Milan
 Milan (Milano in Italian) is the capital of the region of Lombardia
and of the province of Milan. The city proper has a population of about 1.3 million, while the urban area is
the fifth largest in Europe with an estimated population of 4.3 million. It is the largest city in Italy.
Milan's Malpensa Airport is one of the major entryways into Italy
 The city was founded under the name of
Mediolanum by the Insubres, a Celtic people. It was later captured by the Romans in 222 BC, and the city
became very successful under the Roman Empire. Later Milan was ruled by the Visconti, the Sforza, the Spanish
in the 1500s and the Austrians in the 1700s. In 1796, Milan was conquered by Napoleon I and he made it the
capital of his Kingdom of Italy in 1805. During the Romantic period, Milan was a major cultural centre in the
Europe, attracting several artists, composers and important literary figures. Later, during World War II, the
city was badly affected by Allied bombings, and after German occupation in 1943, Milan became the main hub of
the Italian resistance. Despite this, Milan saw a post-war economic growth, attracting thousands of immigrants
from Southern Italy and abroad.
An international and cosmopolitan city, 13.9% of Milan's population is from
abroad. The city remains one of Europe's main transportation and industrial hubs, and Milan is one of the Europe's
most important centers for business and finance.
 Milan is recognized as a world fashion
and design capital, with a major global influence in commerce, industry, music, sport, literature, art and
media. The Lombard metropolis is especially famous for its fashion houses and shops such as along Via
Montenapoleone, and the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele in the Piazza Duomo, reputed to be the world's oldest
shopping mall. The city has a rich cultural heritage and legacy, and has a unique cuisine. It is home to
numerous famous dishes, such as the Panettone Christmas cake and the risotto
alla Milanese. The city has a famous musical tradition, being home to several important composers
such as Giuseppe Verdi and theatres such as the Teatro alla Scala. Milan is also well-known for having several
important museums, universities, academies, palaces, churches and libraries such as the Academy of Brera and
the Castello Sforzesco as well as two renowned football (soccer) teams: AC Milan and Inter Milan. This makes
Milan one of Europe's most popular tourist destinations, with over 1.914 million visitors to the city in
2008.
Inhabitants of Milan are referred to as "Milanese" . The city is nicknamed by
Milan´s inhabitants the "moral capital".
7 Must-See Sites In
Milan
Courtesy of Wikipedia
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