Lombardia

Lombardia, known as Lombardy in English, is a region in northern Italy. Its capital is Milan. It covers about 23,844 square kilometers and has a population close to 10 million, making it the most populous region of the country.

Geographically, Lombardia lies in the northern part of the Italian peninsula, with the Alpine arc to the north and the Po Valley to the south. It borders Switzerland and several Italian regions. The region contains famous lakes such as Lake Como, Lake Maggiore, and portions of Lake Garda, and the Adda River runs through Milan.

Historically, the area was settled by various peoples, and in the early Middle Ages was ruled by the Lombards, from whom the region takes its name. The Duchy of Milan became a major political and cultural hub in the Renaissance. It became part of the unified Italian state in the 19th century and underwent rapid industrial growth in the postwar period.

Economically, Lombardia has the largest regional economy in Italy, driven by manufacturing, finance, and services. It hosts major industries in Milan and other cities, including textiles, machinery, and food processing. The region is also a hub of higher education, with institutions such as the University of Milan, Politecnico di Milano, and Bocconi University.

Culture and heritage include Leonardo da Vinci's The Last Supper in Milan and UNESCO-listed sites such as the Rock Drawings in Val Camonica and the Sacri Monti of Piedmont and Lombardy. Administratively, Lombardia is divided into 12 provinces, including Milan, Bergamo, Brescia, Como, Cremona, Lecco, Lodi, Mantua, Monza and Brianza, Pavia, Sondrio, and Varese. Major transport infrastructure includes Malpensa and Linate airports and an extensive rail network.