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Milan

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Milan is a major global city located in northern Italy.

Milan by Sentinel-2, 2020-07-25
Milan by Sentinel-2, 2020-07-25

It serves as the regional capital of Lombardy. It is also the seat of the Metropolitan City of Milan. The city is the second-most populous city in Italy, following Rome. In 2025, its population reached 1.36 million people.

Milan, administrative divisions - Nmbrs - colored
Milan, administrative divisions - Nmbrs - colored

The wider metropolitan area is even larger. It is the largest metropolitan area in Italy. It also ranks as the fourth-largest in the European Union. This area holds an estimated 6.1 million people.

Economically, Milan is considered the capital of Italy. Its metropolitan area produces about 20% of the country's Gross Domestic Product, or GDP. GDP measures the total value of goods and services produced.

Piazza Gae Aulenti with Palazzo Lombardia
Piazza Gae Aulenti with Palazzo Lombardia

The business district is a vital financial hub. It hosts the Borsa Italiana, which is Italy's main stock exchange. This exchange is part of the Euronext consortium. That consortium is the sixth-largest in the world by market capitalization. The district also houses many national corporations. Eight of these companies are listed on the Fortune 500 Europe list.

The city's history began with a Celtic tribe around 590 BC.

9754 - Museo archeologico di Milano - Olletta celtica (sec. II-I a.C.) - Foto Giovanni Dall'Orto, 13-mar-2012
9754 - Museo archeologico di Milano - Olletta celtica (sec. II-I a.C.) - Foto Giovanni Dall'Orto, 13-mar-2012

This group belonged to the Insubres and the Golasecca culture. They named their settlement Medhelanon. This name likely meant a settlement in the middle of a plain. It may also mean a place between watercourses. The area has several rivers, like the Olona and the Lambro.

Civico museo archeologico di Milano 1
Civico museo archeologico di Milano 1

The Romans conquered the settlement in 222 BC. They changed the name to the Latin Mediolanum. This name also means a settlement in the middle of a plain. Mediolanum became a major center for the Roman province of Cisalpine Gaul.

During the Roman era, the city reached great importance. In 286 AD, Emperor Diocletian moved the capital of the Western Roman Empire to Mediolanum.

Ruins-imperial-complex-milan-
Ruins-imperial-complex-milan-

The city grew to include large monuments and structures. Emperor Maximian built a large circus and the Baths of Hercules. He also expanded the city walls to cover 375 acres. In 313 AD, Emperor Constantine issued the Edict of Milan here. This decree granted religious tolerance across the Empire. This event helped Christianity become the dominant religion. However, the city lost its imperial status in 402 AD. The Visigoths besieged the city, and the capital moved to Ravenna.

In the Middle Ages, Milan was a powerful force. The wealthy Duchy of Milan helped drive the Renaissance.

Ducato di Milano, 1402
Ducato di Milano, 1402

Later, during the Early modern period, it was a center for the Italian Enlightenment. Milan's political struggles against Austrian rule were vital. These struggles helped unify the Kingdom of Italy. From the 19th century onward, Milan led Italy's industrial and financial growth.

Today, it is an "Alpha" city according to the Globalization and World Cities Research Network. This classification marks it as a major global hub.

Milan is a world leader in culture, fashion, and tourism. It is one of the most visited cities globally. It ranks second in Italy and fifth in Europe for tourism.

Milano Santa Maria delle Grazie ogrod
Milano Santa Maria delle Grazie ogrod

The city features world-class museums and art galleries. These collections include famous works by Leonardo da Vinci. Milan is also a global fashion capital. It hosts massive international events like Milan Fashion Week. The Milan Furniture Fair is also among the largest in the world. These events generate significant revenue and attract many visitors. The city is a top destination for luxury travel. It is the fifth most starred city in the world by the Michelin Guide.

Education and sports also define the city's character. Milan hosts many universities and academies. These institutions account for 11% of all enrolled students in Italy.

Castello Sforzesco da alto
Castello Sforzesco da alto

In sports, the city is home to two very successful football teams. These are AC Milan and Inter Milan. It also hosts the major basketball team Olimpia Milano. Looking to the future, Milan will host the 2026 Winter Olympic and Paralympic games. This shows how the city continues to connect its long history to the modern world.

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🖼️ Images & Media (75)
File:Scrofa semilanuta.jpg
Scrofa semilanuta.jpg
File:9754 - Museo archeologico di Milano - Olletta celtica (sec. II-I a.C.) - Foto Giovanni Dall'Orto, 13-mar-2012.jpg
9754 - Museo archeologico di Milano -...
File:Colonne di san lorenzo 01.jpg
Colonne di san lorenzo 01.jpg
File:Ruins-imperial-complex-milan-.jpg
Ruins-imperial-complex-milan-.jpg
File:Civico museo archeologico di Milano 1.jpg
Civico museo archeologico di Milano 1.jpg
File:5903 - Milano - Camillo Boito, Porta Ticinese (1865) -Foto Giovanni Dall'Orto 27-Feb-2007.jpg
5903 - Milano - Camillo Boito, Porta...
File:Piazza mercanti Milano.JPG
Piazza mercanti Milano.JPG
File:Ducato di Milano, 1402.svg
Ducato di Milano, 1402.svg
File:Milan... - btv1b8459040r.jpg
Milan... - btv1b8459040r.jpg
File:1807KingdomItaly.jpg
1807KingdomItaly.jpg
File:9036 - Milano, C.so Venezia - Giuseppe Sommaruga, Pal. Castiglioni (1904) - Foto Giovanni Dall'Orto 22-Apr-2007.jpg
9036 - Milano, C.so Venezia - Giuseppe...
File:Cinque giornate di Milano.jpg
Cinque giornate di Milano.jpg

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