Venetia Attractions

Economy

The region of Veneto is notable for its scenic variety and economic diversity. The population is concentrated mainly in the larger cities of the Po plain, which has a highly developed agriculture (grain, particularly maize and rice, vines, fruit, vegetables, cattle-farming), with the associated processing industries (canning, manufacture of foodstuffs). Large companies have settled here as there is much general industrial development (textiles, building materials, metalworking, chemicals, petro-chemicals, shipbuilding), promoted by an abundant supply of power (hydro-electric schemes in the Alps, natural gas in the Po plain). The region is also famous for its applied and decorative art, in particular the glass-blowing and lace-making of the Venice area.

Tip

The holiday and tourist trade is an additional source of income. Lake Garda and the area around Cortina d'Ampezzo in the Dolomites attract visitors from far and wide with the beauty of their scenery, and the old cities of Venice, Padua, Verona and Vicenza are among the highlights of any tour of Italy. The "Villas in Veneto" are a special feature of this region.

In the center of the old town of Padua is the Piazza Cavour, from which the busy Via III Febbraio runs south. On the right is the Neo-Classical Caffè Pedrocchi (rebuilt after the Second World War), which when it was first opened in 1831 was the largest cafe in Europe. It played an important part in the history of the Risorgimento, and is still the resort of professors and students of the university.