Emilia-Romagna is an area of northern Italy. It is one of the 20 main administrative units, or regions, of Italy. The region is divided into the provinces of Bologna, Ferrara, Forlì-Cesena, Modena, Parma, Piacenza, Ravenna, Reggio Emilia, and Rimini. The region also includes San Marino, a small independent country on the Italian peninsula. Emilia-Romagna is an important agricultural, manufacturing, and tourist area. It features such beautiful Italian cities as Parma, Ravenna, and Bologna, the region’s capital.
Emilia-Romagna covers about 8,666 square miles (22,446 square kilometers) and has a population of about 4 1/2 million. It stretches from the Apennine Mountains to the Adriatic Sea. The region is mountainous in the west. To the east, the land flattens to marshy plains and farmland south of the Po River. The Adriatic seacoast has a number of resorts and fishing villages. Many people in the region speak Emiliano-Romagnolo, a Northern Italian dialect (language variation).
Emilia-Romagna is famous for its cuisine. Pastas from the region include ring-shaped tortellini and tagliatelle, which takes the form of long, flat ribbons. Balsamic vinegar, Parmigiano Reggiano cheese (often known by its French name, Parmesan), and prosciutto (dry-cured ham) also come from the region. Famous regional wines include Lambrusco and Sangiovese.
Farms in Emilia-Romagna produce grains, onions, tomatoes, and grapes and other fruits. Farmers also raise cattle and hogs. Regional factories produce Ducati motorcycles as well as the famous Ferrari , Lamborghini , and Maserati sports cars. Tourists are drawn to the Adriatic beaches and the Renaissance beauty of the region’s cities.
People have lived in Emilia-Romagna for many thousands of years. Etruscans and Celts settled the area before it came under Roman rule in the 200’s B.C. Lombards and Franks also lived in the region. Emilia-Romagna became part of the Papal States—territory once ruled by the pope—in the A.D. 1000’s. The region joined the Kingdom of Italy in 1861.
See also Bologna ; Italy ; Parma ; Ravenna ; San Marino .
