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Italian Firenze
City (pop., 2001 prelim.: 352,227), capital of Tuscany , central Italy.
Built on both sides of the Arno River , the city has been during its long history a republic, a seat of the duchy of Tuscany, and a capital (1865–71) of Italy. Founded as a Roman military colony in the 1st century BC, it was controlled in turn by the Goths, Byzantines, and Lombards. A leading city of Tuscany by the late 12th century, it was ruled after 1434 by the powerful Medici family . It became a republic under religious reformer Leonardo da Vinci , Michelangelo , Filippo Brunelleschi , Dante , Niccolò Machiavelli , and Galileo . The buildings, including the Baptistery of St. John, the Gothic Duomo, and the Uffizi Gallery , are works of art themselves abounding in yet more works of art. Among the palaces and parks are the Pitti Palace and its Boboli Gardens. The university was founded in 1321. The economy is based primarily on tourism, though it also has developed newer sectors such as information technology and high-fashion clothing. The region around the city has a modern and dynamic economy based on small industrial production and quality exports.
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[c mediumvioletred] (as used in expressions)
{{link=Florence Nightingale Graham">Florence Nightingale Graham
Ferrara Florence Council of
Griffith Joyner Delorez Florence
Delorez Florence Griffith
Hellman Lillian Florence
Nightingale Florence
Ethel Florence Lindesay Richardson
Florence Margaret Smith
Edith Anna Oenone Somerville and Violet Florence Martin