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Lombardy

geography Maturity 11-13 Next article →

Lombardy is a major region located in northern Italy.

Map of region of Lombardy, Italy, with provinces-en
Map of region of Lombardy, Italy, with provinces-en

It sits between the high Alps mountains and the Po River. The region is home to about 10 million people. This is more than one-sixth of the whole Italian population.

Lombardia-Densita
Lombardia-Densita

Milan is the capital city of the region. Milan is a huge center for business, finance, and fashion.

It is one of the largest metropolitan areas in the European Union.

The land in Lombardy has three different zones. About 41% of the area is made of mountains.

Passo Manina e Coca
Passo Manina e Coca

These include the Alpine zone with peaks like Pizzo Coca. The middle part is made of hills. The rest of the land, about 47%, is flat plains.

Origgio, campi e boschi
Origgio, campi e boschi

These plains are divided into high plains and low plains. Some areas, like Lomellina, are famous for growing rice in paddies.

Many large lakes sit in the northern highlands.

Sentiero del Viandante DSC 6340 (14020554463)
Sentiero del Viandante DSC 6340 (14020554463)

These lakes were formed by old glaciers. From west to east, they include Lake Maggiore, Lake Como, and Lake Garda. Lake Garda is the largest lake in all of Italy. The water helps keep the air warm near the shore. This allows people to grow olives and citrus fruit there.

Italy - Sirmione - Scaligero Castle
Italy - Sirmione - Scaligero Castle

Lombardy has a very long and interesting history. The name comes from the Lombards, a group of people who arrived in 568.

Map of Historical Lombardy
Map of Historical Lombardy

They made the city of Pavia their capital. For a long time, the Lombards ruled most of Italy. Their culture helped shape the country during the Middle Ages. Many important historical sites remain in the region today. In fact, Lombardy has 11 UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

San michele maggiore
San michele maggiore

Today, Lombardy is a very important part of the world economy. It contributes about one-fifth of Italy's total wealth.

Palazzo mezzanotte Milan Stock Exchange
Palazzo mezzanotte Milan Stock Exchange

The region is also part of a group called the Four Motors for Europe. This group includes parts of Germany, Spain, and France. To protect nature, the region has many special areas.

Aree protette della Lombardia
Aree protette della Lombardia

These include the Stelvio National Park and many other protected zones.

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🖼️ Images & Media (69)
File:Map of Historical Lombardy.png
Map of Historical Lombardy.png
File:Passo Manina e Coca.JPG
Passo Manina e Coca.JPG
File:Sentiero del Viandante DSC 6340 (14020554463).jpg
Sentiero del Viandante DSC 6340 (14020554463).jpg
File:Splügenpass Nordseite.jpg
Splügenpass Nordseite.jpg
File:Aree protette della Lombardia.svg
Aree protette della Lombardia.svg
File:Val Brembana - Laghi Gemelli.jpg
Val Brembana - Laghi Gemelli.jpg
File:Origgio, campi e boschi.JPG
Origgio, campi e boschi.JPG
File:Scena di duello R6 - Foppe - Nadro (Foto Luca Giarelli).jpg
Scena di duello R6 - Foppe - Nadro (Foto...
File:Kingdom of Italy (HRE) - 962.png
Kingdom of Italy (HRE) - 962.png
File:San michele maggiore.JPG
San michele maggiore.JPG
File:Member Cities of the Lombard Leagues.png
Member Cities of the Lombard Leagues.png
File:Visconti XIV century.svg
Visconti XIV century.svg

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