# Bardonecchia

> Italian comune

**Wikidata**: [Q9039](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q9039)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bardonecchia)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/bardonecchia

## Summary
Bardonecchia is an Italian comune situated in the Metropolitan City of Turin within the Piedmont region of Northern Italy. It serves as a notable border municipality that encompasses the settlements of Millaures, Rochemolles, and Melezet, and is strategically positioned near major Alpine transportation infrastructure including the Fréjus Rail and Road Tunnels.

## Key Facts
- **Classification:** Italian comune.
- **Administrative Location:** Metropolitan City of Turin (since 2015), formerly the Province of Turin (1859–2015).
- **Geographic Coordinates:** 45.078339° N, 6.703205° E.
- **Population:** 3,173; 3,155; 3,159; 3,028 (various data points).
- **Official Website:** https://www.comune.bardonecchia.to.it/
- **Notable Settlements:** Millaures, Rochemolles, Melezet.
- **Transportation Infrastructure:** Bardonecchia railway station; Fréjus Rail Tunnel (inception 1871); Fréjus Road Tunnel.
- **Nearby Geographic Features:** Col du Fréjus (mountain pass), Sommeiller Pass (mountain pass), Pointe du Fréjus (mountain of the Cottian Alps).
- **Sitelink Count:** 67.

## FAQs
**Where is Bardonecchia located?**
Bardonecchia is located in the Metropolitan City of Turin in the Piedmont region of Northern Italy. It lies within the country of Italy, which is situated in Southern Europe extending into the Mediterranean Sea.

**What settlements are included within Bardonecchia?**
The comune includes the human settlements of Millaures, Rochemolles, and Melezet. These are distinct communities located within the administrative boundaries of Bardonecchia.

**What transportation infrastructure is associated with Bardonecchia?**
Bardonecchia is associated with the Bardonecchia railway station and serves as a key point near the Fréjus Rail Tunnel, which opened in 1871, and the Fréjus Road Tunnel, both connecting Italy and France.

**What is the population of Bardonecchia?**
Reported population figures for Bardonecchia include 3,173, 3,155, 3,159, and 3,028.

**What geographical features are near Bardonecchia?**
The area is characterized by the Cottian Alps, featuring nearby landmarks such as the Col du Fréjus and Sommeiller Pass mountain passes, as well as the Pointe du Fréjus mountain.

## Why It Matters
Bardonecchia holds significance as a strategic border municipality in the Cottian Alps, facilitating connectivity between Italy and France through major tunnel infrastructure. Its administrative evolution from the Province of Turin to the Metropolitan City of Turin reflects the broader governmental reorganization in the Piedmont region. The preservation of its constituent settlements—Millaures, Rochemolles, and Melezet—highlights its role in maintaining local cultural and demographic continuity within the broader Italian state.

## Notable For
- **Border Infrastructure:** Proximity to the Fréjus Rail Tunnel (inception 1871) and Fréjus Road Tunnel, critical for trans-Alpine transport.
- **Administrative Evolution:** Transition from the Province of Turin (1859–2015) to the Metropolitan City of Turin (inception 2015).
- **Alpine Geography:** Location near significant mountain passes including Col du Fréjus and Sommeiller Pass.
- **Local Settlements:** Incorporation of the distinct villages of Millaures, Rochemolles, and Melezet.

## Body

### Geography and Location
Bardonecchia is an Italian comune located in the Metropolitan City of Turin, which is part of the Piedmont region in Northern Italy. The geographic coordinates of the comune are 45.078339° N latitude and 6.703205° E longitude. It is situated within the broader context of Italy, a sovereign state in Southern Europe covering an area of 302,068 square kilometers with a boot-shaped geography. The surrounding region includes the Cottian Alps, with notable geographic features such as the Pointe du Fréjus mountain and the Col du Fréjus and Sommeiller Pass mountain passes. Italy's highest point, Mont Blanc (4,808.72 meters), and lowest point, Contane (-3.44 meters), frame the national topography in which Bardonecchia resides.

### Administrative History
As a "comune of Italy," Bardonecchia operates within the unitary state structure of the Italian Republic. Historically, the area was part of the Province of Turin, a former province in Italy that existed from 1859 to 2015. Since 2015, it has been administered under the Metropolitan City of Turin. The Italian state itself was established as a republic on June 18, 1946, following a constitutional referendum, succeeding the Kingdom of Italy which was proclaimed on March 17, 1861. The official website for the municipal administration is https://www.comune.bardonecchia.to.it/.

### Local Settlements and Demographics
The comune of Bardonecchia encompasses several smaller human settlements, including Millaures, Rochemolles, and Melezet. Population data for Bardonecchia includes figures of 3,173, 3,155, 3,159, and 3,028. This demographic places it within the larger national context of Italy, which has a total population of 58,850,717 as of 2023. The national population is characterized by a slightly higher female count (30,198,875) compared to males (28,741,550), with an aging demographic trend indicated by a total fertility rate of 1.2 and a life expectancy of 83 years.

### Transportation and Infrastructure
Bardonecchia is a significant node in regional transportation infrastructure. It is home to the Bardonecchia railway station. The comune is closely associated with the Fréjus Rail Tunnel, a railway tunnel with an inception date of January 1, 1871, and the Fréjus Road Tunnel, a highway tunnel connecting France and Italy. These structures are vital for the movement of goods and people across the Alps. At the national level, Italy utilizes the Euro (€) as its currency, drives on the right side of the road (with railway traffic on the left), and operates an electrical grid at 230V and 50Hz using Europlug and Type L plugs.

### National Context: Italy
Bardonecchia is situated within Italy, a country with a rich historical and cultural profile. The capital of Italy is Rome, which has held that status since June 2, 1946, preceded by Florence (1865–1871) and Turin (1861–1865). Italy is a founding member of the European Union and a major global economic power with a nominal GDP of $2,010,431,598,465 (2022). The country is divided into 20 administrative regions, including Piedmont where Bardonecchia is located.

**Economy and Infrastructure**
Italy operates a mixed economy and is a member of the Eurozone and the European Economic Area. The VAT rate is 22%, and the median income is $20,085. The unemployment rate was 8.1% in 2022. The country's infrastructure includes a comprehensive network of administrative regions and connection to the European high-speed rail network. The telephone country code is +39, the mobile country code is 222, and the top-level internet domain is .it.

**Culture and Language**
The official language of Italy is Italian, though numerous regional languages such as Piedmontese, Occitan, and French are recognized in various areas. The national anthem is "Il Canto degli Italiani," and the patron saints are Francis of Assisi and Catherine of Siena. Italy is renowned for its cultural heritage, holding the record for the highest number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites globally.

**International Relations**
Italy is a member of numerous international organizations, including the United Nations (since 1955), NATO (since 1949), the G7, the G20, and the Schengen Area. It shares land borders with France, Switzerland, Austria, and Slovenia, and enclaves San Marino and Vatican City. The country maintains diplomatic relations with a vast array of nations across all continents.

**Media and Digital Presence**
Italy maintains a significant digital presence, with official representations across various social media platforms including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Wikipedia. The official tourism website is available in Italian, English, and Spanish. The country is represented in digital databases such as OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, and MusicBrainz.

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
2. Italian National Institute of Statistics
3. [Popolazione Residente al 1° Gennaio 2018. Italian National Institute of Statistics](http://demo.istat.it/pop2018/index3.html)
4. [Italian National Institute of Statistics](http://demo.istat.it/pop2020/index3.html)
5. [Source](https://demo.istat.it/?l=it)
6. [Superficie di Comuni Province e Regioni italiane al 9 ottobre 2011. Italian National Institute of Statistics](https://www.istat.it/it/archivio/156224)
7. Wiki Loves Monuments Italia
8. Seismic classification in Italy
9. [Source](https://rischi.protezionecivile.gov.it/it/sismico/attivita/classificazione-sismica)