Lombardy

North-western Lombardy has the largest population of any of Italy’s regions - over ten million people live here, compared to just over half a million in Basilicata, and about six million in Lazio. Although landlocked, Lombardy compensates for not having a coastline with vast, crystal-clear lakes, such as Maggiore, Lugano, Como, Iseo and, largest of all, Garda; and its majestic rivers, such as the mighty Po to the south and the Ticino, which joins the Po near the city of Pavia. Twelve provinces make up this region: Bergamo, Brescia, Como, Cremona, Varese, Monza, Pavia, Sondrio, Lecco, Lodi, Mantova and the regional capital, Milan.