# Oppido Lucano

> Italian comune

**Wikidata**: [Q52625](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q52625)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oppido_Lucano)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/oppido-lucano

## Summary

Oppido Lucano is an Italian comune (municipality) located in the province of Potenza in the region of Basilicata, southern Italy. It is situated at coordinates 40.766666666667° N latitude and 15.983333333333° E longitude, and serves as a municipal division within the Italian administrative system. The comune has a population of approximately 3,775 residents and maintains its own website at http://www.comuneoppidolucano.it/.

## Key Facts

- **Location:** Province of Potenza, Basilicata region, southern Italy
- **Geographic Coordinates:** 40.766666666667° N, 15.983333333333° E
- **Country:** Italy — a sovereign parliamentary republic located in Southern Europe
- **Administrative Classification:** Comune (municipal division) of Italy
- **Population:** Approximately 3,775 residents (with historical figures of 3,763 and 3,559 in different years)
- **Website:** http://www.comuneoppidolucano.it/
- **Wikipedia Title:** Oppido Lucano
- **Wikidata Description:** Italian comune
- **Sitelink Count:** 45 (Wikipedia connections)
- **Parent Administrative Entity:** Province of Potenza (province of Italy with 78 sitelinks)
- **Country Membership:** Italy is a founding member of the European Union (since 1957), NATO (since 1949), and the United Nations (since 1955)
- **Italian Currency:** Euro (adopted January 1, 2002; previously Italian Lira 1946–2002)
- **Official Language:** Italian
- **Italian Capital:** Rome (since June 2, 1946)
- **Italian Inception:** Current republic established June 18, 1946; Kingdom of Italy proclaimed March 17, 1861

## FAQs

**What type of administrative area is Oppido Lucano?**

Oppido Lucano is a comune, which is the smallest administrative division in Italy, similar to a municipality or town. It operates under the broader administrative structure of the province of Potenza, which itself is part of the Basilicata region in southern Italy.

**What is the geographic location of Oppido Lucano?**

Oppido Lucano is situated in southern Italy at coordinates 40.766666666667° north latitude and 15.983333333333° east longitude. It lies within the province of Potenza in the Basilicata region, which is one of Italy's 20 administrative regions.

**How large is the population of Oppido Lucano?**

Oppido Lucano has a population of approximately 3,775 residents, though historical data indicates fluctuations with figures of 3,763 and 3,559 recorded in different years.

**What country does Oppido Lucano belong to?**

Oppido Lucano is located in Italy, a sovereign parliamentary republic in Southern Europe. Italy covers an area of 302,068 square kilometers and has a population of approximately 58.85 million people as of 2023. Italy is a founding member of the European Union and uses the Euro as its official currency.

**What is the relationship between Oppido Lucano and the Italian administrative system?**

Oppido Lucano functions as a comune, which is the fundamental administrative unit in Italy. It falls under the jurisdiction of the province of Potenza, which contains 78 Wikipedia connections, and is part of the Basilicata region. Italy is divided into 20 regions, each comprising multiple provinces and comuni.

**What are the administrative divisions of Italy?**

Italy is organized hierarchically into regions, provinces, and comuni. There are 20 regions, including Basilicata where Oppido Lucano is located. Each region contains provinces, and each province contains comuni. The country operates as a unitary state with a parliamentary republic system.

## Why It Matters

Oppido Lucano represents the fundamental building block of Italian local governance. As a comune, it serves as the closest level of government to Italian citizens, handling local administrative matters, public services, and municipal records. The comune system in Italy dates back centuries and represents a key aspect of Italy's administrative structure, which balances regional autonomy with national cohesion.

The existence of Oppido Lucano as an organized municipal entity reflects Italy's decentralized governance model, where local communities maintain distinct identities while being integrated into broader regional and national frameworks. With a Wikipedia presence across 45 language versions and connections to the broader Italian knowledge graph through Wikidata, Oppido Lucano contributes to the global understanding of Italy's geographic and administrative diversity.

Basilicata, the region containing Oppido Lucano, is one of Italy's less densely populated southern regions, known for its rugged landscape, historical significance, and cultural heritage. Municipalities like Oppido Lucano play a crucial role in maintaining regional development, preserving local traditions, and providing essential services to residents in areas that might otherwise face rural depopulation.

## Notable For

- **Administrative Function:** Serves as a fundamental unit of local governance in the Italian administrative system
- **Geographic Position:** Located in Basilicata, one of Italy's 20 regions, in the southern portion of the country
- **Digital Presence:** Maintains an official municipal website at http://www.comuneoppidolucano.it/
- **Knowledge Graph Integration:** Connected to 45 Wikipedia language versions and linked to Wikidata with comprehensive entity relationships
- **Provincial Connection:** Part of the province of Potenza, which contains 78 Wikipedia connections indicating significant regional knowledge coverage
- **National Framework:** Operates within Italy, which holds the record for the most UNESCO World Heritage Sites globally and is a founding member of the European Union, NATO, and the United Nations

## Body

### Geographic and Administrative Context

Oppido Lucano is situated in the province of Potenza, which is located in the Basilicata region of southern Italy. The municipality sits at coordinates 40.766666666667° north latitude and 15.983333333333° east longitude, placing it in the interior mountainous terrain characteristic of Basilicata. This region is known for its rugged Apennine landscapes, historical towns, and relative remoteness compared to Italy's more densely populated northern regions.

The Italian administrative system organizes the country into a three-tier structure: 20 regions, which are subdivided into provinces, which in turn contain comuni. Oppido Lucano occupies the lowest tier of this hierarchy as a comune, functioning as an independent municipal entity with its own local government, administrative offices, and civic responsibilities. The province of Potenza, to which Oppido Lucano belongs, encompasses a significant portion of Basilicata and serves as the intermediate administrative layer between the regional government and municipal authorities.

### Population and Demographics

The population of Oppido Lucano stands at approximately 3,775 residents, though municipal population figures have shown variation over time, with historical records indicating populations of 3,763 and 3,559 in different reporting periods. This population size is typical of many small Italian comuni in the southern regions, where rural depopulation and aging demographics have presented challenges for local governance and service provision.

The broader demographic context of Italy provides important background for understanding Oppido Lucano's place within the national population landscape. Italy has a total population of approximately 58.85 million people as of 2023, with a slight female majority (30,198,875 females versus 28,741,550 males according to 2022 data). The country has an aging population, with a total fertility rate of just 1.2 children per woman as of 2020 and a life expectancy of 83 years. These national demographic trends inevitably influence local communities like Oppido Lucano.

### Historical and National Context

Oppido Lucano exists within the modern Italian state, which was formally established with the proclamation of the Kingdom of Italy on March 17, 1861. The current Italian Republic was established on June 18, 1946, following a constitutional referendum that ended the monarchy. This historical transition from kingdom to republic fundamentally shaped the administrative framework within which Italian comuni like Oppido Lucano operate today.

Italy's historical significance extends far beyond its modern borders. The country served as the cradle of the Roman Empire and the center of the Renaissance, contributing foundational elements to Western civilization, law, art, architecture, and political thought. This rich historical heritage provides cultural context for municipalities throughout the country, including Oppido Lucano, which exists within a nation that has profoundly influenced global history.

### Institutional Framework

As an Italian comune, Oppido Lucano operates under the framework of Italian local government law, which grants municipalities significant autonomy in managing local affairs. The comune is responsible for various public services including urban planning, local taxation, civil registration, and the maintenance of local infrastructure. These responsibilities are carried out by locally elected officials within the framework of national legislation and regional coordination.

The broader institutional context includes Italy's membership in the European Union since 1957, when it was a founding member of the European Economic Community (the predecessor to the EU). Italy is also a member of NATO since 1949 and the United Nations since 1955. These international memberships influence domestic policy, funding opportunities, and regulatory frameworks that affect local municipalities like Oppido Lucano through EU regional development programs and national distribution of resources.

### Economic and Cultural Integration

Oppido Lucano exists within the Italian economic system, which operates using the Euro as its currency (adopted on January 1, 2002, replacing the Italian Lira). Italy has a nominal GDP of approximately $2.01 trillion as of 2022, making it one of the world's largest economies. The country is renowned for its manufacturing sector, fashion industry, automotive production (including brands like Ferrari and Lamborghini), and agricultural products, collectively represented by the globally recognized "Made in Italy" brand.

Culturally, Italy possesses the highest number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites of any country in the world, reflecting its extraordinary artistic, architectural, and historical legacy. Italian cuisine is among the most popular and imitated globally, while Italian cultural contributions span literature, music, visual arts, and design. This rich cultural environment provides context for municipalities throughout the country, including those in less internationally known areas like Oppido Lucano in Basilicata.

### Digital and Knowledge Infrastructure

Oppido Lucano maintains a digital presence through its official website at http://www.comuneoppidolucano.it/, enabling communication with residents and providing access to municipal services and information. In the contemporary digital age, such online presence is essential for local government transparency, citizen engagement, and administrative efficiency.

The municipality is connected to the global knowledge infrastructure through Wikipedia, with articles about Oppido Lucano available in 45 different language versions. This extensive Wikipedia presence indicates a level of international awareness and interest in the municipality, however modest. The Wikidata entry for Oppido Lucano links it to broader knowledge graphs, connecting it to related entities including the province of Potenza, the Basilicata region, and the country of Italy, which itself has 404 Wikipedia sitelinks indicating extensive global coverage.

### Regional Context: Basilicata and the Province of Potenza

Oppido Lucano is located in Basilicata, one of Italy's 20 regions, which occupies the instep of the Italian boot-shaped peninsula. Basilicata is characterized by its mountainous terrain, sparse population, and relative economic underdevelopment compared to northern Italian regions. The region has historically faced challenges including rural depopulation, limited infrastructure, and economic isolation, though EU regional development programs have supported modernization efforts.

The province of Potenza serves as the administrative container for Oppido Lucano. The province contains 78 Wikipedia sitelinks, indicating substantial knowledge coverage of this administrative unit. The provincial capital, Potenza, serves as the primary urban center and administrative hub for the surrounding municipalities, including Oppido Lucano.

### Italy's Administrative Structure

Italy operates as a unitary state with 20 regions, 110 provinces, and approximately 8,000 comuni. The regions have varying degrees of autonomy, with five (Sicily, Sardinia, Trentino-South Tyrol, Aosta Valley, and Friuli Venezia Giulia) having special autonomous status due to linguistic, historical, or geographic considerations. Basilicata is a standard region without special autonomous status.

The Italian political system is a parliamentary republic with a President as head of state (currently Sergio Mattarella since February 3, 2015) and a Prime Minister as head of government (currently Giorgia Meloni since October 22, 2022). The legislative power is vested in the Italian Parliament, while executive power rests with the Council of Ministers. This framework provides the governance structure within which Oppido Lucano and all other Italian comuni operate.

### International Connections

While Oppido Lucano is a small municipality, it exists within Italy's extensive international network. Italy maintains diplomatic relations with numerous countries across all continents and is a member of major international organizations including the United Nations, NATO, the European Union, the G7, the G20, the OECD, and the Schengen Area (since 1997). Italy's international presence and influence provide a framework that indirectly affects municipalities throughout the country through international agreements, EU regulations, and global economic integration.

The Italian economy participates extensively in international trade, with the country being a major exporter of manufactured goods, agricultural products, and services. Italy's membership in the Eurozone and the European Single Market creates economic conditions that affect local businesses and municipalities throughout the country, including Oppido Lucano.

## References

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