# Merlara > Italian comune **Wikidata**: [Q34323](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q34323) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merlara) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/merlara ## Summary Merlara is an Italian comune located in the Province of Padua, Veneto. It lies at 45.1667 N, 11.4333 E and has a population that has declined from 2,673 in 2011 to 2,511 in 2021. The municipality’s official website is http://www.comune.merlara.pd.it. ## Key Facts - **Country:** Italy (southern Europe, unitary parliamentary republic). - **Region:** Veneto. - **Province:** Padua (province of Veneto, Italy). - **Comune status:** Italian comune (municipal division). - **Coordinates:** 45.166666666667 N, 11.433333333333 E. - **Official website:** http://www.comune.merlara.pd.it. - **Population (2011):** 2,673. - **Population (2016):** 2,644. - **Population (2021):** 2,511. - **Sitelink count (Wikipedia):** 49. - **Wikipedia title:** Merlara. - **Wikidata description:** Italian comune. - **Case Crema‑Fasolo:** Merlara is a human settlement within this broader category. - **Comune of Italy:** Merlara is part of the network of Italian municipalities. ## FAQs **What is the administrative status of Merlara?** Merlara is an Italian comune, the smallest administrative unit in Italy, situated within the Province of Padua in the Veneto region. **Where is Merlara located geographically?** It sits at latitude 45.1667 N and longitude 11.4333 E, placing it in northeastern Italy near the city of Padua. **How has Merlara’s population changed over time?** The population has decreased from 2,673 in 2011 to 2,511 in 2021, indicating a gradual decline over a decade. **Where can I find official information about Merlara?** The municipality’s official website, http://www.comune.merlara.pd.it, hosts current administrative details and public services. **What larger administrative entities is Merlara part of?** Merlara belongs to the Province of Padua, which is within the Veneto region of Italy, and is classified under the broader category of Italian comuni. ## Why It Matters Merlara exemplifies the demographic and administrative trends affecting many small Italian municipalities. Its declining population reflects broader challenges such as urban migration, aging residents, and economic shifts that policymakers must address to sustain local communities. As part of the Province of Padua, Merlara contributes to the cultural tapestry and regional governance structure of Veneto, supporting local traditions, land use, and municipal services that shape daily life for its residents. ## Notable For - Being a representative example of a small Italian comune with a documented population decline. - Hosting an official municipal website that provides transparent access to local governance information. - Serving as a case study within the “Case Crema‑Fasolo” human settlement category, illustrating settlement patterns in northeastern Italy. ## Body ### Location and Geography Merlara is situated in northeastern Italy at 45.166666666667 N latitude and 11.433333333333 E longitude. It falls within the administrative boundaries of the Province of Padua, which is part of the Veneto region. The comune’s coordinates place it in a predominantly flat area typical of the Po Valley, with modest elevation relative to the surrounding landscape. ### Administrative Structure - **Country:** Italy, a sovereign state in southern Europe. - **Region:** Veneto, one of Italy’s twenty administrative regions. - **Province:** Padua, a provincial subdivision of Veneto. - **Comune:** Merlara, the local municipal entity responsible for local governance, public services, and community affairs. Merlara is classified under the broader category of “comune of Italy,” indicating its status as a municipal division within the national framework. ### Demographics Population figures show a gradual decline over the past decade: - 2011: 2,673 residents. - 2016: 2,644 residents. - 2021: 2,511 residents. These numbers illustrate a trend common among many small Italian municipalities, where younger populations migrate to larger urban centers for employment and education opportunities. ### Online Presence The official website, http://www.comune.merlara.pd.it, serves as the primary digital portal for residents and visitors. It provides access to municipal services, announcements, and contact information for local officials. The website’s existence underscores Merlara’s commitment to transparency and digital accessibility. ### Wikipedia and Wikidata - **Wikipedia title:** Merlara. - **Wikidata description:** Italian comune. - **Sitelink count:** 49, indicating the number of language editions linking to the Merlara article. These metadata points reflect the comune’s presence in global knowledge repositories, facilitating research and information dissemination. ### Related Entities - **Case Crema‑Fasolo:** Merlara is identified as a human settlement within this broader classification, linking it to other similar settlements in Italy. - **Comune of Italy:** Merlara is part of this collective of municipal entities that together form the administrative backbone of the Italian state. ### Cultural and Historical Context While the source material does not provide specific historical events or cultural landmarks unique to Merlara, its status as a comune within Veneto places it in a region rich with Renaissance heritage, agricultural tradition, and contemporary economic activity. The municipality’s demographic trends mirror those of many rural communities in the Po Valley, where traditional industries coexist with modern service sectors. ### Governance and Services As a comune, Merlara is responsible for local governance functions such as civil registration, local planning, public safety, and maintenance of communal infrastructure. The municipal website likely hosts information on council meetings, budget allocations, and public service announcements, although specific details are not provided in the source. ### Economic Overview No explicit economic data are supplied for Merlara. However, its inclusion in the Province of Padua suggests participation in the broader economic activities of the Veneto region, which is known for manufacturing, agriculture, and tourism. ### Community and Identity Merlara’s small population fosters a close-knit community atmosphere. The decline in residents may impact local schools, businesses, and cultural events, prompting municipal initiatives to attract new residents or support existing families. ### Future Outlook Given the documented population decrease, Merlara may face challenges related to maintaining public services, preserving cultural heritage, and ensuring economic vitality. Strategic planning, investment in digital infrastructure, and community engagement are likely priorities for local authorities. --- ## 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. [Source](https://demo.istat.it/?l=it) 5. [Superficie di Comuni Province e Regioni italiane al 9 ottobre 2011. Italian National Institute of Statistics](https://www.istat.it/it/archivio/156224) 6. Wiki Loves Monuments Italia 7. Seismic classification in Italy 8. [Source](https://rischi.protezionecivile.gov.it/it/sismico/attivita/classificazione-sismica)