Lugano
Lugano (/luːˈɡɑːnoʊ/, UK also /lʊˈɡænoʊ/, Italian: [luˈɡaːno]; Lombard: Lügán [lyˈɡaŋ]) is a city and municipality within the Lugano District in the canton of Ticino, Switzerland. It is the largest city in both Ticino and the Italian-speaking region of southern Switzerland. Lugano has a population (as of December 2020) of 62,315, and an urban agglomeration of over 150,000. It is the ninth largest Swiss city.
Lugano | |
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The bay of Lugano at sunset | |
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Flag Coat of arms | |
Location of Lugano | |
Lugano Lugano | |
| Coordinates: 46°00′18″N 08°57′09″E | |
| Country | Switzerland |
| Canton | Ticino |
| District | Lugano |
| Government | |
| • Executive | Municipio with 7 members |
| • Mayor | Sindaco (list) Michele Foletti Ticino League (as of October 2021) |
| • Parliament | Consiglio comunale with 60 members |
| Area | |
| • Total | 75.93 km2 (29.32 sq mi) |
| Elevation (Lake shore, Centro) | 273 m (896 ft) |
| Population (31 December 2018) | |
| • Total | 63,185 |
| • Density | 830/km2 (2,200/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+01:00 (Central European Time) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+02:00 (Central European Summer Time) |
| Postal code(s) | from 6900 to 6917, 6932, 6951, 6959, from 6962 to 6968, from 6974 to 6979 |
| SFOS number | 5192 |
| Localities | Barbengo, Besso, Brè-Aldesago, Breganzona, Cadro, Carabbia, Carona, Castagnola-Cassarate, Cureggia, Davesco-Soragno, Gandria, Loreto, Lugano Centro, Molino Nuovo, Pambio Noranco, Pazzallo, Pregassona, Sonvico, Val Colla, Viganello, Villa Luganese |
| Surrounded by | Arogno, Bioggio, Brusimpiano (Italy), Campione d'Italia (Italy), Canobbio, Capriasca, Collina d'Oro, Grancia, Alta Valle Intelvi (Italy), Massagno, Melide, Morcote, Muzzano, Paradiso, Ponte Capriasca, Porza, Savosa, Sorengo, Valsolda (Italy), Vezia, Vico Morcote |
| Website | www SFSO statistics |
The city lies on Lake Lugano, at its largest width, and, together with the adjacent town of Paradiso, occupies the entire bay of Lugano. The territory of the municipality encompasses a much larger region on both sides of the lake, with numerous isolated villages. The region of Lugano is surrounded by the Lugano Prealps, the latter extending on most of the Sottoceneri region, the southernmost part of Ticino and Switzerland. Both western and eastern parts of the municipality share an international border with Italy.
Described as a market town since 984, Lugano was the object of continuous disputes between the sovereigns of Como and Milan until it became part of the Old Swiss Confederation in 1513. In 1803, the political municipality of Lugano was created, following the establishment of the canton. Since 1882, Lugano has been an important stop on the international Gotthard Railway. The rail brought a decisive contribution to the development of tourism and more generally of the tertiary sector which are, to this day, predominant in the economy of the city.
In 1956, Lugano hosted the first-ever Eurovision Song Contest.