View source for Lombardy

{{short description|Region of Italy}}
{{About||the village in Ontario, Canada|Lombardy, Ontario|the wine region|Lombardy (wine)|the infantry division|57th Infantry Division Lombardia}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2019}}
{{Use British English|date=October 2017}}
{{Infobox settlement
<!-- See Template:Infobox settlement for additional fields and descriptions -->| name                            = Lombardy
| official_name                   = 
| native_name                     = {{native name|it|Lombardia}}<br/>{{lang|lmo|Lombardia}}
| native_name_lang                = 
| settlement_type                 = [[Region of Italy]]
| image_skyline                   = 
| image_alt                       = 
| image_caption                   = 
| image_flag                      = Flag of Lombardy.svg
| flag_alt                        = 
| image_shield                    = Flag of Lombardy square.svg
| shield_size                     = 60px
| shield_alt                      = 
| image_blank_emblem              = 
| blank_emblem_size               = 
| blank_emblem_type               = 
| blank_emblem_alt                = 
| nickname                        = 
| motto                           = 
| anthem                          = Lombardia, Lombardia<ref>{{cite web|url=https://milano.corriere.it/notizie/cronaca/14_dicembre_22/lombardia-lombardia-presentato-l-inno-regione-8b96ff8a-89de-11e4-a99b-e824d44ec40b.shtml?refresh_ce-cp|title=Lombardia, Lombardia, presentato l'inno della Regione|date=22 December 2014|website=Corriere della Sera|language=Italian}}</ref>
| image_map                       = Lombardy in Italy.svg
| mapsize                         = 
| map_alt                         = 
| map_caption                     = 
| pushpin_map                     = 
| pushpin_label_position          = 
| pushpin_map_alt                 = 
| pushpin_mapsize                 = 
| pushpin_map_caption             = 
| coordinates                     = {{coord|45|35|08|N|9|55|49|E|display=title,inline}}
| coor_pinpoint                   = 
| coordinates_footnotes           = 
| subdivision_type                = Country
| subdivision_name                = [[Italy]]
| established_title               = 
| established_date                = 
| founder                         = 
| named_for                       = 
| seat_type                       = Capital
| seat                            = [[Milan]]
| government_footnotes            = 
| government_type                 = [[Semi-presidential system|President–council<br>government]]
| governing_body                  = [[Politics of Lombardy#Executive branch|Regional Cabinet]]
| leader_party1                   = [[Lega Lombarda|LL]]–[[Lega Nord|LN]]
| leader_title1                   = President
| leader_name1                    = [[Attilio Fontana]]
| leader_title2                   = Legislature
| leader_name2                    = [[Regional Council of Lombardy|Regional Council]]
| total_type                      = 
| unit_pref                       = 
| area_magnitude                  = 
| area_footnotes                  = 
| area_total_km2                  = 23844
| elevation_footnotes             = 
| elevation_max_m                 = 
| elevation_min_m                 = 
| population_footnotes            = <ref>{{cite web|title=Monthly demographic balance, January–June 2013|url=http://demo.istat.it/index_e.html|website=Demo.istat.it|accessdate=30 November 2013}}</ref>
| population_total                = 10,103,969
| population_as_of                = 31 December 2019
| population_density_km2          = auto
| population_demonym              = Lombard<br>{{lang-it|Lombardo}} (man)<br>{{lang-it|Lombarda}} (woman)<br>{{lang-lmo|Lombard}} (man)<br>{{lang-lmo|Lombarda}} (woman)
| population_note                 = 
| population_blank1_title         = 
| population_blank1               = 
| demographics_type1              = 
| demographics1_footnotes         = 
| demographics1_title1            = 
| demographics1_info1             = 
| demographics1_title2            = 
| demographics1_info2             = 
| demographics1_title3            = 
| demographics1_info3             = 
| timezone1                       = [[Central European Time|CET]]
| utc_offset1                     = +1
| timezone1_DST                   = [[Central European Summer Time|CEST]]
| utc_offset1_DST                 = +2
| postal_code_type                = 
| postal_code                     = 
| area_code_type                  = [[ISO 3166 code]]
| area_code                       = IT-25
| blank_name_sec1                 = [[List of Italian regions by GDP|GDP (nominal)]]
| blank_info_sec1                 = €388&nbsp;billion (2018)<ref name=income>{{cite press release |url=https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/documents/2995521/10474907/1-05032020-AP-EN.pdf/81807e19-e4c8-2e53-c98a-933f5bf30f58 |title=Regional GDP per capita ranged from 30% to 263% of the EU average in 2018 |publisher=ec.europa.eu |access-date=1 September 2020}}</ref>
| blank1_name_sec1                = [[List of Italian regions by GDP|GDP per capita]]
| blank1_info_sec1                = €38,600 (2018)<ref name=income /> <br />$51,666 (2016) (PPP)<ref>{{cite web |title=OECD Statistics |url=https://stats.oecd.org |website=stats.oecd.org |accessdate=2 September 2019}}</ref>
| blank2_name_sec1                = [[Human Development Index|HDI]] (2018)
| blank2_info_sec1                = 0.902<ref name="GlobalDataLab">{{Cite web|url=https://hdi.globaldatalab.org/areadata/shdi/|title=Sub-national HDI – Area Database – Global Data Lab|website=hdi.globaldatalab.org|access-date=13 September 2018}}</ref><br/>{{color|green|very high}} · [[List of Italian regions by Human Development Index|4th of 21]]
| blank_name_sec2                 = [[First-level NUTS of the European Union#Italy|NUTS Region]]
| blank_info_sec2                 = ITC
| website                         = [http://www.regione.lombardia.it/ www.regione.lombardia.it]
| footnotes                       = 
}}

'''Lombardy''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|l|ɒ|m|b|əɹ|d|i|,_|ˈ|l|ʌ|m|-}} {{respell|LOM|bər|dee|,_|LUM|-}};<ref>{{Cite American Heritage Dictionary|Lombardy|accessdate=7 July 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/lombardy|title=Lombardy|work=[[Collins English Dictionary]]|publisher=[[HarperCollins]]|accessdate=7 July 2019}}</ref> {{lang-it|Lombardia}} {{IPA-it|lombarˈdiːa|}}; {{lang-lmo|Lombardia}}, {{IPA-lmo|lũbɐ̞rˈdiːɑ|wl}}, {{IPA-lmo|lombɐ̞rˈdiːɑ, -ˈdeːɑ|el}}) is one of the twenty administrative [[regions of Italy]], in the [[Northwest Italy|northwest]] of the country, with an area of {{convert|23844|km2}}. About 10 million people live in Lombardy, forming more than one-sixth of Italy's population, and more than a fifth of Italy's [[Gross domestic product|GDP]] is produced in the region, making it the most populous, richest and most productive region in the country. It is also one of the top regions in Europe for the same criteria.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=STAT/09/23&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en |title=EUROPA Press Releases – Regional GDP per inhabitant in the EU27, GDP per inhabitant in 2006 ranged from 25% of the EU27 average in Nord-Est in Romania to 336% in Inner London |work=Europa (web portal) |date=19 February 2009 |accessdate=10 May 2010}}</ref><ref>[http://www.cittametropolitana.mi.it/export/sites/default/sviluppo_economico/documenti/Archivi-Progetti-EU/OCSE/Estratti_OECD_TerrirorialReview.pdf OECD Data Synthesis].</ref> [[Milan]]'s [[metropolitan area]] is the largest in Italy and the third most populated ''functional urban area'' in the [[European Union|EU]].<ref>[http://appsso.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/nui/submitViewTableAction.do# Eurostat – Functional urban areas] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100416165655/http://appsso.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/nui/submitViewTableAction.do |date=16 April 2010 }}.</ref> Lombardy is also the [[Regions of Italy|Italian region]] with most [[UNESCO]] [[World Heritage Site]]s—Italy (tied with China) having the highest number of World Heritage Sites in the world.<ref>[https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/ List of World Heritage Sites by country].</ref> The region is also famous for its historical figures such as [[Virgil]], [[Pliny the Elder]], [[Ambrose]], [[Caravaggio]], [[Claudio Monteverdi]], [[Antonio Stradivari]], [[Cesare Beccaria]], [[Alessandro Volta]], [[Alessandro Manzoni]], and popes [[Pope John XXIII|John XXIII]] and [[Pope Paul VI|Paul VI]].
{{TOC limit}}

==Etymology==
The word ''Lombardy'' comes from ''Lombard'', which in turn is derived from [[Late Latin]] ''{{lang|la|Longobardus, Langobardus}}'' ("a Lombard"), derived from the [[Proto-Germanic]] elements ''*langaz + *bardaz''; equivalent to ''long beard''. Some scholars suggest the second element instead derives from [[Proto-Germanic language|Proto-Germanic]] ''*bardǭ, *barduz'' ("axe"), related to German ''{{lang|de| Barte}}'' ("axe") or that the whole word comes from the [[Proto-Albanian language|Proto-Albanian]] *''Lum bardhi'' "white river" (Compare modern [[Albanian language|Albanian]] ''lum i bardhë'').<ref name="Partridge 2009">{{cite book|last=Partridge|first=Eric|title=Origins: an etymological dictionary of modern English|year=2009|publisher=Routledge|location=London|isbn=978-0415474337|edition=[Paperback ed.]}}</ref>

During the early Middle Ages, "Lombardy" referred to the [[Kingdom of the Lombards]] ({{lang-la|Regnum Langobardorum}}), a kingdom ruled by the [[List of ancient Germanic peoples|Germanic]] [[Lombards]] who had controlled most of Italy since [[Lombard invasion of Italy|their invasion]] of [[Praetorian prefecture of Italy|Byzantine Italy]] in 568. As such "Lombardy" and "Italy" were almost interchangeable; by the mid-8th century the Lombards ruled everywhere except the [[Papal States|Papal possessions around Rome]] (roughly modern [[Lazio]] and northern [[Umbria]]), [[Republic of Venice|Venice]] and some [[Byzantine Empire|Byzantine]] possessions in the south (southern [[Apulia]] and [[Calabria]]; some coastal settlements including [[Duchy of Amalfi|Amalfi]], [[Duchy of Gaeta|Gaeta]], [[Duchy of Naples|Naples]] and [[Duchy of Sorrento|Sorrento]]; [[Sicily]] and [[Sardinia]]). The Kingdom was divided between [[Longobardia Major]] in the north and [[Langobardia Minor]] in the south by the Byzantine [[Exarchate of Ravenna]] (roughly [[Romagna]] and northern [[Marche]], and initially also [[Emilia (region of Italy)|Emilia]] and [[Liguria]]) until the 8th century and later the Papacy (which was initially part of the Exarchate). During the late Middle Ages, after the fall of the northern part of the Kingdom to [[Charlemagne]], the term shifted to mean [[Northern Italy]]. (''See: [[Kingdom of Italy (Holy Roman Empire)]]''). The term was also used until around 965 in the form {{lang|el|Λογγοβαρδία}} (''{{transl|el|Longobardia}}'') as the name for [[Longobardia|the territory]] roughly covering modern Apulia which the Byzantines had recovered from the Lombard [[rump state|rump]] [[Duchy of Benevento]].

==Geography==
{{main|Geography of Lombardy}}

With a surface of {{convert|23861|km²|0|abbr=on}}, Lombardy is the [[Regions of Italy|fourth-largest region of Italy]]. It is bordered by [[Switzerland]] (north: [[Canton Ticino]] and [[Grisons|Canton Graubünden]]) and by the Italian regions of [[Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol]] and [[Veneto]] (east), [[Emilia-Romagna]] (south), and [[Piedmont]] (west). Three distinct natural zones can be easily distinguished in Lombardy: mountains, hills, and plains—the last being divided into ''Alta'' (high plains) and ''Bassa'' (low plains).

===Soils===

[[File:Passo Manina e Coca.JPG|thumbnail|[[Pizzo Coca]] is the highest peak in the [[Bergamasque Alps]] (3,050 m)]]

The [[orography]] of Lombardy is characterised by the presence of three distinct belts: a northern mountainous belt constituted by the Alpine relief, a central piedmont area of mostly pebbly soils of alluvial origin, and the Lombard section of the [[Padan Plain]] in the southernmost part of the region.

The most important mountainous area is the [[Alps|Alpine]] zone including the [[Lepontine Alps|Lepontine]] and [[Rhaetian Alps]] ([[Piz Bernina]], 4,020 m), the [[Bergamo Alps]], the [[Ortler Alps]] and the [[Adamello]] massif. It is followed by the Alpine foothills zone [[Prealpi Orobiche|Prealpi]], the main peaks of which are the [[Grigna]] Group (2,410 m), [[Resegone]] (1,875 m), and [[Presolana]] (2,521 m).

The plains of Lombardy, formed by [[alluvial]] deposits, can be divided into the ''Alta—''an upper, permeable ground zone in the north—and the ''Bassa''—a lower zone dotted by the so-called line of ''fontanili'', spring waters rising from impermeable ground. Inconsistent with the three distinctions above is the small subregion of [[Oltrepò Pavese]], formed by the [[Apennine Mountains|Apennine]] foothills beyond the [[Po (river)|Po River]].

===Hydrography===
[[File:Po River - Borgo Virgilio, Mantova, Italy - October 31, 2017.jpg|thumbnail|[[Po river]], Italy's longest, limits the southern border of the region]]

The mighty [[Po river]] marks the southern border of the region for a length of about {{convert|210|km|0|abbr=on}}. In its progress, it receives the waters of the [[Ticino River]], which rises in the [[Bedretto]] valley (Switzerland) and joins the Po near [[Pavia]]. The other streams which contribute to the great river are the [[Olona]], the [[Lambro]], the [[Adda (river)|Adda]], the [[Oglio]] and the [[Mincio]].

The numerous lakes of Lombardy, all of glacial origin, lie in the northern highlands. From west to east these are [[Lake Maggiore]], [[Lake Lugano]] (both shared with Switzerland), [[Lake Como]], [[Lake Iseo]], [[Lake Idro]], and [[Lake Garda]] (the largest lake in Italy). South of the Alps lie the hills characterised by a succession of low heights of morainic origin formed during the last [[Ice Age]] and small barely fertile plateaux with typical heaths and conifer woods. A minor mountainous area, the [[Oltrepò Pavese]], lies south of the Po, in the [[Apennines]] range.

===Flora and fauna===

[[File:Stambecco sul Piccolo Lagazuoi.jpg|thumbnail|The [[Alpine ibex]] (''Capra ibex'')]]

In the plains, intensively cultivated for centuries, little of the original environment remains. The most common trees are [[elm]], [[alder]], [[sycamore]], [[Populus|poplar]], [[willow]] and [[hornbeam]]. In the area of the foothills lakes, however, grow [[olive]] trees, [[cypress]]es and [[larch]]es, as well as varieties of subtropical flora such as [[magnolias]], [[azaleas]], [[acacia]]s. Numerous species of endemic flora in the Prealpine area include some kinds of [[saxifrage]], the Lombard garlic, groundsels bellflowers and the cottony bellflowers.

The highlands are characterised by the typical vegetation of the whole range of the [[Italian Alps]]. At lower levels (up to approximately 1,100 m), oak woods or broadleafed trees grow; on the mountain slopes (up to 2,000–2,200 m), beech trees grow at the lowest limits, with conifer woods higher up. Shrubs such as [[rhododendron]], dwarf pine and [[juniper]] are native to the summital zone (beyond 2,200 m).

Lombardy counts many protected areas: the most important are the [[Stelvio National Park]] (the largest Italian natural park), with typically alpine wildlife: [[red deer]], [[roe deer]], [[ibex]], [[chamois]], foxes, [[ermine]] and also [[golden eagle]]s; and the Ticino Valley Natural Park, instituted in 1974 on the Lombard side of the [[Ticino River]] to protect and conserve one of the last major examples of fluvial forest in [[northern Italy]].

===Climate===

Lombardy has a wide array of climates, due to local variances in elevation, proximity to inland water basins, and large metropolitan areas.

[[File:Olive grove Punta San Vigilio 2015-09-06.jpg|thumbnail|Olive trees on the [[Lake Garda]]]]

The climate of the region is mainly [[humid subtropical climate|humid subtropical]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]] Cfa) especially in the plains, though with significant variations to the Köppen model especially regarding the winter season, which in Lombardy is normally long, damp, and rather cold. In addition, there is a high seasonal temperature variation (in Milan, the average temperature is {{convert|2.5|°C}} in January and {{convert|24|°C}} in July). The plains are often subject to the presence of fog during the coldest months.

In the Alpine foothills, characterised by an [[oceanic climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]] Cfb), numerous lakes exercise a mitigating influence, allowing the cultivation of typically Mediterranean crops (olives, [[citrus fruit]]).

In the hills and mountains, the climate is [[Humid continental climate|humid continental]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]] Dfb). In the valleys it is relatively mild, while it can be severely cold above 1,500 m, with copious snowfalls.

Precipitation is more intense in the [[Prealpi Orobiche|Prealpine]] zone, up to {{convert|1500|to|2000|mm|1|abbr=on}} annually, but is abundant also in the plains and alpine zones, with an average of {{convert|600|to|850|mm|1|abbr=on}} annually. The total annual rainfall is on average 827&nbsp;mm.<ref>{{cite web|title=Regional Statistical Yearbook: average rainfall, yearly and ten-year average, Lombardy and its provinces.|url=http://www.asr-lombardia.it/ASR/lombardia-e-province/ambiente-e-territorio/clima-e-inquinamento/tavole/100157/|publisher=Regione Lombardia|accessdate=21 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923175433/http://www.asr-lombardia.it/ASR/lombardia-e-province/ambiente-e-territorio/clima-e-inquinamento/tavole/100157/|archive-date=23 September 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==History==

===Prehistory and antiquity===
{{Further|Cisalpine Gaul}}
[[File:Scena di duello R6 - Foppe - Nadro (Foto Luca Giarelli).jpg|thumb|The [[Rock Drawings in Valcamonica]] are among the largest collections of prehistoric [[petroglyph]]s in the world.<ref name="unesco">{{cite web|url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/94|title=Rock Drawings in Valcamonica – UNESCO World Heritage Centre|publisher=UNESCO|accessdate=29 June 2010}}</ref>]]

It is thought from the archaeological findings of ceramics, arrows, axes, and carved stones that the area of current Lombardy has been settled at least since the 2nd millennium BC. Well-preserved [[Rock Drawings in Valcamonica|rock drawings]] left by ancient [[Camuni]] in the [[Valcamonica]] depicting animals, people, and symbols were made over a time period of eight thousand years preceding the [[Iron Age]],<ref name="adorno">Piero Adorno, ''Mesolitico e Neolitico'', p. 16.</ref> based on about 300,000 records.<ref name=archeointro>{{cite web|url=http://www.archeocamuni.it/arte_rupestre.html|title=Introduzione all'arte rupestre della Valcamonica |website=Archeocamuni.it|accessdate=11 May 2009|language=Italian}}</ref>

The many artifacts (pottery, personal items and weapons) found in necropolis near the [[Lake Maggiore]], and [[Ticino|Lake Ticino]] demonstrate the presence of the [[Golasecca]] [[Bronze Age]] culture that prospered in Western Lombardy between the 9th and the 4th century BC.

In the following centuries it was inhabited by different peoples, among whom were the [[Etruscan civilization|Etruscans]], who founded the city of [[Mantua]] and spread the use of writing. Later, starting from the 5th century BC, the area was invaded by the [[Celts|Celtic]] [[Gauls|Gallic]] tribes. These people settled in several cities including [[Milan]], and extended their rule to the [[Adriatic Sea]].

Their development was halted by the [[Ancient Rome|Roman]] expansion in the [[Po River|Po Valley]] from the 3rd century BC onwards. After centuries of struggle, in 194 BC the entire area of what is now Lombardy became a Roman province with the name of [[Gallia Cisalpina]] ("[[Gaul]] on the inner side (with respect to Rome) of the [[Alps]]").

The Roman culture and language overwhelmed the former civilisation in the following years, and Lombardy became one of the most developed and richest areas of Italy with the construction of a wide array of roads and the development of agriculture and trade. Important figures were born here, like [[Pliny the Elder]] (in [[Como]]) and [[Virgil]] (in Mantua). In late antiquity the strategic role of Lombardy was emphasised by the temporary moving of the capital of the [[Western Roman Empire|Western Empire]] to [[Mediolanum]] (Milan). Here, in 313 AD, Roman Emperor [[Constantine I|Constantine]] issued the famous ''[[Edict of Milan]]'' that gave freedom of confession to all religions within the [[Roman Empire]].

===Kingdom of the Lombards===
{{Further|Lombards|Kingdom of the Lombards}}

[[File:Iron Crown.JPG|thumbnail|For centuries, the [[Iron Crown of Lombardy]] was used in the [[Coronation]] of the [[King of Italy]].]]

During and after the fall of the Western Empire, Lombardy suffered heavily from destruction brought about by a series of invasions by tribal peoples. The last and most effective was that of the Germanic [[Lombards]], or Longobardi, whose whole nation migrated here from the [[Carpathian basin]] in fear of the conquering [[Pannonian Avars]] in 568 and whose long-lasting reign (with its capital in [[Pavia]]) gave the current name to the region. There was a close relationship between the [[Franks|Frankish]], [[Duchy of Bavaria|Bavarian]] and Lombard nobility for many centuries.

After the initial struggles, relationships between the Lombard people and the Latin-speaking people improved. In the end, the Lombard language and culture assimilated with the Latin culture, leaving evidence in many names, the legal code and laws, and other things. The genes of the Lombards became quickly diluted into the Italian population owing to their relatively small number and their geographic dispersal to rule and administer their kingdom.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eupedia.com/genetics/italian_dna.shtml |title=Genetic History of the Italians |work=Eupedia |author=  Maciamo Hay|date=July 2013 |accessdate=22 January 2019}}</ref> The end of Lombard rule came in 774, when the [[Franks|Frankish]] king [[Charlemagne]] conquered Pavia, deposed [[Desiderius]], the last Lombard king, and annexed the [[The Kingdom of the Lombards|Kingdom of Italy]] (mostly northern and central present-day Italy) to his newly established [[Holy Roman Empire]]. The former Lombard dukes and nobles were replaced by other German vassals, prince-bishops or marquises.

===Communes and the Empire===
[[File:Cortenuova1237.JPG|thumbnail|[[Battle of Cortenuova]], 1237.]]
In the 10th century, Lombardy, although formally under the rule of the Holy Roman Empire like much of central and northern Italy, was in fact divided in a multiplicity of small, autonomous city-states, the [[medieval communes]]. The 11th century marked a significant boom in the region's economy, due to improved trading and, most importantly, agricultural conditions, with arms manufacture a significant factor. In a similar way to other areas of Italy, this led to a growing self-acknowledgement of the cities, whose increasing richness made them able to defy the traditional feudal supreme power, represented by the German emperors and their local legates. This process reached its apex in the 12th and 13th centuries, when different [[Lombard League]]s formed by allied cities of Lombardy, usually led by Milan, managed to defeat the [[Hohenstaufen]] Emperor [[Frederick Barbarossa|Frederick I]], at [[Battle of Legnano|Legnano]], and his grandson [[Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor|Frederick II]], at [[Battle of Parma|Parma]]. Subsequently, among the various local city-states, a process of consolidation took place, and by the end of the 14th century, two signorias emerged as rival hegemons in Lombardy: [[Duchy of Milan|Milan]] and [[Duchy of Mantua|Mantua]].

===Renaissance duchies of Milan and Mantua===
{{Further|Duchy of Milan|Duchy of Mantua}}
[[File:Mappa del Ducato di Mantova nel 1575.jpg|thumbnail|[[Mantua]] as it appeared in 1575.]]

In the 15th century, the [[Duchy of Milan]] was a major political, economical and military force at the European level. Milan and Mantua became two centres of the [[Renaissance]] whose culture, with men such as [[Leonardo da Vinci]] and [[Andrea Mantegna|Mantegna]], and works of art (e.g. Leonardo da Vinci's ''[[The Last Supper (Leonardo)|The Last Supper]]'') were highly regarded. The enterprising class of the communes extended its trade and banking activities well into northern Europe: "Lombard" designated the merchant or banker coming from northern Italy (e.g. [[Lombard Street, London|Lombard Street]] in London). The name "Lombardy" came to designate the whole of Northern Italy until the 15th century and sometimes later. From the 14th century onwards, the instability created by the unceasing internal and external struggles ended in the creation of noble seigniories, the most significant of which were those of the [[Visconti of Milan|Viscontis]] (later [[House of Sforza|Sforzas]]) in Milan and of the [[House of Gonzaga|Gonzagas]] in Mantua. This richness, however, attracted the now more organised armies of national powers such as France and Austria, which waged a lengthy battle for Lombardy in the late 15th to early 16th centuries.

===Late-Middle Ages, Renaissance and Enlightenment===
[[File:MonsiauConsultaRepubliqueCsalpine1808.jpg|thumb|220px|right|The ''Consulta of the République cisalpine'' receives the [[Napoleon|First Consul]] on 26 January 1802]]
After the decisive [[Battle of Pavia]], the Duchy of Milan became a possession of the [[Habsburgs]] of Spain: the new rulers did little to improve the economy of Lombardy, instead imposing a growing series of taxes needed to support their unending series of European wars. The eastern part of modern Lombardy, with cities like [[Bergamo]] and [[Brescia]], was under the [[Republic of Venice]], which had begun to extend its influence in the area from the 14th century onwards (''see also [[Italian Wars]]''). Between the middle of the 15th century and the [[battle of Marignano]] in 1515, the northern part of east Lombardy from [[Airolo]] to [[Chiasso]] (modern [[Ticino]]), and the [[Valtellina]] valley came under possession of the [[old Swiss Confederacy]].

Pestilences (like that of 1628/1630<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.storiadimilano.it/Personaggi/Milanesi%20illustri/mora.htm|title=Storia di Milano ::: Gian Giacomo Mora|website=Storiadimilano.it}}</ref> described by [[Alessandro Manzoni]] in his ''[[The Betrothed (Manzoni novel)|I Promessi Sposi]]'') and the generally declining conditions of Italy's economy in the 17th and 18th centuries halted the further development of Lombardy. In 1706 the [[Austrian Empire|Austrians]] came to power and introduced some economic and social measures which granted a certain recovery.

Austrian rule was interrupted in the late 18th century by the French armies; under [[Napoleon]], Lombardy became the centre of the [[Cisalpine Republic]] and of the [[Kingdom of Italy (Napoleonic)|Kingdom of Italy]], both being puppet states of France's [[First French Empire|First Empire]], having Milan as capital and Napoleon as head of state. During this period Lombardy took back Valtellina from Switzerland.

===Modern era===
{{Further|Kingdom of Lombardy–Venetia}}
[[File:5giornatemilano.jpg|thumbnail|The [[Five Days of Milan]], 1848.]]
The restoration of Austrian rule in 1815, as the [[Kingdom of Lombardy–Venetia]], was characterised by the struggle with the new ideals introduced by the Napoleonic era.

The popular republic established by the [[Five Days of Milan|1848 revolution]] was short-lived, its suppression leading to renewed Austrian rule. This came to a decisive end when Lombardy was annexed to the [[Kingdom of Italy]] 1859 as a result of the [[Second Italian War of Independence]] from the [[Austrian Empire]]. When annexed to the Kingdom of Italy in 1859 Lombardy achieved its present-day territorial shape by adding the [[Oltrepò Pavese]] (formerly the southern part of [[Novara]]'s Province) to the province of [[Pavia]].

===COVID-19 pandemic===
{{further|COVID-19 pandemic in Italy}}
The Lombardy region was severely affected by the [[COVID-19 pandemic]] in early 2020, in which Italy was one of the worst affected countries in Europe. Several towns were quarantined from 22 February after community transmission was documented in Lombardy and Veneto the previous day. The entire Lombardy region was placed on lockdown on 8 March,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/08/italy-announces-quarantine-affecting-quarter-of-population.html|title=Italy announces quarantine affecting quarter of population|date=8 March 2020|website=CNBC}}</ref> followed by all of Italy the following day,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/10/business/italy-lockdown-recession/index.html|title=Italy just locked down the world's 8th biggest economy. A deep recession looms|first=Hanna Ziady, CNN|last=Business|website=CNN}}</ref> making Italy the first country to implement a nationwide lockdown in response to the epidemic, which was declared a [[pandemic]] by the [[World Health Organization]] on 11 March. The lockdown was ultimately extended twice, and the Lombardy region toughened restrictions on 22 March, banning outdoor exercise and the use of vending machines,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-51991972|title=Italy's worst-hit region introduces stricter measures|date=22 March 2020|via=www.bbc.co.uk}}</ref> but from the beginning of May, following a decrease in the number of active cases, restrictions gradually began to be relaxed.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://amp.theguardian.com/world/2020/may/03/anger-as-italy-slowly-emerges-from-long-covid-19-lockdown|title=Anger as Italy slowly emerges from long Covid-19 lockdown &#124; Italy &#124; The Guardian|website=amp.theguardian.com}}</ref>

==Demographics==
{{Historical populations
|footnote = Source: [[Istituto Nazionale di Statistica|ISTAT]] 2017
|1861 |3160000
|1871 |3529000
|1881 |3730000
|1901 |4314000
|1911 |4889000
|1921 |5186000
|1931 |5596000
|1936 |5836000
|1951 |6566000
|1961 |7406000
|1971 |8543000
|1981 |8892000
|1991 |8856000
|2001 |9033000
|2011 |9704151
|2019 (est.) |10067500
}}

{| class="infobox"
|-
! colspan="2" |The largest resident foreign-born <br>groups on 31 December 2017<ref name="Stranieri">{{cite web |title=Foreign Citizens. Resident Population by sex and citizenship on 31st December 2017 |url=http://demo.istat.it/str2017/query.php?lingua=eng&Rip=S1&Reg=R03&Pro=P000&Com=&paese=A9999&submit=Tavola |publisher=[[National Institute of Statistics (Italy)|National Institute of Statistics]] |accessdate=19 June 2018}}</ref>
|-
! '''Nationality''' ||Population
|-
| {{flagu|Romania}}||172,045
|-
| {{flagu|Morocco}} ||93,763
|-
| {{flagu|Albania}} ||92,565
|-
| {{flagu|Egypt}} ||80,939
|-
| {{flagdeco|PRC}} China ||66,618
|-
| {{flagu|Philippines}} ||58,412
|-
| {{flagu|Ukraine}} ||53,360
|-
| {{flagu|India}} ||46,274
|-
| {{flagu|Peru}} ||42,992
|-
|{{flagu|Pakistan}} ||37,970
|-
|{{flagu|Ecuador}} ||37,290
|-
|{{flagu|Senegal}} ||33,510
|-
|{{flagu|Sri Lanka}} ||32,245
|-
|{{flagu|Moldova}} ||21,615
|-
|{{flagu|Bangladesh}} ||20,661
|-
|{{flagu|Tunisia}} ||16,907
|-
|{{flagu|Nigeria}} ||14,147
|-
|{{flagu|Brazil}} ||13,641
|-
|{{flagu|El Salvador}} ||11,747
|-
|{{flagu|Ghana}} ||10,876
|-
|{{flagu|Algeria}} ||10,645
|-
|{{flagu|Bolivia}} ||10,366
|-
|{{flagu|Bulgaria}} ||9,993
|-
|{{flagu|Ivory Coast}} ||9,030
|}

One-sixth of the Italian population or about 10 million people live in Lombardy (16.2% of the national population; 2% of the [[European Union]] population), making it the second most densely populated region in Italy after [[Campania]].

The population is highly concentrated in the [[Metropolitan City of Milan|Milan metropolitan area]] (2,000 inh./km<sup>2</sup>) and the Alpine foothills that compose the southern section of the provinces of [[Province of Varese|Varese]], [[Province of Como|Como]], [[Province of Lecco|Lecco]], [[Province of Monza and Brianza|Monza and Brianza]] and [[Province of Bergamo|Bergamo]], (1,200 inh./km<sup>2</sup>). A lower average population density (250 inh./km<sup>2</sup>) is found in the [[Padan Plain|Po]] valley and the lower [[Brescia]] valleys; much lower densities (less than 60 inh./km<sup>2</sup>) characterise the northern mountain areas and the southern [[Oltrepò Pavese]] subregion.<ref name="Regional Statistical Yearbook 2014">{{cite web|title=Regional Statistical Yearbook 2014|url=http://www.asr-lombardia.it/ASR/pubblicazioni-scaricabili/p10_Volume_ASR_2014.pdf|publisher=Regione Lombardia|accessdate=21 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923175443/http://www.asr-lombardia.it/ASR/pubblicazioni-scaricabili/p10_Volume_ASR_2014.pdf|archive-date=23 September 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The growth of the regional population was particularly sustained during the 1950s–60s, thanks to a prolonged economic boom, high birth rates, and strong migration inflows (especially from [[Southern Italy]]). Since the 1980s, Lombardy has become the destination of a large number of international migrants, insomuch that today, more than a quarter of all foreign-born residents in Italy live in this region. {{As of|2016}}, the Italian national institute of statistics (ISTAT) estimated that 1,139,430 foreign-born [[Immigration to Italy|immigrants]] live in Lombardy, equal to 11.4% of the total population. The primary religion is [[Catholic Church|Catholicism]]; significant religious minorities include [[Waldenses|Christian Waldenses]], [[Protestantism|Protestants]] and [[Eastern Christianity|Orthodox]], as well as [[Jews]], [[Sikh]] and [[Islam|Muslims]].

==Economy==
{{As of|2013}}, the gross domestic product (GDP) of Lombardy, equal to over €350&nbsp;billion, accounts for about 21% of the total GDP of Italy. By inhabitant, this figure results in a value of €33,066, which is more than 25% higher than the national average of €25,729.<ref name="Regional Statistical Yearbook 2014"/>

<div align="left" style="overflow: auto">
{| class="wikitable" align="center" style="font-size:85%"
|+ [[GDP]] and [[GDP per capita]] in Lombardy (2000–2018)
|-
! || 2000 || 2001 || 2002 || 2003 || 2004 || 2005 || 2006 || 2007 || 2008 || 2009 || 2010 || 2011 || 2012 || 2013 || 2014 || 2015 || 2016 || 2017
!2018
|-
| align=left |'''GDP'''<ref name="T5"/><br />(Euro) || 247.051,8 || 259.431 || 270.653,3 || 279.450,4 || 289.471,2 || 297.600,4 || 307.717,7 || 320.843,8 || 323.973,3 || 310.952
| 346.797
| 354.342
| 348.665
| 349.008
| 350.025
| 357.200
| 375.270
| 385.133
| 390.461
|-
| align=left | '''GDP per capita'''<ref name="T5">[http://www.istat.it Dati Istat] consultati il 15 giugno 2016. Nota: per visualizzare i dati occorre selezionare nella colonna a destra la voce Conti nazionali, Conti e aggregati economici territoriali, Valori procapite (euro) e in tabella selezionare la voce prodotto interno lordo ai prezzi di mercato per abitante (edizione novembre 2015) valutazione a prezzi correnti.</ref><br />(Euro) || 27.488,1 || 28.765,6 || 29.836,9 || 30.448,8 || 31.059,5 || 31.545,2 || 32.356,3 || 33.442,5 || 33.424,8 || 31.743,1
| 35.712,55
| 36.220,23
| 35.367,31
| 35.126,67
| 35.044,17
| 35.700,0
| 37.474,09
| 38.406,9
| 38.857,6
|}
</div>

Lombardy's development has been marked by the growth of the services sector since the 1980s, and in particular by the growth of innovative activities in the sector of services to enterprises and in credit and financial services. At the same time, the strong industrial vocation of the region has not suffered. Lombardy remains, in fact, the main industrial area of the country. The presence, and development, of a very high number of enterprises belonging to the services sector represents a favourable situation for the improvement of the efficiency of the productive process, as well as for the growth of the regional economy.

[[File:Milano skyline.jpg|thumb|left|250px|A view over the business district of [[Milan]]: with a metropolitan area of 7.4m people,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://213.253.134.43/oecd/pdfs/browseit/0406041E.PDF |title=Competitive Cities in the Global Economy |author=OECD |accessdate=30 April 2009 |authorlink=Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081001192936/http://213.253.134.43/oecd/pdfs/browseit/0406041E.PDF |archivedate=1 October 2008 }}</ref> it is Italy's most important industrial, commercial and financial center.]]
Lombardy has cultural and economical relationships with many foreign countries including [[Azerbaijan]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.azernews.az/nation/142139.html|title=Italian official: Azerbaijan has obtained impressive achievements [PHOTO]|date=6 December 2018|website=AzerNews.az}}</ref> Austria,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.giornalemetropolitano.it/design-in-lombardia-crescono-gli-scambi-con-laustria/|title=Design, in Lombardia crescono gli scambi con l'Austria|website=Giornalemetropolitano.it|accessdate=27 October 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.regione.lombardia.it/wps/portal/istituzionale/HP/lombardia-notizie/DettaglioNews/2018/05-maggio/7-13/ied-camera-commercio-vice-presidente/ied-camera-commercio-vice-presidente|title=Accordo IED-Camera Commercio Austriaca, vice presidente Regione: nuova opportunità di sviluppo}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://ambvienna.esteri.it/ambasciata_vienna/it/ambasciata/news/dall-ambasciata/03022015.html|title=Expo Milano – Regione Lombardia|website=Ambvienna.esteri.it|accessdate=27 October 2018}}</ref> France,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://milano.corriere.it/notizie/cronaca/18_giugno_14/milano-attilio-fontana-incontra-l-ambasciatore-francese-distendere-animi-italia-francia-9ce46378-6fb2-11e8-b9b6-434f28412ff9.shtml|title=Milano, Attilio Fontana incontra l'ambasciatore francese: "Distendere gli animi tra Italia e Francia"|website=Corriere della Sera|accessdate=27 October 2018|date=14 June 2018}}</ref> Hungary,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bresciatoday.it/politica/regione-lombardia-fontana-.html|title=Regione Lombardia, il presidente Fontana riceve il ministro degli affari esteri ungherese|website=BresciaToday}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.askanews.it/politica/2018/12/05/ungheria-fontana-riceve-ministro-esteri-a-palazzo-lombardia-pn_20181205_00291|title=Ungheria, Fontana riceve ministro Esteri a Palazzo Lombardia|date=5 December 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://milano.mfa.gov.hu/ita/news/a-lombardiai-tartomany-elnoeke-fogadta-a-milanoi-fokonzult|title=Il Console Generale è stato accolto dal Presidente della Regione di Lombardia – Consolato Generale di Ungheria Milano|website=Milano.mfa.gov.hu|accessdate=27 October 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tecnologiedelfilo.it/lecco-cresce-lexport-sul-mercato-ungherese/|title=Lecco: cresce l'export sul mercato ungherese – Tecnologie del Filo|website=Tecnologiedelfilo.it|accessdate=27 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180909003412/http://www.tecnologiedelfilo.it/lecco-cresce-lexport-sul-mercato-ungherese/|archive-date=9 September 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ersaf.lombardia.it/servizi/notizie/notizie_fase02.aspx?ID=18900|title=Delegazione Ungherese in visita di studio in Italia – :. ERSAF – Ente Regionale per i Servizi all' Agricoltura e alle Foreste:Regione Lombardia .|website=Ersaf.lombardia.it|accessdate=27 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180909000438/http://www.ersaf.lombardia.it/servizi/notizie/notizie_fase02.aspx?ID=18900|archive-date=9 September 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> Switzerland (especially the cantons of [[Canton of Ticino|Ticino]] and [[Canton of Grisons|Graubünden]]),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.regioni.it/dalleregioni/2018/07/31/lombardia-canton-ticino-fontana-e-assessori-incontrano-delegazione-svizzerasul-tavolo-infrastrutturetrasporti-e-ambiente-572830/|title=[Comunicato stampa Giunta regionale Lombardia] CANTON TICINO, FONTANA E ASSESSORI INCONTRANO DELEGAZIONE SVIZZERA:SUL TAVOLO INFRASTRUTTURE, TRASPORTI E AMBIENTE|date=31 July 2018|website=Regioni.it|accessdate=27 October 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prealpina.it/pages/milano-lombardia-e-canton-ticino-piu-vicini-173165.html|title=Rivedere l'accordo fiscale|date=31 July 2018|website=Prealpina.it|accessdate=27 October 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.varesenews.it/2018/04/fontana-rapporti-la-svizzera-vanno-intensificati/708796/|title=Fontana: "I rapporti con la Svizzera vanno intensificati"|date=16 April 2018|website=Varesenews.it|accessdate=27 October 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/ita/tutte-le-notizie-in-breve/gr--milano--trasporto-transfrontaliero--incontro-grigioni-lombardia/44616234|title=GR: Milano, trasporto transfrontaliero, incontro Grigioni-Lombardia|first1=S. W. I.|last1=swissinfo.ch|first2=a branch of the Swiss Broadcasting|last2=Corporation|website=TVSvizzera}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.varesenews.it/2019/09/regione-lombardia-incontro-svizzera/856211/|title=Tra Lombardia e Grigioni massima collaborazione, anche per le Olimpiadi|date=24 September 2019|website=VareseNews}}</ref> Canada (the [[Quebec|Province of Quebec]]),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mrif.gouv.qc.ca/en/relations-du-quebec/europe/italie/relations-politiques|title=Political and institutional relations|website=MRIF – Ministère des Relations internationales et de la Francophonie|accessdate=27 October 2018}}</ref> Germany (the States of [[Bavaria]], [[Saxony]], and [[Saxony-Anhalt]]),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newsfood.com/la-baviera-rinsalda-la-partnership-con-la-lombardia/|title=Baviera partner ship Lombardia|website=Newsfood.com|accessdate=27 October 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.mi-lorenteggio.com/news/17788 |title=Archived copy |access-date=25 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180826043836/http://www.mi-lorenteggio.com/news/17788 |archive-date=26 August 2018 |url-status=dead  }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.giornalemetropolitano.it/incontro-del-consiglio-regionale-lombardo-con-delegazione-parlamentare-della-bassa-sassonia/|title=Incontro del Consiglio regionale lombardo con delegazione parlamentare della Bassa Sassonia|website=Giornalemetropolitano.it|accessdate=27 October 2018}}</ref> [[Kuwait]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.kuna.net.kw/ArticleDetails.aspx?id=2736943&language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180715040052/https://www.kuna.net.kw/ArticleDetails.aspx?id=2736943&language=en|url-status=dead|archive-date=15 July 2018|title=KUNA : Kuwait works to boost cooperation with Italy's northern provinces, Lombardy - Politics - 13/07/2018|date=15 July 2018}}</ref> the Netherlands ([[South Holland|Province of Zuid-Holland]]),<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dutchwatersector.com/news/province-of-zuid-holland-intensifies-water-cooperation-with-lombardy-italy|title=Province of Zuid-Holland intensifies water cooperation with Lombardy, Italy &#124; Dutch Water Sector|website=www.dutchwatersector.com}}</ref> and Russia.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bresciatoday.it/politica/tavola-rotonda-lombardia-russia-.html|title=Tavola rotonda Lombardia-Russia, Fontana: "Collaborazione importante per il nostro territorio"|website=BresciaToday}}</ref> Lombardy is a member of the [[Four Motors for Europe|Four Motors of Europe]], an intereuropean economical organization which includes [[Baden-Württemberg|Baden-Wurtenberg]] in Germany, [[Catalonia]] in Spain, and [[Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes]] in France.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://elpais.com/politica/2018/07/04/actualidad/1530703816_664496.html|title=Borrell ordena a todas las embajadas responder a las "lindezas" independentistas contra España|first=Javier|last=Casqueiro|date=4 July 2018|accessdate=27 October 2018|website=El País}}</ref> The Lombardy region is also part of the EUSALP, which promotes innovation, green sustainability, and economy in the Alpine regions of Austria, France, Liechtenstein, Northern Italy, Southern Germany, Switzerland, and Slovenia,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.alpine-region.eu/action-group-1|title=Action Group 1|date=17 November 2016|website=EUSALP}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.eusalp.regione.lombardia.it/wps/portal/site/eusalp|title=Presidenza Italiana EUSALP 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ilnordestquotidiano.it/2018/11/22/il-timone-di-eusalp-passa-dal-tirolo-alla-lombardia/|title=Il timone di Eusalp passa dal Tirolo alla Lombardia|date=22 November 2018}}</ref> and [[Association of the Alpine States|ARGE ALP]], which gathers states located in the alpine regions of Austria, Northern Italy, Southern Germany, and Switzerland to discuss similar themes as in EUSALP.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://it.argealp.org/chi-siamo|title=Chi siamo – Arge Alp|website=it.argealp.org}}</ref> Economical and cultural relationship are also strong with neighboring Italian regions [[Friuli Venezia Giulia|Friuli-Venezia Giulia]], [[South Tyrol]], Trentino, and Veneto.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.lavocedelnordest.eu/olimpiadi-2026-fondi-confine-si-rafforza-la-collaborazione-fra-trentino-lombardia/|title=Olimpiadi 2026 e Fondi di confine, si rafforza la collaborazione fra Trentino e Lombardia|date=2 May 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.lavocedeltrentino.it/2019/05/04/trentino-e-lombardia-si-rafforza-la-sinergia-per-le-olimpiadi-2026/|title=Trentino e Lombardia: si rafforza la sinergia per le Olimpiadi 2026|first=Redazione|last=Trento|date=4 May 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ladigetto.it/interno/86892-trentino-e-lombardia-si-rafforza-la-collaborazione.html|title=www.ladigetto.it – Trentino e Lombardia: si rafforza la collaborazione|website=ladigetto.it}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.agenziagiornalisticaopinione.it/lancio-dagenzia/pat-trentino-e-lombardia-incontro-a-milano-tra-i-presidenti-fugatti-e-fontana-si-rafforza-la-collaborazione/|title=PAT * Trentino e Lombardia: "Incontro a Milano tra i presidenti Fugatti e Fontana, si rafforza la collaborazione"|date=2 May 2019}}</ref><ref>https://www.askanews.it/cronaca/2019/05/02/fontana-incontra-fugatti-collaborazione-tra-lombardia-e-trentino-pn_20190502_00154/></ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.regione.veneto.it/|title=Regione del Veneto|website=Regione del Veneto}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.lombardiaquotidiano.com/notizia/autonomia-consiglio-regionale-lombardo-udine-al-percorso-di-dialogo-comune|title=Lombardia Quotidiano|date=19 October 2018|website=Lombardia Quotidiano}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.valtellinanews.it/articoli/lombardia-e-friuli-venezia-giulia-20180925/|title=Lombardia e Friuli Venezia Giulia due regioni a confronto|website=valtellinanews.it}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.giornaletrentino.it/cronaca/parco-dello-stelvio-intesa-trentino-alto-adige-e-lombardia-sulla-biodiversit%C3%A0-1.1929338|title=Parco dello Stelvio, intesa Trentino, Alto Adige e Lombardia sulla biodiversità – Cronaca|website=Trentino}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.provincia.bz.it/natura-ambiente/natura-territorio/news-media.asp?news_action=4&news_article_id=618530|title=News & Media &#124; Provincia autonoma di Bolzano – Alto Adige|first=Südtiroler Informatik AG &#124; Informatica Alto Adige|last=SPA|website=Amministrazione provinciale}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ladige.it/territori/riva-arco/2019/04/04/lombardia-veneto-trentino-regole-comuni-pesca-tutto-lago-garda|title=Lombardia, Veneto e Trentino: "Regole comuni per la pesca su tutto il lago di Garda"|date=4 April 2019|website=l'Adige.it}}</ref> The European Union has developed the CENTRAL EUROPE program 2014–2020 to foster cooperation in several areas between the Lombardy Region along with other Northern Italian Regions and several states of Central Europe.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cte.regione.lombardia.it/wps/portal/PROUE/CTE/central-europe-2014-2020/il-programma-central-europe-2014-2020|title=Il Programma Central Europe 2014-2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.interreg-central.eu/Content.Node/discover/programme.html|title=Discover Interreg CENTRAL EUROPE|website=Interreg CENTRAL EUROPE}}</ref>

The region can broadly be divided into three areas in regards to productive activity: Milan, where the services sector makes up for 65.3% of the employment; the provinces of [[Varese]], [[Como]], [[Lecco]], [[Province of Monza and Brianza|Monza and Brianza]], [[Bergamo]] and [[Brescia]], where it is highly industrialised, although in the two latter provinces, there is also a rich agricultural sector in the plains;  the provinces of [[Province of Sondrio|Sondrio]], [[Province of Pavia|Pavia]], [[Province of Cremona|Cremona]], [[Province of Mantua|Mantova]] and [[Province of Lodi|Lodi]], where there is a consistent agricultural activity, and at the same time an above average development of the services sector.

The productivity of agriculture is enhanced by a well-developed use of fertilisers and the traditional abundance of water, boosted since the Middle Ages by the construction (partly designed by Leonardo da Vinci) of a wide net of irrigation systems. Lower plains are characterised by fodder crops, which are mowed up to eight times a year, cereals (rice, wheat and maize) and sugar beet. Productions of the higher plains include cereals, vegetables, fruit trees and mulberries. The higher areas, up to the [[Prealpi Orobiche|Prealps]] and [[Alps]] sectors of the north, produce fruit and wine. Cattle (with the highest density in Italy), pigs, and sheep are also raised.

The unemployment rate stood at 5.6% in 2019. Regional unemployment was one of the lowest in Italy.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/tgm/table.do?tab=table&init=1&language=de&pcode=tgs00010&plugin=1|title=Regional Unemployment by NUTS2 Region|website=Eurostat}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
!Year
!2006
!2007
!2008
!2009
!2010
!2011
!2012
!2013
!2014
!2015
!2016
!2017
!2018
!2019
|-
|'''unemployment rate'''<br/>(in %)
|3.7% 
|3.4% 
|3.7% 
|5.3%
|5.5%
|5.7% 
|7.4% 
|8.0% 
|8.2%
|7.9% 
|7.4% 
|6.4%
|6.0%
|5.6%
|}

==Government and politics==
{{Main|Politics of Lombardy}}

[[File:Palazzolombardiagaeaulenti.jpg|thumbnail|left|[[Palazzo Lombardia]], the main seat of the government of Lombardy.]]
Politics in Lombardy is framed within a system of [[representative democracy]], where the President of the Region (''{{lang|it|Presidente della Regione}}'') is the [[head of government]], and of a pluriform [[multi-party system]]. [[Executive power]] is vested in the Regional Government (''{{lang|it|Giunta Regionale}}'') and [[legislative power]] is vested in the [[Regional Council of Lombardy|Regional Council]] (''{{lang|it|Consiglio Regionale}}'').

Historically, the moderate [[Christian Democracy (Italy)|Christian Democrats]] maintained a large majority of the popular support and the control of the most important cities and provinces from the end of the Second World War to the early 1990s. The opposition [[Italian Communist Party]] was a considerable presence only in southern Lombardy and in the working class districts of Milan; their base, however, was increasingly eroded by the rival centrist [[Italian Socialist Party]], until eventually the ''[[Mani Pulite]]'' corruption scandal (which spread from Milan to the whole of Italy) wiped away the old political class and parties almost entirely.

This, together with the general disaffection towards the central government (considered as wasting resources to balance the budgets of the chronically underdeveloped regions of [[Southern Italy]]), led to the sudden growth of the secessionist [[Lega Nord|Northern League]], particularly strong in the mountain and rural areas. In the last twenty years, Lombardy stayed as a conservative stronghold, overwhelmingly voting for [[Silvio Berlusconi]] in all the six last general elections. Notwithstanding, the capital city of Milan elected progressive [[Giuliano Pisapia]] at the 2011 municipal elections and the 2013 regional elections saw a narrow victory for the center-right coalition.

On 22 October 2017 a non-binding [[Lombard autonomy referendum, 2017|autonomy referendum]] took place in Lombardy. The turnout was a low 38.3%, of which 95.3% voted in favor. The regional government of Lombardy is still under negotiation with Rome for the devolution of certain competencies.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.mi-lorenteggio.com/news/62347 |title=Archived copy |access-date=2 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180803013958/http://www.mi-lorenteggio.com/news/62347 |archive-date=3 August 2018 |url-status=dead  }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ilgiorno.it/milano/cronaca/autonomia-lombardia-1.4058893|title=Autonomia Lombardia, Fontana: consegnato al ministro dossier con le prime 15 materie – Il Giorno|first=Il|last=Giorno|website=Il Giorno|location=Italy|accessdate=27 October 2018}}</ref>

===Administrative divisions===
The region of Lombardy is divided in 11 administrative [[Provinces of Italy|provinces]], 1 [[Metropolitan cities of Italy|metropolitan city]] and 1,530 [[Comuni of Italy|communes]].

[[File:Lombardie70.gif|thumbnail|350px|The provinces/metropolitan cities of Lombardy]]

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! style="background:#ccf;"|Province/Metropolitan city <br>
! style="background:#ccf;"|Area (km<sup>2</sup>) <br>
! style="background:#ccf;"|Population <br>
! style="background:#ccf;"|Density (inh./km<sup>2</sup>) <br>
|-
| [[Province of Bergamo]]
| 2,723
| 1,108,853
| 407.2
|-
| [[Province of Brescia]]
| 4,784
| 1,265,077
| 264.4
|-
| [[Province of Como]]
| 1,288
| 599,905
| 465.7
|-
| [[Province of Cremona]]
| 1,772
| 361,610
| 204.4
|-
| [[Province of Lecco]]
| 816
| 340,251
| 416.9
|-
| [[Province of Lodi]]
| 782
| 229,576
| 293.5
|-
| [[Province of Mantova|Province of Mantua]]
| 2,339
| 414,919
| 177.3
|-
| [[Metropolitan City of Milan]]
| 1,575
| 3,259,835
| 2,029.7
|-
| [[Province of Monza and Brianza]]
| 405
| 864,557
| 2,134.7
|-
| [[Province of Pavia]]
| 2,965
| 548,722
| 185.1
|-
| [[Province of Sondrio]]
| 3,212
| 182,086
| 56.6
|-
| [[Province of Varese]]
| 1,211
| 890,234
| 735.1
|}
{{Largest cities
| name = Largest cities
| country = Lombardy
| stat_ref = Source: [[Istituto Nazionale di Statistica|ISTAT]]<ref name="Istat">{{cite web |url=https://www.tuttitalia.it/lombardia/20-comuni/popolazione/|title=Lomabrdy (Italy). Resident population on 31 December 2019 by territory|website=tuttitalia.it |publisher=Istat |accessdate=25 September 2020}}</ref>; estimates for 31 December 2019
| list_by_pop =
| class = nav
| div_name =
| div_link = Provinces of Italy{{!}}Province
| city_1 = Milan
| div_1 = Metropolitan City of Milan{{!}}Milan
| pop_1 = 1,396,059
| img_1 = Milan skyline skyscrapers of Porta Nuova business district.jpg
| city_2 = Brescia
| div_2 = Province of Brescia{{!}}Brescia
| pop_2 = 199,597
| img_2 =Brescia city skyline from the city castle.jpg
| city_3 = Monza
| div_3 = Province of Monza e Brianza{{!}}Monza
| pop_3 = 124,051
| img_3 = Villa Reale di Monza (Giuseppe Piermarini, 1777-1780), veduta di tre quarti.jpg
| city_4 = Bergamo
| div_4 =  Province of Bergamo{{!}}Bergamo
| pop_4 = 121,178
| img_4 = 2019 - Parco dei Colli di Bergamo.jpg
| city_5 = Como
| div_5 =  Province of Como{{!}}Como
| pop_5 = 85,915
| img_5 =
| city_6 = Busto Arsizio
| div_6 = Province of Varese{{!}}Varese
| pop_6 = 83,909
| img_6 =
| city_7 = Sesto San Giovanni
| div_7 = Metropolitan City of Milan{{!}}Milan
| pop_7 = 81,841
| img_7 =
| city_8 = Varese
| div_8 = Province of  Varese{{!}} Varese
| pop_8 = 80,645
| img_8 =
| city_9 =  Cinisello Balsamo
| div_9 = Metropolitan City of Milan{{!}}Milan
| pop_9 = 76,264
| img_9 =
| city_10 = Pavia
| div_10 = Province of Pavia{{!}}Pavia
| pop_10 = 73,334
| img_10 =
| city_11 = Cremona
| div_11 = Province of Cremona{{!}}Cremona
| pop_11 = 72,672
| img_11 =
| city_12 = Vigevano
| div_12 = Province of Pavia{{!}}Pavia
| pop_12 = 63,623
| img_12 =
| city_13 = Legnano
| div_13 =  Metropolitan City of Milan {{!}}Milan
| pop_13 = 60,336
| img_13 =
| city_14 = Gallarate
| div_14 = Province of Varese{{!}}Varese
| pop_14 = 53,934
| img_14 =
| city_15 = Rho, Italy{{!}}Rho
| div_15 = Metropolitan City of Milan{{!}}Milan
| pop_15 = 51,323
| img_15 =
| city_16 = Mantua
| div_16 =  Province of Mantua{{!}}Mantua
| pop_16 = 49,440
| img_16 =
| city_17 = Lecco
| div_17 =Province of Lecco{{!}}Lecco
| pop_17 = 48,173
| img_17 =
| city_18 = Cologno Monzese
| div_18 = Metropolitan City of Milan{{!}}Milan
| pop_18 = 48,030
| img_18 =
| city_19 =  Paderno Dugnano
| div_19 = Metropolitan City of Milan{{!}}Milan
| pop_19 = 47,467
| img_19 =
| city_20 = Lissone
| div_20 = Province of Monza e Brianza{{!}}Monza
| pop_20 = 46,445
| img_20 =
}}

==Culture==
Beside being an economic and industrial powerhouse, Lombardy has a rich and diverse cultural heritage. The many examples range from [[prehistory]] to the present day, through the Roman period and the Renaissance and can be found both in museums and churches that enrich cities and towns around the region. Major tourist destinations in the region include (in order of arrivals {{As of|2013|lc=y}})<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.asr-lombardia.it/RSY/tourism/flows-of-tourists/lombardia-and-provinces/tables/12193/|title=RSY Lombardia-Arrivals and nights spent by guests in accommodation establishments, by type of resort and by type of establishment. Total accommodation establishments. Part III Tourist resort. Year 2013|website=Asr-lombardia.it|accessdate=31 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150503201033/http://www.asr-lombardia.it/RSY/tourism/flows-of-tourists/lombardia-and-provinces/tables/12193/|archive-date=3 May 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> the historic, cultural and artistic cities of Milan (4,527,889 arrivals), [[Bergamo]] (242,942), [[Brescia]] (229,710), [[Como]] (215,320), [[Varese]] (107,442), [[Mantua]] (88,902), [[Monza]] (75,839) and the lakes of [[Lake Garda|Garda]] (429,376), [[Lake Como|Como]] (322,585), [[Lake Iseo|Iseo]] (123,337) and [[Lake Maggiore|Maggiore]] (71,055).

===UNESCO World Heritage Sites===
[[File:Rosa camuna R2-3 - Carpene - Sellero (Foto Luca Giarelli).jpg|thumb|The [[Rock Drawings in Valcamonica]]]]
[[File:Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519) - The Last Supper (1495-1498).jpg|thumb|''[[The Last Supper (Leonardo)|The Last Supper]]'', [[Convent of Sta. Maria delle Grazie]], Milan, Italy (1499), by [[Leonardo da Vinci]]]]
[[File:Sunrise at Bergamo old town, Lombardy, Italy.jpg|thumb|The [[Bergamo|Fortified City of Bergamo]]]]
[[File:Tempio Capitolino Piazza del Foro Brescia.jpg|thumb|[[Brescia#UNESCO World Heritage monuments|Remains of Roman forum]] in Brescia]]
There are nine [[World Heritage Site|UNESCO World Heritage sites]] wholly or partially located in Lombardy.<ref>{{Cite web|url = https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/|title = World Heritage List|accessdate = 16 May 2015|website = UNESCO World Heritage Centre|publisher = UNESCO}}</ref> Some of these comprise several individual objects in different locations. One of the entries has been listed as natural heritage and the others are cultural heritage sites.

At '''[[Monte San Giorgio]]''', on the border with Swiss canton Ticino just south of [[Lake Lugano]], a wide range of marine [[Triassic]] fossils have been found. During the Triassic period, some 240 million years ago, the area was a shallow tropical lagoon. Fossils include reptiles, fish and [[crustacean]]s and also some insects.

Two sites are of pre-historic origin. The '''[[Rock Drawings in Valcamonica]]''' date back to a period between 8000{{Nbsp}}BC and 1000{{Nbsp}}BC, covering prehistoric periods from the [[Epipaleolithic]]/[[Mesolithic]] to the [[Iron Age]].  The engravings show depictions of a wide range of topics including agricultural and war scenes alongside more abstract symbols.

The multi-centred heritage site '''[[Prehistoric pile dwellings around the Alps]]''' includes 111 individual objects in France, Switzerland, Italy, Germany, Austria and Slovenia, of which ten are located in Lombardy. Each of these objects consists of remnants of buildings erected on wooden piles in sub-alpine rivers, lakes and wetlands, built between 5000{{Nbsp|1}}BC and 500{{Nbsp|1}}BC. In general, only the submerged wooden parts have been preserved in the alluvial sediment, although in some places pile buildings have been reconstructed.

Another multi-centred site, '''[[Longobards in Italy, Places of Power (568–774 A.D.)]]''', comprises seven locations across mainland Italy which illustrate the history of the Lombard period which has given the region its name. Two of the individual sites are in the modern region of Lombardy: the fortifications (the ''castrum'' and the [[Torba Tower]]) and the church of Santa Maria ''foris portas'' ("outside the gates") with its Byzantinesque frescoes at [[Castelseprio (archaeological park)|Castelseprio]], and the [[San Salvatore, Brescia|monastic complex of San Salvatore-Santa Giulia]] at Brescia. The UNESCO site of Brescia also includes the [[Brescia#UNESCO World Heritage monuments|remains of its Roman forum]], the best-preserved in Northern Italy.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.beniculturali.it/mibac/export/MiBAC/sito-MiBAC/Contenuti/MibacUnif/Comunicati/visualizza_asset.html_1468318012.html|title=Italia langobardorum, la rete dei siti Longobardi italiani iscritta nella Lista del Patrimonio Mondiale dell'UNESCO |website=Beniculturali.it |language=Italian |trans-title=Italia langobardorum, the network of the Italian Longobards sites inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List |accessdate=27 October 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://whc.unesco.org/uploads/nominations/1318.pdf|title=THE LONGOBARDS IN ITALY. PLACES OF THE POWER (568–774 A.D.). NOMINATION FOR INSCRIPTION ON THE WORLD HERITAGE LIST |publisher=UNESCO |accessdate=27 October 2015}}</ref>

'''The Church and [[Dominican Order|Dominican]] Convent of [[Santa Maria delle Grazie (Milan)|Santa Maria delle Grazie]] in Milan with "[[The Last Supper]]" by [[Leonardo da Vinci]]''' represent architectural and painting styles of the Renaissance period of the 15th century. The towns of [[Mantua]] and [[Sabbioneta]] are also listed as a combined World Heritage site relating to this period, here focussing more on town planning aspects of the time than on architectural detail. While Mantua was rebuilt in the 15th and 16th centuries according to Renaissance principles, Sabbioneta was planned as a new town in the 16th century.

The '''[[Sacri Monti of Piedmont and Lombardy]]''' are a group of nine sites in northwest Italy, of which two are in Lombardy. The concept of holy mountains can also be found elsewhere in Europe. These sites were created as centres of pilgrimage by placing chapels in the natural landscape and were loosely modelled on the topography of Jerusalem. In Lombardy, Sacro Monte del Rosario di Varese and Sacro Monte della Beata Vergine del Soccorso, built in the early to mid-17th century, mark the architectural transition from the late Renaissance to the Baroque style.

'''[[Crespi d'Adda]]''' is a [[company town]] founded in 1878 to accommodate workers of a local textile mill. At its height, the town was home to 3,200 employees and their families.

The [[Bernina Railway|'''Rhaetian Railway in the Albula/Bernina Landscapes''']] is mostly located in the Swiss canton [[Graubünden]], but also extends over the border into [[Tirano]]. The site is listed because of the complex railway engineering (tunnels, viaducts and avalanche galleries) necessary to take the narrow-gauge railway across the main chain of the Alps. The two railway lines were opened in several stages between the years of 1904 and 1910.

The '''[[Venetian Works of Defence between the 16th and 17th centuries: Stato da Terra – western Stato da Mar]]''' is a transnational system of fortifications built by the [[Republic of Venice]] on its [[Domini di Terraferma|mainland domains]] (''Stato da Terra'') and its territories stretching along the [[Adriatic Sea|Adriatic]] coast (''[[Stato da Mar]]''). This site includes the [[Bergamo|Fortified City of Bergamo]].

===Museums===

Lombardy contains numerous museums (over 330) of different types (e.g. ethnographic, historical, technical-scientific, artistic and naturalistic) which testify to the historical-cultural and artistic development of the region. Among the most famous ones are the [[Museo della Scienza e della Tecnologia "Leonardo da Vinci"|National Museum of Science and Technology "Leonardo da Vinci"]] (Milan), the [[Accademia Carrara]] (Bergamo), the [[Mille Miglia#Mille Miglia Museum|Mille Miglia]], the Santa Giulia Museum (both in Brescia), the [[Tempio Voltiano|Volta Temple]], the [[Villa Olmo]] (both in Como), the Stradivari Museum (Cremona), the [[Palazzo Te]] (Mantua), the Museum Sacred Art of the Nativity, the Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta (both in [[Gandino]]), and the [[Royal Villa of Monza]] (Monza).

===Other sights===
[[File:2017-04-10 04-14 Gardasee 177 Sirmione (33539991534).jpg|thumb|[[Lake Garda]]]]
[[File:Sentiero del Viandante DSC 6340 (14020554463).jpg|thumb|[[Lake Como]]]]
[[File:Christo, Floating Pears, Lago d'Iseo, 2016 07.jpg|thumb|''[[The Floating Piers]]'' by [[Christo and Jeanne-Claude]] on [[Lake Iseo]] (2016)]]
* [[Cathedral of Milan]]
* [[Castello Sforzesco]], Milan
* [[Basilica di Sant'Ambrogio]], Milan
* [[Teatro alla Scala]], Milan
* [[Basilica di San Lorenzo (Milan)|Basilica of San Lorenzo]], Milan
* [[Basilica of Sant'Eustorgio]], Milan
* [[Brera Gallery]], Milan
* [[Bellagio (Italian region)|Bellagio]]
* [[Accademia Carrara di Belle Arti di Bergamo|Accademia Carrara]], Bergamo
* [[Santa Maria Maggiore, Bergamo|Santa Maria Maggiore]] and [[Cappella Colleoni]], Bergamo
* [[Bergamo#Upper city|The fortified Venetian walls]], Bergamo
* [[Longobards in Italy, Places of Power (568–774 A.D.)#Brescia|Roman and Longobard monuments in Brescia]]
* [[New Cathedral, Brescia|Duomo Nuovo]], Brescia
* [[Castelseprio (archaeological park)|Castelseprio archaeological site]]
* [[Certosa di Pavia]]
* [[Como Cathedral]] and [[Basilica of Sant'Abbondio]], Como
* [[Cathedral of Cremona|Duomo]] and [[Torrazzo of Cremona|Torrazzo]], [[Cremona]]
* [[Lake Como]]
* [[Lake Garda]]
* [[Lake Iseo]]
* [[Tempio Civico della Beata Vergine Incoronata]], [[Lodi, Lombardy|Lodi]]
* [[Royal Villa of Monza]]
* [[San Pietro in Ciel d'Oro]] and [[San Michele Maggiore, Pavia|San Michele Maggiore]], Pavia
* [[Villa Toeplitz (Varese)|Villa Toeplitz]], Varese

===Cuisine===
{{main|Lombard cuisine}}
[[Rice]] is popular in the region, often found in soups as well as ''[[Risotto|risotti]]'', such as "risotto alla milanese", with [[saffron]]. In the city of [[Monza]], a popular recipe also adds pieces of sausages to the risotto. [[Polenta]] is also common throughout the region. Regional cheeses include ''[[Robiola]]'', ''[[Crescenza]]'', ''[[Taleggio (cheese)|Taleggio]]'', ''[[Gorgonzola (cheese)|Gorgonzola]]'' and ''[[Grana Padano]]'' (the plains of central and southern Lombardy allow intensive cattle-raising). Butter and [[cream]] are used. Single pot dishes, which take less work to prepare, are popular. Common types of pasta include [[Casoncelli]] in [[Brescia]] and [[Bergamo]] and [[Pizzoccheri]] in Valtellina. In [[Mantua]], festivals feature ''tortelli di zucca'' ([[ravioli]] with pumpkin filling) accompanied by melted butter and followed by [[turkey meat|turkey]] stuffed with chicken or other stewed meats.<ref>Piras, 87.</ref> Among typical regional desserts is [[Canzo#Cuisine|Nocciolini di Canzo]]—dry biscuits.

====Typical dishes and products====
[[File:Grana Padano DOP Riserva.jpg|thumb|[[Grana Padano]] [[protected designation of origin|DPO]]]]
[[File:GorgonzolaDSC4233.jpg|thumb|[[Gorgonzola (cheese)|Gorgonzola cheese]] takes its name from the [[Gorgonzola, Milan|homonymous city]] near Milan]]
[[File:Ossobuco con risotto alla milanese.jpg|thumb|[[Risotto]] ''alla milanese'' with ossobuco]]
[[File:Tortelli.jpg|thumb|[[Tortelli|Tortelli di zucca]] with butter and sage]]
* [[Casoncelli]]
* [[Carpaccio]] di [[Bresaola]]
* [[Pizzoccheri]] (tagliatelle of buckwheat and wheat, laced with butter, green vegetables, potatoes, sage and garlic, topped with [[Valtellina Casera|Casera]] cheese)
* [[Risotto]] ''alla milanese''
* [[Tortelli]] di zucca (pumpkin-filled pasta)
* [[Polenta]]
* [[Ossobuco]]
* [[Cotoletta]] (cutlet) ''alla milanese''
* [[Cassoeula]]
* Lo Spiedo Bresciano – spit roast of different cuts of meat with butter and sage
* Salamella ([[Italian Sausage]] without fennel or anise, always served grilled) 
* Salame d'oca di [[Mortara, Lombardy|Mortara]] (goose salami)
* [[Gorgonzola]] cheese
* [[Taleggio cheese]]
* [[Stracchino]] cheese
* [[Bitto]] cheese
* [[Rosa Camuna]] cheese
* [[Grana Padano]] cheese
* [[Mascarpone]]
* [[Panettone]]
* Sbrisolona cake
* [[Amaretti di Saronno]]
* [[Turrón|Torrone]]
* [[Mostarda]]

====Wines====
{{Main|Lombard wine}}
* Franciacorta
* Nebbiolo red
* Bellavista
* Santi
* Nino Negri
* Bonarda Lombardy
* Inferno (Valtellina)
* Grumello (Valtellina)
* Sassella (Valtellina)

===Music===
{{Main|Music of Lombardy|Music of Milan}}
[[File:Architettura La Scala operahouse.jpg|thumb|The auditorium of the [[Teatro alla Scala]] in Milan.]]

Besides Milan, the region of Lombardy has 11 other provinces, most of them with equally great musical traditions. Bergamo is famous for being the birthplace of [[Gaetano Donizetti]] and home of the Teatro Donizetti; Brescia hosts the impressive 1709 Teatro Grande; Cremona is regarded as the birthplace of the commonly used violin and is home to several of the most prestigious [[luthier]]s in the world; and Mantua was one of the founding and most important cities in 16th- and 17th-century opera and classical music.

Other cities such as Lecco, Lodi, Varese and Pavia also have rich musical traditions, but Milan is the hub and centre of the Lombard musical scene. It was the workplace of [[Giuseppe Verdi]], one of the most famous and influential opera composers of the 19th century, and boasts a variety of acclaimed theatres, such as the [[Piccolo Teatro (Milan)|Piccolo Teatro]] and the Teatro Arcimboldi; however, the most famous is the 1778 [[Teatro alla Scala]], one of the most important and prestigious operahouses in the world.

===Language===
{{Main|Lombard language||}}
[[File:WIKITONGUES- Pietro speaking Lombard.webm|thumb|A Lombard speaker, recorded for [[Wikitongues]].]]
[[Lombard language|Lombard]] is widely used in Lombardy, in [[diglossia]] with Italian. Lombard is a language<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www-01.sil.org/iso639-3/documentation.asp?id=LMO|title=Documentation for ISO 639 identifier: LMO|website=|quote=Identifier: LMO / Name: Lombard / Status: Active / Code set: 639-3 / Scope: Individual / Type: Living}}</ref> belonging to the [[Gallo-Italic]] group, within the [[Romance languages]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=v-ZBCgAAQBAJ&q=lombard+cluster+of+homogeneous&pg=PA130|title=Policy and Planning for Endangered Languages|last1=Jones|first1=Mary C.|last2=Soria|first2=Claudia|publisher=[[Cambridge University Press]]|year=2015|isbn=9781316352410|location=Cambridge, UK|pages=130|chapter=Assessing the effect of official recognition on the vitality of endangered languages: a case of study from Italy|quote=Lombard (Lumbard, ISO 639-9 lmo) is a cluster of essentially homogeneous varieties (Tamburelli 2014: 9) belonging to the Gallo-Italic group. It is spoken in the Italian region of Lombardy, in the Novara province of Piedmont, and in Switzerland. Mutual intelligibility between speakers of Lombard and monolingual Italian speakers has been reported as very low (Tamburelli 2014). Although some Lombard varieties, Milanese in particular, enjoy a rather long and prestigious literary tradition, Lombard is now mostly used in informal domains.  According to Ethnologue, Piedmontese and Lombard are spoken by between 1,600,000 and 2,000,000 speakers and around 3,500,000 speakers, respectively. These are very high figures for languages that have never been recognised officially nor systematically taught in school}}</ref> It is a [[Dialect#Dialect and language clusters|cluster of homogeneous varieties]] used by at least 3,500,000 native speakers in Lombardy and some areas of neighbouring regions, notably the eastern side of [[Piedmont]] and Southern [[Switzerland]] (cantons of [[Ticino]] and [[Graubünden]]).<ref name=":0" />

The Lombard language should not be confused with that of the [[Lombards]] – [[Lombardic language]], a [[Germanic languages|Germanic language]] extinct since the Middle Ages.

===Fashion===
{{Main|Fashion in Milan}}
[[File:Dolce & Gabbana (8184624219).jpg|thumb|right|[[Dolce & Gabbana]] is headquartered in [[Milan]].]]
Lombardy has always been an important centre for silk and textile production, notably the cities of [[Pavia]], [[Vigevano]] and [[Cremona]], but [[Milan]] is the region's most important centre for clothing and high fashion. In 2009, Milan was regarded as the world [[fashion capital]], even surpassing New York, Paris and London.<ref name="languagemonitor.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.languagemonitor.com/popular-culture/fashion |title=The Global Language Monitor " Fashion |website=Languagemonitor.com |date=20 July 2009 |accessdate=3 January 2010 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20091101191133/http://www.languagemonitor.com/popular-culture/fashion |archivedate=1 November 2009  }}</ref> Most of the major [[Italian fashion]] brands, such as [[Valentino SpA|Valentino]], [[Versace]], [[Prada]], [[Armani]] and [[Dolce & Gabbana]], are currently headquartered in the city.

==Sports==
The region's city [[Milan]] will host the [[2026 Winter Olympics]] alongside [[Cortina d'Ampezzo]].
The [[Autodromo Nazionale di Monza]], located outside of Milan, hosts the Formula One [[Italian Grand Prix]].

== Twinning and covenants ==
* [[File:Flag of the Republic of the Rio Grande.svg|23px|link=Nuevo León]] [[Nuevo León]]

== See also ==
{{Portal|Italy}}
* [[2017 Lombard autonomy referendum]]
* [[COVID-19 pandemic in Italy]]
* [[List of European regions by GDP]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Lombardy}}
{{Wikivoyage}}
* [http://www.in-lombardia.com/ Official tourism website of Lombardy]

{{Lombardy}}
{{regions of Italy}}
{{Italy topics}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Lombardy| ]]
[[Category:NUTS 2 statistical regions of the European Union]]
[[Category:Regions of Italy]]
[[Category:Wine regions of Italy]]