Friuli-Venezia Giulia (; , , , ) is one of the 20
regions of Italy, and one of five
autonomous regions with special statute. The capital is
Trieste. (Note that Venezia, i.e. Venice, is
not in this region, despite the name.) It has an area of 7,858 km² and about 1.2 million inhabitants. A natural opening to the sea for many
Central European countries, the region is traversed by the major transport routes between the east and west of
southern Europe. It encompasses the historical-geographical region of
Friuli and a small portion of the historical region of
Venezia Giulia (known in English also as
Julian March), each with its own distinct history, traditions and identity. The name of the region was spelled Friuli–Venezia Giulia until 2001, when, in connection with a modification of article nr. 116 of the Italian constitution, the official spelling
Friuli Venezia Giulia was adopted.