# Fossato di Vico > Italian comune **Wikidata**: [Q20439](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q20439) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fossato_di_Vico) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/fossato-di-vico ## Summary Fossato di Vico is an Italian comune (municipality) located in the province of Perugia in the Umbria region of central Italy. It is a small hill town situated at coordinates 43.29470018° N, 12.76131772° E, and contains the hamlet of Purello within its administrative boundaries. ## Key Facts - **Location:** Province of Perugia, Umbria region, Italy - **Coordinates:** 43.29470018° N, 12.76131772° E - **Classification:** Comune (municipal division) of Italy - **Population:** 2,899; 2,739; 2,639 (varying census years) - **Hamlet:** Purello - **Nearby Settlement:** Colbassano (human settlement in Italy) - **Website:** http://www.comune.fossatodivico.pg.it - **Wikipedia Title:** Fossato di Vico - **Sitelink Count:** 52 - **Wikidata Description:** Italian comune - **Country:** Italy - **Administrative Division:** Province of Perugia ## FAQs **What type of administrative area is Fossato di Vico?** Fossato di Vico is a comune, which is the smallest administrative division in Italy, equivalent to a municipality or town. Comuni are the basic territorial units of Italy's administrative structure and are headed by a mayor (sindaco) and a city council. **Which region and province is Fossato di Vico located in?** Fossato di Vico is situated in the Umbria region of central Italy, specifically within the province of Perugia. Umbria is known as the "green heart of Italy" and is the only Italian region that does not border the sea or any foreign country. **What settlements are part of Fossato di Vico's territory?** Fossato di Vico includes the hamlet of Purello within its administrative boundaries. The nearby settlement of Colbassano is also located in Italy, though it appears as a separate human settlement in the source material. **What is the population of Fossato di Vico?** The population data from the source material shows three figures: 2,899, 2,739, and 2,639, likely representing different census years. This indicates a declining population trend, which is common in many small Italian hill towns due to urbanization and migration to larger cities. ## Why It Matters Fossato di Vico represents the traditional Italian comune system that forms the foundation of Italy's local governance structure. As one of the approximately 7,904 comuni in Italy, it plays a crucial role in providing local services, maintaining municipal records, and preserving the cultural identity of its community. The comune system in Italy dates back to the medieval period and continues to be the primary level of local government, handling matters such as urban planning, local taxes, civil registration, and community services. Small towns like Fossato di Vico are essential for maintaining Italy's characteristic distributed settlement pattern, where population is spread across numerous hill towns and rural communities rather than concentrated in large metropolitan areas. These comuni also serve as repositories of local traditions, dialects, and historical heritage that contribute to Italy's rich cultural tapestry. ## Notable For - **Administrative Structure:** Part of Italy's sistema comunale, the foundational municipal division system of Italy - **Geographic Position:** Located in Umbria, one of Italy's most scenic and agricultural regions - **Historical Settlement Pattern:** Typical of the hill towns (borghi) that characterize central Italian geography - **Local Governance:** Represents the smallest unit of democratic local administration in Italy ## Body ### Geography and Location Fossato di Vico is positioned at latitude 43.29470018° N and longitude 12.76131772° E, placing it in the central portion of the Italian peninsula within the Umbria region. The town sits in the province of Perugia, which is the largest province in Umbria by area. The terrain typical of this area consists of rolling hills and valleys characteristic of the Umbrian landscape, which has been shaped by centuries of agricultural use and natural erosion. The region's position in central Italy places it within reasonable distance of other major Umbrian cities and towns, contributing to its role in the local economic and social network. ### Administrative Structure As an Italian comune, Fossato di Vico functions as a municipality with its own local government, administrative offices, and municipal services. The comune system in Italy represents the lowest level of territorial administration, with each comune having its own mayor (sindaco) and city council (consiglio comunale). This administrative structure allows for local governance tailored to the specific needs of each community. Fossato di Vico is part of the broader system of Italian comuni, of which there are approximately 7,904 across the country's 20 regions. The comune falls under the administrative jurisdiction of the province of Perugia, which in turn falls under the regional government of Umbria. ### Population and Demographics The population figures for Fossato di Vico show three distinct numbers: 2,899, 2,739, and 2,639. These figures likely represent different census years, with the declining trend reflecting a common phenomenon in many Italian small towns and rural areas. This population decrease is attributable to various factors including migration to larger urban centers, lower birth rates, and the aging of the population. Many smaller Italian comuni have experienced population decline as younger generations move to cities for education and employment opportunities. Despite these demographic challenges, small comuni like Fossato di Vico continue to maintain their administrative functions and community structures. ### Settlements and Territory The administrative territory of Fossato di Vico includes the hamlet of Purello, which represents a smaller settlement within the comune's boundaries. This is characteristic of Italian municipal organization, where larger comuni often encompass multiple settlements, villages, and hamlets. The inclusion of Purello within Fossato di Vico's territory means that the hamlet falls under the same municipal administration, services, and local governance. The nearby settlement of Colbassano, while also located in Italy, appears in the source material as a separate human settlement, indicating it may be part of a different comune or administrative unit. ### Regional Context Fossato di Vico is located in Umbria, a region in central Italy known for its natural beauty, historical towns, and agricultural production. Umbria is unique among Italian regions as the only one that is entirely landlocked, bordered by Lazio and Tuscany to the south and west, and by the Marche region to the east. The province of Perugia, within which Fossato di Vico is located, is the most populous province in Umbria and contains the regional capital, Perugia. The region is famous for its olive oil, wine production, and traditional crafts, with many small towns maintaining agricultural economies based on these products. ### Digital Presence and Information Access Fossato di Vico maintains a municipal website at http://www.comune.fossatodivico.pg.it, providing residents and visitors with access to local government information, services, and administrative procedures. The ".pg" domain extension indicates the comune's association with Perugia province. The municipality has a sitelink count of 52, reflecting its presence across various online platforms and encyclopedic resources. The Wikipedia article titled "Fossato di Vico" provides English-language information about the town, while the Wikidata entry contains structured data describing it as an Italian comune. ### Administrative Relationships Fossato di Vico exists within a hierarchy of Italian administrative divisions. At the top level is Italy, followed by the region of Umbria, then the province of Perugia, and finally the comune of Fossato di Vico. This hierarchical structure is standard throughout Italy and determines various aspects of local governance, taxation, and administrative jurisdiction. The comune is also connected to the broader category of "comune of Italy," which represents the classification of municipal divisions across the country. The province of Perugia itself is identified as a province of Italy with a sitelink count of 79, indicating its presence in various online resources and databases. ## References 1. Indice alfabetico di tutti i luoghi dello Stato Pontificio 2. Virtual International Authority File 3. [Basi territoriali e variabili censuarie - Sezioni di censimento 10-Umbria - 2021. Italian National Institute of Statistics](https://www.istat.it/storage/cartografia/basi_territoriali/2021/R10_21.zip) 4. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013 5. Italian National Institute of Statistics 6. [Popolazione Residente al 1° Gennaio 2018. Italian National Institute of Statistics](http://demo.istat.it/pop2018/index3.html) 7. [Source](https://demo.istat.it/?l=it) 8. GeoNames 9. [Superficie di Comuni Province e Regioni italiane al 9 ottobre 2011. Italian National Institute of Statistics](https://www.istat.it/it/archivio/156224) 10. Wiki Loves Monuments Italia 11. Seismic classification in Italy 12. [Source](https://rischi.protezionecivile.gov.it/it/sismico/attivita/classificazione-sismica)