Agricultural wealth and advanced industries
Agriculture remains an important economic sector for the region. In the Friulian plain corn, soybeans and sugar beets are grown. The international recognition of Friulian wines has favored the development of viticulture and the region also produces fruits and vegetables (Friulian asparagus, Collio cherries) and olive oil (olio extravergine di oliva Tergeste DOP). Cattle and pig breeding are well developed and some by-products (prosciutto di San Daniele DOP
, Montasio DOP cheese) are among the Italian products of excellence. As far as industry is concerned, the most represented sectors are furniture, metallurgy and food processing, concentrated in the industrial districts that have flourished in the Friulian plain and near the coast: the furniture sector in the west of the province of Pordenone, ham factories around San Daniele del Friuli... To the south of Udine, the Danieli industrial group is a world leader in the equipping and construction of iron and steel plants.The port of Trieste
The port of Trieste is active in the transport of people and goods (especially hydrocarbons). Looking to the future, it has also focused on the development of an advanced industry in the maritime sector. Starting with Wärtsilä Italia (formerly Grandi Motori Trieste), one of the world's leading producers of high-powered diesel engines for large ships. Trieste is also the headquarters of the Fincantieri group, specialized in shipbuilding, and of Italia Marittima (formerly Lloyd Triestino), which was founded in 1836 and is one of the oldest shipping companies still operating. It is true that Trieste is no longer the merchant city of the Austrian Empire where the most exotic goods were traded. However, one commodity, much appreciated by the Triestinians, recalls the memory of that golden age. One third of the country's coffee imports transit through Trieste, which remains the leading coffee port in the Mediterranean. The Illy coffee company, founded in Trieste in 1933, is still based in the city.
A discreet but dynamic tourism
The sector occupies an important place in the regional economy, with seaside tourism in the lead, concentrated along the beaches of Lignano Sabbiadoro, Grado and the Gulf of Trieste. The ski resorts of the Alps and the Friulian Dolomites attract winter sports enthusiasts, but the mountains are also a summer destination, for the beauty of the natural sites and the numerous hiking possibilities. The cities of art and history are popular with Italian and foreign cultural tourists. Finally, the quality of Friuli Venezia Giulia's local products and wines make it an increasingly popular destination for food and wine tourism.
An autonomous region with special status
Friuli-Venezia Giulia has a special status of autonomy, which is also granted to four other Italian regions: Sicily, Sardinia, Trentino-Alto Adige and Valle d'Aosta. Historically, this status was granted in order to protect the linguistic minorities in these regions and to avoid separatist movements. These regions enjoy a wide administrative, legislative and financial autonomy. The political organization of Friuli-Venezia Giulia, however, is similar to that of other regions in Italy: it is represented by a Regional Council (legislative body) and a Giunta (executive body) guided by the President of the region. The current president, Massimiliano Fedriga, in charge since 2018, is from the right-wing Lega party.
