Provincial capital of the Liguria region, Genoa is located at the farthest inmost part of the Gulf of Genoa, along the foothills of the Appennines, with a coastal extension of about 35 km. It has a population of 676,000 inhabitants, and is the main commercial port of Italy. It is an active center for traffic and industry (shipbuilding, steel works, metal-mechanics industry, deposits and refineries of mineral oils, cement makers, food, wood and paper industries). A commercial port, genteel seaside resort, fine 16th century palaces in a town proud of its history and legend which was the native place of Christopher Columbus The oldest part of the urban center, a distinctive maze of crowded and narrow streets leading to the old port, form a striking contrast with the modern part, spread out on the nearby hills. The extremely rapid topographical development of the last ten years has established one continuous spread of habitation from the coast eastward to Nervi and to the west beyond Sampierdarena, to include the industrial centers of Cornigliano and Sestri Ponente. Since 1962 Genoa has had an airport serving the European continent, which was built on a wide landscaped area obtained by reclaiming a stretch of sea facing Sestri Ponente.