# Villanova Biellese

> Italian comune

**Wikidata**: [Q18192](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q18192)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Villanova_Biellese)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/villanova-biellese

## Summary

Villanova Biellese is an Italian comune (municipality) located in the Province of Biella, in the Piedmont region of northern Italy. It is a small rural community situated at coordinates 45.4817°N, 8.1942°E, with a population of approximately 187-193 residents. The comune operates under the administrative framework of Italy and falls within the Province of Biella, one of Italy's 20 regions.

## Key Facts

- **Official Name**: Villanova Biellese
- **Entity Type**: Comune (municipality) of Italy
- **Administrative Region**: Piedmont (Piemonte)
- **Province**: Province of Biella
- **Country**: Italy
- **Coordinates**: 45.4817° N, 8.1942° E
- **Population**: 187 (most recent); 193; 177 (historical figures)
- **Website**: http://www.comune.villanovabiellese.bi.it
- **Wikipedia Title**: Villanova Biellese
- **Wikidata Description**: Italian comune
- **Sitelink Count**: 54
- **Driving Side**: Right (as per Italian standard)
- **Time Zone**: UTC+01:00 (Standard), UTC+02:00 (Daylight Saving)
- **Electrical Standards**: 230V at 50Hz (Italian standard)
- **Emergency Numbers**: 112 (General), 113 (Police), 115 (Fire), 118 (Medical)
- **Official Language**: Italian
- **Currency**: Euro (€) since January 1, 2002
- **Telephone Country Code**: +39
- **Top-level Domain**: .it

## FAQs

**What region and province is Villanova Biellese located in?**

Villanova Biellese is located in the Piedmont region (Piemonte) of northern Italy, specifically within the Province of Biella. Piedmont is one of Italy's 20 administrative regions and is known for its mountainous terrain, wine production, and industrial heritage, particularly in textiles and manufacturing.

**How large is the population of Villanova Biellese?**

Villanova Biellese is a small comune with a population of approximately 187 residents, though historical data shows figures of 193 and 177, indicating modest population fluctuations typical of rural Italian municipalities.

**What is the geographic location of Villanova Biellese?**

The comune is situated at coordinates 45.4817° North latitude and 8.1942° East longitude, placing it in the foothills of the Alps in northern Italy, approximately midway between Milan and Turin.

**What administrative structure governs Villanova Biellese?**

As an Italian comune, Villanova Biellese operates as a municipal division within the Province of Biella, which is part of the Piedmont region. Italy itself is a unitary parliamentary republic and a founding member of the European Union, established as a republic on June 18, 1946, following a constitutional referendum.

**What services and infrastructure are available in Villanova Biellese?**

As part of Italy, Villanova Biellese follows Italian infrastructure standards including right-hand road traffic, 230V electrical supply at 50Hz, and access to emergency services via the European emergency number 112, along with Italy's specific numbers (113 for police, 115 for fire, 118 for medical emergencies).

## Why It Matters

Villanova Biellese represents the quintessential small Italian comune that forms the backbone of Italy's municipal structure. While numerically small, these comuni are essential to understanding Italy's administrative organization, local governance, and the distribution of population across the country's territory. The Province of Biella, within which Villanova Biellese is located, has historically been significant for its textile industry and wool production, contributing to Italy's reputation for quality craftsmanship and manufacturing.

The comune's existence within the Piedmont region places it in one of Italy's most economically productive areas—a region that contributes significantly to the nation's GDP through manufacturing, automotive production (notably Fiat), agriculture (particularly wine and truffles), and tourism. Understanding Villanova Biellese provides insight into how Italy balances its urban centers with numerous small rural communities that maintain traditional Italian culture, local customs, and agricultural practices.

From a administrative perspective, comuni like Villanova Biellese serve as the closest level of government to citizens, handling local planning, civil registry, building permits, and local services. This decentralized approach is characteristic of Italy's governance structure, which divides administrative responsibilities between national, regional, provincial, and municipal levels.

## Notable For

- **Small Population Scale**: Among Italy's approximately 7,904 comuni, Villanova Biellese represents the smaller rural municipalities that maintain community cohesion in the Italian peninsula
- **Location in Piedmont**: One of Italy's 20 regions, Piedmont is renowned for its wine production (Barolo, Barbaresco), truffles, and as the birthplace of the Italian unification movement
- **Textile Industry Heritage**: The Province of Biella has historically been known as a center for wool and textile production, contributing to Italy's global reputation for quality fabrics
- **Proximity to Major Cities**: Located between Milan and Turin, two of Italy's largest economic and cultural centers
- **Alpine Foothills Setting**: Situated in the scenic region where the Po Plain meets the Alpine foothills, offering access to both lowland agriculture and mountain recreation

## Body

### Geography and Location

Villanova Biellese is situated in northern Italy at coordinates 45.4817° North latitude and 8.1942° East longitude. The comune lies within the Province of Biella, which is part of the Piedmont (Piemonte) region. This location places the municipality in the transitional zone between the Po River plain and the foothills of the Alps. The terrain is characterized by gentle rolling hills and agricultural land, typical of the Biella area, which has historically supported both farming and textile manufacturing.

The region's geography has influenced local economic activities, with the availability of water from local rivers supporting both agricultural irrigation and the water-intensive textile industry that made Biella famous. The proximity to the Alps provides access to mountain resources while remaining accessible from major urban centers in northern Italy.

### Administrative Structure

As an Italian comune, Villanova Biellese operates as a municipal corporation and the smallest administrative division in Italy. The comune system dates back to the unification of Italy in 1861, when the Kingdom of Italy was proclaimed on March 17, 1861. Following the transition to the Italian Republic on June 18, 1946, comuni retained their role as fundamental administrative units.

Villanova Biellese falls under the jurisdiction of the Province of Biella, one of the provinces within the Piedmont region. Italy is organized into 20 regions, which are further divided into provinces and comuni. The Province of Biella was established in 1992 when it was separated from the Province of Vercelli, reflecting the administrative importance of the textile-producing area.

The Italian administrative system operates under the Constitution of Italy, which establishes the framework for local governance. Comuni have elected mayors (sindaco) and municipal councils (consiglio comunale) that handle local affairs, from civil registration to urban planning and local taxation.

### Demographics and Population

The population of Villanova Biellese stands at approximately 187 residents, with historical figures of 193 and 177 indicating modest population changes over time. This places the comune among Italy's smaller municipalities, reflecting a common trend in rural Italian comuni where population has declined in favor of urban centers.

Italy's overall population is approximately 58.85 million as of 2023, with a life expectancy of 83 years and a total fertility rate of 1.2. The country has experienced aging demographics and population stagnation, challenges that are particularly pronounced in rural comuni like Villanova Biellese. The Italian government has implemented various policies to address demographic challenges, including incentives for families and immigration policies to supplement the workforce.

### Economic Context

While specific economic data for Villanova Biellese is not provided, the broader context of the Province of Biella offers insight into the local economy. The province has historically been known for its textile and wool industry, earning the nickname "the wool capital" of Italy. This industrial heritage has shaped the region's economic identity and contributed to Italy's global reputation for quality textiles.

Piedmont, the region containing Biella, is one of Italy's most economically productive areas. The region is home to major automotive manufacturing (Fiat, now Stellantis), aerospace industries, and agricultural production. The area is famous for its wine production, with Barolo and Barbaresco among the world's most prestigious wines, produced in the hills south of Biella.

Italy's economy is the eighth largest in the world by nominal GDP, approximately $2.01 trillion as of 2022. The country uses the Euro as its currency, adopted on January 1, 2002, replacing the Italian lira. The unemployment rate in Italy was approximately 8.1% in 2022, with regional variations between the more prosperous northern regions and the less developed southern areas.

### Infrastructure and Services

As part of Italy, Villanova Biellese adheres to Italian infrastructure standards. The country operates on a 230V electrical system at 50Hz, using Type L and Europlug outlets. Road traffic follows right-hand driving, consistent with most continental European countries, while railway traffic operates on the left, following British tradition.

Emergency services are accessible through Italy's emergency number system: 112 (general European emergency), 113 (police/carabinieri), 115 (fire department), and 118 (medical emergency). Italy's universal emergency number 112 connects to state police, which can then dispatch the appropriate service.

Telecommunications in Italy operate under country code +39, with internet services using the .it top-level domain. The country's mobile networks operate under country code 222, and Italy uses the Gregorian calendar, which was introduced in 1582.

### Cultural and Historical Context

Villanova Biellese exists within a region of significant historical importance. Piedmont played a central role in the Italian unification movement (Risorgimento) during the 19th century. Turin (Torino) served as the first capital of the Kingdom of Italy from 1861 to 1865, followed by Florence until 1871, when Rome became the permanent capital.

The Province of Biella's textile heritage dates back centuries, with the industry becoming particularly prominent during the Industrial Revolution. The region's water resources, combined with skilled labor, made it ideal for wool processing and textile manufacturing. Today, the area maintains its reputation for high-quality wool and cashmere products, with numerous family-owned mills continuing traditional production methods.

Italian culture, of which Villanova Biellese is a part, emphasizes family, food, and community. The country boasts the highest number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites globally, reflecting its extraordinary artistic and architectural legacy. Italian cuisine varies significantly by region, with Piedmont known for its risotto, truffles, and wines.

### International Context

Italy, the country within which Villanova Biellese is located, is a founding member of the European Union, having joined the EEC in 1957. The country is also a member of NATO (since 1949), the United Nations (since 1955), and the G7 and G20 economic forums. Italy participates in the Schengen Area, allowing free movement across most European borders.

As an EU member, Italy uses the Euro as its currency and participates in EU policies on agriculture, trade, and regional development. The country maintains diplomatic relations with numerous nations worldwide and plays an active role in international diplomacy, particularly in Mediterranean affairs and European integration.

### Local Governance and Administration

The comune of Villanova Biellese, like all Italian comuni, operates under the framework of Italian local government. Each comune is governed by a mayor (sindaco) elected by popular vote, who heads the municipal administration. The municipal council (consiglio comunale) represents the citizens and makes decisions on local issues.

Municipal responsibilities include maintaining public roads, managing local taxes (such as the IMU property tax and TARI waste tax), issuing building permits, registering births, deaths, and marriages, and providing local social services. Smaller comuni like Villanova Biellese often share services with neighboring comuni to achieve efficiencies.

The website http://www.comune.villanovabiellese.bi.it serves as the official online presence for the municipal administration, providing information about local services, announcements, and administrative procedures. The ".bi" domain extension indicates the Biella province, following the Italian convention for municipal websites.

### Relationship to Larger Entities

Villanova Biellese exists within a hierarchical structure of Italian administrative divisions. At the national level, Italy operates as a parliamentary republic with a president as head of state and a prime minister as head of government. The country is divided into 20 regions, one of which is Piedmont, where Villanova Biellese is located.

Below the regional level, Italy is divided into 107 provinces (or metropolitan cities), with the Province of Biella being one of them. The comune represents the lowest level of administrative division, with approximately 7,904 comuni throughout Italy. This system allows for local governance while maintaining national coordination.

The Province of Biella, with which Villanova Biellese is directly associated, was created in 1992 from territory previously part of the Province of Vercelli. The province is characterized by its mountainous terrain in the north and more gentle hills in the south, with the capital city of Biella serving as the administrative center.

## References

1. OpenStreetMap
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)