# Postalesio > Italian comune **Wikidata**: [Q39066](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q39066) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Postalesio) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/postalesio ## Summary Postalesio is a small Italian comune (municipality) located in the Province of Sondrio in the region of Lombardy, northern Italy. It is situated at coordinates 46.166666666667°N, 9.7833333333333°E and has a population of approximately 665-666 residents. As part of Italy's administrative divisions, Postalesio represents one of the thousands of comuni that form the foundational municipal structure of the Italian state. ## Key Facts - **Official Name:** Postalesio - **Entity Type:** Italian comune (municipal division) - **Location:** Province of Sondrio, Lombardy region, northern Italy - **Country:** Italy - **Coordinates:** 46.166666666667° N, 9.7833333333333° E - **Population:** Approximately 662-666 residents (varying by year) - **Website:** http://www.comune.postalesio.so.it - **Wikipedia Title:** Postalesio - **Sitelink Count:** 51 - **Related Administrative Entity:** Comune of Italy (municipal divisions of Italy) - **Province:** Province of Sondrio (sitelink_count: 82) - **Nearby Settlement:** Ca' Spinedi (human settlement in Italy) ## FAQs **What type of administrative area is Postalesio?** Postalesio is an Italian comune, which is the smallest administrative division in Italy. Comuni serve as the fundamental units of local government and are analogous to municipalities or communes in other countries. Each comune is headed by a mayor (sindaco) and a municipal council (consiglio comunale). **Where is Postalesio located geographically?** Postalesio is located in the Province of Sondrio, which is situated in the Lombardy region of northern Italy. The commune sits at coordinates 46.166666666667° north latitude and 9.7833333333333° east longitude, placing it in the Alpine foothills of northern Italy. **What is the relationship between Postalesio and the Italian administrative system?** Postalesio is part of Italy's hierarchical administrative structure, sitting at the lowest tier as a comune within the Province of Sondrio, which itself is part of the Lombardy region. Italy is organized into 20 regions, which are divided into provinces and metropolitan cities, which are further divided into comuni. Postalesio is one of approximately 7,904 comuni in Italy. **What are the nearby settlements or places of interest around Postalesio?** Within the same country context, Postalesio is related to Ca' Spinedi, which is another human settlement in Italy. The Province of Sondrio itself is known for its Alpine landscapes, ski resorts, and Valtellina wine region. The area is characterized by mountainous terrain, with the Alps forming a natural border with Switzerland to the north. **How can one find more information about Postalesio?** Official information about Postalesio can be found on its municipal website at http://www.comune.postalesio.so.it. The comune also has a Wikipedia article titled "Postalesio" with 51 sitelinks across various language editions of Wikipedia, indicating moderate international documentation. ## Why It Matters Postalesio, while a small municipality, represents the foundational building block of Italy's democratic and administrative structure. The comune system in Italy dates back to the unification of Italy in 1861, and these municipal divisions serve as the closest level of government to Italian citizens, handling local services, urban planning, civil registration, and local administrative functions. The existence of comuni like Postalesio demonstrates Italy's commitment to decentralized governance, allowing local communities to maintain distinct identities while operating within the national framework. Each comune, regardless of size, has its own elected government, budget, and administrative responsibilities, from maintaining local roads to issuing identity documents. For researchers, genealogists, and those studying Italian society, comuni serve as crucial units of analysis for understanding local demographics, economic activities, and cultural variations across Italy's diverse regions. The Province of Sondrio, where Postalesio is located, represents a specific Alpine cultural and economic zone known for its production of Valtellina wines, tourism, and traditional mountain communities. ## Notable For - **Alpine Location:** Situated in the mountainous Province of Sondrio, representing Italy's Alpine heritage and communities - **Municipal Autonomy:** Functions as an independent administrative unit with its own local government and services - **Part of Lombardy:** Located in one of Italy's most economically productive and populous regions - **Historical Administrative Structure:** Represents the comune system established during Italian unification - **Local Identity:** Maintains distinct local governance and community identity within the Italian state ## Body ### Geography and Location Postalesio is positioned in the Province of Sondrio, located in the northern Italian region of Lombardy. The geographical coordinates of 46.166666666667° N latitude and 9.7833333333333° E longitude place the comune in the Alpine foothills of northern Italy, near the border with Switzerland. This positioning places Postalesio within the Valtellina valley system, an area known for its mountain landscapes, vineyards, and outdoor recreational opportunities. The Province of Sondrio itself is characterized by its mountainous terrain, formed by the Rhaetian Alps and the Orobie Alps. The area features numerous valleys, rivers, and traditional Alpine settlements. The region's geography has historically shaped local economies, focusing on agriculture, forestry, tourism, and crafts. ### Administrative Structure As an Italian comune, Postalesio operates as a municipal corporation with elected officials including a mayor (sindaco) and members of the municipal council (consiglio comunale). The comune system in Italy traces its origins to the Napoleonic period and was formalized during the unification of Italy in 1861. Today, there are approximately 7,904 comuni throughout Italy, each serving as the fundamental unit of local government. Postalesio falls under the administrative hierarchy of Italy (country level), followed by the Lombardy region, then the Province of Sondrio, and finally the comune of Postalesio at the local level. This hierarchical structure allows for both regional autonomy and national coordination in governance, planning, and policy implementation. ### Demographics and Population The population of Postalesio is recorded at approximately 662-666 residents, placing it among Italy's smaller comuni. This population size is consistent with many Alpine and rural comuni in northern Italy, where dispersed settlements and mountainous terrain limit population density and growth. The population figures may vary slightly depending on the year of measurement, with recorded values of 666.0, 662.0, and 665.0 appearing in different data sets. Smaller comuni like Postalesio often face challenges related to population decline, aging demographics, and limited economic opportunities, which are common issues in rural and mountainous areas throughout Italy. However, these communities also maintain strong local traditions, social cohesion, and connection to the land that characterizes Italian Alpine culture. ### Connection to Related Entities Postalesio is connected to several related entities through Italy's administrative and geographical structures. The Province of Sondrio (sitelink_count: 82) serves as the immediate administrative container for Postalesio, providing provincial-level governance and services. The province is one of 12 provinces in the Lombardy region and covers an area of approximately 3,212 square kilometers. At the national level, Postalesio is part of Italy, a sovereign parliamentary republic located in Southern Europe. Italy is a founding member of the European Union and is organized into 20 regions, including Lombardy. The country has a population of approximately 58.85 million people and operates as a unitary state with a parliamentary republic form of government. Within the context of human settlements in Italy, Postalesio is related to Ca' Spinedi, another human settlement located in the country. Additionally, Postalesio belongs to the broader category of comuni of Italy (municipal divisions of Italy), which represents the complete system of municipal governance throughout the Italian territory. ### Local Governance and Services As a comune, Postalesio is responsible for various local government functions including urban planning, local road maintenance, civil registration (births, deaths, marriages), local taxation, and coordination of local services. The municipal government also represents the interests of local residents in dealings with provincial and regional authorities. The official website of Postalesio (http://www.comune.postalesio.so.it) provides information about local government, services, events, and community matters. This digital presence reflects the modernization of local governance in Italy, allowing citizens to access information and services online. ### Cultural and Historical Context The Lombardy region, where Postalesio is located, has a rich history dating back to Roman times and including periods of rule by various powers including the Austrians and the Napoleonic French. The region became part of the Kingdom of Italy in 1861 and has since become one of Italy's most economically developed areas. The Province of Sondrio specifically is known for its production of Valtellina wines, particularly Sassella, Grumello, and Inferno wines made from the Nebbiolo grape. The area also maintains traditions related to Alpine agriculture, crafts, and seasonal migration patterns historically associated with transhumance livestock farming. ### Economic Characteristics Like many smaller Italian comuni in Alpine areas, Postalesio likely has an economy focused on a combination of agriculture (particularly viticulture and mountain farming), tourism, and small-scale local businesses. The Province of Sondrio is known for its wine production, tourism (particularly skiing and hiking), and some light manufacturing. The broader Lombardy region is Italy's most populous and economically productive region, contributing significantly to the national GDP through industry, services, and commerce. However, within this prosperous region, smaller comuni like Postalesio often maintain more traditional economic structures rooted in local resources and community-based activities. ### Documentation and References Postalesio is documented in various knowledge bases and reference systems. The Wikipedia article titled "Postalesio" has 51 sitelinks across different language editions, indicating moderate international documentation. The Wikidata entry (Q likely a specific item ID) provides structured data about the comune, including its coordinates, population, and administrative relationships. The sitelink count of 51 suggests that Postalesio, while not a major population center, is recognized in international encyclopedic resources and maintains a presence in the global knowledge ecosystem. This documentation facilitates research, travel planning, and academic study of Italian municipalities and their role in the country's social and political structure. ## References 1. Virtual International Authority File 2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013 3. [Popolazione Residente al 1° Gennaio 2018. Italian National Institute of Statistics](http://demo.istat.it/pop2018/index3.html) 4. [Popolazione Residente al 1° Gennaio 2017. Italian National Institute of Statistics](http://demo.istat.it/pop2017/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)