Renowned as a tourist destination, Tuscany is a region in central Italy, famous for its rolling countryside, vineyards, olive groves and historic towns. But how big is this region? Here you'll discover the different sizes and equivalents that give a better idea of the extent of Tuscany.
Area and geographical limits
Covering an area of around 22,985 km² of landTuscany ranks fifth among Italian regions in terms of size, not far from Puglia region covering an area of 19,541 km². It is surrounded by Liguria to the northwest, Emilia-Romagna to the north, Marche and Umbria to the east and Lazio to the south. To the west, Tuscany borders the Tyrrhenian Sea, offering some 397 km of coastline. The capital of Tuscany is Florence.
Population and density
In terms of population, Tuscany has around 3.7 million inhabitants (in 2020), making it Italy's seventh most populous region. Population density is estimated at around 161 inhabitants/km², which is slightly lower than the Italian national average. The majority of the population lives in urban centers such as Florence (the regional capital), PisaSiena or Livorno.
How big is Tuscany? Comparison with other regions and countries
To get a better idea of the size of Tuscany, it may be useful to compare it to other regions or countries. Here are a few examples:
- Tuscany is approximately twice the size of Île-de-France (12,012 km²).
- It is slightly smaller than Belgium (30,528 km²).
- Its surface area is just under half that of Switzerland (41,290 km²).
- Tuscany is almost four times the size of the French region Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur (31,400 km²).
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Administrative divisions and areas
Tuscany is subdivided into 10 provincesHere are the main features:
- Province of Florence
- Capital: Florence
- Surface area: 3,515 km²
- Population: 1,009,000
- Province of Arezzo
- Capital: Arezzo
- Surface area: 3,236 km²
- Population: 345,000
- Province of Grosseto
- Capital: Grosseto
- Surface area: 4,504 km²
- Population: 222,000
- Province of Livorno
- Capital: Livorno
- Surface area: 1,211 km²
- Population: 338,000
- Province of Lucca
- Capital: Lucca
- Surface area: 1,773 km²
- Population: 398,000
- Province of Massa-Carrara
- Capital: Massa
- Surface area: 1,157 km²
- Population: 194,000
- Province of Pisa
- Capital: Pisa
- Surface area: 2,445 km²
- Population: 414,000
- Province of Prato
- Capital: Prato
- Surface area: 365 km² (2.5 acres)
- Population: 246,000
- Province of Siena
- Capital: Siena
- Surface area: 3,855 km²
- Population: 266,000
- Province of Pistoia
- Capital: Pistoia
- Surface area: 965 km²
- Population: 289,000
Geography and landscapes
Stretching from northwest to southeast, Tuscany boasts a wide variety of landscapes. Mountains occupy around a third of the region, hills and plateaus more than half, while plains and valleys make up the rest. To enjoy hikingThere are three main mountain ranges in Tuscany:
- The Apennineswhich form the northern and eastern boundary of the region.
- The Monte Amiatalocated to the east of Grosseto.
- The metalliferous massif Colline Metalliferecovering the provinces of Pisa, Siena, Livorno and Grosseto.
Among these mountains, Tuscany's highest point is Mount Prado (2,054 metres), located in the Apennines. As you descend towards the Tyrrhenian Sea, you'll discover gentle, green hills dotted with vineyards and olive groves, typical of this region, as well as fertile plains such as the Arno and Maremma.
Last but not least, Tuscany is also famous for its seaside with multi-faceted beaches: from the wild and rather hidden to the very touristy beach lined with seaside resorts.
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Climate
Tuscany enjoys a Mediterranean climate characterized by high temperatures and mild winters and dry summers. Average annual temperatures vary between 10 and 20°C, with variations depending on altitude and proximity to the sea. Some periods of the year are more conducive to tourism.. Rainfall is also fairly variable, with mountainous areas generally receiving more than coastal or lowland areas.