Tyrol, << TY rohl or tuh ROHL, >> also spelled Tirol, is a beautiful mountainous region in western Austria and northern Italy. The Alps cover most of the area, and they attract many vacationers to the Tyrol.
The Austrian Tyrol, or the North Tyrol and the East Tyrol, has an area of 4,883 square miles (12,647 square kilometers). It is a province of Austria. The Italian Tyrol, or South Tyrol, is known as Trentino-Alto Adige. It extends south from the border of Austria and is divided into the provinces of Bolzano and Trento. It covers 5,256 square miles (13,613 square kilometers).
The Romans conquered the Tyrol in 15 B.C. Later, the region fell into the hands of various Germanic tribes. In 1363, it became part of Austria. After World War I (1914-1918), the northern part of the Tyrol became a province of the Austrian republic. The southern Tyrol was given to Italy. The Italians promised political and cultural autonomy to the large German-speaking minority in the Italian Tyrol, but the Fascist government of Italy suppressed the use of German language in the area.
After World War II (1939-1945), in spite of Austrian objections, the southern Tyrol was again given to Italy. Italy promised autonomy for German-speaking South Tyroleans. In the late 1950’s, these people said they did not have autonomy and began fighting for it. In 1971, the southern Tyrol conflict was settled after Italy granted the region a large amount of autonomy.
