Granted its special autonomous status in 1948, the Valle d’Aosta is Italy’s smallest and least populated region. Its GDP per capita is higher than the European average, and its unemployment rate is lower than the national average. Services are a key sector, in terms of both added value and employment, with tourism playing a significant role. The region has a rich natural heritage, with, for example, the Gran Paradiso National Park, and also offers excellent skiing. As regards industry, small and medium-sized enterprises are particularly active in the textile, building, timber and hydropower sectors. Other mainstays of the region’s economy are dairy farming and wine growing.