EmiliaRomagna

Emilia-Romagna, commonly written Emilia Romagna, is an autonomous region of Northern Italy. Its capital and largest city is Bologna, and the region is named for the historical lands of Emilia and Romagna. It lies along the northern Adriatic coast, bordered by Lombardy to the west, Veneto to the northeast, Marche to the southeast, and Tuscany to the south; the Po River forms part of its northern boundary. The landscape includes the Po plain and the foothills of the Apennines.

Emilia-Romagna is one of Italy’s wealthiest and most densely populated regions. Its economy is diverse, with strong manufacturing, engineering, food processing, and agriculture. The Motor Valley, centered in Modena and Bologna, is home to brands such as Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati, and Ducati. The region is renowned for food products including Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, Prosciutto di Parma, and Aceto Balsamico di Modena, as well as Lambrusco wines. Tourism is boosted by Ravenna’s ancient mosaics, Ferrara’s Renaissance cityscape, and the Adriatic coast around Rimini.

Culture and history: the University of Bologna, founded in 1088, is the oldest university in continuous operation. Ravenna’s early Christian and Byzantine mosaics are a UNESCO World Heritage site, and Ferrara’s Renaissance city is likewise inscribed.

Administrative divisions: Emilia-Romagna comprises nine provinces: Bologna, Ferrara, Forlì-Cezena (Forlì-Cesena), Modena, Parma, Piacenza, Ravenna, Rimini, and Reggio Emilia.

The region is governed by a regional council and president. It has about 4.5 million residents and a diversified transportation network, including Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport and high-speed rail connections.