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Liguria
Columbia Encyclopedia entry: Liguria
Ligurialĭgoor'ēə, Ital. lēgoo'ryä, region (1991 pop. 1,676,282), 2,098 sq mi (5,434 sq km), NW Italy, extending along the Ligurian Sea and bordering France on the west. The generally mountainous region has a steep, narrow coastal strip that includes the beautiful Italian Riviera. In the interior, the Ligurian Alps rise in the west and the Ligurian Apennines in the east. Genoa is the capital of Liguria, which is divided into Genoa, Imperia, La Spezia, and Savona provs. (named for their capitals, all of which are seaports). Flowers (mostly for use in making perfume), olives, wine grapes, citrus fruit, mushrooms, and cereals are grown. Chestnuts are gathered in the mountains, where there are extensive pastures, timberland, and marble, slate, quartz, and limestone quarries. Fishing is pursued along the coast. Manufactures of the region include iron and steel, ships, machinery, textiles, chemicals, processed food, and forest products. Liguria derives its name from the ancient Ligurii, who occupied the Mediterranean coast from the Rhône River to the Arno River. In the 4th cent. B.C. the Ligurii were driven from the Alpine regions by Celtic immigrants, while Phoenicians, Greeks, and Carthaginians colonized the coast. In the 2d cent. B.C. the entire region was subdued by the Romans. Throughout the Middle Ages, Genoa struggled with local feudal lords (and at times with Venice) for control of the area. By the 16th cent. it controlled virtually all of present-day Liguria, and from that time until its annexation (1815) by the kingdom of Sardinia, Liguria shared the history of Genoa. There is a university at Genoa.

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Wikipedia search results for: Liguria
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Liguria is a coastal region of north-western Italy, the third smallest of the Italian regions. Its capital is Genoa. It is a popular region with tourists for its beautiful beaches, picturesque little towns, and food. Liguria borders France to the west, Piedmont to the north, and Emilia-Romagna and Tuscany to the east. It lies on the Ligurian Sea. Liguria is a narrow strip of land, enclosed between the sea and the Alps and the Apennines mountains, it is a winding arched extension from Ventimiglia to La Spezia and is one of the smallest regions in Italy. Its surface area is 5,416.03 square Kilometres, corresponding to 1.18% of the whole national surface...more »
Columbia Encyclopedia search results: Liguria
Results 1 - 10  of 19
  • Rapallo

    , town (1991 pop. 27,370), in Liguria, NW Italy, on the Ligurian Sea and on the Italian Riviera. It is a major seaside resort.

  • San Remo

    San Remo, city (1991 pop. 56,003), in Liguria, NW Italy, on the Ligurian Sea and on the Italian Riviera. It is a fashionable resort and gaming center and a major flower market.

  • Santa Margherita Ligure

    Santa Margherita Ligure, town (1991 pop. 11,077), Liguria, NW Italy, on the Ligurian Sea. It is a winter health resort and tourist center known for its lace industry.

  • Portofino

    Portofino, town (1991 pop. 608), Liguria, NW Italy, on the southeast end of the promontory of Portofino. It is a fishing port and tourist center known for its lace industry. Nearby is the mona...

  • Imperia

    Imperia, city (1991 pop. 40,708), capital of Imperia prov., Liguria, NW Italy, on the Ligurian Sea. Located on the Italian Riviera, it is a port and winter resort. The cathedral (1780–1832) do...

  • Pertinax

    Pertinax (Publius Helvius Pertinax), 126–193, Roman emperor (193), b. Liguria. Formerly a general, he reluctantly succeeded Commodus on the throne. Attempting to curb license in the Praetorian...

  • Savona

    Savona, city (1991 pop. 67,177), capital of Savona prov., in Liguria, NW Italy, on the Riviera. It is a major seaport and an industrial center. Manufactures include metals, machinery, ships, g...

  • Ventimiglia

    Ventimiglia, Fr. Vintimille, town (1991 pop. 25,308), Liguria, NW Italy, on the Ligurian Sea and the Italian Riviera, near the French border. It is a seaport, a popular beach resort, and a maj...

  • Nicholas V, pope

    Nicholas V, 1397–1455, pope (1447–55), an Italian named Tommaso Parentucelli, b. probably Sarzana, Liguria; successor of Eugene IV. From Eugene IV he inherited the antipapal enactments of the ...

  • Spezia, La

    Spezia, La, city (1991 pop. 101,442), capital of La Spezia prov., in Liguria, NW Italy, on the Gulf of La Spezia (an arm of the Ligurian Sea) and at the eastern end of the Riviera. It is the c...

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