Milan is the second biggest city in Italy and the capital of the region of Lombardy. The city has a population of about 1.3 million, while its urban area is one of the largest in Europe with an estimated population of over 4 million.

The city is considered nowadays the economic capital of Italy and it remains one of Europe’s main transportation and industrial hubs. Milan is the EU’s 10th most important centre for business and finance with its economy being the world’s 25th richest by purchasing power. Its economic environment has made it, according to several studies, the world’s 20th and Europe’s 10th top business and financial centre, having been highly successful in terms of city branding.

The attention always paid to cultural stimuli is probably the feature that has made Milan great during its history.

The Lombard metropolis is today centre of development and confrontation in the fields of contemporary art and architecture and it is recognized as a world fashion and design capital, with a major influence in commerce, industry, music, sport, literature, art and media.

Milan is especially famous for its fashion houses and shops (such as along Via Monte Napoleone) and the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele and Piazza Duomo. The city has an ancient cultural heritage and legacy, vibrant nightlife.

The city has a particularly famous artistic and musical, especially operatic, tradition, being the home of several important composers (such as Giuseppe Verdi) and theatres (such as the Teatro alla Scala). Milan is also well-known for several important museums, universities, academies, palaces and churches.

Milan is ranked the world’s 60th most visited city, with almost 2 million visitors.