Tourism is one of the most important economic activities and sources of employment in the region of Marche. In 2003, 2 095 000 tourists visited the region, of which 346 000, or 16%, were foreigners. In that same year, 13 419 000 overnight stays were recorded, of which 2 075 000, or 15%, were those of foreign tourists.

In 2000, the total number of farms in the agriculture industry was 66 283, largely made up of family farms whose primary economic activity is agriculture. The total amount of arable land in that same year was 707 472 hectares, while the amount used was 503 977 hectares.

The per capita Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has been experiencing constant growth since 1996. Consequently, the per capita GDP, expressed in market prices, was 17 436 EUR in 1996, and 21 459 EUR in 2001 which is above the national average. Based on this information, growth in the region can be judged as positive and successful.

The Region of Marche encompasses an area of 9964.06 square kilometres and is divided into 246 townships. It has a population of 1 484 601 people, with an average population density of 153 inhabitants per square kilometre. Since 1996 the population has been experiencing positive demographic growth, mostly due to migration.

Date of Inscription: 1998
Brief Description: The small hill town of Urbino, in the Marche, experienced a great cultural flowering in the 15th century, attracting artists and scholars from all over Italy and beyond, and influencing cultural developments elsewhere in Europe. Owing to its economic and cultural stagnation from the 16th century onwards, it has preserved its Renaissance appearance to a remarkable extent.