# Valsinni > Italian comune **Wikidata**: [Q52339](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q52339) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valsinni) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/valsinni ## Summary Valsinni is an Italian comune (municipality) located in the province of Matera in the southern Italian region of Basilicata. It is situated at coordinates 40.166666666667°N latitude and 16.45°E longitude. The comune serves as a local administrative unit within Italy's municipal division system. ## Key Facts - **Entity Type**: Italian comune (municipal division) - **Administrative Location**: Province of Matera, Basilicata region, Italy - **Country**: Italy - **Geographic Coordinates**: 40.166666666667°N, 16.45°E - **Official Website**: http://www.comune.valsinni.mt.it/ - **Population**: 1,506; 1,486; 1,344 (three recorded figures) - **Sitelink Count**: 47 - **Wikipedia Title**: Valsinni - **Wikidata Description**: Italian comune - **Related Classification**: Comune of Italy (municipal divisions of Italy) ## FAQs **What type of administrative entity is Valsinni?** Valsinni is an Italian comune, which is the smallest administrative division in Italy, similar to a municipality or town. Comuni serve as the fundamental units of local government in Italy, responsible for local administration, services, and civic management. **Where is Valsinni located?** Valsinni is located in the province of Matera, which is situated in the Basilicata region of southern Italy. The comune sits at approximately 40.17°N latitude and 16.45°E longitude. **What is the population of Valsinni?** Valsinni has recorded population figures of 1,506, 1,486, and 1,344, indicating a relatively small municipality typical of many rural Italian comuni, particularly in the southern regions. **What is the official website of Valsinni?** The official municipal website for Valsinni is http://www.comune.valsinni.mt.it/, where local government information and services would be provided. ## Why It Matters Valsinni represents the foundational unit of local governance in Italy, embodying the historical and administrative structure that has defined Italian municipal organization for centuries. As part of the province of Matera in Basilicata, it contributes to the regional identity and administrative framework of southern Italy. The comune system in Italy, of which Valsinni is a part, is essential for delivering public services, maintaining local records, and representing citizens' interests at the most grassroots level of government. Understanding Valsinni provides insight into how Italy's administrative system functions—through hundreds of comuni that collectively form the nation's governance structure. The relatively small population figures reflect the demographic patterns of many Italian comuni in rural southern regions, where depopulation and aging populations present ongoing challenges for local administration. ## Notable For - **Administrative Function**: Serves as a functioning comune within Italy's provincial system - **Geographic Position**: Located in Basilicata, a region known for its historical significance and unique landscape - **Local Governance**: Provides municipal services and administration for its residents - **Digital Presence**: Maintains an official web presence through its municipal website ## Body ### Administrative Structure Valsinni functions as an Italian comune, which is the basic territorial administrative unit in Italy. The comune system traces its roots to the Napoleonic era and was retained and developed after Italian unification in 1861. Each comune is governed by a mayor (sindaco) and a council (consiglio comunale), providing local autonomy for municipal matters including urban planning, local taxes, civil status records, and public services. ### Geographic Context The comune is situated in the province of Matera, one of two provinces in the Basilicata region of southern Italy. Basilicata is characterized by its mountainous terrain, rural landscapes, and historical towns. The coordinates of 40.166666666667°N, 16.45°E place Valsinni in the interior of the region, away from the coastlines that characterize much of southern Italy. The province of Matera itself is notable for its "Sassi" cave dwellings, a UNESCO World Heritage site, representing one of the oldest continuously inhabited settlements in the world. ### Population and Demographics The population figures recorded for Valsinni—1,506, 1,486, and 1,344—indicate a small municipality consistent with the rural character of much of Basilicata. These figures likely represent different census years, showing a trend common throughout southern Italy's interior regions: gradual population decline due to migration toward larger cities and coastal areas. Small comuni like Valsinni often face challenges related to aging populations, limited economic opportunities, and the maintenance of public services for fewer residents. ### Regional Context Valsinni exists within the broader framework of Italian comuni, of which there are approximately 7,904 across the country. The comune of Italy classification encompasses all municipal divisions within the Italian territory, each operating under the framework of Italian law and the Constitution of Italy. The province of Matera, to which Valsinni belongs, contains numerous other comuni, each contributing to the administrative and cultural fabric of the Basilicata region. ### Digital and Administrative Infrastructure The comune maintains an official website at http://www.comune.valsinni.mt.it/, providing digital access to municipal services, information, and administrative procedures. This digital presence reflects the broader modernization of Italian local government, enabling citizens to access services, forms, and information online. The sitelink count of 47 indicates moderate visibility within the Wikimedia ecosystem, suggesting some international awareness of the municipality. ### Relationship to Italian Administrative System Valsinni is part of Italy's three-tiered administrative structure: the national government, the regions (like Basilicata), and the comuni. While regions have significant legislative autonomy, comuni represent the closest level of government to citizens. They handle vital statistics, local zoning, building permits, local police, and many other day-to-day governmental functions that directly affect residents' lives. This system allows for localized governance while maintaining national coherence in policy and administration. ## 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. [Source](https://demo.istat.it/?l=it) 4. [Superficie di Comuni Province e Regioni italiane al 9 ottobre 2011. Italian National Institute of Statistics](https://www.istat.it/it/archivio/156224) 5. Wiki Loves Monuments Italia 6. [Source](https://atlasf.eu/poi/14977) 7. Seismic classification in Italy 8. [Source](https://rischi.protezionecivile.gov.it/it/sismico/attivita/classificazione-sismica)