Campione
Quick reference
General issues: Regional issues 1944
Country name on general issues: Comune di Campione
Currency: 1 (Swiss) Franco = 100 Centesimi
Population: 2 000 in 2014
Political history Campione
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Campione is an Italian exclave in Switzerland. The history of Campione as an exclave starts in 1798. At the time, both Switzerland and the northern part of Italy were occupied by France under Napoleon. Napoleon gave the Italian speaking Swiss region of Ticino the choice to either join the Swiss Helvetic Republic or the Italian Cisalpine Republic – both French puppet states created by Napoleon. Ticino voted for association with the Swiss, but Campione voted for association with the Italians. Thus, after the Napoleonic era, Campione became part of the kingdom of Lombardy and, in 1861, part of the kingdom of Italy. The official designation was changed from Campione to Campione d’Italia in 1933.
During WWII, southern Italy was conquered by the Allies in 1943 and, subsequently, governed as the kingdom of Italy. Northern Italy was occupied by Germany and governed as the Italian Social Republic, a German puppet state led by Benito Mussolini. Campione elected to support the kingdom of Italy in the south and became geographically isolated until the end of WWII.
Currently, Campione is part of the Lombardy district of Italy. However, Campione is economically integrated strongly with Switzerland, for example using the Swiss currency.
Postal history Campione
1944 – Coat of arms
Until WWII, Campione was serviced by the Italian postal services. When, in 1943, Campione became isolated from Italy, an arrangement was made with the Swiss. The Swiss would provide postal services for Campione. As part of the arrangement, Campione would issue its own stamps, denominated in the Swiss currency. These stamps were valid for use in Campione and for mail to Switzerland and Liechtenstein. Thus, Campione issued two sets of stamps in 1944. International mail had to be franked with Swiss stamps. This arrangement would last until 1952 when the stamps of Campione were withdrawn.[1]The Campione issues are listed in the Michel and Yvert & Tellier catalogs. Since then, a post office, run by the municipality, operates in Campione offering services through both the Italian and Swiss postal systems and selling both Italian and Swiss stamps.
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