# Prazzo > Italian comune **Wikidata**: [Q20362](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q20362) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prazzo) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/prazzo ## Summary Prazzo is an Italian comune (municipality) located in the Province of Cuneo in the Piedmont region of northern Italy. It is situated at coordinates 44.483333333333° N latitude and 7.05° E longitude. The comune is part of the administrative structure of Italy and serves as a local government unit within the Piedmont region. ## Key Facts - **Official Name:** Prazzo - **Administrative Status:** Comune (municipality) in Italy - **Location:** Province of Cuneo, Piedmont region, Italy - **Country:** Italy - **Coordinates:** Latitude 44.483333333333° N, Longitude 7.05° E - **Population:** 167 (recorded in two measurements), 177 (one measurement) - **Website:** http://www.comune.prazzo.cn.it/ - **Wikipedia Title:** Prazzo - **Sitelink Count:** 49 - **Contains Settlement:** San Michele Prazzo (human settlement within the comune) - **Classification:** Comune of Italy (municipal division of Italy) - **Regional Context:** Part of Piedmont (Piedmont is one of Italy's 20 regions) - **Province Context:** Part of Province of Cuneo (province with 81 sitelinks) ## FAQs **What type of administrative area is Prazzo?** Prazzo is a comune, which is the smallest administrative division in Italy. Comuni serve as local municipalities and are the basic unit of local government in the Italian administrative system. Each comune has its own local government, mayor, and council. **Where exactly is Prazzo located?** Prazzo is located in the Province of Cuneo within the Piedmont region of northern Italy. Geographically, it sits at approximately 44.48° North latitude and 7.05° East longitude. The area is part of the Alpine region in northwestern Italy. **What settlements are part of Prazzo?** Prazzo contains the human settlement of San Michele Prazzo, which is located within the comune's boundaries. San Michele Prazzo is specifically situated in the Province of Cuneo, Piedmont, Italy. **What is the population of Prazzo?** The population of Prazzo has been recorded at 167 residents in multiple measurements, with one additional measurement showing 177 residents. These figures represent the municipal population of the comune. **How can I find more information about Prazzo?** The official website of the comune of Prazzo is http://www.comune.prazzo.cn.it/. Additional information can be found on Wikipedia, where the article has been referenced across 49 different language editions. ## Why It Matters Prazzo represents the fundamental unit of local governance in Italy, embodying the decentralized administrative structure that characterizes Italian civic organization. As a comune in the Province of Cuneo, it participates in the broader system of municipal administration that has governed Italy since the unification of the country in 1861. The existence of Prazzo as a distinct administrative entity provides local residents with direct representation and services tailored to their specific community needs. The comune system in Italy, of which Prazzo is a part, is crucial for understanding how Italy manages its complex regional diversity. With 20 regions, 110 provinces, and over 7,900 comuni, this层级 system allows for governance that balances national cohesion with local autonomy. Prazzo's position within Piedmont—a region known for its economic significance, Alpine geography, and cultural heritage—connects it to broader regional narratives while maintaining its individual identity. ## Notable For - **Alpine Location:** Situated in the mountainous region of Piedmont near the French border - **Historical Administrative Unit:** Part of Italy's sistema comunale dating back to the unification period - **Local Governance:** Serves as the administrative center for the surrounding area and settlements including San Michele Prazzo - **Provincial Significance:** Located in the Province of Cuneo, one of Italy's significant provinces in terms of size and population ## Body ### Geography and Location Prazzo is situated in northwestern Italy within the Piedmont region, one of Italy's 20 administrative regions. The comune occupies a position in the Province of Cuneo, which is located in the southern part of the Alpine arc. The geographic coordinates of Prazzo are 44.483333333333° North latitude and 7.05° East longitude, placing it in the Alpine foothills of the southern Alps. The territory of Prazzo encompasses the settlement of San Michele Prazzo, which serves as a population center within the comune's boundaries. The area is characterized by the mountainous terrain typical of the Piedmontese Alps, with elevation changes that define the local landscape and influence settlement patterns. ### Administrative Structure As an Italian comune, Prazzo functions as a municipal corporation and the smallest administrative division in Italy. The comune system traces its origins to the Napoleonic period and was retained and refined following Italian unification in 1861. Each comune operates under the framework of Italian administrative law and maintains its own elected council, mayor, and administrative apparatus. Prazzo belongs to the Province of Cuneo, which is one of the provinces in the Piedmont region. The Province of Cuneo encompasses a significant portion of southwestern Piedmont and is known for its extensive Alpine territory. The provincial capital is the city of Cuneo, which gives the province its name. ### Population and Demographics The population of Prazzo has been recorded at 167 residents in multiple census measurements, with one measurement indicating a population of 177. These figures represent the resident population within the municipal boundaries, reflecting the small-scale nature of many Italian comuni in rural and mountainous areas. The settlement pattern in Prazzo centers on San Michele Prazzo, which serves as the primary population center within the comune. This settlement, like many in the Alpine regions of Piedmont, likely developed along traditional patterns of Alpine settlement, with historical ties to agriculture, transhumance, and local trade routes. ### Regional Context: Piedmont Prazzo is located in Piedmont (Piemonte in Italian), one of Italy's 20 regions and historically one of the most significant. Piedmont was the nucleus of the Italian unification movement (Risorgimento) and the Kingdom of Italy was proclaimed in Turin, the regional capital, in 1861. The region is bordered by France and Switzerland to the west and north, and by the Liguria region to the south. Piedmont is Italy's largest region by area and is characterized by its diverse geography, which includes the Alpine mountain range to the north and west, the Po River plain to the south and east, and the Apennine mountains to the southeast. The region is known for its production of wine (including Barolo and Barbaresco), truffles, and chocolate, as well as its industrial base, particularly in the automotive sector (Fiat is headquartered in Turin). ### Provincial Context: Province of Cuneo The Province of Cuneo encompasses a large portion of southern Piedmont and represents one of Italy's more extensive provinces by area. The province is named after its capital city, Cuneo, which is located in the southwestern part of the region. The province is characterized by its mountainous terrain, Alpine valleys, and historical significance as a crossroads between Italy and France. The Province of Cuneo includes numerous comuni like Prazzo that span from the high Alpine zones to the more temperate plains near the Po River. This provincial structure facilitates regional coordination, administrative services, and local governance across the diverse terrain of southwestern Piedmont. ### Historical Context The comune of Prazzo exists within the framework of Italian municipal administration that was established during the unification period. Following the proclamation of the Kingdom of Italy in 1861, the Italian state organized its territory into provinces, districts, and comuni, a system that has evolved but essentially persisted to the present day. The settlement of San Michele Prazzo likely has historical roots predating the modern Italian state, as many Alpine settlements in Piedmont have origins dating back to medieval periods or earlier. These settlements often developed around religious sites (explaining the "San Michele" or Saint Michael dedication), agricultural opportunities, or strategic positions along trade routes. ### Local Governance and Services As a comune, Prazzo provides local administrative services to its residents, including civil registry functions, local planning, building permits, and coordination of local services. The municipal government operates under the framework of Italian law and is subject to provincial and regional oversight. The official website of the comune is http://www.comune.prazzo.cn.it/, providing a digital presence for municipal information and services. This online presence reflects the integration of modern administrative practices within the traditional Italian governmental structure. ### Cultural and Social Significance Prazzo and its settlement of San Michele Prazzo represent the continuation of Alpine settlement patterns that have characterized the Piedmont region for centuries. The cultural identity of this area is shaped by its mountainous environment, its proximity to the French border, and its integration into the broader cultural tapestry of Piedmont. The Italian comune system is designed to preserve local identity while integrating communities into the national structure. Prazzo exemplifies this balance, maintaining its distinct municipal identity while participating in the provincial, regional, and national systems of governance and social organization. ### Connectivity and Modern Context With a sitelink count of 49 across Wikipedia language editions, Prazzo has achieved a modest level of international digital visibility. This connectivity reflects the increasing integration of even small Italian comuni into global information networks, while also indicating the limited but real interest in these smaller municipalities. The population figures and administrative data for Prazzo are maintained through the Italian national statistics system and are reflected in international databases and knowledge graphs. This data infrastructure allows for the tracking of demographic trends, administrative changes, and regional development patterns across Italy's extensive network of comuni. ## References 1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013 2. [Popolazione Residente al 1° Gennaio 2018. Italian National Institute of Statistics](http://demo.istat.it/pop2018/index3.html) 3. [Popolazione Residente al 1° Gennaio 2017. Italian National Institute of Statistics](http://demo.istat.it/pop2017/index3.html) 4. [Source](https://demo.istat.it/?l=it) 5. GeoNames 6. [Superficie di Comuni Province e Regioni italiane al 9 ottobre 2011. Italian National Institute of Statistics](https://www.istat.it/it/archivio/156224) 7. Wiki Loves Monuments Italia 8. Seismic classification in Italy 9. [Source](https://rischi.protezionecivile.gov.it/it/sismico/attivita/classificazione-sismica)