Piemonte

Piemonte

HISTORY

Turin, originally the chief town of the Ligurian tribe of the Taurini, became a Roman colony in about the 1st century AD. It was the seat of a Lombard duchy in the 7th century; in the late 13th century it came under the control of the house of Savoy. The French occupied Turin from 1536 to 1562, after which it became the seat of the dukes of Savoy. Withstanding sieges by the French in 1640 and 1706, the city was the capital of the kingdom of Sardinia from 1720 to 1861 (except for 1800Ð'-14, when it was held by France). Turin was prominent in the Risorgimento, the 19th-century movement for the unification of Italy, and served during 1861Ð'-65 as the first national capital. The city suffered heavy damage during World War II but experienced rapid growth during the next several decades. The Shroud of Turin was displayed publicly in 1973, 1978, and 1998 and is scheduled for another public viewing during the millennial celebrations of 2000. Turin was selected to host the Winter Olympics in 2006.

Capital

Turin

Foods

One of the Piemonte specialties is "agnolotti," pasta made with eggs stuffed beef, pork, or rabbit, flavored with sausage, parmesan cheese, eggs and herbs. "Risotti" or rice dishes are another specialty, often covered with truffles. In past times a "risotto" might compose the entire meal, enriched with "funghi porcini" (mushrooms), fondue, eels and frogs from the Po River, little birds on a spit, and other delicacies. And is also known for great wine.

Imports and exports

Imports

engineering products, chemicals, transport equipment, energy products, minerals and nonferrous metals, textiles and clothing; food, beverages and tobacco

Exports

engineering products, textiles and clothing, production machinery, motor vehicles, transport equipment, chemicals; food, beverages and tobacco; minerals and nonferrous metals

Population

Turin: 857,433

Major holidays

Jan 1 - New Year's Day.

Jan 6 - Epiphany.

Apr 9 - Easter Monday.

Apr 25 - Liberation Day.

May 1 - Labor Day.

Jun 2 - Anniversary of the Republic

Tourist attraction

Turin's attractions are its art and architecture and also it was the host of the 2006 winter games.

Universities

The university of Turin

Lombardia

History

Ancient Mediolanum is believed to have been founded by a Celtic people. Captured by the Romans in 222 BC, it flourished under the Roman Empire and became the residence of the emperors of the West in the 4th century AD. The city was sacked by the Huns under Attila in about 450 and was destroyed by the Goths in 539. By the end of the 8th century the city had begun to prosper again. During the Middle Ages, Milan was governed by a number of archbishops, under whom the city had a certain degree of independence. The archbishops, however, gradually lost their temporal power to the lower feudal nobility, who transformed Milan into a prosperous commune in the 11th century. In 1162 Milan was razed by troops under Emperor Frederick I. The city recovered sufficiently to help secure the victory (1176) of the Lombard League over Frederick near Legnano. The victory opened a new period of prosperity. In 1277 a noble family, the Visconti, succeeded in wresting control of the city from the ruling Della Torre family; the Visconti ruled until 1447. The reign of Gian Galeazzo Visconti, 1st duke of Milan (1351Ð'-1402), was a particularly prosperous period and was regarded as a golden age. In 1450 the Italian soldier Francesco Sforza seized power and founded a line that remained firmly in control of Milan until 1500, when the city was conquered by France. The Sforzas continued to rule as puppets of successive foreign invaders, including the French, the Swiss, and the Austrians. The Sforza line died out in 1535, and soon thereafter Milan came under the rule of Spain. Spain ruled until 1713, when the city was ceded to Austria by the terms of the Peace of Utrecht. Napoleon ousted the Austrians in 1796 and made Milan the capital of the Cisalpine Republic.

Restored to Austria in 1815, Milan became a center of Italian patriotic resistance, and in 1848 it briefly expelled the Austrians. In 1859, the Italians, aided by the French, freed Milan from Austrian control. In 1861 Milan joined the kingdom of Italy and subsequently prospered. During World War II the city was heavily bombed. In the postwar period Milan experienced great commercial expansion and urban renewal.

Capital

Milan

Food

One famous dish from Milan is called Risotto Milanese which is made of 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

1 medium onion, cut into 1/4-inch dice

1 teaspoon saffron threads

3 1/2 cups chicken stock, hot

2 cups arborio rice

1/2 cup white wine

4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter

1/2 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano

Imports and exports

Imports

Petroleum and coal, machinery and transportation equipment, textile yarn and fabrics, metals, chemicals, food

Exports

Textiles and garments, chemicals, mechanical tools, machinery, motor vehicles, footwear, iron and steel, food and wine

Population

Milan: 1.3 million

Major holidays

Jan 1 - New Year's Day.

Jan