Surrounded on three sides by Alpine peaks, Piedmont reveals, already in the name, the close relationship with the mountains: the name derives from the Latin expression pedem montium, "at the foot of the mountains". Between Novara and Vercelli there are stretches of water and rice fields, typical scenarios of the Po Valley, which extends from here to the east. Nature, however, does not represent the only face of this region: since the nineteenth century, the industrial center of Turin and the Biella textile industry have assumed a role of national importance since its origins.

 
PLACES

Piedmont, in addition to the major cities of art, offers many other attractions scattered throughout the territory: the reserves and natural parks, including the Gran Paradiso National Park which houses glaciers, natural lakes and protected flora and fauna; the Piedmontese shore of Lake Maggiore, dense with renowned resorts, such as Arona, Stresa and the Borromean Islands; do not miss the Sestriere ski area, one of the most important winter sports slopes in Europe.

 
COMMON

Piedmont is the second region of Italy by municipal division: there are in fact 1,201 municipalities spread over the territory. The regional capital is Turin.

 
TORINO

The origins of this city are to be found in the third century BC. when, along the banks of the Po, some "taurine" tribes of Celtic-Ligurian stock settled. Throughout history, Turin was a direct protagonist of the political scene, so much so that it became (from 1861 to 1864) the first capital of the Kingdom of Italy, at the same time manifesting its growing industrial vocation. Known economically especially to the FIAT car factory, Turin also stands out in other sectors including the production of chocolate and Gianduiotto chocolate, a typical specialty of this city.