Lombardy

Lombardy or Lombardia, region, northern Italy, comprising the provinces of Bergamo, Brescia, Como, Cremona, Mantua (Mantova), Milan, Pavia, Sondrio, and Varese. Lombardy is the major commercial and industrial region of Italy. Milan is the regional capital and chief manufacturing city; other important cities include Pavia and Brescia. In northern and eastern Lombardy, beautiful lakes, including Como, Maggiore, and Garda, have inspired a thriving tourist industry.

Ancient Lombardy was part of the Roman Empire in the 3rd century bc. From the 6th to the 8th century ad it was ruled by the Lombards, from whom its name is derived. By the mid-15th century the city-state had become a duchy. Lombardy came under the successive rule of Spain, Austria, France, and Sardinia before becoming part of the kingdom of Italy in 1861. Area, 23,861 sq km (9,213 sq mi); population 9,545,441 (2007 estimate).