Lombardy

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Lombardy

Lombardy (Italian: Lombardia; Lombard: Lumbardia) is a region in northern Italy between the Alps and the Po river valley. It borders the Italian regions of Piedmont, Emilia-Romagna, Veneto and Trentino-South Tyrol, as well as Switzerland.

One-sixth of Italy's population lives in Lombardy. Its capital is Milan, the largest city in Northern Italy. The current president of Lombardy is Roberto Formigoni. Pirelli Tower, the highest skyscraper in Italy (127 m), is the seat of Lombardy's regional government.

Lombardy is one of the engines of the global economy with a GDP calculated by ISTAT at €400 billion. The region is one of the three richest regions in Europe, with a per capita gross domestic product that is 30 percent higher than the rest of Italy. In fact the latest Eurostat figures shows that Lombardy in 2003 had the highest GDP for a region in the whole of the EU. Many foreign and national companies have their headquarters in Milan, and Lombardy is home to many top-rated clubs in football, rugby, ice hockey and basketball.

History

The region is named for the Lombards, or Longobardi, who came after the fall of the (western) Roman Empire around 570s. The Lombards spoke a Germanic language akin to Anglo-Saxon, which may or may not have been its own language at all. There was a close relationship between the Frankish, Bavarian and Lombard nobility for many centuries. The name "Lombardy" applied to the whole of Northern Italy until the 15th century.

Provinces

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

Bergamo
Brescia (weapon, iron& mechanic industries )
Como (silk industries - Lake Como)
Cremona
Lecco
Lodi
Mantova
Milano
Monza e Brianza (effective in 2009) (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 communes, ranging in population from Milan (1,256,211) to Morterone, near Lake Como, with only 33 inhabitants (2001 census).

Main cities

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'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

Famous Lombards

Food

Risotto alla milanese
Cotoletta alla milanese
Osso buco
Cassoeula
Panettone
Missoltini
Polenta
Torrone
Bresaola
Rane fritte
Lumache in guazzetto
Polenta taragna
Pizzoccheri
Sciat
Gorgonzola
Granone lodigiano
Brasato
Tapelucco
Involtini di verza
Trippa alla milanese
Risotto alla vogherese
Rostisciada
Ravioli di brasato
Pesce d'acqua dolce in carpione
Olio d'oliva del Garda

Wines

Inferno
Sassella
Sfursat
Franciacorta Brut
Franciacorta rosso
Lugana
Bonarda dell'Oltrepò
Barbera dell'Oltrepò
Moscato dell'Oltrepò
San Colombano

Local language

Lombard language

References

External links

General information

Regione Lombardia - Official website
Map of Lombardy

Provinces

Universities

Lombardy | NUTS 2 Statistical Regions of Europe

Gourt Home::Gourt :: Lombardy

History

Provinces

Main cities

Transportation

Airports

Railway service

Tourism information

Famous Lombards

Food

Wines

Local language

References

External links

General information

Provinces

Universities