Milan, Italy
Milan is a city in northern Italy and serves as the regional capital of Lombardy. It is the most populous city in Italy by urban population and the second-most populous city overall, following Rome. The city itself has a population of approximately 1.4 million residents, while its metropolitan area boasts around 3.22 million inhabitants. The urban area of Milan ranks as the fourth most populous in the European Union, with approximately 6.17 million residents. National estimates suggest that the wider Milan metropolitan area, also known as Greater Milan, has a population ranging from 7.5 million to 8.2 million, making it the largest metropolitan area in Italy and one of the largest in the EU. Milan functions as Italy's economic capital and is recognized as one of Europe's major economic hubs and a global financial center.
As a leading alpha global city, Milan excels in various fields, including art, commerce, design, entertainment, fashion, finance, and tourism. The city's business district is home to Italy's stock exchange (Borsa Italiana) and the headquarters of numerous national and international banks and companies. In terms of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), Milan is the wealthiest city in Italy and ranks among the largest economies in EU cities. Milan is referred to as the "European Megalopolis," and is recognized as one of the Four Motors for Europe.
Milan is also a major international tourist destination, frequently appearing among the most visited cities in the world. It ranks second in Italy after Rome, fifth in Europe, and sixteenth globally. The city is a significant cultural center, housing museums and art galleries with some of the world's most important collections, including notable works by Leonardo da Vinci. Additionally, Milan is home to numerous educational institutions, academies, and universities, accommodating 11% of the total enrolled students in Italy.
Founded around 590 BC as Medhelanon by a Celtic tribe of the Insubres group, Milan was later conquered by the ancient Romans in 222 BC, who Latinized the city’s name to Mediolanum. Its prominence as a major political center began in late antiquity when it served as the capital of the Western Roman Empire. From the 12th to the 16th century, Milan emerged as one of the largest cities in Europe and a significant trade and commercial hub, capitalizing on its status as the Duchy of Milan—a key political, artistic, and fashion force during the Renaissance. The city became a center of the Italian Enlightenment in the early modern period and continued to thrive during the Restoration, eventually becoming part of the unified Kingdom of Italy. From the 20th century onward, Milan solidified its role as Italy's industrial and financial capital.
Milan is celebrated as one of the world's four fashion capitals, hosting many renowned luxury fashion brands such as Armani, Prada, Versace, Valentino, Loro Piana, and Zegna. The city also hosts several major international events and fairs, including Milan Fashion Week and the Milan Furniture Fair, both of which are among the largest in the world in terms of revenue, visitors, and growth. Milan features a wealth of luxury hotels and boasts the fifth-highest number of Michelin-starred restaurants in the world. The city hosted the Universal Expositions in 1906 and 2015.
In sports, Milan is home to two of Europe's most successful football clubs, AC Milan and Inter Milan, as well as one of Europe's leading basketball teams, Olimpia Milano. The city will also host the Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games for the first time in 2026, alongside Cortina d'Ampezzo.
Source: Wikipedia
