Aosta
Aosta
Territory: It is the most mountainous region of Italy, entirely surrounded by the best known, and highest peaks of the Alps: the Mont Blanc, the Matterhorn, the Monte Rosa and the Gran Paradiso. The latter is at the center of a magnificent National Park, populated by beautiful specimens of Ibex, Chamois and Eagles.
Numerous glaciers feed a rich web of streams, which at the bottom of the respective valleys flow in the basin of the Dora Baltea.
The distinctly Alpine character of this region can be seen in the pine forests, up to rather high altitudes, where they give way to large pasturelands.
The small Alpine lakes, little jewels set in majestic mountain landscapes, are numerous. Thanks to the Mont Blanc's and the Gran San Bernardo's tunnels, the great historic passes are today important lines of communication.
Major Cities: Aosta is the capital of the region, which is ruled by a special statute, where the Italian and the French languages are officially recognized.