# Gaiola > Italian comune **Wikidata**: [Q20067](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q20067) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaiola) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/gaiola ## Summary Gaiola is an Italian comune (municipality) located in the Province of Cuneo in the Piedmont region of northern Italy. It is a small administrative division situated at coordinates 44.3333° N latitude and 7.4° E longitude, with a population of approximately 589 residents. As part of Italy's municipal structure, Gaiola represents one of the thousands of comuni that form the administrative backbone of the country. ## Key Facts - **Official Name:** Gaiola - **Administrative Status:** Italian comune (municipal division) - **Location:** Province of Cuneo, Piedmont region, Italy - **Country:** Italy - **Geographic Coordinates:** Latitude 44.333333333333° N, Longitude 7.4° E - **Population:** 589 (most recent), 585, 571 (previous recordings) - **Website:** http://www.comune.gaiola.cn.it - **Wikipedia Title:** Gaiola - **Wikidata Description:** Italian comune - **Sitelink Count:** 53 - **Parent Administrative Entity:** Province of Cuneo (sitelink_count: 81) - **Classification:** Comune of Italy (municipal divisions of Italy) ## FAQs **What type of administrative area is Gaiola?** Gaiola is an Italian comune, which is the smallest administrative division in Italy. Comuni serve as the fundamental units of local government and are responsible for local services, civil registration, and municipal governance. **Which region and province is Gaiola located in?** Gaiola is situated in the Province of Cuneo, which is located in the Piedmont region of northwestern Italy. The Province of Cuneo is one of the eight provinces of Piedmont and is known for its mountainous terrain and historical significance. **How many people live in Gaiola?** Gaiola has a population of approximately 589 residents, with previous recorded populations of 585 and 571, indicating a small but stable community size typical of many rural Italian comuni. **What are the geographic coordinates of Gaiola?** Gaiola is located at latitude 44.333333333333° north and longitude 7.4° east, placing it in the southwestern portion of the Piedmont region near the border with France. **What is the official website of Gaiola?** The official municipal website for Gaiola is http://www.comune.gaiola.cn.it, providing access to local government information and services. ## Why It Matters Gaiola represents the foundational unit of Italian local governance, embodying the decentralized administrative structure that characterizes Italy's political system. As one of the thousands of comuni throughout the country, Gaiola plays a crucial role in providing direct services to its residents, maintaining local records, and preserving the administrative heritage that dates back centuries. The comune system in Italy, which originated in the Middle Ages and was formalized in the modern Italian state, ensures that even small communities have a structured government that can address local needs and represent citizens' interests at higher administrative levels. The existence of Gaiola as a separate administrative entity also reflects Italy's commitment to maintaining local identities and governance structures, regardless of population size. This system allows for regional diversity and ensures that smaller communities have autonomy in managing their local affairs, from urban planning to civil registration and local taxation. Furthermore, Gaiola's location in the Province of Cuneo places it within a region of significant economic and cultural importance. Piedmont is one of Italy's wealthiest regions, known for its industrial output, agricultural production (particularly wine), and historical significance. The Province of Cuneo specifically is renowned for its mountainous landscapes, ski resorts, and culinary traditions, making Gaiola part of a region that attracts both domestic and international attention. ## Notable For - **Administrative Structure:** Part of Italy's historical comune system, one of the oldest forms of local government in Europe - **Geographic Position:** Located at precise coordinates of 44.3333° N, 7.4° E in the Piedmontese foothills - **Digital Presence:** Maintains an official municipal website (http://www.comune.gaiola.cn.it) - **Provincial Connection:** Situated within the Province of Cuneo, which has significant sitelink authority (81) in knowledge bases - **Part of Italian Municipal Network:** One of thousands of comuni that collectively form Italy's administrative structure under the national framework ## Body ### Administrative Classification and Structure Gaiola is classified as an Italian comune, which represents the basic territorial administrative unit in Italy. The comune system is a distinctive feature of Italian governance, dating back to the unification of Italy in 1861 but with roots in medieval municipal organizations. Each comune has its own government, headed by a mayor (sindaco) and a council (consiglio comunale), responsible for local administration, urban planning, civil status records, and local taxation. As a comune, Gaiola operates within a hierarchical structure that includes the Province of Cuneo at the intermediate level and the national government in Rome at the top. This three-tier system allows for the distribution of administrative responsibilities while maintaining national coherence. The comune is responsible for services closest to citizens' daily lives, while the province handles broader regional coordination, and the national government manages overall policy and legislation. ### Geographic Location and Positioning Gaiola is precisely located at latitude 44.333333333333° north and longitude 7.4° east. This positions the comune in the southwestern part of Piedmont, near the border with France and within the mountainous terrain that characterizes the region. The Province of Cuneo, which encompasses Gaiola, is known for its Alpine and pre-Alpine landscapes, with numerous valleys, ski resorts, and natural parks. The geographic coordinates place Gaiola in a region with significant topographic variation, typical of Piedmont's interior. The area experiences the continental climate common to northern Italy's mountainous regions, with cold winters and moderate summers. The proximity to the French border has historically influenced the region's culture, economy, and even language patterns in certain areas. ### Population and Demographics Gaiola has a population of approximately 589 residents, with documented figures of 585 and 571 in previous recordings. This population size is characteristic of many rural comuni in Italy's mountainous regions, where small settlements have maintained stable populations despite broader urbanization trends that have drawn younger residents to larger cities. The population figures indicate a small but established community, typical of Italian comuni in less urbanized areas. These smaller comuni often maintain traditional social structures and community ties that have been preserved over generations. The stability of the population suggests that Gaiola provides adequate local services and quality of life to retain its residents, even as larger urban centers in Piedmont attract migration. ### Provincial and Regional Context Gaiola belongs to the Province of Cuneo, one of the eight provinces in the Piedmont region of northwestern Italy. The Province of Cuneo is particularly notable for its large geographic area, encompassing diverse landscapes from Alpine peaks to vineyard-covered hills. The province is a sitelink_count: 81 entity in knowledge bases, indicating significant documentation and recognition. Piedmont itself is one of Italy's 20 regions and is considered one of the country's most economically developed areas. The region is home to major industrial centers, including Turin (the regional capital), and is renowned for its automotive industry (Fiat/Stellantis), agricultural production (particularly Barolo and Barbaresco wines), and financial services. The Province of Cuneo specifically contributes to the region's economy through tourism, agriculture, and small-scale manufacturing. ### National Framework: Italy Gaiola exists within the broader context of Italy, a sovereign state and parliamentary republic located in Southern Europe. Italy is a founding member of the European Union and ranks among the world's largest economies by nominal GDP. The country is characterized by its distinctive boot-shaped peninsula, rich cultural heritage, and significant political influence in European and global affairs. Italy's administrative structure comprises 20 regions, which are divided into provinces and comuni. This hierarchical system allows for efficient governance across Italy's diverse territories, from major metropolitan areas to small mountain villages like Gaiola. The country's constitutional framework, established in 1948 following the abolition of the monarchy, guarantees local autonomy to regions, provinces, and comuni within the republican structure. The Italian comune system, to which Gaiola belongs, represents approximately 7,904 municipalities as of recent counts. These comuni vary dramatically in size, from Rome with its millions of residents to tiny mountain communities like Gaiola. Despite their size differences, all comuni share the same basic legal status and responsibilities under Italian law. ### Digital Presence and Information Access Gaiola maintains an official municipal website at http://www.comune.gaiola.cn.it, providing digital access to local government services and information. This digital presence reflects the broader modernization of Italian local government, allowing citizens to access administrative services, forms, and information online. The website domain (.cn.it) indicates association with Cuneo province, following Italy's convention for municipal website domains. This digital infrastructure enables residents and external parties to access information about local services, administrative procedures, community events, and municipal governance. ### Knowledge Representation and References In knowledge bases and digital encyclopedias, Gaiola is represented with a sitelink_count of 53, indicating moderate documentation across various platforms. The Wikipedia article titled "Gaiola" provides basic information about the comune, while the Wikidata entry (Q38 for Italy and related entities) establishes the administrative connections. The entity is categorized under "comune of Italy" in knowledge structures, which is a classification grouping all Italian municipalities. This classification connects Gaiola to approximately 7,900 other comuni, allowing for comparative analysis and systematic organization of Italian administrative divisions. The Province of Cuneo, as Gaiola's parent entity, carries a sitelink_count of 81, indicating substantial documentation and recognition. Italy itself carries a much higher sitelink_count of 404, reflecting its status as a major nation-state with extensive coverage across knowledge platforms. ### Historical and Cultural Context While specific historical details about Gaiola are not provided in the source material, the comune exists within a region of significant historical importance. Piedmont played a crucial role in the Italian unification movement (Risorgimento), with Turin serving as the first capital of the unified Kingdom of Italy in 1861. The Province of Cuneo was formed during this period and has maintained its administrative significance through subsequent political changes. The region's cultural heritage includes medieval towns, Renaissance architecture, and traditions that blend Italian and French influences due to the proximity to the border. Local communities like Gaiola contribute to this cultural tapestry through their unique identities, traditions, and administrative histories. ### Economic and Social Characteristics As a small comune in a mountainous region, Gaiola likely participates in the local economy through agriculture, tourism, and small businesses. The Province of Cuneo is known for its production of wines (Barolo, Barbaresco, Barbera), truffles, and chocolates, as well as its tourism industry centered on skiing and outdoor activities. The stable population figures suggest a functioning local economy and adequate public services. Italian comuni are responsible for essential services including water supply, waste management, local roads, and civil registration, all of which contribute to community quality of life. ## References 1. Virtual International Authority File 2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013 3. Italian National Institute of Statistics 4. [Popolazione Residente al 1° Gennaio 2018. Italian National Institute of Statistics](http://demo.istat.it/pop2018/index3.html) 5. [Source](https://demo.istat.it/?l=it) 6. GeoNames 7. [Superficie di Comuni Province e Regioni italiane al 9 ottobre 2011. Italian National Institute of Statistics](https://www.istat.it/it/archivio/156224) 8. Wiki Loves Monuments Italia 9. Seismic classification in Italy 10. [Source](https://rischi.protezionecivile.gov.it/it/sismico/attivita/classificazione-sismica)