Lombardy

Lombardy, or Lombardia in Italian, is a region in Northern Italy. It is the most populous and economically significant region in the country. The regional capital is Milan, which is also a major global city known for finance, fashion, and design.

Lombardy is bordered by Switzerland to the north and by the Italian regions of Piedmont to the west, Veneto and Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol to the east, and Emilia-Romagna to the south-east. The landscape ranges from the Alpine peaks in the north to the flat Po Valley, and includes notable lakes such as Lake Como and Lake Garda as well as smaller glacial lakes.

The region is subdivided into 12 provinces: Bergamo, Brescia, Como, Cremona, Lecco, Lodi, Mantua (Mantova), Milan, Monza and Brianza, Pavia, Sondrio, and Varese.

Economically, Lombardy accounts for a large share of Italy’s GDP, with strong manufacturing, services, finance, and commerce sectors. Milan serves as the principal economic center, hosting national and international banks, corporations, media, and a global fashion and design presence. Agriculture is also important in parts of the region, including cereals, dairy products, and rice production in the Po Valley.

Historically, Lombardy has been a political and cultural crossroads. It was inhabited in ancient times, became part of the Roman Empire, and later formed the Duchy of Milan. The area later came under Habsburg rule and joined the unified Kingdom of Italy in the 19th century. Today it contains numerous cultural landmarks and a diverse culinary heritage.