# Petacciato

> Italian comune

**Wikidata**: [Q277853](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q277853)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petacciato)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/petacciato

## Summary
Petacciato is a *comune* (municipality) in the province of Campobasso, located in the Molise region of Italy. It is a small administrative division with a population of around 3,800 residents, situated at coordinates 42.0167° N, 14.8667° E. As part of Italy’s local governance structure, Petacciato operates under the broader framework of Italian municipal law and contributes to the cultural and administrative fabric of the Campobasso province.

## Key Facts
- **Type of Entity**: Italian *comune* (municipality).
- **Location**: Province of Campobasso, Molise, Italy.
- **Coordinates**: 42.016666666667° N, 14.866666666667° E.
- **Population**: 3,858 (varies slightly by source, with figures also cited as 3,811 and 3,457).
- **Administrative Context**: Part of the 20 regions of Italy, specifically Molise, which is one of the country’s smaller and less densely populated regions.
- **Website**: [http://www.comune.petacciato.cb.it](http://www.comune.petacciato.cb.it).
- **Wikidata Description**: "Italian comune."
- **Sitelink Count**: 50 (indicating its presence across multiple language editions of Wikipedia and other Wikimedia projects).
- **Related Entities**:
  - **Province of Campobasso**: The broader administrative division within which Petacciato is located.
  - **Italy**: The sovereign state to which Petacciato belongs, with its capital in Rome and a parliamentary republic system.
  - **Comune of Italy**: The general classification of municipalities in Italy, of which Petacciato is one example.
  - **Scalo Ferroviario**: A related entity, possibly a railway station or transport hub, with a sitelink count of 5.

## FAQs
**What is a *comune* in Italy?**
A *comune* is the smallest administrative division in Italy, roughly equivalent to a municipality or township. It is responsible for local governance, including public services, urban planning, and civil registration. Petacciato, as a *comune*, operates under the legal and administrative framework of the Italian state while managing local affairs.

**Where is Petacciato located?**
Petacciato is located in the province of Campobasso, which is part of the Molise region in southern Italy. Its geographic coordinates are approximately 42.0167° N latitude and 14.8667° E longitude, placing it in a central-southern area of the Italian peninsula.

**How large is Petacciato’s population?**
The population of Petacciato is approximately 3,858 residents, though some sources cite slightly lower figures (e.g., 3,811 or 3,457). This places it among the smaller municipalities in Italy, reflecting the rural and less densely populated nature of the Molise region.

**What is the significance of the province of Campobasso?**
The province of Campobasso is the capital province of the Molise region and serves as an administrative hub for the area. It includes numerous *comuni* like Petacciato and plays a key role in regional governance, infrastructure, and economic development within southern Italy.

**How does Petacciato fit into Italy’s administrative structure?**
Italy is divided into 20 regions, which are further subdivided into provinces and *comuni*. Petacciato is a *comune* within the province of Campobasso, which itself is part of the Molise region. This structure ensures localized governance while maintaining alignment with national laws and policies.

## Why It Matters
Petacciato, while small in population, is a vital part of Italy’s decentralized administrative system. As a *comune*, it represents the grassroots level of governance where local needs—such as education, waste management, and public safety—are addressed directly. Its existence highlights the importance of municipal autonomy within Italy’s unitary state framework. Additionally, Petacciato contributes to the cultural and historical identity of the Molise region, an area often overshadowed by more prominent Italian regions but rich in tradition and rural heritage. For researchers, policymakers, and travelers, understanding municipalities like Petacciato provides insight into Italy’s regional diversity and the functioning of its local institutions.

## Notable For
- **Small-Scale Governance**: As a *comune*, Petacciato exemplifies Italy’s system of local self-governance, where municipalities handle day-to-day administrative tasks.
- **Rural Representation**: It is part of Molise, one of Italy’s least populous regions, offering a case study in rural municipal management.
- **Geographic Location**: Its coordinates (42.0167° N, 14.8667° E) place it in a strategically central area of southern Italy, near the Adriatic coast.
- **Digital Presence**: With a sitelink count of 50, Petacciato has a documented presence across multiple Wikimedia projects, indicating its recognition in digital knowledge bases.
- **Administrative Connections**: It is directly linked to the province of Campobasso and the broader Italian state, illustrating the hierarchical structure of Italian governance.

## Body

### Administrative and Geographic Context
Petacciato is classified as an Italian *comune*, the smallest administrative unit in Italy’s governance system. It is situated within the province of Campobasso, which serves as the capital province of the Molise region. Molise is one of Italy’s 20 regions and is known for its rural character, mountainous terrain, and lower population density compared to other Italian regions. The *comune* of Petacciato operates under the legal framework of the Italian Republic, adhering to national laws while managing local affairs such as urban planning, public services, and civil records.

The geographic coordinates of Petacciato are 42.016666666667° N latitude and 14.866666666667° E longitude. This places it in the central-southern part of Italy, approximately 20 kilometers from the Adriatic Sea. The municipality’s location within Molise reflects the region’s broader geographic and economic characteristics, which include agriculture, small-scale industry, and tourism tied to natural landscapes.

### Population and Demographics
Petacciato has a population of approximately 3,858 residents, though variations in reported figures (e.g., 3,811 or 3,457) suggest fluctuations due to migration, birth rates, or data collection methods. As a small *comune*, it contributes to the demographic profile of the Campobasso province, which has a total population of around 220,000 people. The municipality’s size is typical of many rural Italian *comuni*, where populations are often stable but subject to gradual decline due to urbanization trends.

The demographic composition of Petacciato aligns with broader Italian patterns, including an aging population and low fertility rates. However, specific data on age distribution, gender ratios, or economic activity within Petacciato is not provided in the source material. Its role as a *comune* ensures that local demographic data is collected and used for planning services such as schools, healthcare, and infrastructure.

### Governance and Legal Framework
As a *comune*, Petacciato is governed by a mayor (*sindaco*) and a municipal council (*consiglio comunale*), elected by local residents. The mayor serves as the executive head, while the council acts as the legislative body for local ordinances. This structure is consistent with Italy’s municipal system, where *comuni* have autonomy over local matters but must comply with regional and national regulations.

The province of Campobasso, under which Petacciato falls, provides additional administrative support, including coordination of services like transportation, education, and environmental management. The relationship between Petacciato and the province illustrates Italy’s multi-tiered governance model, where responsibilities are shared between municipal, provincial, regional, and national levels.

### Related Entities and Infrastructure
Petacciato is connected to several related entities, including:
- **Province of Campobasso**: The administrative division that oversees Petacciato and other *comuni* in the area. The province is responsible for regional planning, infrastructure projects, and inter-municipal coordination.
- **Italy**: The sovereign state to which Petacciato belongs, providing the legal and constitutional framework for all *comuni*. Italy’s status as a parliamentary republic ensures that local governments like Petacciato operate within a democratic system.
- **Comune of Italy**: The general classification for municipalities in Italy, of which Petacciato is one of approximately 8,000. This category defines the powers, duties, and structure of local governance.
- **Scalo Ferroviario**: A related entity with a sitelink count of 5, possibly referring to a railway station or transport facility near Petacciato. This suggests the presence of infrastructure supporting regional connectivity.

### Digital and Informational Presence
Petacciato has a documented digital presence, including:
- **Official Website**: [http://www.comune.petacciato.cb.it](http://www.comune.petacciato.cb.it), which serves as a platform for local government communications, services, and public information.
- **Wikidata and Wikimedia**: The municipality is listed in Wikidata with a description as an "Italian comune" and has a sitelink count of 50, indicating its inclusion in multiple language editions of Wikipedia and other Wikimedia projects. This ensures that information about Petacciato is accessible globally.
- **SEO and Online Visibility**: While no specific SEO data is provided, the sitelink count suggests that Petacciato is referenced in digital knowledge bases, contributing to its visibility in online searches.

### Cultural and Regional Significance
Petacciato’s role as a *comune* in Molise highlights the cultural and historical significance of Italy’s smaller regions. Molise, often referred to as Italy’s "hidden gem," is known for its traditional festivals, culinary specialties (such as *cavatelli* pasta and *soppressata* cured meat), and rural landscapes. While Petacciato itself may not be a major tourist destination, its existence supports the preservation of local traditions and community identity.

The municipality’s connection to the broader Italian administrative system also underscores the importance of decentralization in Italian governance. By empowering *comuni* like Petacciato to manage local affairs, Italy ensures that regional diversity is respected and that services are tailored to the needs of specific communities.

### Comparative Context
Compared to larger Italian *comuni* (such as Rome, Milan, or Naples), Petacciato is representative of the thousands of small municipalities that form the backbone of Italy’s local governance. These *comuni* are essential for maintaining services in rural and semi-urban areas, where centralized governance would be less effective. The population size, governance structure, and geographic location of Petacciato provide a microcosm of how Italy balances national unity with local autonomy.

### Future Outlook
As with many rural Italian *comuni*, Petacciato faces challenges related to demographic decline, economic sustainability, and infrastructure development. However, its integration into the provincial and national governance systems provides opportunities for support through regional development funds, EU initiatives, and national policies aimed at revitalizing smaller municipalities. The continued existence and functioning of *comuni* like Petacciato are crucial for preserving Italy’s cultural diversity and ensuring equitable governance across all regions.

## 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. Seismic classification in Italy
11. [Source](https://rischi.protezionecivile.gov.it/it/sismico/attivita/classificazione-sismica)