Tyrol
a crown-land of the former Austrian empire; now a part of the Republic of Austria and of Italy; between Bavaria on the N., Switzerland on the W., Italy on the S., and Salzburg and Carinthia on the E.; and embracing an area of 10,302 square miles, to which is administratively added Vorarlberg, 1,005 square miles, on the W. frontier; pop. before the World War about 1,000,000.
The province is traversed from E. to W. by the three chains of the Alps; the central chain (11,000 to 12,500 feet), which is crossed by the road over the Brenner Pass (4,588 feet), the principal line of communication between Italy and Germany, separates the German from the Italian side. The people are noted for their fidelity to the Catholic faith and their devotion to their country, but are somewhat backward in education. The romantic mountain scenery attracts thousands of visitors. The more impor- TYRONE tant valleys are formed by the river Inn (flowing N. to the Danube) and the Adige (going S. to the the Adriatic), and their tributaries. Pastoral pursuits furnish the chief occupations, though some grain is grown and considerable attention is paid to the cultivation of the forests (46 per cent. of the area), of fruit, wine (5,720,000 gallons annually), and silkworms. The mines were formerly of great value, but little is now extracted, except of salt (at Hall), anthracite, and a little iron. Tyrol, the ancient Rhætia, was conquered by the Romans under the Emperor Augustus. After the fall of the empire it was occupied by the Boiardi (Bavarians) and Langobardi. During the Middle Ages the most important rulers in Tyrol were the counts of Tyrol and the bishops of Trent and Brixen.
In 1363 the counts bequeathed their possessions to the Duke of Austria, and they have formed an appanare of the House of Hapsburg ever since, except during the short period 1806-1814, a period made memorable by the patriotic resistance of Andreas Hofer and his associates to French and Bavarians. As a result of the World War southern Tyrol became part of Italy through the Peace Treaty of St. Germain.