Lombardy (in Italian Lombardia) is a region in northern Italy between the Alps and the Po Valley. Lombardy borders the regions of Piedmont, Emilia-Romagna, Veneto, Trentino-Alto Adige, and the country of Switzerland. Lombardy's capital is Milan. One-sixth of Italy's population lives in Lombardy, and its capital (Milan) is the fourth largest conurbation in Europe with more than 6.5 million inhabitants. The current governor of Lombardy is Roberto Formigoni.

Lombardy is one of the three richest regions in Europe, with a GDP per capita 30% higher than the rest of Italy. Many foreign and national companies have their headquarters in Milan. Lombardy seems to be very active in sports with many top-rated clubs in football, rugby, ice hockey and basketball.

Pirelli Tower, the highest skyscraper in Italy (130 m), is the seat of Lombardy Region.

Lombardy is candidate, with the city of Milan, for XXXI Summer Olympic Games (Milan-Lombardy 2016).

History

The region is named for the Lombards or Longobardi, who came after the fall of the (western) Roman Empire. There was a close relationship between the Frankish, Bavarian and Lombard nobility for many centuries.

Lombardy's motto

The Lombardy's motto is "Una regione per fare") (in English, "A region to act").

Provinces

The region is divided into the following provinces, all named after their capital cities:

• Bergamo
• Brescia (weapon industries)
• Como (silk industries - Lake Como)
• Cremona
• Lecco
• Lodi
• Mantova
• Milano
• Monza - Brianza (furniture industries)
• Pavia (one of the most ancient universities)
• Sondrio (Valtellina)
• Varese (shoes industries)

Its twelve provinces are subdivided into a total of 1,562 comunes, ranging in population from Milan (1,256,211) to Morterone, near Lake Como, with only 33 inhabitants (2001 census). Another important town is Monza with its Formula One circuit.

Main cities

• Milan 1,256,211
• Brescia 187,567
• Monza 120,204
• Bergamo 113,143
• Varese 80,511
• Sesto San Giovanni 78,850
• Como 78,680
• Busto Arsizio 75,916
• Cinisello Balsamo 72,050
• Pavia 71,214
• Cremona 70,887
• Vigevano 57,450
• Legnano 53,797
• Rho 50,246

Transportation

Airports

There are four main airports in Lombardy:

• Milan-Malpensa Int.l Airport (MXP),
• Milan-Linate Airport (LIN)
• Bergamo-Orio al Serio Airport (BGY)
• Brescia Montichiari

Milan's two airports are considered the most crowded Italian hub with more than 30 million passengers a year.

Railway service

The Suburban Railway Service (called "S" Lines, the service is similar to the French RER and German S-Bahn), composed of 8 commuter rail lines (10 as of 2008), connects the Milan Metropolitan Area ("Great Milan"), and other important cities, like Como or Varese.

The Regional Railway Service (called "R"), on the other hand, links the cities of Lombardy and connects the region with the national railway system.

Tourism information

Food

• Risotto alla Milanese
• Cotoletta alla Milanese
• Osso buco
• Cassoeula
• Panettone
• Missoltini
• Polenta
• Torrone
• Bresaola

External links

General information

• Regione Lombardia - Official website

Provinces

• Provincia di Bergamo
• Provincia di Brescia
• Provincia di Como
• Provincia di Cremona
• Provincia di Lecco
• Provincia di Lodi
• Provincia di Mantova
• Provincia di Milano
• Provincia di Pavia
• Provincia di Varese
• Provincia di Sondrio

Universities

• Milan's Politecnic
• Università Bocconi (Milan)
• Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore (Milan)
• Università degli Studi di Milano
• Università degli Studi Milano Bicocca (Milan-Monza)
• Università degli Studi di Bergamo
• Università degli Studi di Brescia
• Università degli Studi di Mantova
• Università degli Studi di Pavia
• Università degli Studi dell'Insubria (Varese-Como)