Cairo Montenotte

Cairo Montenotte (Càiri in Ligurian - Còiri in Piedmontese) is a comune (municipality) in the Province of Savona in the Italian region Liguria, located about 50 kilometres (31 mi) west of Genoa and about 20 kilometres (12 mi) northwest of Savona. As of 31 December 2008, it had a population of 13,740 and an area of 99.5 square kilometres (38.4 sq mi). Located in Val Bormida, it is a member of the Comunità Montana Alta Val Bormida. It is famous as the birthplace of the patriot Giuseppe Cesare Abba. The municipality of Cairo Montenotte contains the frazioni (subdivisions, mainly villages and hamlets) Rocchetta di Cairo, Bragno, Ferrania, San Giuseppe di Cairo, Ville, Chinelli, Bellini Cairo Montenotte borders the following municipalities: Albisola Superiore, Altare, Carcare, Cengio, Cosseria, Dego, Giusvalla, Gottasecca, Pontinvrea, Saliceto, and Savona. Cairo Montenotte is also famous for being the birthplace of Michelle Conti, aka Natasha Kiss, a former famous actress. History The name "Cairo" comes from the Latin "carium", which itself comes from the Ligurian word "car", meaning "stone". This area, according to many archaeological finds, has been inhabited since the Neolithic age. Two important routes were built during the period of Roman domination, "Via Emilia Scauri" and "via Julia Augusta". According to the tradition, Francis of Assisi passed here in 1213, during his trip to Spain; during his journey, he built the convent near Cairo, in the village of "Ville". In the 16th century there were some battles between Germany and France near Cairo. In 1796 near Montenotte Napoleon Bonaparte won his first battle in the Italian campaigns, the Battle of Montenotte Demographic evolution References ^ All demographics and other statistics: Italian statistical institute Istat. External links www.comune.cairo-montenotte.sv.it/