Italian Genova ancient Genua
City (pop., 2001 prelim.: 603,560) and seaport, northwestern Italy.
Capital of Liguria region, it is the centre of the Italian Riviera . Flourishing under the Romans, it went on to become a chief Mediterranean commercial city (12th–13th centuries), rivaled only by Venice . Its fortunes declined in the 14th and 15th centuries, after it lost a century-long struggle with Venice for control of the Levant . Taken by Napoleon in the early 19th century, it later regained its independence and prospered, especially after Italian unification. Although the city was badly damaged in World War II, a number of historic buildings survive. The birthplace of Christopher Columbus , Genoa is still noted for its maritime tradition, with shipbuilding its major industry; its university (founded 1471) is known for its economic and maritime studies.