Metropolitan City of Milan
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| Metropolitan City of Milan | |
|---|---|
| Name | Metropolitan City of Milan |
| Settlement type | Metropolitan City |
| Coordinates | 45, 28, N, 9... |
| Subdivision type | Country |
| Subdivision name | Italy |
| Subdivision type1 | Region |
| Subdivision name1 | Lombardy |
| Established title | Established |
| Established date | 1 January 2015 |
| Seat type | Capital |
| Seat | Milan |
| Government type | Metropolitan City |
| Leader title | Metropolitan Mayor |
| Leader name | Giuseppe Sala |
| Area total km2 | 1575 |
| Population total | 3,250,315 |
| Population as of | 2023 |
| Population density km2 | auto |
| Timezone | CET |
| Utc offset | +1 |
| Timezone DST | CEST |
| Utc offset DST | +2 |
| Postal code type | Postal code |
| Postal code | 20121-20162 (Milan), 20010-20099 (province) |
| Area code type | Telephone prefix |
| Area code | 02 |
| Blank name sec1 | ISTAT |
| Blank info sec1 | 215 |
| Website | https://www.cittametropolitana.mi.it/ |
Metropolitan City of Milan is an administrative division of the Lombardy region in northern Italy, established in 2015 to replace the former Province of Milan. Its capital and dominant city is Milan, a global hub for finance, fashion, and design. The metropolitan city encompasses a densely populated and economically vital area, including 133 comuni (municipalities) surrounding the core city, forming one of Europe's most significant urban and industrial conurbations.
History
The area has been a center of human activity since ancient times, with the Insubres, a Celtic people, founding a settlement later conquered by the Roman Republic and known as Mediolanum. Following the fall of the Western Roman Empire, it was contested by powers like the Lombards and the Frankish Empire before emerging as a powerful commune during the Middle Ages. Ruled by dynasties such as the Visconti and the Sforza, the Duchy of Milan became a major Renaissance state, later falling under Spanish and then Austrian control until its incorporation into the Kingdom of Italy in the 19th century. The 20th century saw rapid industrialization, heavy bombing during World War II, and a post-war economic boom known as the Italian economic miracle, cementing the region's national prominence.
Geography
The territory is located in the western part of the Po Valley, characterized by flat plains crossed by several rivers and canals, including the Olona, Lambro, and Naviglio Grande. It borders the Metropolitan City of Turin to the west, the Province of Varese and Province of Monza and Brianza to the north, the Province of Bergamo and Province of Cremona to the east, and the Province of Lodi and Province of Pavia to the south. The Ticino River forms part of its western boundary with the Region of Piedmont. The southern areas are part of the agricultural heartland of the Pianura Padana.
Government and politics
The metropolitan city is governed by a Metropolitan Mayor, a Metropolitan Council, and a Metropolitan Conference of mayors from the constituent municipalities. The current Metropolitan Mayor is Giuseppe Sala, who is also the directly elected Mayor of Milan. Key administrative functions include strategic spatial planning, coordinated public services, and large-scale infrastructure management. The political landscape is historically dominated by center-left and center-right coalitions, with notable figures like Silvio Berlusconi having launched his political career from here through his media empire, Mediaset.
Economy
It is the economic engine of Italy, generating a significant portion of the national GDP. Milan hosts the Italian stock exchange (Borsa Italiana) and global headquarters for corporations like Eni, Assicurazioni Generali, and Pirelli. The area is a world leader in fashion and design, centered on the Quadrilatero della Moda and events like Milan Fashion Week. Advanced manufacturing thrives in sectors such as automotive, with Stellantis operations, pharmaceuticals, and publishing. The Milan Fair (Fiera Milano) is a major international exhibition center, while the service sector, including finance, advertising, and gastronomy, is exceptionally robust.
Demographics
With over 3.2 million inhabitants, it is the most populous metropolitan city in Italy. The population is highly concentrated in the capital and its immediate hinterland, including major towns like Sesto San Giovanni, Cinisello Balsamo, and Rho. It has one of the highest population densities in Europe. The area has experienced significant immigration, both from other Italian regions during the mid-20th century and internationally more recently, with large communities from the Philippines, Egypt, China, and South America, contributing to a diverse demographic profile.
Culture and society
The region is a cultural powerhouse, home to iconic institutions like the Teatro alla Scala, the Pinacoteca di Brera, and the Museo del Novecento. Architectural landmarks span from the Gothic Milan Cathedral and Castello Sforzesco to modern skyscrapers in the Porta Nuova district, including the UniCredit Tower. It is a center for education with prestigious universities such as the University of Milan, Polytechnic University of Milan, and Bocconi University. The Ambrosian Rite is a distinctive liturgical tradition of the Archdiocese of Milan, and the local dialect is part of the Western Lombard dialect.
Transport
The area is Italy's primary transport node. Milano Centrale railway station is a major national and international high-speed rail hub, with connections to Paris, Zurich, and Munich via services like Trenitalia and TGV. The Malpensa Airport and Linate Airport serve global and European routes, respectively. An extensive network of metro lines, trams, and buses serves the urban area, managed by ATM. The metropolitan area is encircled by the Autostrada A1 to Naples, the Autostrada A4 linking Turin to Trieste, and the Autostrada A7 to Genoa.