Verona is a city straddling the Adige river in Veneto, northern Italy, with approximately 265,000 inhabitants and one of the seven chef-lieus of the region. It is the second largest city municipality in the region and the third of northeast Italy. The metropolitan area of Verona covers an area of 1,426 km2 (550.58 sq mi) and has a population of 714,274 inhabitants. It is one of the main tourist destinations in northern Italy, owing to its artistic heritage, several annual fairs, shows, and operas, such as the lyrical season in the Arena, the ancient amphitheatre built by the Romans.
The city has been awarded World Heritage Site status by UNESCO because of its urban structure and architecture.
Favorable geographical position of Verona promoted that throughout its history the city has repeatedly found himself under the authority of conquerors ready , Byzantines , Lombards , Franks . Reaching this period of cultural flowering in the XIII – XIV centuries Dynasty della Scala , Verona from the beginning to the end of XV XVIII centuries belonged to the Venetian Republic , after the city owned by Napoleon, but behind him – the Austrians . Only in the middle of the XIX century Verona became part of the Italian Republic.
Millions of tourists from all over the world every year come to Verona. But many of them are attracted not so much the abundance of ancient monuments as the opportunity to visit home of Romeo and Juliet , Verona is considered that due to the romantic capital of the world of lovers . The most visited place in the city – Juliet’s House , the address to which receive hundreds of letters from lovers, Juliet balcony and under all day and night there is a real pilgrimage .
Among the Italian cities of Verona holds a special place . City surprisingly humane, proportionate human powers and abilities of perception. Besides a place of pilgrimage lovers around the world. Where else to go in February and , if we remember that in Italy there is no biting winds !
By Verona pleasant to wander on foot, marveling at all the new camera angles , detail , detail, new faces and own small discoveries. Founded in ancient times ( the exact date until now have not installed – as well as the origin of the name) in the I century BC, Verona became a Roman colony.
Verona has a humid subtropical climate characteristic of Northern Italy’s inland plains, with hot summers and cold, humid winters, even though Lake Garda’s quasi-Mediterranean climate has a partial influence on the city. The relative humidity is high throughout the year, especially in winter when it causes fog, mainly from dusk until late morning, although the phenomenon has become increasingly less frequent in recent years.
In 2009, there were 265,368 people residing in Verona, located in the province of Verona, Veneto, of whom 47.6% were male and 52.4% were female. Minors (children aged 0–17) totalled 16.05% of the population compared to pensioners who number 22.36%. This compares with the Italian average of 18.06%(minors) and 19.94%(pensioners). The average age of Verona residents is 43 compared to the Italian average of 42. In the five years between 2002 and 2007, the population of Verona grew by 3.05%, while Italy as a whole grew by 3.85%. The current birth rate of Verona is 9.24 births per 1,000 inhabitants compared to the Italian average of 9.45 births.
Verona lies at a major route crossing where the nouth-south rail line from the Brenner Pass to Rome intersects with the east-west line between Milan and Venice, giving the city rail access to most of Europe. The city is, therefore, served by international, regional and local services.
Verona’s main station is Verona Porta Nuova railway station, to the south of the city centre. It is considered to be the ninth busiest railway station in Italy, handling approximately 68,000 passengers per day, or 25 million passengers per year.
There is a lesser station to the east of the city at Porta Vescovo, which used to be the main station in Verona, but now only receives trains between Venice and Porta Nuova.