Province of Siena

Infobox_ProvinceIT
fullname = Province of Siena
name = Siena
region = Toscana
capital = Siena
commune = 36
area = 3,821
population_as_of = (2004)
population = 194,440
populationdensity = 51
vehicle = SI
postal_code = 53010-53015, 53017-53025, 53027, 53030-53031, 53034-53037, 53040-53043, 53045, 53047-53049, 53100
telephone_prefix = 0577, 0578
ISTAT = 052
president = Fabio Ceccherini

The Province of Siena ( _it. Provincia di Siena) is a province in the Tuscany region of Italy. Its capital is the city of Siena.

It has an area of 3,821 km² (1475 mile²), and a total population of 252,288 (2001). There are 36 "comuni" (singular: "comune") in the province [http://www.upinet.it/indicatore.asp?id_statistiche=6] . At June 30, 2005, the main "comuni" by population are:

The province is divided into seven historical areas:
# Alta Val d'Elsa
# Chianti senese
# The urban area of (Monteriggioni and Siena)
# Val di Merse
# Crete senesi Val d'Arbia
# Val di Chiana senese
# Val d'Orcia and Amiata

The area is a hilly one: in the north is Monte del Chianti; Monte Amiata is the highest point at 1738 m; and in the south is Monte Cetona. To the west are the Colline Metallifere (“Metallic Hills”), whilst the Val di Chiana lies to east.

Historically, the province corresponds to the former republic of Siena.

The chief occupations are agricultural (wheat, grapes and fruit) and silk culture. The wine known as Chianti is produced here as well as in other parts of Tuscany: the Chianti Colli Senesi, however, is limited to this province.

Apart from the city of Siena the principal towns are Poggibonsi, Colle di Val d'Elsa, Montepulciano, Chiusi, and San Gimignano.

External links

* [http://www.provincia.siena.it Province homepage (in Italian)]