Trentino–Alto Adige

Trentino–Alto Adige

 formerly (until 1947) Venezia Tridentina

Autonomous region (pop., 2001 prelim.: 937,107), northeastern Italy. Its capital is Trento. A mountainous area covering 5,258 sq mi (13,618 sq km), Trentino–Alto Adige has some of the highest peaks in Europe, cut through by passes into Switzerland and Austria. Historically it included the medieval ecclesiastical principalities of Trento and Bressanone. Austria annexed it in 1815. It was the scene of much fighting during World War I, and it was ceded to Italy at the end of the war. The population is a mix of German speakers in the north and Italian speakers in the south; the regional parliament alternates German-speaking and Italian-speaking chairmen. The region grows grain and grapes, raises cattle, and mines zinc, lead, and other minerals. Tourism is a major industry.