According to the standards considered by the Regional Quality Index (QUARS), Friuli Venezia Giulia ranks second in Italy (after Trentino-Alto Adige). The index derives from the examination of four key indicators: human development (elaborated by UNDP – United Nations Development Programme), environmental conditions, social quality and public expenditure.

Friuli Venezia Giulia has historically been a region participating to the contact with the Mitteleuropean culture and favourably oriented to mutual exchanges. In the Eastern part of the region, there is clear architectonical evidence of a long-lasting relationship. In Gorizia, Palazzo Attems-Petzenstein is a good example. It is a building dating back to the 17th century, whose shape recalls the Bavarian and Tyrolese styles. Other examples are provided by the houses and the arcades of Borgo Castello.
The city of Trieste, particularly the growth of its administrative and business centre between the 18th and 19th centuries, shows the influence of Maria Theresia of Austria. Trieste has always been a city open to cultural exchanges – not only to trade – and its cosmopolitan charm can still be seen in literary cafés (namely, Tommaseo, San Marco, Pirona, ancient coffee bars well known for the usual presence of men of letters and culture, such as Italo Svevo and James Joyce), in many museums and in the presence of different churches, namely Catholic, Greek-Orthodox, Armenian and Serbian-Orthodox and of the Synagogue.

Thus, Friuli Venezia Giulia appears as an area uniting peoples and cultures, a place where the Alpine and Balkan orographical systems meet and where Italian, Slavic and German cultures integrate. Friuli Venezia Giulia is the native land of people such as: Giorgio Strehler, Max Fabiani (of Slovenian origin), Gino Valle, Primo Carnera, Nereo Rocco, Marcello D’Olivo. Among contemporary people, the following can be mentioned: Francesco Tullio Altan, Gae Aulenti, Tullio Avoledo, Elio Bartolini, Enzo Bearzot, Renato Calligaro, Fabio Capello, Andrea Centazzo, Claudio Magris, Paolo Maurensig, Edy Orioli, Elisa, Mauro Pelaschier, Bruno Pizzul, Carlo Rubbia, Carlo Sgorlon, Susanna Tamaro, Demetrio Volcic, Giuseppe Zigaina, Dino Zoff. Friuli Venezia Giulia is also the land of illustrious poets and writers: Umberto Saba, Biagio Marin, Dino Manichini, Ippolito Nievo, Italo Svevo, Scipio Slataper, Pier Paolo Pasolini, Fulvio Tomizza.

Goriška stands out for food-and-wine tourism and for the development of the Hit-Casino network. The main commercial and cultural centre of the karst area of Gorisko is Nova Gorica (New Gorica), a meeting point between the Slavic and the Latin worlds; it is located on a plain surrounded by the Goriška Brda (Collio) hills, by the karst plateau and by the Julijske Alpe (Prealpi Giulie), between the Isonzo and Vipacco valleys. Nova Gorica is also known as the “garden city” for its mild climate.

This area features the lowest unemployment rate in the whole of Slovenia (6.4%).
The Gorenjska region is the local basis for foreign investors. The presence of the Triglav (Tricorno) National Park and of Lake Bled are worthy of mention. The area surrounding Bled is characterized by high-level tourist infrastructures, including casinos and traditional places. The tourist centres of Bohinj and Kranjska Gora are also worthy of mention. Lake Bohinj offers several entertainment possibilities, from swimming to sailing and kayaking, from tennis courts to mountain excursions and climbing. In Kranjska Gora, taking excursions is tourists’ favourite activity; horse-riding and mountain climbing are also highly practised, along with water sports, such as rafting and canyoning. The plain of Bovec is a location of particular interest for people fond of nature. It is surrounded by the tops of the Kanin, Polovnik and Golobar mountains and it is crossed by the Soca (Isonzo) river. The area is particularly appreciated for the chance of practising rafting, climbing and excursions (Soca/Isonzo source, Kluze fortress, Boka waterfalls, Caporetto/Kobarid museum). Not far from the industrial centre of Jesenice, surrounded by the Gorjanci hills, there are the thermal baths of Catez. Besides therapies and aesthetical treatments, Catez also features an Aromatherapy Clinic, specialized in massage techniques with oils that guarantee relaxation for mind and body.

The Obalno Kraška region, being near to Italy, is characterized by the presence of multiple cultures. The towns of Piran-Pirano (17,500 inhabitants), Izola-Isola (15,500 inhabitants) and Sežana-Sesana (12,000 inhabitants) are examples of the vitality of the area.