief.pdf
|format=Letter
|access-date=4 June 2011
|date=25 January 2011
|publisher=Il Ministro per i Beni e le Attività Culturali
|location=Rome
|language=it
|archive-date=10 June 2011
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110610193754/http://www.stol.it/content/download/152939/1808238/file/Der%20Bondi-Brief.pdf
|url-status=dead
}}</ref>) is becoming increasingly common.<ref>{{Citation
| last=Cole
| first=John
| chapter=The Last Become First: The Rise of Ultimogeniture in Contemporary South Tyrol
| year=2003
| editor=Grandits, Hannes |editor2=Heady, Patrick
| title=Distinct Inheritances: Property, Family and Community in a Changing Europe
| publisher=Lit Verlag
| place=Münster
| page=263
|isbn=3-8258-6961-X
|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Pitr21-JrOIC&pg=PA263}}</ref>

''Alto Adige'' (literally translated in English: "Upper Adige"), one of the Italian names for the province, is also used in English.<ref name="Britishcouncil article using 'Alto Adige'">{{Cite web|url=http://www.britishcouncil.org/language-assistants-ela-success-stories-abbey-cameron-alto-adige-italy.pdf|title=Cfr. for instance this article from britishcouncil.org|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110813161158/http://www.britishcouncil.org/language-assistants-ela-success-stories-abbey-cameron-alto-adige-italy.pdf|archive-date=13 August 2011}}</ref> The term had been the name of political subdivisions along the ] in the time of ],<ref>{{cite book|title=Raccolta delle leggi, proclami, ordini ed avvisi, Vol 5|year=1798|publisher=Luigi Viladini|location=Milan|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1RDgAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA184|author=Cisalpine Republic|page=184|language=it}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Napoleon's Italian campaigns 1805–1815|year=2002|publisher=Praeger Publishers|location=Milan|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cLjJV7AKPkAC&pg=PA99|author=Frederick C. Schneid|page=99|isbn=978-0-275-96875-5}}</ref> who created the ], part of the ]. It was reused as the Italian name of the current province after its post-World War I creation, and was a symbol of the subsequent forced ] of South Tyrol.<ref>{{Citation
|last=Steininger
|first=Rolf
|year=2003
|title=South Tyrol: A Minority Conflict of the Twentieth Century
|publisher=Transaction Publishers
|location=New Brunswick, New Jersey
|page=21
|isbn=978-0-7658-0800-4
}}</ref>

The official name of the province today in German is ''Autonome Provinz Bozen&nbsp;— Südtirol''. German speakers usually refer to it not as a ''Provinz'', but as a ''Land'' (like the ] of Germany and Austria).<ref>{{Citation
| last=Heiss
| first=Hans
| chapter=Von der Provinz zum Land. Südtirols Zweite Autonomie
| year=2003
| editor-last=Solderer
| editor-first=Gottfried
| title=Das 20. Jahrhundert in Südtirol. 1980 – 2000
| volume=V
| publisher=Raetia
| place=Bozen/Bolzano
| page=50
|isbn=978-88-7283-204-2 }}</ref> Provincial institutions are referred to using the prefix ''Landes-'', such as ''Landesregierung'' (state government) and '']'' (governor).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.provinz.bz.it/land/landesregierung/default.asp|title=Landesregierung &#124; Autonome Provinz Bozen|website=Landesregierung}}</ref>
The official name in Italian is ''Provincia autonoma Bolzano&nbsp;— Alto Adige'', in Ladin ''Provinzia autonoma Bulsan&nbsp;— Südtirol''.<ref>{{cite web |title=Provincia Autonoma Bolzano - Alto Adige |url=https://home.provincia.bz.it/it/home |publisher=Provincia autonoma di Bolzano |access-date=21 October 2023 |location=Bolzano |language=Italian}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Provinzia Autonoma Bulsan - Südtirol |url=https://home.provinzia.bz.it/lld/home |publisher=Provinzia Autonoma de Balsan - Südtirol |access-date=21 October 2023 |location=Bolzano |language=Ladin}}</ref>

== History ==
{{Main|History of South Tyrol}}

=== Annexation by Italy ===
South Tyrol as an administrative entity originated during the ]. The ] promised the area to Italy in the ] as an incentive to enter the war on their side. Until 1918, it was part of the ] princely ], but this almost completely German-speaking territory was occupied by Italy at the end of the war in November 1918 and was annexed to the Kingdom of Italy in 1919. The province as it exists today was created in 1926 after an administrative reorganization of the ], and was incorporated together with the province of Trento into the newly created region of ''Venezia Tridentina'' ("Trentine ]").

With the rise of ], the new regime made efforts to bring forward the ]. The German language was banished from public service, German teaching was officially forbidden, and German newspapers were censored (with the exception of the fascistic ''Alpenzeitung''). The regime also favoured immigration from other Italian regions.

{{Main|South Tyrol Option Agreement}}
The subsequent alliance between ] and ] declared that South Tyrol would not follow the destiny of Austria, which ] by ]. Instead the dictators agreed that the German-speaking population be transferred to German-ruled territory or dispersed around Italy, but the outbreak of the ] prevented them from fully carrying out their plans.<ref>{{cite book |author=Hannes Obermair |title="Großdeutschland ruft!" Südtiroler NS-Optionspropaganda und völkische Sozialisation – "La Grande Germania chiamaǃ" La propaganda nazionalsocialista sulle Opzioni in Alto Adige e la socializzazione 'völkisch' |publisher= South Tyrolean Museum of History |location=]|year=2020|language=de, it|isbn=978-88-95523-35-4 }}</ref> Every citizen was given the choice to give up their German cultural identity and stay in fascist Italy, or to leave their homeland for Nazi Germany to retain their cultural identity. This resulted in the division of South Tyrolese families.

In this tense relationship for the population, ] from Mals was part of the resistance group around the priest ], which passed plans and information about production facilities for ]s, ]s, ]s, ], and ] and other aircraft to the Allies. The group planned for an independent Austria with a monarchical form of government after the war, which would include Austria, Bavaria and South Tyrol.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://austria-forum.org/af/Biographien/Caldonazzi%2C_Walter|title=Caldonazzi, Walter|website=Austria-Forum}}</ref><ref>Elisabeth Boeckl-Klamper, Thomas Mang, Wolfgang Neugebauer: ''Gestapo-Leitstelle Wien 1938–1945.'' Vienna 2018, {{ISBN|978-3-902494-83-2}}, pp. 299–305; Hans Schafranek: ''Widerstand und Verrat: Gestapospitzel im antifaschistischen Untergrund.'' Vienna 2017, {{ISBN|978-3-7076-0622-5}}, pp. 161–248; Fritz Molden: ''Die Feuer in der Nacht. Opfer und Sinn des österreichischen Widerstandes 1938–1945''. Vienna 1988, p. 122; Christoph Thurner "The CASSIA Spy Ring in World War II Austria: A History of the OSS's Maier-Messner Group" (2017); </ref>

In 1943, when the Italian government signed ] with the ], the region was occupied by Nazi Germany, which reorganised it as the ] and put it under the administration of ] ]. The region was '']'' annexed to the ] (with the addition of the ]) until the end of the war. Italian rule was restored in 1945 as the Nazi regime ended.

=== Gruber–De Gasperi Agreement ===
{{unreferenced section|date=October 2017}}
]
After the war, the Allies decided that the province would remain a part of Italy, under the condition that the German-speaking population be granted a significant level of self-government. Italy and Austria negotiated an agreement in 1946, recognizing the rights of the German minority. ], Italy's prime minister, a native of Trentino, wanted to extend the autonomy to his fellow citizens. This led to the creation of the region called ''Trentino-Alto Adige/Tiroler Etschland''. The ] of September 1946 was signed by the Italian and Austrian Foreign Ministers, creating the autonomous region of ], consisting of the autonomous provinces of ] and South Tyrol. German and Italian were both made official languages, and German-language education was permitted once more. Still Italians were the majority in the combined region.

This, together with the arrival of new Italian-speaking immigrants, led to strong dissatisfaction among South Tyrolese, which culminated in terrorist acts perpetrated by the '']'' (BAS&nbsp;– Liberation Committee of South Tyrol). In the first phase, only public edifices and fascist monuments were targeted. The second phase was bloodier, costing 21 lives (15 members of Italian security forces, two civilians, and four terrorists).

=== ''Südtirolfrage'' ===
{{more citations needed|section|date=October 2017}}
The South Tyrolean Question (''Südtirolfrage'') became an international issue. As the implementation of the post-war agreement was deemed unsatisfactory by the Austrian government, it became a cause of significant friction with Italy and was taken up by the ] in 1960. A fresh round of negotiations took place in 1961 but proved unsuccessful, partly because of the campaign of ].

The issue was resolved in 1971, when a new Austro-Italian treaty was signed and ratified. It stipulated that disputes in South Tyrol would be submitted for settlement to the ] in ], that the province would receive greater autonomy within Italy, and that Austria would not interfere in South Tyrol's internal affairs. The new agreement proved broadly satisfactory to the parties involved, and the separatist tensions soon eased.

The autonomous status granted in 1972 has resulted in a considerable level of self-government,<ref name="Danspeckgruber 2002 193">{{cite book |title=The Self-Determination of Peoples: Community, Nation, and State in an Interdependent World |last=Danspeckgruber |first=Wolfgang F. |year=2002 |publisher=Lynne Rienner Publishers |isbn=1-55587-793-1 |page=193 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6KbwDwueS6AC&pg=PA193}}</ref> and also allows the entity to retain almost 90% of all levied taxes.<ref>{{cite web
|title = The South Tyrol Autonomy. A Short Introduction
|author = Anthony Alcock
|url = http://www.provinz.bz.it/en/downloads/South-Tyrol-Autonomy.pdf
|access-date = 14 November 2007
|url-status = dead
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110821012516/http://www.provinz.bz.it/en/downloads/South-Tyrol-Autonomy.pdf
|archive-date = 21 August 2011
}}</ref>

=== Autonomy ===
]
In 1992, Italy and Austria officially ended their dispute over the autonomy issue on the basis of the agreement of 1972.<ref>Rolf Steininger: "South Tyrol: A Minority Conflict of the Twentieth Century", Transaction Publishers, 2003, {{ISBN|978-0-7658-0800-4}}, pp.2</ref>

The extensive self-government<ref name="Danspeckgruber 2002 193"/> provided by the current institutional framework has been advanced as a model for settling interethnic disputes and for the successful protection of linguistic minorities.<ref>{{cite web
| title = Tbilisi's S.Ossetia Diplomatic Offensive Gains Momentum
| url = http://www.civil.ge/eng/detail.php?id=15335
| access-date = 14 November 2007 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071008123321/http://www.civil.ge/eng/detail.php?id=15335 |archive-date = 8 October 2007}}</ref> This is among the reasons why the Ladin municipalities of ]/Anpezo, ]/Fodom and ]/Col have asked in a referendum to be detached from Veneto and reannexed to the province, from which they were separated under the fascist government.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.repubblica.it/2007/10/sezioni/cronaca/referendum-cortina/referendum-quorum/referendum-quorum.html |title=Referendum Cortina, trionfo dei "sì" superato il quorum nei tre Comuni |date=29 October 2007 |newspaper={{Lang|it|La Repubblica}} |access-date=20 August 2013 |location=Rome }}</ref>

=== Euroregion ===
], Livinallongo, ] and ]).
----
{{legend|#fe7f7f| ] (]) }}
{{legend|#f7b77b| South Tyrol (]) }}
{{legend|#7b7bf7| ] (]) }} ]]
In 1996, the ] was formed between the Austrian state of Tyrol and the Italian provinces of South Tyrol and Trentino. The boundaries of the association correspond to the old County of Tyrol. The aim is to promote regional peace, understanding and cooperation in many areas. The region's assemblies meet together as one on various occasions, and have set up a common liaison office with the ] in Brussels.

== Geography ==
]
South Tyrol is located at the northernmost point in Italy. The province is bordered by Austria to the east and north, specifically by the Austrian federal states ] and ], and by the ] canton of ] to the west. The Italian provinces of ], ], and ] border to the southeast, south, and southwest, respectively.

The landscape itself is mostly cultivated with different types of ] and ] and is highly mountainous.

Entirely located in the ], the province's landscape is dominated by mountains. The highest peak is the ] ({{convert|3905|m|ft|0|disp=comma}}) in the far west, which is also the highest peak in the ] outside the ]. Even more famous are the craggy peaks of the ] in the eastern part of the region.

The following mountain groups are (partially) in South Tyrol. All but the Sarntal Alps are on the border with Austria, Switzerland, or other Italian provinces. The ranges are clockwise from the west and for each the highest peak is given that is within the province or on its border.
]]]
{| class="wikitable"
!Name!!Highest peak (German/Italian)!!metres!!feet
|-
|]||]||align=right|3,905||align=right|12,811
|-
|]||Muntpitschen/Monpiccio||align=right|3,162||align=right|10,374
|-
|]||]||align=right|3,746||align=right|12,291
|-
|]||]||align=right|3,426||align=right|11,241
|-
|]||]||align=right|2,781||align=right|9,124
|-
|]||]||align=right|3,510||align=right|11,515
|-
|]||]||align=right|3,499||align=right|11,480
|-
|]||]||align=right|3,152||align=right|10,341
|-
|Western Dolomites||]||align=right|3,181||align=right|10,436
|-
|}

Located between the mountains are many ], where the majority of the population lives.

=== Administrative divisions ===
{{See also|Municipalities of South Tyrol}}
The province is divided into eight districts (German: ''Bezirksgemeinschaften'', Italian: {{italic correction|''comunità comprensoriali''}}), one of them being the chief city of Bolzano. Each district is headed by a president and two bodies called the district committee and the district council. The districts are responsible for resolving intermunicipal disputes and providing roads, schools, and social services such as retirement homes.

The province is further divided into 116 '']n'' or '']''.<ref name="stinf-2010">{{cite web
|title = ''South Tyrol in figures''
|work = Provincial Statistics Institute (ASTAT)
|url = http://www.provincia.bz.it/en/downloads/Siz_2010-eng.pdf
|access-date = 4 September 2011
|url-status = dead
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110905153901/http://www.provincia.bz.it/en/downloads/Siz_2010-eng.pdf
|archive-date = 5 September 2011
|df = dmy-all
}}</ref>

=== Districts ===
{{see also|Districts of Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol}}
]
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!District (German/Italian)
!Capital (German/Italian)
!Area
!Inhabitants<ref name="stinf-2010"/>
|-
|Bozen/Bolzano || ] || align="right" | 52<!-- genauer 52.34 --> km<sup>2</sup> || align="right" | 107,436
|-
|] || ] || align="right" | 1,101&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup> || align="right" | 97,315
|-
|] || ] || align="right" | &nbsp;2,071&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>|| align="right" | 79,086
|-
|] || ] || align="right" | 424&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>|| align="right" | 71,435
|-
|] || ] || align="right" | 624&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>|| align="right" | 49,840
|-
|] || Bozen/Bolzano || align="right" | 1,037&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>|| align="right" | 48,020
|-
|] || ] || align="right" | 1,442<!-- genauer 1,441.68 --> km<sup>2</sup>|| align="right" | 35,000
|-
|] || ] || align="right" | 650&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>|| align="right" | 18,220
|}

=== Largest municipalities ===
]
]
{| class="wikitable"
!German name
!Italian name
!Ladin name
!Inhabitants<ref name="stinf-2010"/>
|-
|Bozen
|]
|Balsan, Bulsan
| align="right" |107,724
|-
|]
|Merano
|Maran
| align="right" |40,926
|-
|]
|Bressanone
|Persenon, Porsenù
| align="right" |22,423
|-
|Leifers
|]
|
| align="right" |18,097
|-
|]
|Brunico
|Bornech, Burnech
| align="right" |16,636
|-
|]
|Appiano sulla Strada del Vino
|
| align="right" |14,990
|-
|]
|Lana
|
| align="right" |12,468
|-
|]
|Caldaro sulla Strada del Vino
|
| align="right" |7,512
|-
|]
|Renon
|
| align="right" |7,507
|-
|]
|Sarentino
|
| align="right" |6,863
|-
|]
|Castelrotto
|Ciastel
| align="right" |6,456
|-
|]
|Vipiteno
|
| align="right" |6,306
|-
|]
|Silandro
|
| align="right" |6,014
|-
|]
|Valle Aurina
|
| align="right" |5,876
|-
|]
|Naturno
|
| align="right" |5,440
|-
|]
|Campo Tures
|
| align="right" |5,230
|-
|]
|Laces
|
| align="right" |5,145
|-
|]
|Chiusa
|Tluses, Tlüses
| align="right" |5,134
|-
|]
|Malles
|
| align="right" |5,050
|-
|]
|Egna
|
| align="right" |4,926
|-
|]
|Lagundo
|
| align="right" |4,782
|-
|St. Ulrich
|Ortisei
|]
| align="right" |4,606
|-
|]
|Racines
|
| align="right" |4,331
|-
||]
|Terlano
|
| align="right" |4,132
|}

=== Climate ===
{{unreferenced section|date=March 2013}}
Climatically, South Tyrol may be divided into five distinct groups:

The ] valley area, with cold winters (24-hour averages in January of about {{convert|0|C|F}}) and warm summers (24-hour averages in July of about {{convert|23|C|F}}), usually ] as ]&nbsp;— Cfa. It has the driest and sunniest climate of the province. The main city in this area is ].

The midlands, between {{convert|300|and|900|m|ft}}, with cold winters (24-hour averages in January between {{convert|-3|and|1|C|F}}) and mild summers (24-hour averages in July between {{convert|15|and|21|C|F}}). This is a typical ], classified as Cfb. It is usually wetter than the subtropical climate, and very snowy during the winters. During the spring and autumn, there is an extended foggy season, but fog may occur even on summer mornings. Main towns in this area are ], ], ], and ]. Near the lakes in higher lands (between {{convert|1000|and|1400|m|ft}}) the humidity may make the climate in these regions milder during winter, but also cooler in summer, making it more similar to a ], Cfc.

]
The alpine valleys between {{convert|900|and|1400|m|ft}}, with a typically ]&nbsp;— Dfb, covering the largest part of the province. The winters are usually very cold (24-hour averages in January between {{convert|-8|and|-3|C|F}}), and the summers, mild with averages between {{convert|14|and|19|C|F}}. It is a very snowy climate; snow may occur from early October to April or even May. Main municipalities in this area are ], ], ], ], ], ], and ].

The alpine valleys between {{convert|1400|and|1700|m|ft}}, with a ]&nbsp;— Dfc, with harsh winters (24-hour averages in January between {{convert|-9|and|-5|C|F}}) and cool, short, rainy and foggy summers (24-hour averages in July of about {{convert|12|C|F}}). These areas usually have five months below the freezing point, and snow sometimes occurs even during the summer, in September. This climate is the wettest of the province, with large rainfalls during the summer, heavy snowfalls during spring and fall. The winter is usually a little drier, marked by freezing and dry weeks, although not sufficiently dry to be classified as a Dwc climate. Main municipalities in this area are ], ], ].

The highlands above {{convert|1700|m|ft}}, with an ] ], ET, which becomes an ], EF, above {{convert|3000|m|ft}}. The winters are cold, but sometimes not as cold as the higher valleys' winters. In January, most of the areas at {{convert|2000|m|ft}} have an average temperature of about {{convert|-5|C|F}}, while in the valleys at about {{convert|1600|m|ft}}, the mean temperature may be as low as {{convert|-8|or|-9|C|F}}. The higher lands, above {{convert|3000|m|ft}} are usually extremely cold, with averages of about {{convert|-14|C|F}} during the coldest month, January.

=== Geology ===
]The periadriatic seam, which separates the ] from the ], runs through South Tyrol in a southwest–northeast direction. In South Tyrol at least three of the four main structural elements of the Alps come to light: the Southern Alpine comes to light south of the periadriatic suture, the Eastern Alpine north of it, and in the northern part of the country, east of the Brenner Pass, the Tauern window, in which the Peninsular and, according to some authors, the Helvetic are visible.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Entstehungsgeschichte - NaturStein Südtirol|url=http://www.naturstein-suedtirol.it/natur/entstehungsgeschichte/|access-date=2021-06-03|website=www.naturstein-suedtirol.it}}</ref>

In South Tyrol, the following structure can be roughly recognized: The lowest floor forms the crystalline basement. About 280 million years ago, in the Lower Permian, multiple magmatic events occurred. At that time the Brixen ] was formed at the northern boundary of the Southern Alps, and at about the same time, further south in the Bolzano area, there was strong ] that formed the Adige Valley volcanic complex. In the Upper Permian a period began in which sedimentary rocks were formed. At first, these were partly clastic sediments, among which the Gröden sandstone is found. In the ], massive carbonate platforms of dolomitic rocks then formed; this process was interrupted in the Middle Triassic by a brief but violent phase of volcanic activity.

In South Tyrol, the ] consist mainly of metamorphic rocks, such as gneisses or mica schists, with occasional intercalations of marble and ] sedimentary rocks with metamorphic overprint (e.g., in the Ortler or southwest of the Brenner). Various metamorphic rocks are found in the Tauern Window, such as Hochstegen marble (as in Wolfendorn), Grünschiefer (as in Hochfeiler), or rocks of the Zentralgneiss (predominantly in the area of the Zillertal Main Ridge).<ref>Geologische Bundesanstalt: Geofast-Karten</ref>

The province of South Tyrol has placed numerous geological natural monuments under protection. Among the best known are the Bletterbach Gorge, a 12&nbsp;km (7½ mile) long canyon in the municipality of Aldein, and the ], which are the largest in Europe with a height of up to {{convert|30|m|ft}}.<ref>{{Cite web|last=SPA|first=Südtiroler Informatik AG {{!}} Informatica Alto Adige|title=Natur, Landschaft und Raumentwicklung {{!}} Landesverwaltung {{!}} Autonome Provinz Bozen - Südtirol|url=https://www.provinz.bz.it/natur-umwelt/natur-raum/default.asp|access-date=2021-06-03|website=Landesverwaltung|language=de}}</ref>

=== Mountains ===
]-] in the ] Dolomites bordering the province of Belluno|300x300px]]
According to the Alpine Association, South Tyrol is home to 13 mountain groups of the Eastern Alps, of which only the Sarntal Alps are entirely within national borders. The remaining twelve are (clockwise, starting from the west): Sesvenna Group, Ötztal Alps, Stubai Alps, Zillertal Alps, Venediger Group, Rieserferner Group, Villgratner Mountains, Carnic Alps, Dolomites, Fleimstal Alps, Nonsberg Group and Ortler Alps. Of particular note are the Dolomites, parts of which were recognized by ] in 2009 as a "Dolomite World Heritage Site".

Although some isolated massifs approach {{convert|4000|m|ft}} and show strong ] (especially in the Ortler Alps and on the main ridge of the Alps), South Tyrol is by far dominated by mountains with altitudes of between {{convert|2000|and|3000|m|ft}}. Among the multitude of peaks, the ] are the highest in the Alps. Among the large number of peaks, three stand out for their alpine or cultural importance: the ] ({{convert|3905|m|ft|0|disp=comma}}) as the highest mountain in South Tyrol, the ] ({{convert|2563|m|ft|0|disp=comma}}) as the country's "landmark" and the ] ({{convert|2999|m|ft|0|disp=comma}}) as the center of alpine climbing. Other well-known mountains are the ] ({{convert|3851|m|ft|0|disp=comma}}), the ] ({{convert|3739|m|ft|0|disp=comma}}), the ] ({{convert|3599|m|ft|0|disp=comma}}), the ] ({{convert|3480|m|ft|0|disp=comma}}), the Sarner Weißhorn ({{convert|2705|m|ft|0|disp=comma}}), the Hochfeiler ({{convert|3509|m|ft|0|disp=comma}}), the Dreiherrnspitze ({{convert|3499|m|ft|0|disp=comma}}), the Hochgall ({{convert|3436|m|ft|0|disp=comma}}), the Peitlerkofel ({{convert|2875|m|ft|0|disp=comma}}), the Langkofel ({{convert|3181|m|ft|0|disp=comma}}) and the Rosengartenspitze ({{convert|2981|m|ft|0|disp=comma}}).

The extensive mountain ], about 34% of the total area of South Tyrol, are alpine pastures (including the {{convert|57|km2|sqmi}} of the great Alpe di Siusi). Along the main valleys, the mountain ranges descend in many places to valley bottoms over gently terraced landscapes, which are geological remains of former ] systems; situated between inhospitable high mountains and formerly boggy or deeply incised valley bottoms, these areas known as the "Mittelgebirge" (including, for example, the Schlern area) are of particular importance in terms of settlement ].<ref>Ernst Steinicke, Giuliana Andreotti: ''Das Pustertal. Geographische Profile im Raum von Innichen und Bruneck.'' In: Ernst Steinicke (Hrsg.): ''Europaregion Tirol, Südtirol, Trentino. Band 3: Spezialexkursionen in Südtirol.'' Institut für Geographie der Universität Innsbruck, Innsbruck 2003, {{ISBN|3-901182-35-7}}, S. 14.</ref>

=== Valleys ===
]
The three main valleys of South Tyrol are the ], the ] and the ], formed by the Ice Age Adige glacier and its tributaries. The highest part of the Adige valley in western South Tyrol, from Reschen ({{convert|1507|m|ft|0|disp=or}}) to Töll (approx. {{convert|500|m|ft|disp=or}}) near Merano, is called Vinschgau; the southernmost section, from Bolzano to Salurner Klause ({{convert|207|m|ft|0|disp=or}}), is divided into Überetsch and Unterland. From there, the Adige Valley continues in a southerly direction until it merges with the Po plain at ].

At Bolzano, the Eisack Valley merges into the Adige Valley. The Eisack Valley runs from Bolzano northeastward to Franzensfeste, where it merges with the Wipp Valley, which runs first northwestward and then northward over the Brenner Pass to Innsbruck. In the town of Brixen, the Eisack Valley meets the Puster Valley, which passes through Bruneck and reaches Lienz via the Toblacher Sattel ({{convert|1210|m|ft|0|disp=or}}). In addition to the three main valleys, South Tyrol has a large number of side valleys. The most important and populated side valleys are (from west to east) Sulden, Schnals, Ulten, Passeier, Ridnaun, the Sarntal, Pfitsch, Gröden, the Gadertal, the Tauferer Ahrntal and Antholz.

In mountainous South Tyrol, about 64.5% of the total ] is above {{convert|1500|m|ft}} above sea level and only 14% below {{convert|1000|m|ft}}.<ref>Reinhard Kuntzke, Christiane Hauch: ''Südtirol. DuMont Reise-Taschenbuch''. Dumont Reiseverlag, Ostfildern 2012, {{ISBN|978-3-7701-7251-1}}, S. 44.</ref> Therefore, a large part of the ] is concentrated in relatively small areas in the valleys at an altitude of between {{convert|100|and|1200|m|ft}}, mainly in the area of the extensive alluvial cones and broad basins. The most densely populated areas are in the Adige valley, where three of the four largest cities, Bolzano, Merano and Laives, are located. The flat valley bottoms are mainly used for agriculture.

=== Hydrography ===
]
The most important river in South Tyrol is the ], which rises at the Reschen Pass, flows for a distance of about {{convert|140|km|mi}} to the border at the Salurner Klause, and then flows into the Po Valley and the Adriatic Sea. The Adige, whose total length of {{convert|415|km|mi|0}} in Italy is exceeded only by the ], drains 97% of the territory's surface area. Its river system also includes the Eisack, about {{convert|100|km|mi}} long, and the Rienz, about {{convert|80|km|mi}} long, the next two largest rivers in South Tyrol. They are fed by numerous rivers and streams in the tributary valleys. The most important tributaries are the Plima, the Passer, the Falschauer, the Talfer, the Ahr and the Gader. The remaining 3% of the area is drained by the ] and ] river systems to the ] and by the ] system to the ], respectively.<ref>{{Cite web|last=SPA|first=Südtiroler Informatik AG {{!}} Informatica Alto Adige|title=Landesagentur für Umwelt und Klimaschutz {{!}} Autonome Provinz Bozen - Südtirol|url=https://umwelt.provinz.bz.it/default.asp|access-date=2021-06-07|website=Landesagentur für Umwelt und Klimaschutz|language=de}}</ref>

In South Tyrol there are 176 natural ]s with an area of more than half a ] (1¼ acre), most of which are located above {{convert|2000|m|ft}} ]. Only 13 natural lakes are larger than 5 ha, and only three of them are situated below {{convert|1000|m|ft}} altitude: the Kalterer See ({{convert|215|m|ft|0|disp=comma}}), the Großer ({{convert|492|m|ft|0|disp=comma}}) and the Kleiner ] ({{convert|514|m|ft|0|disp=comma}}). Fourteen South Tyrolean reservoirs used for energy production include the Reschensee ({{convert|1498|m|ft|0|disp=comma}}), which with an area of {{convert|523|ha|sqmi|sigfig=3}} forms the largest standing body of water in South Tyrol, the Zufrittsee ({{convert|1850|m|ft|0|disp=comma}}) and the Arzkarsee ({{convert|2250|m|ft|0|disp=comma}}).

The ]s designated by the province of South Tyrol include numerous hydrological objects, such as streams, waterfalls, moors, glaciers and mountain lakes like the Pragser Wildsee ({{convert|1494|m|ft|0|disp=comma}}), the Karersee ({{convert|1519|m|ft|0|disp=comma}}) or the Spronser Seen ({{convert|2117|-|2589|m|ft|0|disp=comma}}).<ref>{{Cite web|last=SPA|first=Südtiroler Informatik AG {{!}} Informatica Alto Adige|title=Natur, Landschaft und Raumentwicklung {{!}} Landesverwaltung {{!}} Autonome Provinz Bozen - Südtirol|url=https://www.provinz.bz.it/natur-umwelt/natur-raum/default.asp|access-date=2021-06-07|website=Landesverwaltung|language=de}}</ref>

=== Vegetation ===
]
Approximately 50% of the area of South Tyrol is covered by ],<ref>{{Cite web|date=2015-04-02|title=Südtirols Wald: Flächen {{!}} Abteilung Forstwirtschaft {{!}} Autonome Provinz Bozen - Südtirol|url=http://www.provinz.bz.it/forst/wald-holz-almen/zahlen.asp|access-date=2021-06-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402175530/http://www.provinz.bz.it/forst/wald-holz-almen/zahlen.asp|archive-date=2 April 2015}}</ref> another 40% is above {{convert|2000|m|ft}} and thus largely beyond the forest demarcation line, which varies between {{convert|1900|and|2200|m|ft}}. In each case, more than half of the total forest area is located on land with a slope steeper than 20° and at ] between {{convert|1200|and|1800|m|ft}}. Approximately 24% of the forest area can be classified as ] preserving settlements, traffic routes and other human ]. A 1997 study classified about 35% of South Tyrol's forests as near-natural or natural, about 41% as moderately modified and about 24% as heavily modified or artificial. The forests are found in the valley bottoms.

The flat valley bottoms were originally completely covered with ] forests, of which only very small remnants remain along the ]s. The remaining areas have given way to settlements and ]. On the valley slopes, sub-Mediterranean mixed deciduous forests are found up to {{convert|800|or|900|m|ft}} altitude, characterized mainly by manna ash, hop hornbeam, hackberry, sweet chestnut and downy ]. From about {{convert|600|m|ft}} of altitude, red beech or pine forests can appear instead, colonizing difficult and arid sites (more rarely). At altitudes between {{convert|800|and|1500|m|ft}}, spruce forests are found; between {{convert|900|and|2000|m|ft}}, montane and subalpine spruce forests predominate. The latter are often mixed with tree species such as larch, rowan, white pine and ]. The larch and stone pine forests at the upper edge of the forest belt occupy relatively small areas. Beyond the forest edge, subalpine dwarf shrub communities, alpine ] and, lately, alpine ] dominate the landscape as vegetation types.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2015-04-02|title=Lebensgemeinschaft Wald {{!}} Abteilung Forstwirtschaft {{!}} Autonome Provinz Bozen - Südtirol|url=http://www.provinz.bz.it/forst/wald-holz-almen/lebensgemeinschaft.asp|access-date=2021-06-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402100820/http://www.provinz.bz.it/forst/wald-holz-almen/lebensgemeinschaft.asp|archive-date=2 April 2015}}</ref>

== Politics ==
{{Main|Politics of South Tyrol}}
]
] was governor of South Tyrol from 1989 until 2014.]]

The local government system is based upon the provisions of the ] and the Autonomy Statute of the Region ].<ref>{{cite web
| title = Special Statute for Trentino-Alto Adige
| url = http://www.provincia.bz.it/lpa/autonomy/autonomy_statute_eng.pdf
| access-date = 14 November 2007 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070926105444/http://www.provincia.bz.it/lpa/autonomy/autonomy_statute_eng.pdf |archive-date = 26 September 2007}}</ref> The 1972 second Statute of Autonomy for Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol ] most legislative and executive competences from the regional level to the provincial level, creating '']'' two separate regions.

The considerable ] of the province is vested in an assembly, the ] (German: ''Südtiroler Landtag''; Italian: ''Consiglio della Provincia Autonoma di Bolzano''; Ladin: ''Cunsëi dla Provinzia Autonoma de Bulsan'').
The legislative powers of the assembly are defined by the second Statute of Autonomy.

The executive powers are attributed to the ] (German: ''Landesregierung''; Italian: ''Giunta Provinciale'') headed by the '']'' ].<ref>{{cite news
| title = The South Tyrol Success Story: Italy's German-Speaking Province Escapes the Crisis
| url = http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/the-south-tyrol-success-story-italy-s-german-speaking-province-escapes-the-crisis-a-713438.html
| date = 25 August 2010
| quote=Durnwalder's party, the South Tyrolean People's Party (SVP), ...has ruled the province with an absolute or relative majority since 1948.
| access-date = 24 November 2012 | newspaper = Spiegel Online
| last1 = Mayr
| first1 = Walter
}}</ref> He belongs to the ], which has been governing with a parliamentary majority since 1948. South Tyrol is characterized by long sitting presidents, having only had two presidents between 1960 and 2014 (] 1960–1989, ] 1989–2014).

A fiscal regime allows the province to retain a large part of most levied taxes, in order to execute and administer its competences. Nevertheless, South Tyrol remains a net contributor to the Italian national budget.<ref>{{cite web
| title = Dati Regionali 2012 shock: Residuo Fiscale (saldo attivo per 95 miliardi al Nord)
| url = http://scenarieconomici.it/dati-regionali-2012-shock-residuo-fiscale-saldo-attivo-per-95-miliardi-al-nord/
| date = 27 May 2013
| access-date = 19 September 2014 }}</ref>

=== Last provincial elections ===
{{main|2023 Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol provincial elections#South Tyrol}}
{{Election results
|image=]
|party1=]
|votes1=97092
|seats1=13
|sc1={{red|−2}}
|party2=]
|votes2=31201
|seats2=4
|sc2={{red|−2}}
|party3=]
|votes3=30583
|seats3=4
|sc3={{green|+2}}
|color3 =#8C001A
|party4=]
|votes4=25445
|seats4=3
|sc4=±0
|party5=]
|votes5=16747
|seats5=2
|sc5={{green|+1}}
|party6=]
|votes6=16596
|seats6=2
|sc6=New
|color6=#E74617
|party7=]
|votes7=13836
|seats7=2
|sc7=±0
|color7=#1560BD
|party8=]
|votes8=9707
|seats8=1
|sc8=±0
|party9=]
|votes9=9646
|seats9=1
|sc9=±0
|party10=]–United for Alto Adige
|votes10=8541
|seats10=1
|sc10={{red|−3}}
|color10=#008000
|party11=La Civica
|votes11=7301
|seats11=1
|sc11=New
|color11=#6295C8
|party12=]
|votes12=7222
|seats12=1
|sc12=New
|party13=]
|votes13=2086
|seats13=–
|sc13={{red|−1}}
|party14=Enzian
|votes14=1990
|seats14=±0
|sc14=New
|color14=#286cab
|party15=]
|votes15=1625
|seats15=–
|sc15=±0
|party16=Centre-Right
|votes16=1601
|seats16=–
|sc16=New
|color16=#0a6be1
|invalid={{#expr:3014+6066}}
|electorate=429841|source=
}}

{{bar box
|title=Popular vote
|titlebar=#ddd
|width=550px
|barwidth=500px
|bars=
{{bar percent|]|{{party color|South Tyrolean People's Party}}|34.53}}
{{bar percent|]|#FCD300|11.09}}
{{bar percent|]|#8C001A|10.88}}
{{bar percent|]|{{party color|Greens (South Tyrol)}}|9.05}}
{{bar percent|]|{{party color|Brothers of Italy}}|5.96}}
{{bar percent|]|#E74617|5.90}}
{{bar percent|]|#1560BD|4.92}}
{{bar percent|]|{{party color|Democratic Party (Italy)}}|3.45}}
{{bar percent|]|{{party color|For South Tyrol with Widmann}}|3.43}}
{{bar percent|]|{{party color|Lega (political party)}}|3.04}}
{{bar percent|Civica|#6295C8|2.60}}
{{bar percent|]|{{party color|Vita (electoral list)}}|2.57}}
{{bar percent|]|{{party color|Five Star Movement}}|0.74}}
{{bar percent|Enzian|#286cab|0.71}}
{{Bar percent|]|{{party color|Forza Italia (2013)}}|0.58}}
{{Bar percent|CD|{{party color|Centre-right coalition (Italy)}}|0.57}}
}}</onlyinclude>

=== List of governors ===
{{main|List of governors of South Tyrol}}
{{:List of governors of South Tyrol}}

=== Provincial Government ===
]
The provincial government (''Landesregierung'') of South Tyrol (formerly also called provincial committee, ''Giunta provinciale'' in ], ''Junta provinziala'' in ]) consists of a provincial ] and a variable number of provincial ]. Currently (2021), the provincial government consists of eight provincial councilors and the provincial governor. The deputies of the provincial governor are appointed from among the provincial councilors. The current governor is Arno Kompatscher (SVP), his deputies are the provincial councilors Arnold Schuler (SVP), Giuliano Vettorato (LN) and Daniel Alfreider (SVP).

The Governor and the Provincial Councilors are elected by ] by secret ballot with an ] of votes. The composition of the provincial government must in any case reflect the ] of the German and Italian language groups in the provincial parliament. In the past, this provision prevented the German-dominated South Tyrol People's Party (SVP) from governing alone and allowed Italian parties to participate in the provincial government. Since the Ladin language group, with just under 4% of South Tyrol's resident population, has little electoral potential, a separate provision in the autonomy statute allows Ladin representation in the provincial government regardless of their proportional representation in the provincial parliament.

=== Secessionist movement ===
{{Main|South Tyrolean secessionist movement}}

Given the region's historical and cultural association with neighboring Austria, calls for the secession of South Tyrol and its reunification with Austria do surface from time to time among some minor groups of German-speakers, although falling short of a majority in the province, the majority does not support a separation.<ref name=nat>{{cite web|title=South Tyrol heading to unofficial independence referendum in autumn|url=http://www.nationalia.info/en/news/1508|work=7 March 2013|publisher=Nationalia.info|access-date=28 March 2014}}</ref> Among the political parties that support South Tyrol's reunification into Austria are ], ] and ].<ref>{{cite web|title=Website of South Tylorean Freedom|url=http://www.suedtiroler-freiheit.com|access-date=28 March 2014}}</ref>

==Economy==
] and ] in the background]]
In 2016 South Tyrol had a ] of €42,600, making it the richest province in Italy and one of the richest in the European Union.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/documents/2995521/8700651/1-28022018-BP-EN/15f5fd90-ce8b-4927-9a3b-07dc255dc42a|title=Regional GDP in the European Union, 2016}}</ref>

The unemployment level in 2007 was roughly 2.4% (2.0% for men and 3.0% for women). Residents are employed in a variety of sectors, from ]&nbsp;— the province is a large producer of apples, and its ] are also renowned&nbsp;— to ] to ], especially ]. Spas located on the Italian Alps have become a favorite for tourists seeking wellness.<ref name="Rysman_2019_Wellness">{{cite news |last1=Rysman |first1=Laura |title=Italian Alpine Spas, Where Sports Are an Afterthought |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/04/travel/spas-italy-alps.html?action=click&module=Editors%20Picks&pgtype=Homepage |work=NYT |date=4 February 2019}}</ref>

South Tyrol is home to numerous ] companies, some of which are the global market leaders in their sectors: the Leitner Group that specializes in ] and ], TechnoAlpin AG, which is the global market leader in snow-making technology and the ] company ].
] on Mount Seceda in the ]]]

The unemployment rate stood at 3.8% in 2020.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://appsso.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/nui/show.do?dataset=lfst_r_lfu3rt&lang=en|title=Unemployment NUTS 2 regions Eurostat|language=en}}</ref>

===Transport===
]
The region is, together with northern and eastern Tyrol, an important transit point between southern Germany and ]. Freights by road and rail pass through here. One of the most important highways is the ], also called the ''Autostrada del Brennero''. It connects to the ] in Austria.

The ] of South Tyrol is the two-letter provincial code <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Bz</span> for the capital city, Bolzano. Along with the autonomous Trentino (<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Tn</span>) and ] (<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Ao</span>), South Tyrol is allowed to surmount its license plates with its coat of arms.

Rail transport goes over the ]. The ] is a major line connecting the ] and ] from ] and ] climbing the ], passing over the Brenner Pass and descending down the ] to Bolzano and then down the Adige Valley from Bolzano to Rovereto and to Verona. The line is part of the ] of ] (TEN-T).

Other railways are the ], ] and ]. Due to the steep slopes of the mountains, a number of ]s exist, such as the ] and ].

The ] is under construction and scheduled to be completed by 2025. With a planned length of {{convert|55|km|mi}}, this tunnel will increase freight train average speed to {{convert|120|km/h|mph}} and reduce transit time by over an hour.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Brenner Base Tunnel|url=http://www.bbt-se.com/en/did-you-know/|publisher=Brenner Basistunnel BBT SE|access-date=21 April 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160202005914/http://www.bbt-se.com/en/did-you-know/|archive-date=2 February 2016}}</ref>

Larger cities used to have their own tramway system, such as the ] and ]. These were replaced after the Second World War with buses. Many other cities and municipalities have their own bus system or are connected with each other by it.

The ] is the only airport serving the region.

== Demographics ==

=== Languages ===
{{Further|History of South Tyrol#Linguistic and demographic history}}
{{Infobox country languages
| country = <br />South Tyrol.<br />Majorities per municipality in 2024:
| image = Language distribution in South Tyrol, Italy 2024, en.svg
| image size = 280px
| official = {{legend|#40c040|]}} {{legend|#3f3fff|]}} {{legend|#ff0000|]}}
| main =
| regional =
| source = }}
] are issued in three languages (Italian, German, English) in South Tyrol.]]{{Historical populations|1921|254,735|1931|282,158|7=1951|8=333,900|9=1961|10=373,863|11=1971|12=414,041|13=1981|14=430,568|15=1991|16=440,508|17=2001|18=462,999|19=2011|20=504,643|21=2021|22=532,616|type=|footnote=Source: ]}}German and Italian are both official languages of South Tyrol. In some eastern municipalities Ladin is the third official language.

A majority of the inhabitants of contemporary South Tyrol speak the native ] dialect of the German language. ] plays a dominant role in education and media. All citizens have the right to use their own mother tongue, even at court. Schools are separated for each language group. All traffic signs are officially bi- or trilingual. Most Italian place names were translated from German by Italian ], the author of the {{lang|it|]}}.<ref>{{Citation
|last=Steininger
|first=Rolf
|year=2003
|title=South Tyrol: A Minority Conflict of the Twentieth Century
|publisher=Transaction Publishers
| location=New Brunswick, New Jersey
|pages=21–46
|isbn=978-0-7658-0800-4
}}</ref>

To reach a fair allocation of jobs in public service a system called ethnic proportion ({{langx|it|proporzionale etnica}}, {{langx|de|ethnischer Proporz}}) has been established. Every ten years, when the general census of population takes place, each Italian citizen has to declare the linguistic group to which they belong or want to be aggregated to. According to the results they decide how many people of which group are going to be employed in public service.{{cn|date=January 2024}}

At the time of the annexation of the southern part of ] by Italy in 1919, the overwhelming majority of the population spoke German and identified with the Austrian or German nationality: in 1910, according to the last population census before ], the German-speaking population numbered 224,000, the Ladin 9,000 and the Italian 7,000.<ref name="Provincial Statistics Institute of the Autonomous Province of South Tyrol"/>

As a result of the Italianization of South Tyrol about 22.6% of the population are Italian-speakers (they were 33%, 138,000 of 414,000 inhabitants in the 1971 census) according to the census of 2024. 102 out of 116 ] have a majority of German native speakers, eight have a Ladin-speaking majority, and six a majority of Italian speakers. The Italian-speaking population lives mainly around the provincial capital ], where they are the majority (74.7% of the inhabitants), and partially a result of ]'s policy of Italianisation after he took power in 1922, when he encouraged immigration from the rest of Italy.<ref name="Steininger 2003"/>

The other five ] where the Italian-speaking population is the majority are ], ], ], ] and ]. The eight ] with ] majorities are: ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ]. Most of the immigrants from South Tyrol to the United States identify themselves as being of German rather than Austrian identity. According to the United States Census Bureau, in 2015, there were 365 individuals living in the U.S. born in Italy who identified themselves as being of Austrian ancestry.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=Austrian | title=Explore Census Data }}</ref> By contrast, in the same year, there were 1040 individuals living in the U.S. born in Italy who identified themselves as being of German ancestry.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=German | title=Explore Census Data }}</ref>

The linguistic breakdown according to the census of 2024:<ref>{{cite web
| title = Statistisches Jahrbuch für Südtirol 2024 / Annuario statistico della Provincia di Bolzano 2024
| work = 03 Bevölkerung
| url = https://astat.provinz.bz.it/downloads/JB2024_K3.pdf
| access-date = 23 December 2024}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable" align="center"
|-
! Language !! Number !! %
|-
| German || 309,000 || 68.61%
|-
| Italian || 121,520 || 26.98%
|-
| Ladin || 19,853 || 4.41%
|-
| Total || 450,373 || 100%
|-
|}

=== Religion ===
The majority of the population is Christian, mostly in the Catholic tradition. The ] corresponds to the territory of the province of South Tyrol. Since 27 July 2011 the bishop of Bolzano-Brixen is Ivo Muser.

==== Catholic Church ====
]
The vast majority of the population of South Tyrol is baptized Catholic. There is ] evidence of early Christian sites in the area as early as Late Antiquity;<ref>Leo Andergassen: ''Südtirol – Kunst vor Ort''. Athesia, Bozen 2002, {{ISBN|88-8266-111-3}}, S. 7.</ref> Säben in the Eisack Valley became an important ecclesiastical center during this period, which was only replaced by Brixen as an episcopal see in the late ]. The territory of present-day South Tyrol was divided for ] between the dioceses of Brixen, Chur (until 1808/1816) and Trent (until 1964).<ref>Heinrich Kofler: ''Geschichte des Dekanats Schlanders von seiner Errichtung im Jahr 1811 bis zur freiwilligen Demission von Dekan Josef Schönauer 1989.'' In: Marktgemeinde Schlanders (Hrsg.): ''Schlanders und seine Geschichte. Band 2: Von 1815 bis zur Gegenwart''. Tappeiner, Lana 2010, {{ISBN|978-88-7073-531-4}}, S. 11–186, insbesondere S. 11–15 (PDF-Datei)</ref>

The most famous bishop of Brixen was the polymath Nicholas of Cusa. Important figures of the regional ] life in the 19th century were the beatified bishop of Trent Johann Nepomuk von Tschiderer and the mystic Maria von Mörl.

In 1964, with reference to modern political boundaries, the Bishopric of Brixen, which had lost its extensive territories of North and East Tyrol after ], was enlarged to form the Diocese of Bolzano-Brixen, whose extension is now identical to that of the province of South Tyrol. Since then, the faithful have been led by Bishops Joseph Gargitter (1964-1986), Wilhelm Egger (1986-2008), Karl Golser (2008-2011) and Ivo Muser (since 2011). The diocese comprises 28 deaneries and 281 parishes (in 2014), 23 its episcopal churches are the ] and the ]. Cassian and Vigilius are venerated as diocesan patrons.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Diözesanpatrone Hl. Kassian und Hl. Vigilius|url=http://www.bz-bx.net/home_deu/di_ouml_zese/00022508_Patrone.html|url-status=dead|access-date=6 June 2021|archive-date=10 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160610184515/http://www.bz-bx.net/home_deu/di_ouml_zese/00022508_Patrone.html}}</ref> Important references in the current discourses of the local Catholic Church are St. Joseph Freinademetz and Blessed Joseph Mayr-Nusser.

==== Other communities ====
There is a ] community in ] (founded 1861) and another one in ] (founded 1889). Since the Middle Ages the ] presence has been documented in South Tyrol. In 1901 the ] of Merano was built. As of 2015, South Tyrol was home to about 14,000 ].<ref>{{cite news |last=Parteli |first=Elisabeth |date=15 January 2015 |title=Verdächtig religiös (German) |url=https://www.ff-bz.com/ |newspaper= ff – Südtiroler Wochenmagazin, Nr. 4 |pages=36–47 |access-date=11 December 2016}}</ref>

== Culture ==
=== Traditions ===
South Tyrol has long-standing traditions, mainly inherited from its membership in the historical ]. The ] associations are particularly fond of Tyrolean traditions.
]
The Scheibenschlagen are the traditional "throwing of burning discs" on the first Sunday of Lent, the Herz-Jesu-Feuer are the "fires of the ]" that are lit on the third Sunday after ]. The ] are disguised ]s who accompany St Nicholas.

There are also several ]s and ]s linked to the peoples of the Dolomites; among the best known are the legend of ] and that of the ], which belongs to the ] mythological heritage.

] (from German ''Almabtrieb''), is a farm practice: every year, between September and October, the livestock that stayed on the high pastures is brought back to the valley, with traditional music and dances. Especially, the transhumance between the ] (in Austria) and ] and ] was recognised by ] as universal intangible heritage in 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.unesco.beniculturali.it/en/projects/transumanza/|title=Transumance|access-date=27 December 2020|archive-date=20 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200820212253/https://www.unesco.beniculturali.it/en/projects/transumanza/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== Education ===
{{Main|School system in South Tyrol}}

=== Architecture ===
]
], which gave the wider region its name]]
The region features a large number of castles and churches. Many of the castles and ]e were built by the local nobility and the Habsburg rulers. See ].

===Museums===
Among the major museums of South Tyrol are:
* the ], which has the mummy of ]
* the ], Museum of modern and contemporary art of Bolzano
* the ] of ]
* the ] museum

=== Media ===
German-language TV channels in South Tyrol:
* ]<ref></ref>
* ]
* ]
* ]

=== Music ===
The ] and the ] are considered to be the unofficial anthems of South Tyrol.<ref>Rainer Seberich (1979). "Singen unter dem Faschismus: Ein Untersuchungsbericht zur politischen und kulturellen Bedeutung der Volksliedpflege". '']'', 50,4, 1976, pp. 209–218, here p. 212.</ref>

The ]al group ] from ] and the rock band ] from ] have received high recognition in the German-speaking part of the world.{{citation needed|date=July 2013}}

Award-winning ] producer ] was born and raised in South Tyrol in a mixed Italian, German and Ladin-speaking environment.

=== Sports ===
South Tyrolese have been successful at ] and they regularly form a large part of Italy's contingent at the ]: in the last edition (2022), South Tyroleans won 3 out of the 17 Italian medals, all three bronzes (of which two won by German-speaking South Tyroleans). Famed mountain climber ], the first climber to climb ] without the use of ], was born and raised in the region. Other successful South Tyrolese include ]r ], figure skater ], skier ], luge and ] medallist ], tennis players ] and ], and former team principal of Haas F1 Team in the FIA Formula One World Championship ].

HC Interspar ] are one of Italy's most successful ice hockey teams, while the most important football club in South Tyrol is ], which won its first-ever promotion to ] in 2022.

The province is famous worldwide for its ] opportunities, while in winter it is home to a number of popular ski resorts including ], ] and ].

==See also==
* ]

==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Notelist}}

==Bibliography==
* {{in lang|de}} Gottfried Solderer (ed.) (1999–2004). ''Das 20. Jahrhundert in Südtirol''. 6 Vol., Bozen: Raetia Verlag. {{ISBN|978-88-7283-137-3}}.
* Antony E. Alcock (2003). ''The History of the South Tyrol Question''. London: Michael Joseph. 535 pp.
* ] (2003). ''South Tyrol: A Minority Conflict of the Twentieth Century''. New Brunswick, New Jersey: Transaction Publishers. {{ISBN|978-0-7658-0800-4}}.
* Georg Grote (2012). ''The South Tyrol Question 1866–2010. From National Rage to Regional State''. Oxford: Peter Lang. {{ISBN|978-3-03911-336-1}}.
* Georg Grote, Hannes Obermair (2017). ''A Land on the Threshold. South Tyrolean Transformations, 1915–2015.'' Oxford/Bern/New York: Peter Lang. {{ISBN|978-3-0343-2240-9}}.

==External links==
{{Commons category|South Tyrol}}
{{wikivoyage|South Tyrol}}
*
*
*
* {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160411185650/https://www.sentres.com/en/south-tyrol/map |date=11 April 2016 }}

{{Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol}}
{{South Tyrol|nocat=yes}}
{{Districts of South Tyrol|nocat=yes}}

{{Authority control}}

]
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Latest revision as of 18:03, 23 December 2024

Autonomous province of Italy This article is about the Italian administrative division. For other uses, see South Tyrol (disambiguation). "Alto Adige" redirects here. For other uses, see Alto Adige (disambiguation).

Autonomous province in Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol, Italy
South Tyrol Südtirol (German)
Alto Adige (Italian)
Südtirol (Ladin)
Autonomous province
Autonomous Province of Bolzano – South Tyrol
Autonome Provinz Bozen – Südtirol (German)
Provincia autonoma di Bolzano - Alto Adige (Italian)
Provinzia Autonoma de Balsan/Bulsan – Südtirol (Ladin)
Flag of South TyrolFlagCoat of arms of TyrolCoat of arms
Anthem: Bozner Bergsteigerlied (unofficial)
Map highlighting the location of the province of South Tyrol in Italy (in red)Map highlighting the location of the province of South Tyrol in Italy (in red)
Coordinates: 46°30′0″N 11°21′0″E / 46.50000°N 11.35000°E / 46.50000; 11.35000
CountryItaly
RegionTrentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol
Capital(s)Bolzano
Comuni116
Government
 • BodyProvincial Council
 • GovernorArno Kompatscher (SVP)
Area
 • Total7,399.97 km (2,857.14 sq mi)
Population
 • Total531,178
 • Density72/km (190/sq mi)
GDP
 • Total€21.603 billion (2015)
 • Per capita€41,568 (2015)
Time zoneUTC+01:00 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+02:00 (CEST)
Postal code39XXX
Telephone prefix0471, 0472, 0473, 0474
Vehicle registrationBZ
HDI (2022)0.925
very high 5th of 21
ISTAT021
Websitewww.provincia.bz.it

South Tyrol (German: Südtirol [ˈzyːttiˌʁoːl] , locally [ˈsyːtiˌroːl]; Italian: Alto Adige [ˈalto ˈaːdidʒe]; Ladin: Südtirol) is an autonomous province in northern Italy. An English translation of the official German and Italian names could be the Autonomous Province of Bolzano – South Tyrol, reflecting the multilingualism and different naming conventions in the area. Together with Trentino, South Tyrol forms the autonomous region of Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol. The province is the northernmost of Italy, the second largest with an area of 7,400 square kilometres (2,857 sq mi), and has a total population of about 534,000 inhabitants as of 2021. Its capital and largest city is Bolzano.

The Atlas Tyrolensis, showing the entire County of Tyrol, printed in Vienna in 1774

The province is granted a considerable level of self-government, consisting of a large range of exclusive legislative and executive powers and a fiscal regime that allows it to retain 90% of revenue, while remaining a net contributor to the national budget. As of 2023, South Tyrol is the wealthiest province in Italy and among the wealthiest in the European Union.

In the wider context of the European Union, the province is one of the three members of the Tyrol–South Tyrol–Trentino Euroregion, which corresponds almost exactly to the historical region of Tyrol. The other members are the Austrian federal state Tyrol to the north and east, and the Italian autonomous province of Trento to the south.

According to the 2024 census, 57.6% of the population used German as their first language (standard German in the written form and the South Tyrolean dialect of Austro-Bavarian in the spoken form); 22.6% of the population spoke Italian, mainly in and around the two largest cities (Bolzano and Merano); 3.7% spoke Ladin, a Rhaeto-Romance language; 16.1% of the population (mainly recent immigrants) spoke another native language in addition to Italian and German. Of 116 South Tyrolean municipalities, 102 have a German-speaking, eight a Ladin-speaking, and six an Italian-speaking majority. The Italianization of South Tyrol and the settlement of Italians from the rest of Italy after 1918 significantly modified local demographics.

Name

A map from 1874 showing South Tirol with approximately the borders of today's South and East Tyrol

South Tyrol (occasionally South Tirol) is the term most commonly used in English for the province, and its usage reflects that it was created from a portion of the southern part of the historic County of Tyrol, a former state of the Holy Roman Empire and crown land of the Austrian Empire of the Habsburgs. German and Ladin speakers usually refer to the area as Südtirol; the Italian equivalent Sudtirolo (sometimes parsed Sud Tirolo) is becoming increasingly common.

Alto Adige (literally translated in English: "Upper Adige"), one of the Italian names for the province, is also used in English. The term had been the name of political subdivisions along the Adige River in the time of Napoleon Bonaparte, who created the Department of Alto Adige, part of the Napoleonic Kingdom of Italy. It was reused as the Italian name of the current province after its post-World War I creation, and was a symbol of the subsequent forced Italianization of South Tyrol.

The official name of the province today in German is Autonome Provinz Bozen — Südtirol. German speakers usually refer to it not as a Provinz, but as a Land (like the Länder of Germany and Austria). Provincial institutions are referred to using the prefix Landes-, such as Landesregierung (state government) and Landeshauptmann (governor). The official name in Italian is Provincia autonoma Bolzano — Alto Adige, in Ladin Provinzia autonoma Bulsan — Südtirol.

History

Main article: History of South Tyrol

Annexation by Italy

South Tyrol as an administrative entity originated during the First World War. The Allies promised the area to Italy in the Treaty of London of 1915 as an incentive to enter the war on their side. Until 1918, it was part of the Austro-Hungarian princely County of Tyrol, but this almost completely German-speaking territory was occupied by Italy at the end of the war in November 1918 and was annexed to the Kingdom of Italy in 1919. The province as it exists today was created in 1926 after an administrative reorganization of the Kingdom of Italy, and was incorporated together with the province of Trento into the newly created region of Venezia Tridentina ("Trentine Venetia").

With the rise of Italian Fascism, the new regime made efforts to bring forward the Italianization of South Tyrol. The German language was banished from public service, German teaching was officially forbidden, and German newspapers were censored (with the exception of the fascistic Alpenzeitung). The regime also favoured immigration from other Italian regions.

Main article: South Tyrol Option Agreement

The subsequent alliance between Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini declared that South Tyrol would not follow the destiny of Austria, which had been annexed by Nazi Germany. Instead the dictators agreed that the German-speaking population be transferred to German-ruled territory or dispersed around Italy, but the outbreak of the Second World War prevented them from fully carrying out their plans. Every citizen was given the choice to give up their German cultural identity and stay in fascist Italy, or to leave their homeland for Nazi Germany to retain their cultural identity. This resulted in the division of South Tyrolese families.

In this tense relationship for the population, Walter Caldonazzi from Mals was part of the resistance group around the priest Heinrich Maier, which passed plans and information about production facilities for V-1 rockets, V-2 rockets, Tiger tanks, Messerschmitt Bf 109, and Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet and other aircraft to the Allies. The group planned for an independent Austria with a monarchical form of government after the war, which would include Austria, Bavaria and South Tyrol.

In 1943, when the Italian government signed an armistice with the Allies, the region was occupied by Nazi Germany, which reorganised it as the Operation Zone of the Alpine Foothills and put it under the administration of Gauleiter Franz Hofer. The region was de facto annexed to the German Reich (with the addition of the province of Belluno) until the end of the war. Italian rule was restored in 1945 as the Nazi regime ended.

Gruber–De Gasperi Agreement

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Austrians demonstrating in 1946 at a peace conference in favour of having the southern Tyrol region returned to Austria

After the war, the Allies decided that the province would remain a part of Italy, under the condition that the German-speaking population be granted a significant level of self-government. Italy and Austria negotiated an agreement in 1946, recognizing the rights of the German minority. Alcide De Gasperi, Italy's prime minister, a native of Trentino, wanted to extend the autonomy to his fellow citizens. This led to the creation of the region called Trentino-Alto Adige/Tiroler Etschland. The Gruber–De Gasperi Agreement of September 1946 was signed by the Italian and Austrian Foreign Ministers, creating the autonomous region of Trentino-South Tyrol, consisting of the autonomous provinces of Trentino and South Tyrol. German and Italian were both made official languages, and German-language education was permitted once more. Still Italians were the majority in the combined region.

This, together with the arrival of new Italian-speaking immigrants, led to strong dissatisfaction among South Tyrolese, which culminated in terrorist acts perpetrated by the Befreiungsausschuss Südtirol (BAS – Liberation Committee of South Tyrol). In the first phase, only public edifices and fascist monuments were targeted. The second phase was bloodier, costing 21 lives (15 members of Italian security forces, two civilians, and four terrorists).

Südtirolfrage

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The South Tyrolean Question (Südtirolfrage) became an international issue. As the implementation of the post-war agreement was deemed unsatisfactory by the Austrian government, it became a cause of significant friction with Italy and was taken up by the United Nations in 1960. A fresh round of negotiations took place in 1961 but proved unsuccessful, partly because of the campaign of terrorism.

The issue was resolved in 1971, when a new Austro-Italian treaty was signed and ratified. It stipulated that disputes in South Tyrol would be submitted for settlement to the International Court of Justice in The Hague, that the province would receive greater autonomy within Italy, and that Austria would not interfere in South Tyrol's internal affairs. The new agreement proved broadly satisfactory to the parties involved, and the separatist tensions soon eased.

The autonomous status granted in 1972 has resulted in a considerable level of self-government, and also allows the entity to retain almost 90% of all levied taxes.

Autonomy

Plaque at a German-language school in both Italian and German

In 1992, Italy and Austria officially ended their dispute over the autonomy issue on the basis of the agreement of 1972.

The extensive self-government provided by the current institutional framework has been advanced as a model for settling interethnic disputes and for the successful protection of linguistic minorities. This is among the reasons why the Ladin municipalities of Cortina d'Ampezzo/Anpezo, Livinallongo del Col di Lana/Fodom and Colle Santa Lucia/Col have asked in a referendum to be detached from Veneto and reannexed to the province, from which they were separated under the fascist government.

Euroregion

The Euroregion Tyrol-South Tyrol-Trentino corresponds to the historic Tyrol region today (excluding Cortina, Livinallongo, Pedemonte and Valvestino).
   North and East Tyrol (Austria)    South Tyrol (Italy)    Trentino (Italy)

In 1996, the Euroregion Tyrol-South Tyrol-Trentino was formed between the Austrian state of Tyrol and the Italian provinces of South Tyrol and Trentino. The boundaries of the association correspond to the old County of Tyrol. The aim is to promote regional peace, understanding and cooperation in many areas. The region's assemblies meet together as one on various occasions, and have set up a common liaison office with the European Union in Brussels.

Geography

Detailed map of South Tyrol

South Tyrol is located at the northernmost point in Italy. The province is bordered by Austria to the east and north, specifically by the Austrian federal states Tyrol and Salzburg, and by the Swiss canton of Graubünden to the west. The Italian provinces of Belluno, Trentino, and Sondrio border to the southeast, south, and southwest, respectively.

The landscape itself is mostly cultivated with different types of shrubs and forests and is highly mountainous.

Entirely located in the Alps, the province's landscape is dominated by mountains. The highest peak is the Ortler (3,905 metres, 12,812 ft) in the far west, which is also the highest peak in the Eastern Alps outside the Bernina Range. Even more famous are the craggy peaks of the Dolomites in the eastern part of the region.

The following mountain groups are (partially) in South Tyrol. All but the Sarntal Alps are on the border with Austria, Switzerland, or other Italian provinces. The ranges are clockwise from the west and for each the highest peak is given that is within the province or on its border.

Ulten Valley
Name Highest peak (German/Italian) metres feet
Ortler Alps Ortler/Ortles 3,905 12,811
Sesvenna Range Muntpitschen/Monpiccio 3,162 10,374
Ötztal Alps Weißkugel/Palla Bianca 3,746 12,291
Stubai Alps Wilder Freiger/Cima Libera 3,426 11,241
Sarntal Alps Hirzer/Punta Cervina 2,781 9,124
Zillertal Alps Hochfeiler/Gran Pilastro 3,510 11,515
Hohe Tauern Dreiherrnspitze/Picco dei Tre Signori 3,499 11,480
Eastern Dolomites Dreischusterspitze/Punta Tre Scarperi 3,152 10,341
Western Dolomites Langkofel/Sassolungo 3,181 10,436

Located between the mountains are many valleys, where the majority of the population lives.

Administrative divisions

See also: Municipalities of South Tyrol

The province is divided into eight districts (German: Bezirksgemeinschaften, Italian: comunità comprensoriali), one of them being the chief city of Bolzano. Each district is headed by a president and two bodies called the district committee and the district council. The districts are responsible for resolving intermunicipal disputes and providing roads, schools, and social services such as retirement homes.

The province is further divided into 116 Gemeinden or comuni.

Districts

See also: Districts of Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol
Map of South Tyrol with its eight districts
District (German/Italian) Capital (German/Italian) Area Inhabitants
Bozen/Bolzano Bozen/Bolzano 52 km 107,436
Burggrafenamt/Burgraviato Meran/Merano 1,101 km 97,315
Pustertal/Val Pusteria Bruneck/Brunico  2,071 km 79,086
Überetsch-Unterland/Oltradige-Bassa Atesina Neumarkt/Egna 424 km 71,435
Eisacktal/Valle Isarco Brixen/Bressanone 624 km 49,840
Salten-Schlern/Salto-Sciliar Bozen/Bolzano 1,037 km 48,020
Vinschgau/Val Venosta Schlanders/Silandro 1,442 km 35,000
Wipptal/Alta Valle Isarco Sterzing/Vipiteno 650 km 18,220

Largest municipalities

The Laubengasse or Via dei portici, a street in the capital Bolzano
Brixen is the third largest city
German name Italian name Ladin name Inhabitants
Bozen Bolzano Balsan, Bulsan 107,724
Meran Merano Maran 40,926
Brixen Bressanone Persenon, Porsenù 22,423
Leifers Laives 18,097
Bruneck Brunico Bornech, Burnech 16,636
Eppan an der Weinstraße Appiano sulla Strada del Vino 14,990
Lana Lana 12,468
Kaltern an der Weinstraße Caldaro sulla Strada del Vino 7,512
Ritten Renon 7,507
Sarntal Sarentino 6,863
Kastelruth Castelrotto Ciastel 6,456
Sterzing Vipiteno 6,306
Schlanders Silandro 6,014
Ahrntal Valle Aurina 5,876
Naturns Naturno 5,440
Sand in Taufers Campo Tures 5,230
Latsch Laces 5,145
Klausen Chiusa Tluses, Tlüses 5,134
Mals Malles 5,050
Neumarkt Egna 4,926
Algund Lagundo 4,782
St. Ulrich Ortisei Urtijëi 4,606
Ratschings Racines 4,331
Terlan Terlano 4,132

Climate

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Climatically, South Tyrol may be divided into five distinct groups:

The Adige valley area, with cold winters (24-hour averages in January of about 0 °C (32 °F)) and warm summers (24-hour averages in July of about 23 °C (73 °F)), usually classified as humid subtropical climate — Cfa. It has the driest and sunniest climate of the province. The main city in this area is Bolzano.

The midlands, between 300 and 900 metres (980 and 2,950 ft), with cold winters (24-hour averages in January between −3 and 1 °C (27 and 34 °F)) and mild summers (24-hour averages in July between 15 and 21 °C (59 and 70 °F)). This is a typical oceanic climate, classified as Cfb. It is usually wetter than the subtropical climate, and very snowy during the winters. During the spring and autumn, there is an extended foggy season, but fog may occur even on summer mornings. Main towns in this area are Meran, Bruneck, Sterzing, and Brixen. Near the lakes in higher lands (between 1,000 and 1,400 metres (3,300 and 4,600 ft)) the humidity may make the climate in these regions milder during winter, but also cooler in summer, making it more similar to a subpolar oceanic climate, Cfc.

Meran/Merano in the summer

The alpine valleys between 900 and 1,400 metres (3,000 and 4,600 ft), with a typically humid continental climate — Dfb, covering the largest part of the province. The winters are usually very cold (24-hour averages in January between −8 and −3 °C (18 and 27 °F)), and the summers, mild with averages between 14 and 19 °C (57 and 66 °F). It is a very snowy climate; snow may occur from early October to April or even May. Main municipalities in this area are Urtijëi, Badia, Sexten, Toblach, Stilfs, Vöran, and Mühlwald.

The alpine valleys between 1,400 and 1,700 metres (4,600 and 5,600 ft), with a subarctic climate — Dfc, with harsh winters (24-hour averages in January between −9 and −5 °C (16 and 23 °F)) and cool, short, rainy and foggy summers (24-hour averages in July of about 12 °C (54 °F)). These areas usually have five months below the freezing point, and snow sometimes occurs even during the summer, in September. This climate is the wettest of the province, with large rainfalls during the summer, heavy snowfalls during spring and fall. The winter is usually a little drier, marked by freezing and dry weeks, although not sufficiently dry to be classified as a Dwc climate. Main municipalities in this area are Corvara, Sëlva, Santa Cristina Gherdëina.

The highlands above 1,700 metres (5,600 ft), with an alpine tundra climate, ET, which becomes an ice cap climate, EF, above 3,000 metres (9,800 ft). The winters are cold, but sometimes not as cold as the higher valleys' winters. In January, most of the areas at 2,000 metres (6,600 ft) have an average temperature of about −5 °C (23 °F), while in the valleys at about 1,600 metres (5,200 ft), the mean temperature may be as low as −8 or −9 °C (18 or 16 °F). The higher lands, above 3,000 metres (9,800 ft) are usually extremely cold, with averages of about −14 °C (7 °F) during the coldest month, January.

Geology

Langkofel group in the western Dolomites in winter

The periadriatic seam, which separates the Southern Alps from the Central Alps, runs through South Tyrol in a southwest–northeast direction. In South Tyrol at least three of the four main structural elements of the Alps come to light: the Southern Alpine comes to light south of the periadriatic suture, the Eastern Alpine north of it, and in the northern part of the country, east of the Brenner Pass, the Tauern window, in which the Peninsular and, according to some authors, the Helvetic are visible.

In South Tyrol, the following structure can be roughly recognized: The lowest floor forms the crystalline basement. About 280 million years ago, in the Lower Permian, multiple magmatic events occurred. At that time the Brixen granite was formed at the northern boundary of the Southern Alps, and at about the same time, further south in the Bolzano area, there was strong volcanic activity that formed the Adige Valley volcanic complex. In the Upper Permian a period began in which sedimentary rocks were formed. At first, these were partly clastic sediments, among which the Gröden sandstone is found. In the Triassic, massive carbonate platforms of dolomitic rocks then formed; this process was interrupted in the Middle Triassic by a brief but violent phase of volcanic activity.

In South Tyrol, the Eastern Alps consist mainly of metamorphic rocks, such as gneisses or mica schists, with occasional intercalations of marble and Mesozoic sedimentary rocks with metamorphic overprint (e.g., in the Ortler or southwest of the Brenner). Various metamorphic rocks are found in the Tauern Window, such as Hochstegen marble (as in Wolfendorn), Grünschiefer (as in Hochfeiler), or rocks of the Zentralgneiss (predominantly in the area of the Zillertal Main Ridge).

The province of South Tyrol has placed numerous geological natural monuments under protection. Among the best known are the Bletterbach Gorge, a 12 km (7½ mile) long canyon in the municipality of Aldein, and the Ritten Earth Pyramids, which are the largest in Europe with a height of up to 30 metres (98 ft).

Mountains

Drei Zinnen-Tre Cime di Lavaredo in the Sexten Dolomites bordering the province of Belluno

According to the Alpine Association, South Tyrol is home to 13 mountain groups of the Eastern Alps, of which only the Sarntal Alps are entirely within national borders. The remaining twelve are (clockwise, starting from the west): Sesvenna Group, Ötztal Alps, Stubai Alps, Zillertal Alps, Venediger Group, Rieserferner Group, Villgratner Mountains, Carnic Alps, Dolomites, Fleimstal Alps, Nonsberg Group and Ortler Alps. Of particular note are the Dolomites, parts of which were recognized by UNESCO in 2009 as a "Dolomite World Heritage Site".

Although some isolated massifs approach 4,000 metres (13,000 ft) and show strong glaciation (especially in the Ortler Alps and on the main ridge of the Alps), South Tyrol is by far dominated by mountains with altitudes of between 2,000 and 3,000 metres (6,600 and 9,800 ft). Among the multitude of peaks, the Dolomites are the highest in the Alps. Among the large number of peaks, three stand out for their alpine or cultural importance: the Ortler (3,905 metres, 12,812 ft) as the highest mountain in South Tyrol, the Schlern (2,563 metres, 8,409 ft) as the country's "landmark" and the Drei Zinnen (2,999 metres, 9,839 ft) as the center of alpine climbing. Other well-known mountains are the Königspitze (3,851 metres, 12,635 ft), the Weißkugel (3,739 metres, 12,267 ft), the Similaun (3,599 metres, 11,808 ft), the Hochwilde (3,480 metres, 11,417 ft), the Sarner Weißhorn (2,705 metres, 8,875 ft), the Hochfeiler (3,509 metres, 11,512 ft), the Dreiherrnspitze (3,499 metres, 11,480 ft), the Hochgall (3,436 metres, 11,273 ft), the Peitlerkofel (2,875 metres, 9,432 ft), the Langkofel (3,181 metres, 10,436 ft) and the Rosengartenspitze (2,981 metres, 9,780 ft).

The extensive mountain landscapes, about 34% of the total area of South Tyrol, are alpine pastures (including the 57 square kilometres (22 sq mi) of the great Alpe di Siusi). Along the main valleys, the mountain ranges descend in many places to valley bottoms over gently terraced landscapes, which are geological remains of former valley systems; situated between inhospitable high mountains and formerly boggy or deeply incised valley bottoms, these areas known as the "Mittelgebirge" (including, for example, the Schlern area) are of particular importance in terms of settlement history.

Valleys

Val Badia, near the town of Badia

The three main valleys of South Tyrol are the Adige Valley, the Eisack Valley and the Puster Valley, formed by the Ice Age Adige glacier and its tributaries. The highest part of the Adige valley in western South Tyrol, from Reschen (1,507 metres or 4,944 feet) to Töll (approx. 500 metres or 1,600 feet) near Merano, is called Vinschgau; the southernmost section, from Bolzano to Salurner Klause (207 metres or 679 feet), is divided into Überetsch and Unterland. From there, the Adige Valley continues in a southerly direction until it merges with the Po plain at Verona.

At Bolzano, the Eisack Valley merges into the Adige Valley. The Eisack Valley runs from Bolzano northeastward to Franzensfeste, where it merges with the Wipp Valley, which runs first northwestward and then northward over the Brenner Pass to Innsbruck. In the town of Brixen, the Eisack Valley meets the Puster Valley, which passes through Bruneck and reaches Lienz via the Toblacher Sattel (1,210 metres or 3,970 feet). In addition to the three main valleys, South Tyrol has a large number of side valleys. The most important and populated side valleys are (from west to east) Sulden, Schnals, Ulten, Passeier, Ridnaun, the Sarntal, Pfitsch, Gröden, the Gadertal, the Tauferer Ahrntal and Antholz.

In mountainous South Tyrol, about 64.5% of the total land area is above 1,500 metres (4,900 ft) above sea level and only 14% below 1,000 metres (3,300 ft). Therefore, a large part of the population is concentrated in relatively small areas in the valleys at an altitude of between 100 and 1,200 metres (330 and 3,940 ft), mainly in the area of the extensive alluvial cones and broad basins. The most densely populated areas are in the Adige valley, where three of the four largest cities, Bolzano, Merano and Laives, are located. The flat valley bottoms are mainly used for agriculture.

Hydrography

Braies Lake or Pragser Wildsee

The most important river in South Tyrol is the Adige, which rises at the Reschen Pass, flows for a distance of about 140 kilometres (87 mi) to the border at the Salurner Klause, and then flows into the Po Valley and the Adriatic Sea. The Adige, whose total length of 415 kilometres (258 mi) in Italy is exceeded only by the Po, drains 97% of the territory's surface area. Its river system also includes the Eisack, about 100 kilometres (62 mi) long, and the Rienz, about 80 kilometres (50 mi) long, the next two largest rivers in South Tyrol. They are fed by numerous rivers and streams in the tributary valleys. The most important tributaries are the Plima, the Passer, the Falschauer, the Talfer, the Ahr and the Gader. The remaining 3% of the area is drained by the Drava and Inn river systems to the Black Sea and by the Piave river system to the Adriatic Sea, respectively.

In South Tyrol there are 176 natural lakes with an area of more than half a hectare (1¼ acre), most of which are located above 2,000 metres (6,600 ft) altitude. Only 13 natural lakes are larger than 5 ha, and only three of them are situated below 1,000 metres (3,300 ft) altitude: the Kalterer See (215 metres, 705 ft), the Großer (492 metres, 1,614 ft) and the Kleiner Montiggler See (514 metres, 1,686 ft). Fourteen South Tyrolean reservoirs used for energy production include the Reschensee (1,498 metres, 4,915 ft), which with an area of 523 hectares (2.02 sq mi) forms the largest standing body of water in South Tyrol, the Zufrittsee (1,850 metres, 6,070 ft) and the Arzkarsee (2,250 metres, 7,382 ft).

The natural monuments designated by the province of South Tyrol include numerous hydrological objects, such as streams, waterfalls, moors, glaciers and mountain lakes like the Pragser Wildsee (1,494 metres, 4,902 ft), the Karersee (1,519 metres, 4,984 ft) or the Spronser Seen (2,117–2,589 metres, 6,946–8,494 ft).

Vegetation

Group of spruce and pine trees in Latemar forest

Approximately 50% of the area of South Tyrol is covered by forests, another 40% is above 2,000 metres (6,600 ft) and thus largely beyond the forest demarcation line, which varies between 1,900 and 2,200 metres (6,200 and 7,200 ft). In each case, more than half of the total forest area is located on land with a slope steeper than 20° and at altitudes between 1,200 and 1,800 metres (3,900 and 5,900 ft). Approximately 24% of the forest area can be classified as protective forest preserving settlements, traffic routes and other human infrastructure. A 1997 study classified about 35% of South Tyrol's forests as near-natural or natural, about 41% as moderately modified and about 24% as heavily modified or artificial. The forests are found in the valley bottoms.

The flat valley bottoms were originally completely covered with riparian forests, of which only very small remnants remain along the rivers. The remaining areas have given way to settlements and agricultural land. On the valley slopes, sub-Mediterranean mixed deciduous forests are found up to 800 or 900 metres (2,600 or 3,000 ft) altitude, characterized mainly by manna ash, hop hornbeam, hackberry, sweet chestnut and downy oak. From about 600 metres (2,000 ft) of altitude, red beech or pine forests can appear instead, colonizing difficult and arid sites (more rarely). At altitudes between 800 and 1,500 metres (2,600 and 4,900 ft), spruce forests are found; between 900 and 2,000 metres (3,000 and 6,600 ft), montane and subalpine spruce forests predominate. The latter are often mixed with tree species such as larch, rowan, white pine and stone pine. The larch and stone pine forests at the upper edge of the forest belt occupy relatively small areas. Beyond the forest edge, subalpine dwarf shrub communities, alpine grasslands and, lately, alpine tundra dominate the landscape as vegetation types.

Politics

Main article: Politics of South Tyrol
The assembly building of South Tyrol
Luis Durnwalder was governor of South Tyrol from 1989 until 2014.

The local government system is based upon the provisions of the Italian Constitution and the Autonomy Statute of the Region Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol. The 1972 second Statute of Autonomy for Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol devolved most legislative and executive competences from the regional level to the provincial level, creating de facto two separate regions.

The considerable legislative power of the province is vested in an assembly, the Landtag of South Tyrol (German: Südtiroler Landtag; Italian: Consiglio della Provincia Autonoma di Bolzano; Ladin: Cunsëi dla Provinzia Autonoma de Bulsan). The legislative powers of the assembly are defined by the second Statute of Autonomy.

The executive powers are attributed to the government (German: Landesregierung; Italian: Giunta Provinciale) headed by the Landeshauptmann Arno Kompatscher. He belongs to the South Tyrolean People's Party, which has been governing with a parliamentary majority since 1948. South Tyrol is characterized by long sitting presidents, having only had two presidents between 1960 and 2014 (Silvius Magnago 1960–1989, Luis Durnwalder 1989–2014).

A fiscal regime allows the province to retain a large part of most levied taxes, in order to execute and administer its competences. Nevertheless, South Tyrol remains a net contributor to the Italian national budget.

Last provincial elections

Main article: 2023 Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol provincial elections § South Tyrol
PartyVotes%Seats+/–
South Tyrolean People's Party97,09234.5313−2
Team K31,20111.094−2
South Tyrolean Freedom30,58310.884+2
Greens25,4459.053±0
Brothers of Italy16,7475.962+1
JWA List16,5965.902New
Die Freiheitlichen13,8364.922±0
Democratic Party9,7073.451±0
For South Tyrol with Widmann9,6463.431±0
League–United for Alto Adige8,5413.041−3
La Civica7,3012.601New
Vita7,2222.571New
Five Star Movement2,0860.74−1
Enzian1,9900.71New
Forza Italia1,6250.58±0
Centre-Right1,6010.57New
Total281,219100.0035
Valid votes281,21996.87
Invalid/blank votes9,0803.13
Total votes290,299100.00
Registered voters/turnout429,84167.54
Source: Official Results
Popular vote
SVP 34.53%
TK 11.09%
STF 10.88%
Grüne 9.05%
FdI 5.96%
JWA 5.90%
dF 4.92%
PD 3.45%
Widmann 3.43%
Lega 3.04%
Civica 2.60%
Vita 2.57%
M5S 0.74%
Enzian 0.71%
FI 0.58%
CD 0.57%

List of governors

Main article: List of governors of South Tyrol
Governors of South Tyrol
Governor Portrait Party Term Coalition Legislature Election
Karl Erckert
(1894–1955)
SVP 20 December 1948 19 December 1952 SVP  • DC  • PSDI  • UI I Legislature 1948
20 December 1952 15 December 1955 SVP  • DC II Legislature 1952
Alois Pupp
(1900–1969)
SVP 7 January 1956 14 December 1956
15 December 1956 30 December 1960 III Legislature 1956
Silvius Magnago
(1914–2010)
SVP 31 December 1960 3 February 1965 IV Legislature 1960
4 February 1965 16 February 1969 V Legislature 1964
17 February 1969 14 May 1970 VI Legislature 1968
15 May 1970 14 March 1974 SVP  • DC  • PSI
15 March 1974 10 April 1979 VII Legislature 1973
11 April 1979 26 April 1984 SVP  • DC  • PSDI VIII Legislature 1978
27 April 1984 16 March 1989 SVP  • DC  • PSI IX Legislature 1983
Luis Durnwalder
(b. 1941)
SVP 17 March 1989 10 February 1994 X Legislature 1988
11 February 1994 3 February 1999 SVP  • PPI  • PDS XI Legislature 1993
4 February 1999 17 December 2003 SVP  • DS  • PPI  • UDAA XII Legislature 1998
18 December 2003 17 December 2008 SVP  • DS  • UDAA XIII Legislature 2003
18 December 2008 8 January 2014 SVP  • PD XIV Legislature 2008
Arno Kompatscher
(b. 1971)
SVP 9 January 2014 16 January 2019 XV Legislature 2013
17 January 2019 17 January 2024 SVP  • LAAS XVI Legislature 2018
18 January 2024 Incumbent SVP  • FdI  • DF  • LAAS  • LC XVII Legislature 2023

Provincial Government

Widmann Palace in Bolzano, seat of the provincial government

The provincial government (Landesregierung) of South Tyrol (formerly also called provincial committee, Giunta provinciale in Italian, Junta provinziala in Ladin) consists of a provincial governor and a variable number of provincial councilors. Currently (2021), the provincial government consists of eight provincial councilors and the provincial governor. The deputies of the provincial governor are appointed from among the provincial councilors. The current governor is Arno Kompatscher (SVP), his deputies are the provincial councilors Arnold Schuler (SVP), Giuliano Vettorato (LN) and Daniel Alfreider (SVP).

The Governor and the Provincial Councilors are elected by Parliament by secret ballot with an absolute majority of votes. The composition of the provincial government must in any case reflect the proportional distribution of the German and Italian language groups in the provincial parliament. In the past, this provision prevented the German-dominated South Tyrol People's Party (SVP) from governing alone and allowed Italian parties to participate in the provincial government. Since the Ladin language group, with just under 4% of South Tyrol's resident population, has little electoral potential, a separate provision in the autonomy statute allows Ladin representation in the provincial government regardless of their proportional representation in the provincial parliament.

Secessionist movement

Main article: South Tyrolean secessionist movement

Given the region's historical and cultural association with neighboring Austria, calls for the secession of South Tyrol and its reunification with Austria do surface from time to time among some minor groups of German-speakers, although falling short of a majority in the province, the majority does not support a separation. Among the political parties that support South Tyrol's reunification into Austria are South Tyrolean Freedom, Die Freiheitlichen and Citizens' Union for South Tyrol.

Economy

Vineyards of St. Magdalena in Bolzano with St. Justina and Rosengarten group in the background

In 2016 South Tyrol had a GDP per capita of €42,600, making it the richest province in Italy and one of the richest in the European Union.

The unemployment level in 2007 was roughly 2.4% (2.0% for men and 3.0% for women). Residents are employed in a variety of sectors, from agriculture — the province is a large producer of apples, and its South Tyrol wine are also renowned — to industry to services, especially tourism. Spas located on the Italian Alps have become a favorite for tourists seeking wellness.

South Tyrol is home to numerous mechanical engineering companies, some of which are the global market leaders in their sectors: the Leitner Group that specializes in cable cars and wind energy, TechnoAlpin AG, which is the global market leader in snow-making technology and the snow groomer company Prinoth.

Cable car on Mount Seceda in the Dolomites

The unemployment rate stood at 3.8% in 2020.

Transport

License plate of South Tyrol (Bz)

The region is, together with northern and eastern Tyrol, an important transit point between southern Germany and Northern Italy. Freights by road and rail pass through here. One of the most important highways is the A22, also called the Autostrada del Brennero. It connects to the Brenner Autobahn in Austria.

The vehicle registration plate of South Tyrol is the two-letter provincial code Bz for the capital city, Bolzano. Along with the autonomous Trentino (Tn) and Aosta Valley (Ao), South Tyrol is allowed to surmount its license plates with its coat of arms.

Rail transport goes over the Brenner Pass. The Brenner Railway is a major line connecting the Austrian and Italian railways from Innsbruck and Verona climbing the Wipptal, passing over the Brenner Pass and descending down the Eisack Valley to Bolzano and then down the Adige Valley from Bolzano to Rovereto and to Verona. The line is part of the Line 1 of Trans-European Transport Networks (TEN-T).

Other railways are the Pustertalbahn, Ritten Railway and Vinschgaubahn. Due to the steep slopes of the mountains, a number of funiculars exist, such as the Gardena Ronda Express funicular and Mendel Funicular.

The Brenner Base Tunnel is under construction and scheduled to be completed by 2025. With a planned length of 55 kilometres (34 mi), this tunnel will increase freight train average speed to 120 kilometres per hour (75 mph) and reduce transit time by over an hour.

Larger cities used to have their own tramway system, such as the Meran Tramway and Bolzano Tramway. These were replaced after the Second World War with buses. Many other cities and municipalities have their own bus system or are connected with each other by it.

The Bolzano Airport is the only airport serving the region.

Demographics

Languages

Further information: History of South Tyrol § Linguistic and demographic history
Languages of
South Tyrol.
Majorities per municipality in 2024:
Official  German majority (102)   Ladin majority (8)   Italian majority (6)
Sourceastat Jahrbuch 2024
Electronic identity cards are issued in three languages (Italian, German, English) in South Tyrol.
Historical population
YearPop.±%
1921254,735—    
1931282,158+10.8%
1951333,900+18.3%
1961373,863+12.0%
1971414,041+10.7%
1981430,568+4.0%
1991440,508+2.3%
2001462,999+5.1%
2011504,643+9.0%
2021532,616+5.5%
Source: ISTAT

German and Italian are both official languages of South Tyrol. In some eastern municipalities Ladin is the third official language.

A majority of the inhabitants of contemporary South Tyrol speak the native Southern Bavarian dialect of the German language. Standard German plays a dominant role in education and media. All citizens have the right to use their own mother tongue, even at court. Schools are separated for each language group. All traffic signs are officially bi- or trilingual. Most Italian place names were translated from German by Italian Ettore Tolomei, the author of the Prontuario dei nomi locali dell'Alto Adige.

To reach a fair allocation of jobs in public service a system called ethnic proportion (Italian: proporzionale etnica, German: ethnischer Proporz) has been established. Every ten years, when the general census of population takes place, each Italian citizen has to declare the linguistic group to which they belong or want to be aggregated to. According to the results they decide how many people of which group are going to be employed in public service.

At the time of the annexation of the southern part of Tyrol by Italy in 1919, the overwhelming majority of the population spoke German and identified with the Austrian or German nationality: in 1910, according to the last population census before World War I, the German-speaking population numbered 224,000, the Ladin 9,000 and the Italian 7,000.

As a result of the Italianization of South Tyrol about 22.6% of the population are Italian-speakers (they were 33%, 138,000 of 414,000 inhabitants in the 1971 census) according to the census of 2024. 102 out of 116 comuni have a majority of German native speakers, eight have a Ladin-speaking majority, and six a majority of Italian speakers. The Italian-speaking population lives mainly around the provincial capital Bolzano, where they are the majority (74.7% of the inhabitants), and partially a result of Benito Mussolini's policy of Italianisation after he took power in 1922, when he encouraged immigration from the rest of Italy.

The other five comuni where the Italian-speaking population is the majority are Merano, Laives, Salorno, Bronzolo and Vadena. The eight comuni with Ladin majorities are: La Val, Badia, Corvara, Mareo, San Martin de Tor, Santa Cristina Gherdëina, Sëlva, Urtijëi. Most of the immigrants from South Tyrol to the United States identify themselves as being of German rather than Austrian identity. According to the United States Census Bureau, in 2015, there were 365 individuals living in the U.S. born in Italy who identified themselves as being of Austrian ancestry. By contrast, in the same year, there were 1040 individuals living in the U.S. born in Italy who identified themselves as being of German ancestry.

The linguistic breakdown according to the census of 2024:

Language Number %
German 309,000 68.61%
Italian 121,520 26.98%
Ladin 19,853 4.41%
Total 450,373 100%

Religion

The majority of the population is Christian, mostly in the Catholic tradition. The Roman Catholic Diocese of Bolzano-Brixen corresponds to the territory of the province of South Tyrol. Since 27 July 2011 the bishop of Bolzano-Brixen is Ivo Muser.

Catholic Church

Cathedral of the Assumption of Mary in Bolzano

The vast majority of the population of South Tyrol is baptized Catholic. There is archaeological evidence of early Christian sites in the area as early as Late Antiquity; Säben in the Eisack Valley became an important ecclesiastical center during this period, which was only replaced by Brixen as an episcopal see in the late Middle Ages. The territory of present-day South Tyrol was divided for centuries between the dioceses of Brixen, Chur (until 1808/1816) and Trent (until 1964).

The most famous bishop of Brixen was the polymath Nicholas of Cusa. Important figures of the regional ecclesiastical life in the 19th century were the beatified bishop of Trent Johann Nepomuk von Tschiderer and the mystic Maria von Mörl.

In 1964, with reference to modern political boundaries, the Bishopric of Brixen, which had lost its extensive territories of North and East Tyrol after World War I, was enlarged to form the Diocese of Bolzano-Brixen, whose extension is now identical to that of the province of South Tyrol. Since then, the faithful have been led by Bishops Joseph Gargitter (1964-1986), Wilhelm Egger (1986-2008), Karl Golser (2008-2011) and Ivo Muser (since 2011). The diocese comprises 28 deaneries and 281 parishes (in 2014), 23 its episcopal churches are the Cathedral of Brixen and the Cathedral of Bolzano. Cassian and Vigilius are venerated as diocesan patrons. Important references in the current discourses of the local Catholic Church are St. Joseph Freinademetz and Blessed Joseph Mayr-Nusser.

Other communities

There is a Lutheran community in Merano (founded 1861) and another one in Bolzano (founded 1889). Since the Middle Ages the Jewish presence has been documented in South Tyrol. In 1901 the Synagogue of Merano was built. As of 2015, South Tyrol was home to about 14,000 Muslims.

Culture

Traditions

South Tyrol has long-standing traditions, mainly inherited from its membership in the historical Tyrol. The Schützen associations are particularly fond of Tyrolean traditions.

A Musikkapelle in historic Tyrolean costumes

The Scheibenschlagen are the traditional "throwing of burning discs" on the first Sunday of Lent, the Herz-Jesu-Feuer are the "fires of the Sacred Heart of Jesus" that are lit on the third Sunday after Pentecost. The Krampus are disguised demons who accompany St Nicholas.

There are also several legends and sagas linked to the peoples of the Dolomites; among the best known are the legend of King Laurin and that of the Kingdom of Fanes, which belongs to the Ladin mythological heritage.

Alpine Transhumance (from German Almabtrieb), is a farm practice: every year, between September and October, the livestock that stayed on the high pastures is brought back to the valley, with traditional music and dances. Especially, the transhumance between the Ötztal (in Austria) and Schnals Valley and Passeier Valley was recognised by UNESCO as universal intangible heritage in 2019.

Education

Main article: School system in South Tyrol

Architecture

Tyrolean architecture
Tyrol Castle, which gave the wider region its name

The region features a large number of castles and churches. Many of the castles and Ansitze were built by the local nobility and the Habsburg rulers. See List of castles in South Tyrol.

Museums

Among the major museums of South Tyrol are:

Media

German-language TV channels in South Tyrol:

Music

The Bozner Bergsteigerlied and the Andreas-Hofer-Lied are considered to be the unofficial anthems of South Tyrol.

The folk musical group Kastelruther Spatzen from Kastelruth and the rock band Frei.Wild from Brixen have received high recognition in the German-speaking part of the world.

Award-winning electronic music producer Giorgio Moroder was born and raised in South Tyrol in a mixed Italian, German and Ladin-speaking environment.

Sports

South Tyrolese have been successful at winter sports and they regularly form a large part of Italy's contingent at the Winter Olympics: in the last edition (2022), South Tyroleans won 3 out of the 17 Italian medals, all three bronzes (of which two won by German-speaking South Tyroleans). Famed mountain climber Reinhold Messner, the first climber to climb Mount Everest without the use of oxygen tanks, was born and raised in the region. Other successful South Tyrolese include luger Armin Zöggeler, figure skater Carolina Kostner, skier Isolde Kostner, luge and bobsleigh medallist Gerda Weissensteiner, tennis players Andreas Seppi and Jannik Sinner, and former team principal of Haas F1 Team in the FIA Formula One World Championship Guenther Steiner.

HC Interspar Bolzano-Bozen Foxes are one of Italy's most successful ice hockey teams, while the most important football club in South Tyrol is FC Südtirol, which won its first-ever promotion to Serie B in 2022.

The province is famous worldwide for its mountain climbing opportunities, while in winter it is home to a number of popular ski resorts including Val Gardena, Alta Badia and Seiser Alm.

See also

References

  1. Regions and Cities > Regional Statistics > Regional Economy > Regional Gross Domestic Product (Small regions TL3), OECD.Stats. Accessed on 16 November 2018.
  2. "Sub-national HDI - Area Database - Global Data Lab". hdi.globaldatalab.org. Retrieved 5 March 2023.
  3. "Tyrol". Random House Webster's Unabridged Dictionary.
  4. Archived 25 September 2019 at the Wayback Machine Statuto speciale per il Trentino-Alto Adige.
  5. "Trentino-Alto Adige (Autonomous Region, Italy) - Population Statistics, Charts, Map and Location".
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  1. /tɪˈroʊl, taɪˈroʊl, ˈtaɪroʊl/, tih-ROHL, ty-ROHL, TY-rohl.
  2. Union of Independents.
  3. Died in office.
  4. External support.

Bibliography

  • (in German) Gottfried Solderer (ed.) (1999–2004). Das 20. Jahrhundert in Südtirol. 6 Vol., Bozen: Raetia Verlag. ISBN 978-88-7283-137-3.
  • Antony E. Alcock (2003). The History of the South Tyrol Question. London: Michael Joseph. 535 pp.
  • Rolf Steininger (2003). South Tyrol: A Minority Conflict of the Twentieth Century. New Brunswick, New Jersey: Transaction Publishers. ISBN 978-0-7658-0800-4.
  • Georg Grote (2012). The South Tyrol Question 1866–2010. From National Rage to Regional State. Oxford: Peter Lang. ISBN 978-3-03911-336-1.
  • Georg Grote, Hannes Obermair (2017). A Land on the Threshold. South Tyrolean Transformations, 1915–2015. Oxford/Bern/New York: Peter Lang. ISBN 978-3-0343-2240-9.

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