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| 2507 Tuscany map |
Located on the Tyrrhenian Sea, between Liguria, Emilia-Romagna, Umbria and Lazio, roughly triangular in shape, Tuscany is known for its landscapes, traditions, history, artistic legacy and its influence on high culture. Having a strong linguistic and cultural identity, it is sometimes considered "a nation within a nation". It is a traditionally popular destination in Italy, and the main tourist destinations by number of tourist arrivals are Florence, Pisa, Montecatini Terme, Castiglione della Pescaia and Grosseto. The regional capital is Florence (Firenze), "the Athens of the Middle Ages".
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| 2508 Snapshots from Tuscany |
Surrounded and crossed by major mountain chains, and with few (but fertile) plains, the region has a relief that is dominated by hilly country used for agriculture. Many of Tuscany's largest cities lie on the banks of the Arno, including the capital Florence, Empoli and Pisa. The climate is fairly mild in the coastal areas, and is harsher and rainy in the interior, with considerable fluctuations in temperature between winter and summer. Tuscany produces wines, including Chianti, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, Morellino di Scansano and Brunello di Montalcino.
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| 2509 Tuscany: 1. Florence; 2. Massa Marittima; 3. Siena; 4. Montecatini; 5. San Gimignano; 6. Pisa; 7. Arezzo; 8. Monteriggioni; 9. Lucca; 10. Cortona. |
The Etruscans created the first major civilization in this region, reaching its peak during the 7th and 6th centuries BC, finally succumbing to the Romans by the 1st century. Soon after absorbing Etruria, Rome established the cities of Lucca, Pisa, Siena, and Florence, endowed the area with new technologies and development, and ensured peace. The Roman civilization in the West collapsed in the 5th century AD, and the region fell briefly to Goths, then was re-conquered by the Byzantine Empire. In the years following 572, the Longobards arrived and designated Lucca the capital of their Duchy of Tuscia.
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