A land rich in agriculture, Tuscany produces excellent wines, and some of the world's best olive oil. Top grade Chianina beef, used for Bistecca Fiorentina, comes from the area around Arezzo. Sheep's milk is used to produce some of the region's best cheeses.

Up until the 1950's Tuscan land was farmed by the medieval mezzadria method of sharecropping where the peasant farmer labored without pay to receive a share of the crops in return.

Welcome to Tuscany

Originally settled by the Etruscans as far back as the 9th century BC, these people, probably from Asia Minor, were attracted by the rich mineral deposits. Today, zinc, alum, copper, alabaster and marble are still a major part of Tuscany's economy. 

Bankers, merchants and trade guilds have made Firenze's a strong service economy.

Finally, the region's manufacturing has for centuries included textiles, marble and glass, and more recently, motorcycles.

The Economy

Olive Oil.

Chianti Classico.

Quarrying marble in Carrara.

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