Lombardy

Lombardia is the most densely-populated region in Italy and its regional county seat is Milan. It is morphologically divided in four areas: alpine, mountainous, flat and south of the Po river. The climate is obviously different depending on the area: during the summer it is particularly hot and humid in the plain while is cool on the mountains. The territory is full of rivers and lakes that draw thousands and thousands of tourists every year. In fact, in their proximity, many tourist localities developed: Desenzano del Garda, Gardone Riviera, Limone sul Garda, Sirmione and Salò all on the Lago di Garda; Lecco, Como and Bellagio on the Lago di Como; Campione d'Italia and Porto Ceresio on the Lago di Lugano; Angera, Luino, Laveno-Mombello and Ispra on the Lago Maggiore; Monte Isola, Iseo, Lovere and Pisogene on the Lago d'Iseo.

Lombardia has numerous protected areas: 24 regional parks, 65 natural reserves, 30 natural monuments, the Valle del Ticino Natural Park and the Stelvio National Park. The local wildlife and vegetation are rich and varied: wolves, ermines, foxes, marmots, deers, hares, steinbocks, chamoises and roe deers. This region also has many passes: the Stelvio, Tonale and Maloja passes, and the Bernina and Spulga passes that connect Lombardia to Switzerland.

Lombardia's gastronomic tradition is very varied because of its many different areas and historical past. Among the best local dishes there are the milanese risotto, the milanese breaded cutlet, polenta, ossobuco, soups and stuffed pasta. The typical products are the bresaola of the Valtellina, milanese salami, Grana Padano cheese, crescenza cheese, gorgonzola cheese and the Franciacorta wines. Lombardia also has many historical monuments and is the region with the highest number of sites recognized as Unesco's world heritage.