Verano's Recipe of the Day

Even though Lombard, a region in northern Italy, was part of the Roman Empire in the 3rd century BC, it derives its name from the Lombards, who ruled the region from the 6th to the 8th century AD. The Lombards originally settled along the lower Elbe River, from the Germanic region of Europe.  It was 572 AD that the kingdom of Lombardy was proclaimed by the Lombards.  Later, in 774 AD, the Lombard dynasty was overthrown by Charlemagne.  Before Lombardy became part of the kingdom of Italy in 1861, it was under the successive rule of Spain, Austria, France, and Sardinia.

Lombardy is a major textile producing region of Italy. Milan, the regional capital, is also the chief manufacturing city.  Other important cities of Lombardy include Pavia and Brescia. Tourism is also important to Lombardy, especially in the northern and eastern sections.  One reason are the beautiful lakes (Como, Maggiore, and Garda).

Statistical Information :

Area: 23,859 sq km (9211 sq mi)

Approximate Population: (1991) 8,940,594

Major Cities:  Bergamo, Brescia, Como, Cremona, Mantua, Milan, Pavia, Sondrio, and Varese.

Agricultural Products:

Sheep and cattle (raised in the mountains and valleys of northern Lombardy); Fruit (hilly sections); Grains (fertile plain of the southern Po River Valley)

Commercial and Industrial Products:

Textiles (especially silk); Hydroelectric power; Iron and Steel; Automobiles; Railroad equipment; Chemicals; Apparel.

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Tour of Northern Italian Dining