Südtirol

Südtirol, known as Alto Adige in Italian, is an autonomous province in northern Italy. It is part of the region Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol, and its capital is Bolzano/Bozen. The province covers the northern Alpine area, bordering Austria to the north and Trentino to the south. Its landscape includes the Dolomites, a section of the Alps that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The population is predominantly German-speaking, with Italian- and Ladin-speaking minorities; official languages are German, Italian and Ladin, and many place names are bilingual.

Historically part of the Tyrol in the Austrian Empire, Südtirol was annexed by Italy after World War I (Treaty of Saint-Germain, 1919). After decades of tension, extensive self-government was established by the Autonomy Statute, first in 1948 and reformed in 1972, granting local control over education, health and administration and protecting language rights. The province operates a power-sharing system among linguistic groups.

Economy and culture: The economy relies on tourism, agriculture and industry. The Adige valley produces apples and wine; the Dolomites attract skiers and hikers. The region preserves a bilingual, Tyrolean-influenced culture with Italian influences in cuisine and daily life. A notable cultural institution is the South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology in Bolzano, which houses Ötzi the Iceman.

Notable features: The Dolomites, a UNESCO site; a network of castles; and a landscape shaped by Alpine and Mediterranean elements, alongside a strong regional identity and autonomy within Italy.