Alba

Ducato di Alba
Duchy of Alba

Languages
Official	Piedmontese, Ligurian and Italian
Other	Genoese and Provençal
Adjective	Albese
Capital	Alba
Important Cities
Duke	Norberto II (ascended in 1963)
Prime Minister	Roberto Minganelli (elected 16 April, 2002)
Government type	Constitutional monarchy
Area
Population	58,000
Main industries	Industrial Machinery, Tool Machinery, Wine.
Organizations	Part of Italy

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Alba is possibly the largest in size of the following minor states in Italy. It lies between Liguria and Piedmont and the Montferrat.

Government

Duke is nominal Head of State. The people elect a 45 member Parliament every 5 years, who then elects Prime Minister. Ministers are appointed by Prime Minister.

The current Prime Minister is Roberto Minganelli, Democratic Left, elected 16 April 2002. The government is a coalition of the Democratic Left, the Radical Party, the Italian Socialists and the Green List.

History

Alba emerged as an independent city state during the aftermath of the Visconti divide (See Lombardy). In 1489 the Ghismondi family took control and proclaimed themselves princes. In 1801 Napoleon conquered Alba and expelled its princely family. Alba became part of the Cisligurian Department. With the break-up of the Republic of Lombardy the princely heir was offered to be Head of State of the newly created Duchy of Alba. Alba was an original member of the Italian Union.