Editing South Tyrol

{{Short description|Autonomous province of Italy}}
{{About|the Italian administrative division|other uses}}
{{Redirect|Alto Adige}} 
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name               = South Tyrol
| native_name        = {{native name|de|Südtirol}}<br />{{native name|it|Alto Adige}}<br />{{native name|lld|Südtirol}}
| official_name      = Autonomous Province of Bolzano – South Tyrol<br />{{native name|de-AT|Autonome Provinz Bozen – Südtirol}}<br />{{native name|it|Provincia autonoma di Bolzano – Alto Adige}}<br />{{native name|lld|Provinzia autonoma de Balsan/Bulsan – Südtirol}}
| settlement_type    = [[Autonomous administrative division|Autonomous]] [[provinces of Italy|province]]
| image_skyline      = 
| image_alt          = 
| image_caption      = 
| image_flag         = Flag_of_South_Tyrol.svg
| flag_alt           = 
| image_shield       = Suedtirol CoA.svg
| shield_size        = x100px
| shield_alt         = [[Coat of arms of Tyrol]]
| anthem             = [[Bozner Bergsteigerlied]] (unofficial)
| image_map          = Bolzano in Italy.svg
| map_alt            = 
| map_caption        = Map highlighting the location of the province of South Tyrol in Italy (in red)
| coordinates        = {{coord|46|30|0|N|11|21|0|E|display=inline,title}} <!--Bolzano-->
| coordinates_footnotes = 
| subdivision_type   = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name   = [[Italy]]
| subdivision_type1  = [[Regions of Italy|Region]]
| subdivision_name1  = [[Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol]]
| established_title  = 
| established_date   = 
| seat_type          = Capital(s)
| seat               = [[Bolzano]]
| parts_type         = ''[[Comune|Comuni]]''
| parts_style        = para
| p1                 = 116
| government_footnotes = 
| leader_party       = [[South Tyrolean People's Party|SVP]]
| leader_title       = Governor
| leader_name        = [[Arno Kompatscher]]
| unit_pref          = Metric<!-- or US or UK -->
| area_footnotes     = 
| area_total_km2     = 7399.97
| elevation_footnotes = 
| elevation_m        = 
| population_footnotes = 
| population_total   = 531178
| population_as_of   = 1 January 2019
| population_density_km2 = auto
<!-- GDP  --------------->| demographics_type2 = GDP
| demographics2_footnotes = <ref name=":0">[http://stats.oecd.org/ Regions and Cities > Regional Statistics > Regional Economy > Regional Gross Domestic Product (Small regions TL3)], OECD.Stats. Accessed on 16 November 2018.</ref>
| demographics2_title1 = Total
| demographics2_info1 = €21.603 billion (2015)
| demographics2_title2 = Per capita
| demographics2_info2 = €41,568 (2015)
| blank2_name_sec1   = [[Human Development Index|HDI]] (2022)
| blank2_info_sec1   = 0.925<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://globaldatalab.org/shdi/shdi/ITA/?levels=1%2B4&interpolation=1&extrapolation=0&nearest_real=0&years=2019|title=Sub-national HDI - Area Database - Global Data Lab|website=hdi.globaldatalab.org|language=en|access-date=2023-03-05}}</ref><br />{{color|green|very high}}
[[List of Italian regions by Human Development Index|5th of 21]]
| timezone1          = [[Central European Time|CET]]
| utc_offset1        = +01:00
| timezone1_DST      = [[Central European Summer Time|CEST]]
| utc_offset1_DST    = +02:00
| postal_code_type   = Postal code
| postal_code        = 39XXX
| area_code_type     = Telephone prefix
| area_code          = 0471, 0472, 0473, 0474
| iso_code           = 
| registration_plate = [[Vehicle registration plates of Italy|BZ]]
| blank_name_sec2    = [[Italian National Institute of Statistics|ISTAT]]
| blank_info_sec2    = 021
| website            = {{URL|www.provincia.bz.it/}}
| footnotes          = 
| governing_body     = [[Council of South Tyrol|Provincial Council]]
}}

'''South Tyrol'''{{Efn|English pronunciation: {{IPAc-en|t|ɪ|ˈ|r|oʊ|l}} {{respell|tirr|OHL}}, {{IPAc-en|t|aɪ|ˈ|r|oʊ|l}} {{respell|ty|ROHL}} or {{IPAc-en|ˈ|t|aɪ|r|oʊ|l}} {{respell|TY|rohl}}.<ref>[http://www.dictionary.com/browse/tyrol "Tyrol"]. ''[[Random House Webster's Unabridged Dictionary]]''.</ref>}} ({{langx|de|Südtirol}} {{IPA|de|ˈzyːttiˌʁoːl||de-Südtirol.ogg}}, {{IPA|de-AT|ˈsyːtiˌroːl|local}}; {{langx|it|Alto Adige}} {{IPA|it|ˈalto ˈaːdidʒe|}}; {{langx|lld|Südtirol}}), officially the '''Autonomous Province of Bolzano – South Tyrol''',{{efn|{{langx|de|Autonome Provinz Bozen – Südtirol|links=no}}; {{langx|it|provincia autonoma di Bolzano – Alto Adige|links=no}}; {{langx|lld|provinzia autonoma de Balsan/Bulsan – Südtirol|links=no}}.}} is an [[autonomous administrative division|autonomous]] [[provinces of Italy|province]] in [[northern Italy]]. Together with [[Trentino]], South Tyrol forms the autonomous [[Regions of Italy|region]] of [[Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol]].<ref>[http://www.regione.taa.it/Moduli/933_STATUTO%202018.pdf] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190925185836/http://www.regione.taa.it/Moduli/933_STATUTO%25202018.pdf|date=25 September 2019}} Statuto speciale per il Trentino-Alto Adige.</ref> The province is the northernmost of Italy, the second largest with an area of {{convert|7400|km2|sqmi|0}}, and has a total population of about 534,000 inhabitants as of 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.citypopulation.de/en/italy/admin/04__trentino_alto_adige/|title=Trentino-Alto Adige (Autonomous Region, Italy) - Population Statistics, Charts, Map and Location}}</ref> Its capital and largest city is [[Bolzano]].
[[File:Atlas Tyrolensis-small.jpg|thumb|The ''Atlas Tyrolensis'', showing the entire County of Tyrol, printed in Vienna in 1774]]

The province is granted a considerable level of self-government, consisting of a large range of exclusive legislative and executive powers and a fiscal regime that allows it to retain 90% of revenue, while remaining a net contributor to the national budget. As of 2023, South Tyrol is the wealthiest province in Italy and among the wealthiest in the [[European Union]].

In the wider context of the European Union, the province is one of the three members of the [[Tyrol–South Tyrol–Trentino Euroregion]], which corresponds almost exactly to the historical region of [[County of Tyrol|Tyrol]].<ref>Cortina d'Ampezzo, Livinallongo/Buchenstein and Colle Santa Lucia, formerly parts of Tyrol, now belong to the region of [[Veneto]].</ref> The other members are the Austrian federal state [[Tyrol (federal state)|Tyrol]] to the north and east, and the Italian [[Trentino|autonomous province of Trento]] to the south.

According to the 2024 census, 57.6% of the population used German as their first language ([[standard German]] in the written form and the [[South Tyrolean dialect]] of [[Bavarian language|Austro-Bavarian]] in the spoken form); 22.6% of the population spoke Italian, mainly in and around the two largest cities (Bolzano and [[Merano]]); 3.7% spoke [[Ladin language|Ladin]], a [[Rhaeto-Romance languages|Rhaeto-Romance language]]; 16.1% of the population (mainly recent immigrants) spoke another native language in addition to Italian and German. Of [[Municipalities of South Tyrol|116 South Tyrolean municipalities]], 102 have a German-speaking, eight a Ladin-speaking, and six an Italian-speaking majority.<ref>{{cite web
 | title = Statistisches Jahrbuch 2024 / statistico della Provincia di Bolzano 2024
 | work = 03 Bevölkerung
 | url = https://astat.provinz.bz.it/downloads/JB2024_K3.pdf
 | access-date = 23 December 2024}}</ref>
The [[Italianization of South Tyrol]] and the settlement of Italians from the rest of Italy after 1918 significantly modified local demographics.<ref name="Provincial Statistics Institute of the Autonomous Province of South Tyrol">Oscar Benvenuto (ed.): "[http://www.provincia.bz.it/Astat/downloads/Siz_2008-eng.pdf South Tyrol in Figures 2008", Provincial Statistics Institute of the Autonomous Province of South Tyrol], Bozen/Bolzano 2007, p. 19, Table 11</ref><ref name="Steininger 2003">{{cite book | last = Steininger | first = Rolf | title = South Tyrol, A Minority Conflict of the Twentieth Century | publisher = Transaction Publishers | year = 2003 |isbn=0-7658-0800-5 }}</ref>

== Name ==
[[File:(1874) The Valleys of TIROL.jpg|thumb|A map from 1874 showing ''South Tirol'' with approximately the borders of today's South and [[East Tyrol]]]]

''South Tyrol'' (occasionally ''South Tirol'') is the term most commonly used in English for the province,<ref>Cf. for instance Antony E. Alcock, ''The History of the South Tyrol Question'', London: Michael Joseph, 1970; Rolf Steininger, ''South Tyrol: A Minority Conflict of the Twentieth Century'', New Brunswick, New Jersey: Transaction Publishers, 2003.</ref> and its usage reflects that it was created from a portion of the southern part of the historic [[County of Tyrol]], a former state of the [[Holy Roman Empire]] and [[crown land]] of the [[Austrian Empire]] of the [[Habsburg]]s. German and Ladin speakers usually refer to the area as ''Südtirol''; the Italian equivalent ''Sudtirolo'' (sometimes parsed ''Sud Tirolo''<ref>{{Citation
|last=Bondi
|first=Sandro
|author-link=Sandro Bondi
|title=Lettera del ministro per i beni culturali Bondi al presidente del consiglio Durnwalder
|url=http://www.stol.it/content/download/152939/1808238/file/Der%20Bondi-Brief.pdf
|format=Letter
|access-date=4 June 2011
|date=25 January 2011
|publisher=Il Ministro per i Beni e le Attività Culturali
|location=Rome
|language=it
|archive-date=10 June 2011
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110610193754/http://www.stol.it/content/download/152939/1808238/file/Der%20Bondi-Brief.pdf
|url-status=dead
}}</ref>) is becoming increasingly common.<ref>{{Citation
| last=Cole
| first=John
| chapter=The Last Become First: The Rise of Ultimogeniture in Contemporary South Tyrol
 | year=2003
 | editor=Grandits, Hannes |editor2=Heady, Patrick
 | title=Distinct Inheritances: Property, Family and Community in a Changing Europe
 | publisher=Lit Verlag
 | place=Münster
 | page=263
 |isbn=3-8258-6961-X
|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Pitr21-JrOIC&pg=PA263}}</ref>

''Alto Adige'' (literally translated in English: "Upper Adige"), one of the Italian names for the province, is also used in English.<ref name="Britishcouncil article using 'Alto Adige'">{{Cite web|url=http://www.britishcouncil.org/language-assistants-ela-success-stories-abbey-cameron-alto-adige-italy.pdf|title=Cfr. for instance this article from britishcouncil.org|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110813161158/http://www.britishcouncil.org/language-assistants-ela-success-stories-abbey-cameron-alto-adige-italy.pdf|archive-date=13 August 2011}}</ref> The term had been the name of political subdivisions along the [[Adige|Adige River]] in the time of [[Napoleon Bonaparte]],<ref>{{cite book|title=Raccolta delle leggi, proclami, ordini ed avvisi, Vol 5|year=1798|publisher=Luigi Viladini|location=Milan|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1RDgAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA184|author=Cisalpine Republic|page=184|language=it}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Napoleon's Italian campaigns 1805–1815|year=2002|publisher=Praeger Publishers|location=Milan|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cLjJV7AKPkAC&pg=PA99|author=Frederick C. Schneid|page=99|isbn=978-0-275-96875-5}}</ref> who created the [[Department of Alto Adige]], part of the [[Kingdom of Italy (Napoleonic)|Napoleonic Kingdom of Italy]]. It was reused as the Italian name of the current province after its post-World War I creation, and was a symbol of the subsequent forced [[Italianization]] of South Tyrol.<ref>{{Citation
|last=Steininger
|first=Rolf
|year=2003
|title=South Tyrol: A Minority Conflict of the Twentieth Century
|publisher=Transaction Publishers
|location=New Brunswick, New Jersey
|page=21
|isbn=978-0-7658-0800-4
}}</ref>

The official name of the province today in German is ''Autonome Provinz Bozen&nbsp;— Südtirol''. German speakers usually refer to it not as a ''Provinz'', but as a ''Land'' (like the [[States of Germany|Länder]] of Germany and Austria).<ref>{{Citation
 | last=Heiss
 | first=Hans
 | chapter=Von der Provinz zum Land. Südtirols Zweite Autonomie
 | year=2003
 | editor-last=Solderer
 | editor-first=Gottfried
 | title=Das 20. Jahrhundert in Südtirol. 1980 – 2000
 | volume=V
 | publisher=Raetia
 | place=Bozen/Bolzano
 | page=50
 |isbn=978-88-7283-204-2 }}</ref> Provincial institutions are referred to using the prefix ''Landes-'', such as ''Landesregierung'' (state government) and ''[[Landeshauptmann]]'' (governor).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.provinz.bz.it/land/landesregierung/default.asp|title=Landesregierung &#124; Autonome Provinz Bozen|website=Landesregierung}}</ref>
The official name in Italian is ''Provincia autonoma di Bolzano&nbsp;— Alto Adige'', in Ladin ''Provinzia autonoma Bulsan&nbsp;— Südtirol''.<ref>{{cite web |title=Provincia Autonoma Bolzano - Alto Adige |url=https://home.provincia.bz.it/it/home |publisher=Provincia autonoma di Bolzano |access-date=21 October 2023 |location=Bolzano |language=Italian}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Provinzia Autonoma Bulsan - Südtirol |url=https://home.provinzia.bz.it/lld/home |publisher=Provinzia Autonoma de Balsan - Südtirol |access-date=21 October 2023 |location=Bolzano |language=Ladin}}</ref>

== History ==
{{Main|History of South Tyrol}}

=== Annexation by Italy ===
South Tyrol as an administrative entity originated during the [[World War I|First World War]]. The [[Allies of World War I|Allies]] promised the area to Italy in the [[Treaty of London (1915)|Treaty of London of 1915]] as an incentive to enter the war on their side. Until 1918, it was part of the [[Austro-Hungarian Empire|Austro-Hungarian]] princely [[County of Tyrol]], but this almost completely German-speaking territory was occupied by Italy at the end of the war in November 1918 and was annexed to the Kingdom of Italy in 1919. The province as it exists today was created in 1926 after an administrative reorganization of the [[Kingdom of Italy]], and was incorporated together with the province of Trento into the newly created region of ''Venezia Tridentina'' ("Trentine [[Venetia (region)|Venetia]]").

With the rise of [[Italian Fascism]], the new regime made efforts to bring forward the [[Italianization of South Tyrol]]. The German language was banished from public service, German teaching was officially forbidden, and German newspapers were censored (with the exception of the fascistic ''Alpenzeitung''). The regime also favoured immigration from other Italian regions.

{{Main|South Tyrol Option Agreement}}
The subsequent alliance between [[Adolf Hitler]] and [[Benito Mussolini]] declared that South Tyrol would not follow the destiny of Austria, which [[Anschluss|had been annexed]] by [[Nazi Germany]]. Instead the dictators agreed that the German-speaking population be transferred to German-ruled territory or dispersed around Italy, but the outbreak of the [[World War II|Second World War]] prevented them from fully carrying out their plans.<ref>{{cite book |author=Hannes Obermair |title="Großdeutschland ruft!" Südtiroler NS-Optionspropaganda und völkische Sozialisation – "La Grande Germania chiamaǃ" La propaganda nazionalsocialista sulle Opzioni in Alto Adige e la socializzazione 'völkisch' |publisher= South Tyrolean Museum of History |location=[[Tyrol Castle]]|year=2020|language=de, it|isbn=978-88-95523-35-4 }}</ref> Every citizen was given the choice to give up their German cultural identity and stay in fascist Italy, or to leave their homeland for Nazi Germany to retain their cultural identity. This resulted in the division of South Tyrolese families.

In this tense relationship for the population, [[Walter Caldonazzi]] from Mals was part of the resistance group around the priest [[Heinrich Maier]], which passed plans and information about production facilities for [[V-1 flying bomb|V-1 rocket]]s, [[V-2 rocket]]s, [[Tiger tank]]s, [[Messerschmitt Bf 109]], and [[Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet]] and other aircraft to the Allies. The group planned for an independent Austria with a monarchical form of government after the war, which would include Austria, Bavaria and South Tyrol.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://austria-forum.org/af/Biographien/Caldonazzi%2C_Walter|title=Caldonazzi, Walter|website=Austria-Forum}}</ref><ref>Elisabeth Boeckl-Klamper, Thomas Mang, Wolfgang Neugebauer: ''Gestapo-Leitstelle Wien 1938–1945.'' Vienna 2018, {{ISBN|978-3-902494-83-2}}, pp. 299–305; Hans Schafranek: ''Widerstand und Verrat: Gestapospitzel im antifaschistischen Untergrund.'' Vienna 2017, {{ISBN|978-3-7076-0622-5}}, pp. 161–248; Fritz Molden: ''Die Feuer in der Nacht. Opfer und Sinn des österreichischen Widerstandes 1938–1945''. Vienna 1988, p. 122; Christoph Thurner "The CASSIA Spy Ring in World War II Austria: A History of the OSS's Maier-Messner Group" (2017); [https://www.meinbezirk.at/kufstein/c-lokales/gedenkstaette-fuer-vier-tapfere-tiroler-widerstandskaempfer-geweiht_a2229816 Memorial dedicated to four brave Tyrolese resistance fighters]</ref>

In 1943, when the Italian government signed [[Armistice of Cassibile|an armistice]] with the [[Allies of World War II|Allies]], the region was occupied by Nazi Germany, which reorganised it as the [[Operation Zone of the Alpine Foothills]] and put it under the administration of [[Gauleiter]] [[Franz Hofer]]. The region was ''[[de facto]]'' annexed to the [[Nazi Germany|German Reich]] (with the addition of the [[province of Belluno]]) until the end of the war. Italian rule was restored in 1945 as the Nazi regime ended.

=== Gruber–De Gasperi Agreement ===
[[File:1946-06-24 Big 4 Turns Down Austria on Tyrol-1.ogv|thumb|Austrians demonstrating in 1946 at a peace conference in favour of having the southern Tyrol region returned to Austria]]
After the war, the Allies decided that the province would remain a part of Italy, under the condition that the German-speaking population be granted a significant level of self-government. Italy and Austria negotiated an agreement in 1946, recognizing the rights of the German minority. [[Alcide De Gasperi]], Italy's prime minister, a native of Trentino, wanted to extend the autonomy to his fellow citizens. This led to the creation of the region called ''Trentino-Alto Adige/Tiroler Etschland''. The [[Gruber–De Gasperi Agreement]] of September 1946 was signed by the Italian and Austrian Foreign Ministers, creating the autonomous region of [[Trentino-South Tyrol]], consisting of the autonomous provinces of [[Trentino]] and South Tyrol. German and Italian were both made official languages, and German-language education was permitted once more. Still Italians were the majority in the combined region.

This, together with the arrival of new Italian-speaking immigrants, led to strong dissatisfaction among South Tyrolese, which culminated in terrorist acts perpetrated by the ''[[Befreiungsausschuss Südtirol]]'' (BAS&nbsp;– Liberation Committee of South Tyrol). In the first phase, only public edifices and fascist monuments were targeted. The second phase was bloodier, costing 21 lives (15 members of Italian security forces, two civilians, and four terrorists).

=== ''Südtirolfrage'' ===
The South Tyrolean Question (''Südtirolfrage'') became an international issue. As the implementation of the post-war agreement was deemed unsatisfactory by the Austrian government, it became a cause of significant friction with Italy and was taken up by the [[United Nations]] in 1960. A fresh round of negotiations took place in 1961 but proved unsuccessful, partly because of the campaign of [[terrorism]].

The issue was resolved in 1971, when a new Austro-Italian treaty was signed and ratified. It stipulated that disputes in South Tyrol would be submitted for settlement to the [[International Court of Justice]] in [[The Hague]], that the province would receive greater autonomy within Italy, and that Austria would not interfere in South Tyrol's internal affairs. The new agreement proved broadly satisfactory to the parties involved, and the separatist tensions soon eased.

The autonomous status granted in 1972 has resulted in a considerable level of self-government,<ref name="Danspeckgruber 2002 193">{{cite book |title=The Self-Determination of Peoples: Community, Nation, and State in an Interdependent World |last=Danspeckgruber |first=Wolfgang F. |year=2002 |publisher=Lynne Rienner Publishers |isbn=1-55587-793-1 |page=193 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6KbwDwueS6AC&pg=PA193}}</ref> and also allows the entity to retain almost 90% of all levied taxes.<ref>{{cite web
 |title       = The South Tyrol Autonomy. A Short Introduction
 |author      = Anthony Alcock
 |url         = http://www.provinz.bz.it/en/downloads/South-Tyrol-Autonomy.pdf
 |access-date  = 14 November 2007
 |url-status     = dead
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20110821012516/http://www.provinz.bz.it/en/downloads/South-Tyrol-Autonomy.pdf
 |archive-date = 21 August 2011
}}</ref>

=== Autonomy ===
[[Image:Grundschule Südtirol.jpg|thumb|Plaque at a German-language school in both Italian and German]]
In 1992, Italy and Austria officially ended their dispute over the autonomy issue on the basis of the agreement of 1972.<ref>Rolf Steininger: "South Tyrol: A Minority Conflict of the Twentieth Century", Transaction Publishers, 2003, {{ISBN|978-0-7658-0800-4}}, pp.2</ref>

The extensive self-government<ref name="Danspeckgruber 2002 193"/> provided by the current institutional framework has been advanced as a model for settling interethnic disputes and for the successful protection of linguistic minorities.<ref>{{cite web
 | title = Tbilisi's S.Ossetia Diplomatic Offensive Gains Momentum
 | url = http://www.civil.ge/eng/detail.php?id=15335
 | access-date = 14 November 2007 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071008123321/http://www.civil.ge/eng/detail.php?id=15335 |archive-date = 8 October 2007}}</ref> This is among the reasons why the Ladin municipalities of [[Cortina d'Ampezzo]]/Anpezo, [[Livinallongo del Col di Lana]]/Fodom and [[Colle Santa Lucia]]/Col have asked in a referendum to be detached from Veneto and reannexed to the province, from which they were separated under the fascist government.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.repubblica.it/2007/10/sezioni/cronaca/referendum-cortina/referendum-quorum/referendum-quorum.html |title=Referendum Cortina, trionfo dei "sì" superato il quorum nei tre Comuni |date=29 October 2007 |newspaper={{Lang|it|La Repubblica}} |access-date=20 August 2013 |location=Rome }}</ref>

=== Euroregion ===
[[Image:Tirol-Suedtirol-Trentino.png|thumb|The Euroregion Tyrol-South Tyrol-Trentino corresponds to the historic Tyrol region today (excluding [[Cortina d'Ampezzo|Cortina]], Livinallongo, [[Pedemonte]] and [[Valvestino]]).
----
{{legend|#fe7f7f| [[Tyrol (federal state)|North and East Tyrol]] ([[Austria]]) }}
{{legend|#f7b77b| South Tyrol ([[Italy]]) }}
{{legend|#7b7bf7| [[Trentino]] ([[Italy]]) }} ]]
In 1996, the [[Euroregion Tyrol-South Tyrol-Trentino]] was formed between the Austrian state of Tyrol and the Italian provinces of South Tyrol and Trentino. The boundaries of the association correspond to the old County of Tyrol. The aim is to promote regional peace, understanding and cooperation in many areas. The region's assemblies meet together as one on various occasions, and have set up a common liaison office with the [[European Union]] in Brussels.

== Geography ==
[[File:Map of South Tyrol (de).png|thumb|Detailed map of South Tyrol]]
South Tyrol is located at the northernmost point in Italy. The province is bordered by Austria to the east and north, specifically by the Austrian federal states [[Tyrol (federal state)|Tyrol]] and [[Salzburg (federal state)|Salzburg]], and by the [[Switzerland|Swiss]] canton of [[Graubünden]] to the west. The Italian provinces of [[Province of Belluno|Belluno]], [[Province of Trentino|Trentino]], and [[Province of Sondrio|Sondrio]] border to the southeast, south, and southwest, respectively.

The landscape itself is mostly cultivated with different types of [[shrubs]] and [[forests]] and is highly mountainous.

Entirely located in the [[Alps]], the province's landscape is dominated by mountains. The highest peak is the [[Ortler]] ({{convert|3905|m|ft|0|disp=comma}}) in the far west, which is also the highest peak in the [[Eastern Alps]] outside the [[Bernina Range]]. Even more famous are the craggy peaks of the [[Dolomites]] in the eastern part of the region.

The following mountain groups are (partially) in South Tyrol. All but the Sarntal Alps are on the border with Austria, Switzerland, or other Italian provinces. The ranges are clockwise from the west and for each the highest peak is given that is within the province or on its border.
[[File:Val dUltimo - Ultental (4724017376).jpg|thumb|[[Ulten Valley]]]]
{| class="wikitable"
!Name!!Highest peak (German/Italian)!!metres!!feet
|-
|[[Ortler Alps]]||[[Ortler|Ortler/Ortles]]||align=right|3,905||align=right|12,811
|-
|[[Sesvenna Range]]||Muntpitschen/Monpiccio||align=right|3,162||align=right|10,374
|-
|[[Ötztal Alps]]||[[Weißkugel|Weißkugel/Palla Bianca]]||align=right|3,746||align=right|12,291
|-
|[[Stubai Alps]]||[[Wilder Freiger|Wilder Freiger/Cima Libera]]||align=right|3,426||align=right|11,241
|-
|[[Sarntal Alps]]||[[Hirzer (Sarntal Alps)|Hirzer/Punta Cervina]]||align=right|2,781||align=right|9,124
|-
|[[Zillertal Alps]]||[[Hochfeiler|Hochfeiler/Gran Pilastro]]||align=right|3,510||align=right|11,515
|-
|[[Hohe Tauern]]||[[Dreiherrnspitze|Dreiherrnspitze/Picco dei Tre Signori]]||align=right|3,499||align=right|11,480
|-
|[[Dolomites|Eastern Dolomites]]||[[Dreischusterspitze|Dreischusterspitze/Punta Tre Scarperi]]||align=right|3,152||align=right|10,341
|-
|Western Dolomites||[[Langkofel|Langkofel/Sassolungo]]||align=right|3,181||align=right|10,436
|-
|}

Located between the mountains are many [[Valleys of South Tyrol|valleys]], where the majority of the population lives.

=== Administrative divisions ===
{{See also|Municipalities of South Tyrol}}
The province is divided into eight districts (German: ''Bezirksgemeinschaften'', Italian: {{italic correction|''comunità comprensoriali''}}), one of them being the chief city of Bolzano. Each district is headed by a president and two bodies called the district committee and the district council. The districts are responsible for resolving intermunicipal disputes and providing roads, schools, and social services such as retirement homes.

The province is further divided into 116 ''[[Gemeinde (South Tyrol)|Gemeinde]]n'' or ''[[Comune|comuni]]''.<ref name="stinf-2010">{{cite web
 |title       = ''South Tyrol in figures''
 |work        = Provincial Statistics Institute (ASTAT)
 |url         = http://www.provincia.bz.it/en/downloads/Siz_2010-eng.pdf
 |access-date  = 4 September 2011
 |url-status     = dead
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20110905153901/http://www.provincia.bz.it/en/downloads/Siz_2010-eng.pdf
 |archive-date = 5 September 2011
 |df          = dmy-all
}}</ref>

=== Districts ===
{{see also|Districts of Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol}}
[[File:Comunità comprensoriali Alto Adige.svg|thumb|Map of South Tyrol with its eight districts]]
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!District (German/Italian)
!Capital (German/Italian)
!Area
!Inhabitants<ref name="stinf-2010"/>
|-
|Bozen/Bolzano || [[Bolzano|Bozen/Bolzano]] || align="right" | 52<!-- genauer 52.34 --> km<sup>2</sup> || align="right" | 107,436
|-
|[[Burggrafenamt|Burggrafenamt/Burgraviato]] || [[Merano|Meran/Merano]] || align="right" | 1,101&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup> || align="right" | 97,315
|-
|[[Puster Valley|Pustertal/Val Pusteria]] || [[Bruneck|Bruneck/Brunico]] || align="right" | &nbsp;2,071&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>|| align="right" | 79,086
|-
|[[Überetsch-Unterland|Überetsch-Unterland/Oltradige-Bassa Atesina]] || [[Neumarkt, South Tyrol|Neumarkt/Egna]] || align="right" | 424&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>|| align="right" | 71,435
|-
|[[Eisacktal|Eisacktal/Valle Isarco]] || [[Brixen|Brixen/Bressanone]] || align="right" | 624&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>|| align="right" | 49,840
|-
|[[Salten-Schlern|Salten-Schlern/Salto-Sciliar]] || Bozen/Bolzano || align="right" | 1,037&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>|| align="right" | 48,020
|-
|[[Vinschgau|Vinschgau/Val Venosta]] || [[Schlanders|Schlanders/Silandro]] || align="right" | 1,442<!-- genauer 1,441.68 --> km<sup>2</sup>|| align="right" | 35,000
|-
|[[Wipptal (district)|Wipptal/Alta Valle Isarco]] || [[Sterzing|Sterzing/Vipiteno]] || align="right" | 650&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>|| align="right" | 18,220
|}

=== Largest municipalities ===
[[File:BozenLaubenGasse.jpg|thumb|The ''Laubengasse'' or ''Via dei portici'', a street in the capital Bolzano]]
[[File:Brixen Innenstadt.jpg|thumb|Brixen is the third largest city]]
{| class="wikitable"
!German name
!Italian name
!Ladin name
!Inhabitants<ref name="stinf-2010"/>
|-
|Bozen
|[[Bolzano]]
|Balsan, Bulsan
| align="right" |107,724
|-
|[[Meran]]
|Merano
|Maran
| align="right" |40,926
|-
|[[Brixen]]
|Bressanone
|Persenon, Porsenù
| align="right" |22,423
|-
|Leifers
|[[Laives]]
|
| align="right" |18,097
|-
|[[Bruneck]]
|Brunico
|Bornech, Burnech
| align="right" |16,636
|-
|[[Eppan an der Weinstraße]]
|Appiano sulla Strada del Vino
|
| align="right" |14,990
|-
|[[Lana, South Tyrol|Lana]]
|Lana
|
| align="right" |12,468
|-
|[[Kaltern an der Weinstraße]]
|Caldaro sulla Strada del Vino
|
| align="right" |7,512
|-
|[[Ritten]]
|Renon
|
| align="right" |7,507
|-
|[[Sarntal]]
|Sarentino
|
| align="right" |6,863
|-
|[[Kastelruth]]
|Castelrotto
|Ciastel
| align="right" |6,456
|-
|[[Sterzing]]
|Vipiteno
|
| align="right" |6,306
|-
|[[Schlanders]]
|Silandro
|
| align="right" |6,014
|-
|[[Ahrntal]]
|Valle Aurina
|
| align="right" |5,876
|-
|[[Naturns]]
|Naturno
|
| align="right" |5,440
|-
|[[Sand in Taufers]]
|Campo Tures
|
| align="right" |5,230
|-
|[[Latsch]]
|Laces
|
| align="right" |5,145
|-
|[[Klausen, South Tyrol|Klausen]]
|Chiusa
|Tluses, Tlüses
| align="right" |5,134
|-
|[[Mals]]
|Malles
|
| align="right" |5,050
|-
|[[Neumarkt, South Tyrol|Neumarkt]]
|Egna
|
| align="right" |4,926
|-
|[[Algund]]
|Lagundo
|
| align="right" |4,782
|-
|St. Ulrich
|Ortisei
|[[Urtijëi]]
| align="right" |4,606
|-
|[[Ratschings]]
|Racines
|
| align="right" |4,331
|-
||[[Terlan]]
|Terlano
|
| align="right" |4,132
|}

=== Climate ===
Climatically, South Tyrol may be divided into five distinct groups:

The [[Adige]] valley area, with cold winters (24-hour averages in January of about {{convert|0|C|F}}) and warm summers (24-hour averages in July of about {{convert|23|C|F}}), usually [[Köppen climate classification|classified]] as [[humid subtropical climate]]&nbsp;— Cfa. It has the driest and sunniest climate of the province. The main city in this area is [[Bolzano]].

The midlands, between {{convert|300|and|900|m|ft}}, with cold winters (24-hour averages in January between {{convert|-3|and|1|C|F}}) and mild summers (24-hour averages in July between {{convert|15|and|21|C|F}}). This is a typical [[oceanic climate]], classified as Cfb. It is usually wetter than the subtropical climate, and very snowy during the winters. During the spring and autumn, there is an extended foggy season, but fog may occur even on summer mornings. Main towns in this area are [[Merano|Meran]], [[Bruneck]], [[Sterzing]], and [[Brixen]]. Near the lakes in higher lands (between {{convert|1000|and|1400|m|ft}}) the humidity may make the climate in these regions milder during winter, but also cooler in summer, making it more similar to a [[Oceanic_climate#Subpolar_variety_(Cfc,_Cwc)|subpolar oceanic climate]], Cfc.

[[File:Blick über Meran nach Nordwesten.jpg|thumb|Meran/Merano in the summer|299x299px]]
The alpine valleys between {{convert|900|and|1400|m|ft}}, with a typically [[humid continental climate]]&nbsp;— Dfb, covering the largest part of the province. The winters are usually very cold (24-hour averages in January between {{convert|-8|and|-3|C|F}}), and the summers, mild with averages between {{convert|14|and|19|C|F}}. It is a very snowy climate; snow may occur from early October to April or even May. Main municipalities in this area are [[Urtijëi]], [[Badia, South Tyrol|Badia]], [[Sexten]], [[Toblach]], [[Stilfs]], [[Vöran]], and [[Mühlwald]].

The alpine valleys between {{convert|1400|and|1700|m|ft}}, with a [[subarctic climate]]&nbsp;— Dfc, with harsh winters (24-hour averages in January between {{convert|-9|and|-5|C|F}}) and cool, short, rainy and foggy summers (24-hour averages in July of about {{convert|12|C|F}}). These areas usually have five months below the freezing point, and snow sometimes occurs even during the summer, in September. This climate is the wettest of the province, with large rainfalls during the summer, heavy snowfalls during spring and fall. The winter is usually a little drier, marked by freezing and dry weeks, although not sufficiently dry to be classified as a Dwc climate. Main municipalities in this area are [[Corvara, South Tyrol|Corvara]], [[Sëlva]], [[Santa Cristina Gherdëina]].

The highlands above {{convert|1700|m|ft}}, with an [[Alpine climate|alpine]] [[tundra climate]], ET, which becomes an [[ice cap climate]], EF, above {{convert|3000|m|ft}}. The winters are cold, but sometimes not as cold as the higher valleys' winters. In January, most of the areas at {{convert|2000|m|ft}} have an average temperature of about {{convert|-5|C|F}}, while in the valleys at about {{convert|1600|m|ft}}, the mean temperature may be as low as {{convert|-8|or|-9|C|F}}. The higher lands, above {{convert|3000|m|ft}} are usually extremely cold, with averages of about {{convert|-14|C|F}} during the coldest month, January.

=== Geology ===
[[File:Marmolada + Sellaronda tour 12.jpg|thumb|Langkofel group in the western Dolomites in winter|299x299px]]The periadriatic seam, which separates the [[Southern Alps (Europe)|Southern Alps]] from the [[Central Alps]], runs through South Tyrol in a southwest–northeast direction. In South Tyrol at least three of the four main structural elements of the Alps come to light: the Southern Alpine comes to light south of the periadriatic suture, the Eastern Alpine north of it, and in the northern part of the country, east of the Brenner Pass, the Tauern window, in which the Peninsular and, according to some authors, the Helvetic are visible.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Entstehungsgeschichte - NaturStein Südtirol|url=http://www.naturstein-suedtirol.it/natur/entstehungsgeschichte/|access-date=2021-06-03|website=www.naturstein-suedtirol.it}}</ref>

In South Tyrol, the following structure can be roughly recognized: The lowest floor forms the crystalline basement. About 280 million years ago, in the Lower Permian, multiple magmatic events occurred. At that time the Brixen [[granite]] was formed at the northern boundary of the Southern Alps, and at about the same time, further south in the Bolzano area, there was strong [[Volcano|volcanic activity]] that formed the Adige Valley volcanic complex. In the Upper Permian a period began in which sedimentary rocks were formed. At first, these were partly clastic sediments, among which the Gröden sandstone is found. In the [[Triassic]], massive carbonate platforms of dolomitic rocks then formed; this process was interrupted in the Middle Triassic by a brief but violent phase of volcanic activity.

In South Tyrol, the [[Eastern Alps]] consist mainly of metamorphic rocks, such as gneisses or mica schists, with occasional intercalations of marble and [[Mesozoic]] sedimentary rocks with metamorphic overprint (e.g., in the Ortler or southwest of the Brenner). Various metamorphic rocks are found in the Tauern Window, such as Hochstegen marble (as in Wolfendorn), Grünschiefer (as in Hochfeiler), or rocks of the Zentralgneiss (predominantly in the area of the Zillertal Main Ridge).<ref>Geologische Bundesanstalt: Geofast-Karten</ref>

The province of South Tyrol has placed numerous geological natural monuments under protection. Among the best known are the Bletterbach Gorge, a 12&nbsp;km (7½ mile) long canyon in the municipality of Aldein, and the [[Earth pyramids of Ritten|Ritten Earth Pyramids]], which are the largest in Europe with a height of up to {{convert|30|m|ft}}.<ref>{{Cite web|last=SPA|first=Südtiroler Informatik AG {{!}} Informatica Alto Adige|title=Natur, Landschaft und Raumentwicklung {{!}} Landesverwaltung {{!}} Autonome Provinz Bozen - Südtirol|url=https://www.provinz.bz.it/natur-umwelt/natur-raum/default.asp|access-date=2021-06-03|website=Landesverwaltung|language=de}}</ref>

=== Mountains ===
[[File:Drei zinnen gross.jpg|thumb|[[Drei Zinnen]]-[[Tre Cime di Lavaredo]] in the [[Sexten]] Dolomites bordering the province of Belluno|300x300px]]
According to the Alpine Association, South Tyrol is home to 13 mountain groups of the Eastern Alps, of which only the Sarntal Alps are entirely within national borders. The remaining twelve are (clockwise, starting from the west): Sesvenna Group, Ötztal Alps, Stubai Alps, Zillertal Alps, Venediger Group, Rieserferner Group, Villgratner Mountains, Carnic Alps, Dolomites, Fleimstal Alps, Nonsberg Group and Ortler Alps. Of particular note are the Dolomites, parts of which were recognized by [[UNESCO]] in 2009 as a "Dolomite World Heritage Site".

Although some isolated massifs approach {{convert|4000|m|ft}} and show strong [[glaciation]] (especially in the Ortler Alps and on the main ridge of the Alps), South Tyrol is by far dominated by mountains with altitudes of between {{convert|2000|and|3000|m|ft}}. Among the multitude of peaks, the [[Dolomites]] are the highest in the Alps. Among the large number of peaks, three stand out for their alpine or cultural importance: the [[Ortler]] ({{convert|3905|m|ft|0|disp=comma}}) as the highest mountain in South Tyrol, the [[Schlern]] ({{convert|2563|m|ft|0|disp=comma}}) as the country's "landmark" and the [[Tre Cime di Lavaredo|Drei Zinnen]] ({{convert|2999|m|ft|0|disp=comma}}) as the center of alpine climbing. Other well-known mountains are the [[Königspitze]] ({{convert|3851|m|ft|0|disp=comma}}), the [[Weißkugel]] ({{convert|3739|m|ft|0|disp=comma}}), the [[Similaun]] ({{convert|3599|m|ft|0|disp=comma}}), the [[Hochwilde]] ({{convert|3480|m|ft|0|disp=comma}}), the Sarner Weißhorn ({{convert|2705|m|ft|0|disp=comma}}), the Hochfeiler ({{convert|3509|m|ft|0|disp=comma}}), the Dreiherrnspitze ({{convert|3499|m|ft|0|disp=comma}}), the Hochgall ({{convert|3436|m|ft|0|disp=comma}}), the Peitlerkofel ({{convert|2875|m|ft|0|disp=comma}}), the Langkofel ({{convert|3181|m|ft|0|disp=comma}}) and the Rosengartenspitze ({{convert|2981|m|ft|0|disp=comma}}).

The extensive mountain [[landscapes]], about 34% of the total area of South Tyrol, are alpine pastures (including the {{convert|57|km2|sqmi}} of the great Alpe di Siusi). Along the main valleys, the mountain ranges descend in many places to valley bottoms over gently terraced landscapes, which are geological remains of former [[valley]] systems; situated between inhospitable high mountains and formerly boggy or deeply incised valley bottoms, these areas known as the "Mittelgebirge" (including, for example, the Schlern area) are of particular importance in terms of settlement [[history]].<ref>Ernst Steinicke, Giuliana Andreotti: ''Das Pustertal. Geographische Profile im Raum von Innichen und Bruneck.'' In: Ernst Steinicke (Hrsg.): ''Europaregion Tirol, Südtirol, Trentino. Band 3: Spezialexkursionen in Südtirol.'' Institut für Geographie der Universität Innsbruck, Innsbruck 2003, {{ISBN|3-901182-35-7}}, S. 14.</ref>

=== Valleys ===
[[File:Santa Crusc da Pescol.jpg|thumb|300x300px|Val Badia, near the town of Badia]]
The three main valleys of South Tyrol are the [[Etschtal|Adige Valley]], the [[Eisacktal|Eisack Valley]] and the [[Puster Valley]], formed by the Ice Age Adige glacier and its tributaries. The highest part of the Adige valley in western South Tyrol, from Reschen ({{convert|1507|m|ft|0|disp=or}}) to Töll (approx. {{convert|500|m|ft|disp=or}}) near Merano, is called Vinschgau; the southernmost section, from Bolzano to Salurner Klause ({{convert|207|m|ft|0|disp=or}}), is divided into Überetsch and Unterland. From there, the Adige Valley continues in a southerly direction until it merges with the Po plain at [[Verona]].

At Bolzano, the Eisack Valley merges into the Adige Valley. The Eisack Valley runs from Bolzano northeastward to Franzensfeste, where it merges with the Wipp Valley, which runs first northwestward and then northward over the Brenner Pass to Innsbruck. In the town of Brixen, the Eisack Valley meets the Puster Valley, which passes through Bruneck and reaches Lienz via the Toblacher Sattel ({{convert|1210|m|ft|0|disp=or}}). In addition to the three main valleys, South Tyrol has a large number of side valleys. The most important and populated side valleys are (from west to east) Sulden, Schnals, Ulten, Passeier, Ridnaun, the Sarntal, Pfitsch, Gröden, the Gadertal, the Tauferer Ahrntal and Antholz.

In mountainous South Tyrol, about 64.5% of the total [[land area]] is above {{convert|1500|m|ft}} above sea level and only 14% below {{convert|1000|m|ft}}.<ref>Reinhard Kuntzke, Christiane Hauch: ''Südtirol. DuMont Reise-Taschenbuch''. Dumont Reiseverlag, Ostfildern 2012, {{ISBN|978-3-7701-7251-1}}, S. 44.</ref> Therefore, a large part of the [[population]] is concentrated in relatively small areas in the valleys at an altitude of between {{convert|100|and|1200|m|ft}}, mainly in the area of the extensive alluvial cones and broad basins. The most densely populated areas are in the Adige valley, where three of the four largest cities, Bolzano, Merano and Laives, are located. The flat valley bottoms are mainly used for agriculture.

=== Hydrography ===
[[File:Pragser Wildsee Seekofel von Bucht.jpg|thumb|Braies Lake or Pragser Wildsee|301x301px]]
The most important river in South Tyrol is the [[Adige River|Adige]], which rises at the Reschen Pass, flows for a distance of about {{convert|140|km|mi}} to the border at the Salurner Klause, and then flows into the Po Valley and the Adriatic Sea. The Adige, whose total length of {{convert|415|km|mi|0}} in Italy is exceeded only by the [[Po river|Po]], drains 97% of the territory's surface area. Its river system also includes the Eisack, about {{convert|100|km|mi}} long, and the Rienz, about {{convert|80|km|mi}} long, the next two largest rivers in South Tyrol. They are fed by numerous rivers and streams in the tributary valleys. The most important tributaries are the Plima, the Passer, the Falschauer, the Talfer, the Ahr and the Gader. The remaining 3% of the area is drained by the [[Drava]] and [[Inn (river)|Inn]] river systems to the [[Black Sea]] and by the [[Piave (river)|Piave river]] system to the [[Adriatic Sea]], respectively.<ref>{{Cite web|last=SPA|first=Südtiroler Informatik AG {{!}} Informatica Alto Adige|title=Landesagentur für Umwelt und Klimaschutz {{!}} Autonome Provinz Bozen - Südtirol|url=https://umwelt.provinz.bz.it/default.asp|access-date=2021-06-07|website=Landesagentur für Umwelt und Klimaschutz|language=de}}</ref>

In South Tyrol there are 176 natural [[lake]]s with an area of more than half a [[hectare]] (1¼ acre), most of which are located above {{convert|2000|m|ft}} [[altitude]]. Only 13 natural lakes are larger than 5 ha, and only three of them are situated below {{convert|1000|m|ft}} altitude: the Kalterer See ({{convert|215|m|ft|0|disp=comma}}), the Großer ({{convert|492|m|ft|0|disp=comma}}) and the Kleiner [[Montiggler Seen|Montiggler See]] ({{convert|514|m|ft|0|disp=comma}}). Fourteen South Tyrolean reservoirs used for energy production include the Reschensee ({{convert|1498|m|ft|0|disp=comma}}), which with an area of {{convert|523|ha|sqmi|sigfig=3}} forms the largest standing body of water in South Tyrol, the Zufrittsee ({{convert|1850|m|ft|0|disp=comma}}) and the Arzkarsee ({{convert|2250|m|ft|0|disp=comma}}).

The [[natural monument]]s designated by the province of South Tyrol include numerous hydrological objects, such as streams, waterfalls, moors, glaciers and mountain lakes like the Pragser Wildsee ({{convert|1494|m|ft|0|disp=comma}}), the Karersee ({{convert|1519|m|ft|0|disp=comma}}) or the Spronser Seen ({{convert|2117|-|2589|m|ft|0|disp=comma}}).<ref>{{Cite web|last=SPA|first=Südtiroler Informatik AG {{!}} Informatica Alto Adige|title=Natur, Landschaft und Raumentwicklung {{!}} Landesverwaltung {{!}} Autonome Provinz Bozen - Südtirol|url=https://www.provinz.bz.it/natur-umwelt/natur-raum/default.asp|access-date=2021-06-07|website=Landesverwaltung|language=de}}</ref>

=== Vegetation ===
[[File:Latemarspitze Karersee.JPG|thumb|Group of spruce and pine trees in Latemar forest]]
Approximately 50% of the area of South Tyrol is covered by [[forests]],<ref>{{Cite web|date=2015-04-02|title=Südtirols Wald: Flächen {{!}} Abteilung Forstwirtschaft {{!}} Autonome Provinz Bozen - Südtirol|url=http://www.provinz.bz.it/forst/wald-holz-almen/zahlen.asp|access-date=2021-06-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402175530/http://www.provinz.bz.it/forst/wald-holz-almen/zahlen.asp|archive-date=2 April 2015}}</ref> another 40% is above {{convert|2000|m|ft}} and thus largely beyond the forest demarcation line, which varies between {{convert|1900|and|2200|m|ft}}. In each case, more than half of the total forest area is located on land with a slope steeper than 20° and at [[altitudes]] between {{convert|1200|and|1800|m|ft}}. Approximately 24% of the forest area can be classified as [[Protected area|protective forest]] preserving settlements, traffic routes and other human [[infrastructure]]. A 1997 study classified about 35% of South Tyrol's forests as near-natural or natural, about 41% as moderately modified and about 24% as heavily modified or artificial. The forests are found in the valley bottoms.

The flat valley bottoms were originally completely covered with [[Riparian zone|riparian]] forests, of which only very small remnants remain along the [[river]]s. The remaining areas have given way to settlements and [[agricultural land]]. On the valley slopes, sub-Mediterranean mixed deciduous forests are found up to {{convert|800|or|900|m|ft}} altitude, characterized mainly by manna ash, hop hornbeam, hackberry, sweet chestnut and downy [[oak]]. From about {{convert|600|m|ft}} of altitude, red beech or pine forests can appear instead, colonizing difficult and arid sites (more rarely). At altitudes between {{convert|800|and|1500|m|ft}}, spruce forests are found; between {{convert|900|and|2000|m|ft}}, montane and subalpine spruce forests predominate. The latter are often mixed with tree species such as larch, rowan, white pine and [[Pinus cembra|stone pine]]. The larch and stone pine forests at the upper edge of the forest belt occupy relatively small areas. Beyond the forest edge, subalpine dwarf shrub communities, alpine [[grasslands]] and, lately, alpine [[tundra]] dominate the landscape as vegetation types.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2015-04-02|title=Lebensgemeinschaft Wald {{!}} Abteilung Forstwirtschaft {{!}} Autonome Provinz Bozen - Südtirol|url=http://www.provinz.bz.it/forst/wald-holz-almen/lebensgemeinschaft.asp|access-date=2021-06-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402100820/http://www.provinz.bz.it/forst/wald-holz-almen/lebensgemeinschaft.asp|archive-date=2 April 2015}}</ref>

== Politics ==
{{Main|Politics of South Tyrol}}
[[File:SuedtirolerLandtag.004533.png|thumb|The assembly building of South Tyrol]]

The local government system is based upon the provisions of the [[Constitution of Italy|Italian Constitution]] and the Autonomy Statute of the Region [[Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol]].<ref>{{cite web
 | title = Special Statute for Trentino-Alto Adige
 | url = http://www.provincia.bz.it/lpa/autonomy/autonomy_statute_eng.pdf
 | access-date = 14 November 2007 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070926105444/http://www.provincia.bz.it/lpa/autonomy/autonomy_statute_eng.pdf |archive-date = 26 September 2007}}</ref> The 1972 second Statute of Autonomy for Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol [[devolution|devolved]] most legislative and executive competences from the regional level to the provincial level, creating ''[[de facto]]'' two separate regions.

The considerable [[Legislature|legislative power]] of the province is vested in an assembly, the [[Landtag of South Tyrol]] (German: ''Südtiroler Landtag''; Italian: ''Consiglio della Provincia Autonoma di Bolzano''; Ladin: ''Cunsëi dla Provinzia Autonoma de Bulsan'').
The legislative powers of the assembly are defined by the second Statute of Autonomy.

The executive powers are attributed to the [[Government of South Tyrol|government]] (German: ''Landesregierung''; Italian: ''Giunta Provinciale'') headed by the ''[[Landeshauptmann]]'' [[Arno Kompatscher]].<ref>{{cite news
 | title = The South Tyrol Success Story: Italy's German-Speaking Province Escapes the Crisis
 | url = http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/the-south-tyrol-success-story-italy-s-german-speaking-province-escapes-the-crisis-a-713438.html
 | date = 25 August 2010
 | quote=Durnwalder's party, the South Tyrolean People's Party (SVP), ...has ruled the province with an absolute or relative majority since 1948.
 | access-date = 24 November 2012 | newspaper = Spiegel Online
 | last1 = Mayr
 | first1 = Walter
 }}</ref> He belongs to the [[South Tyrolean People's Party]], which has been governing with a parliamentary majority since 1948. South Tyrol is characterized by long sitting presidents, having only had two presidents between 1960 and 2014 ([[Silvius Magnago]] 1960–1989, [[Luis Durnwalder]] 1989–2014).

A fiscal regime allows the province to retain a large part of most levied taxes, in order to execute and administer its competences. Nevertheless, South Tyrol remains a net contributor to the Italian national budget.<ref>{{cite web
 | title = Dati Regionali 2012 shock: Residuo Fiscale (saldo attivo per 95 miliardi al Nord)
 | url = http://scenarieconomici.it/dati-regionali-2012-shock-residuo-fiscale-saldo-attivo-per-95-miliardi-al-nord/
 | date = 27 May 2013
 | access-date = 19 September 2014 }}</ref>

=== Last provincial elections ===
{{main|2023 Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol provincial elections#South Tyrol}}
{{Election results
|image=[[File:2023 South Tyrol Landtag.svg|300px]]
|party1=[[South Tyrolean People's Party]]
|votes1=97092
|seats1=13
|sc1={{red|−2}}
|party2=[[Team K]]
|votes2=31201
|seats2=4
|sc2={{red|−2}}
|party3=[[South Tyrolean Freedom]]
|votes3=30583
|seats3=4
|sc3={{green|+2}}
|color3 =#8C001A
|party4=[[Greens (South Tyrol)|Greens]]
|votes4=25445
|seats4=3
|sc4=±0
|party5=[[Brothers of Italy]]
|votes5=16747
|seats5=2
|sc5={{green|+1}}
|party6=[[JWA List]]
|votes6=16596
|seats6=2
|sc6=New
|color6=#E74617
|party7=[[Die Freiheitlichen]]
|votes7=13836
|seats7=2
|sc7=±0
|color7=#1560BD
|party8=[[Democratic Party (Italy)|Democratic Party]]
|votes8=9707
|seats8=1
|sc8=±0
|party9=[[For South Tyrol with Widmann]]
|votes9=9646
|seats9=1
|sc9=±0
|party10=[[Lega (political party)|League]]–United for Alto Adige
|votes10=8541
|seats10=1
|sc10={{red|−3}}
|color10=#008000
|party11=La Civica
|votes11=7301
|seats11=1
|sc11=New
|color11=#6295C8 
|party12=[[Vita (electoral list)|Vita]]
|votes12=7222
|seats12=1
|sc12=New
|party13=[[Five Star Movement]]
|votes13=2086
|seats13=–
|sc13={{red|−1}}
|party14=Enzian
|votes14=1990
|seats14=±0
|sc14=New
|color14=#286cab
|party15=[[Forza Italia (2013)|Forza Italia]]
|votes15=1625
|seats15=–
|sc15=±0
|party16=Centre-Right
|votes16=1601
|seats16=–
|sc16=New
|color16=#0a6be1
|invalid={{#expr:3014+6066}}
|electorate=429841|source= [https://landtagswahlen.provinz.bz.it/de/territory/province Official Results]
}}

{{bar box
|title=Popular vote
|titlebar=#ddd
|width=550px
|barwidth=500px
|bars=
{{bar percent|[[South Tyrolean People's Party|SVP]]|{{party color|South Tyrolean People's Party}}|34.53}}
{{bar percent|[[Team K|TK]]|#FCD300|11.09}}
{{bar percent|[[South Tyrolean Freedom|STF]]|#8C001A|10.88}}
{{bar percent|[[Greens (South Tyrol)|Grüne]]|{{party color|Greens (South Tyrol)}}|9.05}}
{{bar percent|[[Brothers of Italy|FdI]]|{{party color|Brothers of Italy}}|5.96}}
{{bar percent|[[JWA List|JWA]]|#E74617|5.90}}
{{bar percent|[[Die Freiheitlichen|dF]]|#1560BD|4.92}}
{{bar percent|[[Democratic Party (Italy)|PD]]|{{party color|Democratic Party (Italy)}}|3.45}}
{{bar percent|[[For South Tyrol with Widmann|Widmann]]|{{party color|For South Tyrol with Widmann}}|3.43}}
{{bar percent|[[Lega (political party)|Lega]]|{{party color|Lega (political party)}}|3.04}}
{{bar percent|Civica|#6295C8|2.60}}
{{bar percent|[[Vita (electoral list)|Vita]]|{{party color|Vita (electoral list)}}|2.57}}
{{bar percent|[[Five Star Movement|M5S]]|{{party color|Five Star Movement}}|0.74}}
{{bar percent|Enzian|#286cab|0.71}}
{{Bar percent|[[Forza Italia (2013)|FI]]|{{party color|Forza Italia (2013)}}|0.58}}
{{Bar percent|CD|{{party color|Centre-right coalition (Italy)}}|0.57}}
}}</onlyinclude>

=== List of governors ===
{{main|List of governors of South Tyrol}}
{{:List of governors of South Tyrol}}

=== Provincial Government ===
[[File:Palais Widmann 2019.jpg|thumb|Widmann Palace in Bolzano, seat of the provincial government]]
The provincial government (''Landesregierung'') of South Tyrol (formerly also called provincial committee, ''Giunta provinciale'' in [[Italian language|Italian]], ''Junta provinziala'' in [[Ladin language|Ladin]]) consists of a provincial [[governor]] and a variable number of provincial [[Councillor|councilors]]. Currently (2021), the provincial government consists of eight provincial councilors and the provincial governor. The deputies of the provincial governor are appointed from among the provincial councilors. The current governor is Arno Kompatscher (SVP), his deputies are the provincial councilors Arnold Schuler (SVP), Giuliano Vettorato (LN) and Daniel Alfreider (SVP).

The Governor and the Provincial Councilors are elected by [[Parliament]] by secret ballot with an [[absolute majority]] of votes. The composition of the provincial government must in any case reflect the [[Proportional representation|proportional distribution]] of the German and Italian language groups in the provincial parliament. In the past, this provision prevented the German-dominated South Tyrol People's Party (SVP) from governing alone and allowed Italian parties to participate in the provincial government. Since the Ladin language group, with just under 4% of South Tyrol's resident population, has little electoral potential, a separate provision in the autonomy statute allows Ladin representation in the provincial government regardless of their proportional representation in the provincial parliament.

=== Secessionist movement ===
{{Main|South Tyrolean secessionist movement}}

Given the region's historical and cultural association with neighboring Austria, calls for the secession of South Tyrol and its reunification with Austria do surface from time to time among some minor groups of German-speakers, although falling short of a majority in the province, the majority does not support a separation.<ref name=nat>{{cite web|title=South Tyrol heading to unofficial independence referendum in autumn|url=http://www.nationalia.info/en/news/1508|work=7 March 2013|publisher=Nationalia.info|access-date=28 March 2014}}</ref> Among the political parties that support South Tyrol's reunification into Austria are [[South Tyrolean Freedom]], [[Die Freiheitlichen]] and [[Citizens' Union for South Tyrol]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Website of South Tylorean Freedom|url=http://www.suedtiroler-freiheit.com|access-date=28 March 2014}}</ref>

==Economy==
[[File:St-magdalena st-justina-rosengarten.jpg|thumb|left|Vineyards of St. Magdalena in Bolzano with [[St. Justina (Bozen)|St.&nbsp;Justina]] and [[Rosengarten group]] in the background]] 
In 2016 South Tyrol had a [[GDP per capita]] of €42,600, making it the richest province in Italy and one of the richest in the European Union.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/documents/2995521/8700651/1-28022018-BP-EN/15f5fd90-ce8b-4927-9a3b-07dc255dc42a|title=Regional GDP in the European Union, 2016}}</ref>

The unemployment level in 2007 was roughly 2.4% (2.0% for men and 3.0% for women). Residents are employed in a variety of sectors, from [[agriculture]]&nbsp;— the province is a large producer of apples, and its [[South Tyrol wine]] are also renowned&nbsp;— to [[Industrial sector|industry]] to [[Service (economics)|services]], especially [[tourism]]. Spas located on the Italian Alps have become a favorite for tourists seeking wellness.<ref name="Rysman_2019_Wellness">{{cite news |last1=Rysman |first1=Laura |title=Italian Alpine Spas, Where Sports Are an Afterthought |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/04/travel/spas-italy-alps.html?action=click&module=Editors%20Picks&pgtype=Homepage |work=NYT |date=4 February 2019}}</ref>

South Tyrol is home to numerous [[mechanical engineering]] companies, some of which are the global market leaders in their sectors: the Leitner Group that specializes in [[Aerial lift|cable cars]] and [[wind energy]], TechnoAlpin AG, which is the global market leader in snow-making technology and the [[snow groomer]] company [[Prinoth (company)|Prinoth]].
[[File:Furnadoia de Seceda y Resciesa.JPG|thumb|[[Aerial lift|Cable car]] on Mount Seceda in the [[Dolomites]]]]

The unemployment rate stood at 3.8% in 2020.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://appsso.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/nui/show.do?dataset=lfst_r_lfu3rt&lang=en|title=Unemployment NUTS 2 regions Eurostat|language=en}}</ref>

===Transport===
[[File:Targa automobilistica Italia 1999 CZ•889 KF Bolzano-Alto Adige posteriore.svg|thumb|License plate of South Tyrol (<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Bz</span>)]]
The region is, together with northern and eastern Tyrol, an important transit point between southern Germany and [[Northern Italy]]. Freights by road and rail pass through here. One of the most important highways is the [[Autostrade of Italy|A22]], also called the ''Autostrada del Brennero''. It connects to the [[Brenner Autobahn]] in Austria.

The [[Vehicle registration plates of Italy|vehicle registration plate]] of South Tyrol is the two-letter provincial code <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Bz</span> for the capital city, Bolzano. Along with the autonomous Trentino (<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Tn</span>) and [[Aosta Valley]] (<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Ao</span>), South Tyrol is allowed to surmount its license plates with its coat of arms.

Rail transport goes over the [[Brenner Pass]]. The [[Brenner Railway]] is a major line connecting the [[Rail transport in Austria|Austrian]] and [[Rail transport in Italy|Italian railways]] from [[Innsbruck Hauptbahnhof|Innsbruck]] and [[Verona Porta Nuova railway station|Verona]] climbing the [[Wipptal]], passing over the Brenner Pass and descending down the [[Eisacktal|Eisack Valley]] to Bolzano and then down the Adige Valley from Bolzano to Rovereto and to Verona. The line is part of the [[Berlin–Palermo railway axis|Line 1]] of [[Trans-European Transport Networks]] (TEN-T).

Other railways are the [[Pustertalbahn]], [[Rittnerbahn|Ritten Railway]] and [[Vinschgaubahn]]. Due to the steep slopes of the mountains, a number of [[funicular]]s exist, such as the [[Gardena Ronda Express funicular]] and [[Mendel Funicular]].

The [[Brenner Base Tunnel]] is under construction and scheduled to be completed by 2032. With a planned length of {{convert|55|km|mi}}, this tunnel will increase freight train average speed to {{convert|120|km/h|mph}} and reduce transit time by over an hour.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Brenner Base Tunnel|url=http://www.bbt-se.com/en/did-you-know/|publisher=Brenner Basistunnel BBT SE|access-date=21 April 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160202005914/http://www.bbt-se.com/en/did-you-know/|archive-date=2 February 2016}}</ref>

Larger cities used to have their own tramway system, such as the [[Meran Tramway]] and [[Bolzano Tramway]]. These were replaced after the Second World War with buses. Many other cities and municipalities have their own bus system or are connected with each other by it.

The [[Bolzano Airport]] is the only airport serving the region.

== Demographics ==

=== Languages ===
{{Further|History of South Tyrol#Linguistic and demographic history}}
{{Infobox country languages
| country   = <br />South Tyrol.<br />Majorities per comune in 2024:
| image     = Language distribution in South Tyrol, Italy 2024, en.svg
| image size = 280px
| official  = {{legend|#40c040|[[German language|German majority (102 comuni)]]}} {{legend|#3f3fff|[[Ladin language|Ladin majority (8 comuni)]]}} {{legend|#ff0000|[[Italian language|Italian majority (6 comuni)]]}}
| main      =
| regional  =
| source    = [https://astat.provinz.bz.it/downloads/JB2024_K3.pdf astat Jahrbuch 2024]}}
[[File:Identitätskarte xy.jpg|thumb|[[Italian electronic identity card|Electronic identity cards]] are issued in three languages (Italian, German, English) in South Tyrol.]]{{Historical populations|1921|254,735|1931|282,158|7=1951|8=333,900|9=1961|10=373,863|11=1971|12=414,041|13=1981|14=430,568|15=1991|16=440,508|17=2001|18=462,999|19=2011|20=504,643|21=2021|22=532,616|type=|footnote=Source: [[Istituto Nazionale di Statistica|ISTAT]]}}German and Italian are both official languages of South Tyrol. In some eastern municipalities Ladin is the third official language. 

A majority of the inhabitants of contemporary South Tyrol speak the native [[Southern Bavarian]] dialect of the German language. [[Standard German]] plays a dominant role in education and media. All citizens have the right to use their own mother tongue, even at court. Schools are separated for each language group. All traffic signs are officially bi- or trilingual. Most Italian place names were translated from German by Italian [[Ettore Tolomei]], the author of the {{lang|it|[[Prontuario dei nomi locali dell'Alto Adige]]}}.<ref>{{Citation
|last=Steininger
|first=Rolf
|year=2003
|title=South Tyrol: A Minority Conflict of the Twentieth Century
|publisher=Transaction Publishers
| location=New Brunswick, New Jersey
|pages=21–46
|isbn=978-0-7658-0800-4
}}</ref>

To reach a fair allocation of jobs in public service a system called ethnic proportion ({{langx|it|proporzionale etnica}}, {{langx|de|ethnischer Proporz}}) has been established. Every ten years, when the general census of population takes place, each Italian citizen has to declare the linguistic group to which they belong or want to be aggregated to. According to the results they decide how many people of which group are going to be employed in public service.{{cn|date=January 2024}}

At the time of the annexation of the southern part of [[County of Tyrol|Tyrol]] by Italy in 1919, the overwhelming majority of the population spoke German and identified with the Austrian or German nationality: in 1910, according to the last population census before [[World War I]], the German-speaking population numbered 224,000, the Ladin 9,000 and the Italian 7,000.<ref name="Provincial Statistics Institute of the Autonomous Province of South Tyrol"/>

As a result of the Italianization of South Tyrol about 22.6% of the population are Italian-speakers (they were 33%, 138,000 of 414,000 inhabitants in the 1971 census) according to the census of 2024. 102 out of 116 [[comuni]] have a majority of German native speakers, eight have a Ladin-speaking majority, and six a majority of Italian speakers. The Italian-speaking population lives mainly around the provincial capital [[Bolzano]], where they are the majority (74.7% of the inhabitants), and partially a result of [[Benito Mussolini]]'s policy of Italianisation after he took power in 1922, when he encouraged immigration from the rest of Italy.<ref name="Steininger 2003"/> 

The other five [[comuni]] where the Italian-speaking population is the majority are [[Merano]], [[Laives]], [[Salorno]], [[Bronzolo]] and [[Vadena]]. The eight [[comuni]] with [[Ladin language|Ladin]] majorities are: [[La Val]], [[Badia, South Tyrol|Badia]], [[Corvara, South Tyrol|Corvara]], [[Mareo]], [[San Martin de Tor]], [[Santa Cristina Gherdëina]], [[Sëlva]], [[Urtijëi]]. Most of the immigrants from South Tyrol to the United States identify themselves as being of German rather than Austrian identity. According to the United States Census Bureau, in 2015, there were 365 individuals living in the U.S. born in Italy who identified themselves as being of Austrian ancestry.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=Austrian | title=Explore Census Data }}</ref> By contrast, in the same year, there were 1040 individuals living in the U.S. born in Italy who identified themselves as being of German ancestry.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=German | title=Explore Census Data }}</ref> 

The linguistic breakdown according to the census of 2024:<ref>{{cite web
 | title = Statistisches Jahrbuch für Südtirol 2024 / Annuario statistico della Provincia di Bolzano 2024
 | work = 03 Bevölkerung
 | url = https://astat.provinz.bz.it/downloads/JB2024_K3.pdf
 | access-date = 23 December 2024}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable" align="center"
|-
! Language !! Number !! %
|-
| German || 309,000 || 68.61%
|-
| Italian || 121,520 || 26.98%
|-
| Ladin || 19,853 || 4.41%
|-
| Total || 450,373 || 100%
|-
|}

=== Religion ===
The majority of the population is Christian, mostly in the Catholic tradition. The [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Bolzano-Brixen]] corresponds to the territory of the province of South Tyrol. Since 27 July 2011 the bishop of Bolzano-Brixen is Ivo Muser.

==== Catholic Church ====
[[File:Duomo di bolzano, 01.JPG|thumb|Cathedral of the Assumption of Mary in Bolzano]]
The vast majority of the population of South Tyrol is baptized Catholic. There is [[archaeological]] evidence of early Christian sites in the area as early as Late Antiquity;<ref>Leo Andergassen: ''Südtirol – Kunst vor Ort''. Athesia, Bozen 2002, {{ISBN|88-8266-111-3}}, S. 7.</ref> Säben in the Eisack Valley became an important ecclesiastical center during this period, which was only replaced by Brixen as an episcopal see in the late [[Middle Ages]]. The territory of present-day South Tyrol was divided for [[centuries]] between the dioceses of Brixen, Chur (until 1808/1816) and Trent (until 1964).<ref>Heinrich Kofler: ''Geschichte des Dekanats Schlanders von seiner Errichtung im Jahr 1811 bis zur freiwilligen Demission von Dekan Josef Schönauer 1989.'' In: Marktgemeinde Schlanders (Hrsg.): ''Schlanders und seine Geschichte. Band 2: Von 1815 bis zur Gegenwart''. Tappeiner, Lana 2010, {{ISBN|978-88-7073-531-4}}, S. 11–186, insbesondere S. 11–15 (PDF-Datei)</ref> 

The most famous bishop of Brixen was the polymath Nicholas of Cusa. Important figures of the regional [[ecclesiastical]] life in the 19th century were the beatified bishop of Trent Johann Nepomuk von Tschiderer and the mystic Maria von Mörl. 

In 1964, with reference to modern political boundaries, the Bishopric of Brixen, which had lost its extensive territories of North and East Tyrol after [[World War I]], was enlarged to form the Diocese of Bolzano-Brixen, whose extension is now identical to that of the province of South Tyrol. Since then, the faithful have been led by Bishops Joseph Gargitter (1964-1986), Wilhelm Egger (1986-2008), Karl Golser (2008-2011) and Ivo Muser (since 2011). The diocese comprises 28 deaneries and 281 parishes (in 2014), 23 its episcopal churches are the [[Cathedral of Brixen]] and the [[Cathedral of Bolzano]]. Cassian and Vigilius are venerated as diocesan patrons.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Diözesanpatrone Hl. Kassian und Hl. Vigilius|url=http://www.bz-bx.net/home_deu/di_ouml_zese/00022508_Patrone.html|url-status=dead|access-date=6 June 2021|archive-date=10 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160610184515/http://www.bz-bx.net/home_deu/di_ouml_zese/00022508_Patrone.html}}</ref> Important references in the current discourses of the local Catholic Church are St. Joseph Freinademetz and Blessed Joseph Mayr-Nusser.

==== Other communities ====
There is a [[Lutheran Evangelical Church in Italy|Lutheran]] community in [[Merano]] (founded 1861) and another one in [[Bolzano]] (founded 1889). Since the Middle Ages the [[Jewish]] presence has been documented in South Tyrol. In 1901 the [[Synagogue]] of Merano was built. As of 2015, South Tyrol was home to about 14,000 [[Islam|Muslims]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Parteli |first=Elisabeth |date=15 January 2015 |title=Verdächtig religiös (German) |url=https://www.ff-bz.com/ |newspaper= ff – Südtiroler Wochenmagazin, Nr. 4 |pages=36–47 |access-date=11 December 2016}}</ref>

== Culture ==
=== Traditions ===
South Tyrol has long-standing traditions, mainly inherited from its membership in the historical [[Tyrol]]. The [[Schützenfest|Schützen]] associations are particularly fond of Tyrolean traditions.
[[File:Musikkapelle-StGeorgen.jpg|thumb|A Musikkapelle in historic Tyrolean costumes]]
The Scheibenschlagen are the traditional "throwing of burning discs" on the first Sunday of Lent, the Herz-Jesu-Feuer are the "fires of the [[Sacred Heart of Jesus]]" that are lit on the third Sunday after [[Pentecost]]. The [[Krampus]] are disguised [[demon]]s who accompany St Nicholas.

There are also several [[legend]]s and [[saga]]s linked to the peoples of the Dolomites; among the best known are the legend of [[King Laurin]] and that of the [[Kingdom of Fanes]], which belongs to the [[Ladinian|Ladin]] mythological heritage.

[[Alpine transhumance|Alpine Transhumance]] (from German ''Almabtrieb''), is a farm practice: every year, between September and October, the livestock that stayed on the high pastures is brought back to the valley, with traditional music and dances. Especially, the transhumance between the [[Ötztal]] (in Austria) and [[Schnalstal|Schnals Valley]] and [[Passeier Valley]] was recognised by [[UNESCO]] as universal intangible heritage in 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.unesco.beniculturali.it/en/projects/transumanza/|title=Transumance|access-date=27 December 2020|archive-date=20 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200820212253/https://www.unesco.beniculturali.it/en/projects/transumanza/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== Education ===
{{Main|School system in South Tyrol}}

=== Architecture ===
[[File:Pfitschertal 4.07.JPG|thumb|Tyrolean architecture]]
[[File:Tirol Schloss 01.jpg|thumb|[[Tyrol Castle]], which gave the wider region its name]]
The region features a large number of castles and churches. Many of the castles and [[Ansitz]]e were built by the local nobility and the Habsburg rulers. See [[List of castles in South Tyrol]].

===Museums===
Among the major museums of South Tyrol are:
* the [[South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology]], which has the mummy of [[Ötzi the Iceman]]
* the [[Museion (Bozen)|Museion]], Museum of modern and contemporary art of Bolzano
* the [[Messner Mountain Museum]] of [[Reinhold Messner]]
* the [[White Tower (Brixen)]] museum

=== Media ===
German-language TV channels in South Tyrol:
* [[Rundfunk_Anstalt_Südtirol| RAS]]<ref>[https://www.ras.bz.it/en/television/ Television - Rundfunkanstalt Südtirol (RAS)]</ref>
* [[Rai Südtirol (TV channel)|Rai Südtirol]]
* [[Südtirol Digital Fernsehen]]
* [[Südtirol Heute]]

=== Music ===
The [[Bozner Bergsteigerlied]] and the [[Zu Mantua in Banden|Andreas-Hofer-Lied]] are considered to be the unofficial anthems of South Tyrol.<ref>Rainer Seberich (1979). "Singen unter dem Faschismus: Ein Untersuchungsbericht zur politischen und kulturellen Bedeutung der Volksliedpflege". ''[[Der Schlern]]'', 50,4, 1976, pp. 209–218, here p. 212.</ref>

The [[folk music]]al group [[Kastelruther Spatzen]] from [[Kastelruth]] and the rock band [[Frei.Wild]] from [[Brixen]] have received high recognition in the German-speaking part of the world.{{citation needed|date=July 2013}}

Award-winning [[electronic music]] producer [[Giorgio Moroder]] was born and raised in South Tyrol in a mixed Italian, German and Ladin-speaking environment.

=== Sports ===
South Tyrolese have been successful at [[winter sports]] and they regularly form a large part of Italy's contingent at the [[Winter Olympics]]: in the last edition (2022), South Tyroleans won 3 out of the 17 Italian medals, all three bronzes (of which two won by German-speaking South Tyroleans). Famed mountain climber [[Reinhold Messner]], the first climber to climb [[Mount Everest]] without the use of [[bottled oxygen|oxygen tanks]], was born and raised in the region. Other successful South Tyrolese include [[luge]]r [[Armin Zöggeler]], figure skater [[Carolina Kostner]], skier [[Isolde Kostner]], luge and [[bobsleigh]] medallist [[Gerda Weissensteiner]], tennis players [[Andreas Seppi]] and [[Jannik Sinner]], and former team principal of Haas F1 Team in the FIA Formula One World Championship [[Guenther Steiner]].

HC Interspar [[Bolzano-Bozen Foxes]] are one of Italy's most successful ice hockey teams, while the most important football club in South Tyrol is [[FC Südtirol]], which won its first-ever promotion to [[Serie B]] in 2022.

The province is famous worldwide for its [[mountain climbing]] opportunities, while in winter it is home to a number of popular ski resorts including [[Val Gardena]], [[Alta Badia]] and [[Seiser Alm]].

==See also==
* [[Tyrol]]
* [[Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol]]
* [[Ladin language]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Notelist}}

==Bibliography==
* {{in lang|de}} Gottfried Solderer (ed.) (1999–2004). ''Das 20. Jahrhundert in Südtirol''. 6 Vol., Bozen: Raetia Verlag. {{ISBN|978-88-7283-137-3}}.
* Antony E. Alcock (2003). ''The History of the South Tyrol Question''. London: Michael Joseph. 535 pp.
* [[Rolf Steininger]] (2003). ''South Tyrol: A Minority Conflict of the Twentieth Century''. New Brunswick, New Jersey: Transaction Publishers. {{ISBN|978-0-7658-0800-4}}.
* Georg Grote (2012). ''The South Tyrol Question 1866–2010. From National Rage to Regional State''. Oxford: Peter Lang. {{ISBN|978-3-03911-336-1}}.
* Georg Grote, Hannes Obermair (2017). ''A Land on the Threshold. South Tyrolean Transformations, 1915–2015.'' Oxford/Bern/New York: Peter Lang. {{ISBN|978-3-0343-2240-9}}.

==External links==
{{Commons category|South Tyrol}}
{{wikivoyage|South Tyrol}}
* [https://home.province.bz.it/en/home Official website for the ''Civic Network of South Tyrol'', the Autonomous Province of Bolzano/Bozen]
* [http://www.provincia.bz.it/downloads/autonomy_statute_eng.pdf Special Statute for ''Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol'']
* [http://www.suedtirol.info/en Tourist information about South Tyrol]
* [http://www.sentres.com/en/south-tyrol/map/ The most accurate digital map of South Tyrol] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160411185650/https://www.sentres.com/en/south-tyrol/map |date=11 April 2016 }}

{{Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol}}
{{South Tyrol|nocat=yes}}
{{Districts of South Tyrol|nocat=yes}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:South Tyrol| ]]
[[Category:Regions of Europe with multiple official languages]]
[[Category:Autonomous provinces]]
[[Category:Countries and territories where German is an official language]]
[[Category:Provinces of Italy]]
[[Category:Tyrol (region)|*]]
[[Category:Articles containing video clips]]