Laas (German pronunciation: [laːs]; Italian: Lasa [ˈlaːza]) is a comune (municipality) in the province of South Tyrol in northern Italy, located about 50 kilometres (31 mi) west of the city of Bolzano.

Laas
Gemeinde Laas
Comune di Lasa
Laas
Laas
Location of Laas
Map
Laas is located in Italy
Laas
Laas
Location of Laas in Italy
Laas is located in Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol
Laas
Laas
Laas (Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol)
Coordinates: 46°37′N 10°42′E / 46.617°N 10.700°E / 46.617; 10.700
CountryItaly
RegionTrentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol
ProvinceSouth Tyrol (BZ)
FrazioniAllitz (Alliz), Eyrs (Oris), Tanas, Tschengls (Cengles)
Government
 • MayorVerena Tröger
Area
 • Total110.1 km2 (42.5 sq mi)
Population
 (Nov. 2010)[2]
 • Total3,938
 • Density36/km2 (93/sq mi)
Demonym(s)German:Laaser
Italian: lasini
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code
39023
Dialing code0473
WebsiteOfficial website

Geography

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As of 30 November 2010, it had a population of 3,983 and an area of 110.1 square kilometres (42.5 sq mi).[3]

The municipality of Laas contains the frazioni (subdivisions, mainly villages and hamlets) Allitz (Alliz), Eyrs (Oris), Tanas, and Tschengls (Cengles).

Laas (Lasa) borders the following municipalities: Mals, Martell, Prad, Schlanders, Schluderns, and Stilfs.

Geology

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Laas stands on one of the largest conical debris fans in the Alps, known as Gadriamure, which emerges from the narrow valley above the village of Allitz. This fan may be of catastrophic origin, with the collapse of a mountain above the present Gadriatal. The fan blocks the main valley Vinschgau and displaces the River Etsch to its south edge, where it is cut by a gorge which revealed buried logs 7300 years old. The fan now supports irrigated fruit orchards.

Economy

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Lasa marble

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Laas is known for the pure white marble (known in German, Italian and English as "Laaser Marmor", "Lasa marmo" and "Lasa marble", respectively) quarried in the mountains south of the village which has been used in buildings worldwide, including the Victoria Memorial, London. The grave markers in many US military cemeteries in Europe, like the Luxembourg American Cemetery and Memorial, are also made of Lasa marble.

 
The Kandlwaal in Laas, an old irrigation canal
 
The parish church of Laas

History

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Coat of arms

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The emblem is a gules hammer and two bits, on argent with sable stripes. The white and black symbolizes the layers of marble, the hammer and the bits the tools for its processing.[4]

Society

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Linguistic distribution

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According to the 2011 census, 98.09% of the population speak German, 1.67% Italian and 0.4% Ladin as first language.[5]

Demographic evolution

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References

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  1. ^ "Superficie di Comuni Province e Regioni italiane al 9 ottobre 2011". Italian National Institute of Statistics. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
  2. ^ "Popolazione Residente al 1° Gennaio 2018". Italian National Institute of Statistics. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
  3. ^ All demographics and other statistics: Italian statistical institute Istat.
  4. ^ (in Italian)Tirol Atlas: Laas
  5. ^ "Volkszählung 2011/Censimento della popolazione 2011". astat info (38). Provincial Statistics Institute of the Autonomous Province of South Tyrol: 6–7. June 2012. Retrieved 2012-06-14.
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  Media related to Laas at Wikimedia Commons