Liguria, Italy

Interactive Map of Liguria, Italy

Liguria, Italy Map Links:

If you looked at a map of Italy and found the longest, narrowest region, you would have found the region of Liguria. Liguria Italy is positioned on the map along the coast of the Ligurian Sea. The length of the region is as many miles that lie on the coastline. The coastline is a total of 220 miles long, and the entire region of Liguria covers 2,093 square miles.

Cities as Seen on a Map of Liguria, Italy

Genoa
Portofino
La Spezia
Porto Venere
Camogli
Rapallo
Sanremo
Savona
Imperia
Chiavari
Ventimiglia
Albenga
Sarzana
Sestri Levante
Taggia
Cairo Montenotte
Varazze
Lavagna
Finale Ligure
Arenzano
Loano
Alassio
Arcola
Bordighera
Lerici
Recco
Albisola Superiore
Santo Stefano di Magra
Santa Margherita Ligure

Quick Facts:

Population = 1.5 million

Language = Ligurian (Gallo-Italic, Western Romance, Genoese dialect)

Ethnicities = Ligurian, Celtic, Roman
Capital = Genoa

The History of Liguria

Liguria was founded by ancient settlers in the area called Ligures. They are who gave Liguria its name. The people were given the title Celto-Ligurian. During the Roman Empire, Augustus gained control of Liguria and incorporated it into Italia, the region of Italy.

After the fall of the Roman Empire in 476, the region was controlled by the Byzantines, also known as the Eastern Roman Empire. In 1005, the Republic of Genoa was formed. By the 11th century, Genoa would send ships carrying knights to the middle east. This led to the Genoa becoming one of the most powerful republics on the coast.

Eventually, Genoa found itself in the middle of various political issues and was eventually absorbed into the Visconti of Milan; a powerful family that controlled the city of Milan in northern Italy. Milan controlled the region of Liguria until 1435.

By the 1600s, new trade routes had been discovered, which ultimately decreased the value of Genoa and the region of Liguria, and in 1684, Genoa was invaded by the French. Austria and France were in a war over the possession of various lands, so when the French took over Genoa, Austria fought them for it.

Austria won the battle and gained possession of Genoa in 1746, but not before French Emporer, Napoleon Bonaparte, retaliated and launched the first movement of the Italian Campaign. In 1797, the Ligurian Republic was formed, which was essentially a republic of France.

In 1815, the Ligurian Republic became part of the Kingdom of Sardinia, and by the 1860s, the Italian Unification took place where all the republics and kingdoms of Italy became one.

Unfortunately, during World War II, Genoa suffered widespread damage from bombings and invasions, which significantly reduced the number of people living in the area.

Language

Ligurian is the primary language of the region of Liguria. Ligurian is a Gallo-Italic Romance language that is part of the Italian language, although there are many similarities to French and Piedmontese.

Religion

The primary religion in Liguria is Roman Catholic due to the influence of the Ancient Romans during the Roman Empire.

Geography

Liguria has a long coastline that stretches over 220 miles on the Ligurian Sea of the Mediterranean. Agriculture is a major component of economic success in Liguria. The land produces a majority of Italy’s flower harvest, which is around 80%. There are over 32 different species of plants and flowers in the floriculture market of Liguria.

When Liguria is not producing flowers, there is animal farming and other vegetation being harvested; however, flowers are the major source of income for Liguria.

You will also find characteristic rocky coasts, small coves, and sandy beaches. The Italian Riviera delle Palme and Italian Riviera dei Fiorr make up the coast of Liguria, Italy and stretches from Ameglia to Ventimiglia for more than 300 kilometers.

Culture

The region of Liguria still encompasses many of the same characteristics and rituals that the ancient Ligures possessed. The people of Liguria speak Ligurian, the Gallo-Italic language that has been spoken for centuries.

Migration Patterns

During the Italian Unification during the 1860s, Italy suffered a major decline in its economy and employment. This led to the largest number of Italian emigrants who fled Italy in its history, with between 12 and 13 total million Italians emigrating to other countries.

Those who stayed behind saw the economy slowly improve, and by the 1950s, steel had become a major industry in the Italian economy. By the 1980s, Italy decided to switch from steel to technology, focusing on food, electrical engineering, and aeronautics, with one of the major areas of focus shipbuilding. During this time, immigrants moved toward the region because of the abundance of opportunity that was in the area.

Since then, immigration to the area has been slow. If not for the major cities of Genoa, Savona, and La Spezia, immigration to the area would be almost non-existent.

Genealogy

The people of Liguria have connections to Ligure, Celtic, Roman, Italian, and French lineage. Because the Allied Powers invaded the seaport of Genoa during World War II, there may also be traces of Britain and the United States in the area as well. As the people of Liguria lived along the coastline with Genoa being the most powerful seaport in the Mediterranean at one time, the Ligurian lineage likely extends to many countries all over the world.

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About the author

Caleb Pike is an avid hiker and nature lover, with a passion for exploring the great outdoors. He's a writer, photographer, and adventurer, always seeking new trails to blaze and peaks to conquer.