Milan is, financially, the most important city in Italy and the region of Lombardy
Together with Paris it is one of the fashion capitals of the world: a paradise for 
shopping, Opera and night life. The municipal border covers a Relatively small area
(about one-eighth of that of Rome) because of the historical development of high
density centres in agriculturally rich Lombardy.
Milan is also renowned as one of the world capitals of design and fashion. Indeed
the English word milliner is derived from the name of the city. The Lombard
metropolis is famous for its fashion houses and shops (such as along via
Montenapoleone) and the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele in the Piazza Duomo (reputed to
be the world's oldest shopping mall). The city hosted the World Exposition in 1906
and has submitted a bid to BIE to host the Universal Expo in 2015. Inhabitants of
Milan are referred to as "Milanese"
The Celtic name for the settlement of the Insubres is not attested, but in the Roman
name Mediolanum the name element -lanum is the Celtic equivalent of -planum "plain'", thus Mediolanum: "in the midst of the plain", due to its location in a plain 
close to the confluence of two small rivers, the Olona and the Seveso. The origin of
the name and of a boar as a symbol of the city are fancifully accounted for in Andrea
Alciato's Emblemata (1584), beneath a woodcut of the first raising of the city walls,
where a boar is seen lifted from the excavation, and the etymology of Mediolanum
given as "half-wool", explained in Latin and in French. The foundation of Milan is
credited to two Celtic peoples, the Bituriges and the Aedui, having as their emblems
a ram and a boar; therefore "The city’s symbol is a wool-bearing boar, an animal of
double form, here with sharp bristles, there with sleek wool." Alciato credits the most
saintly and learned Ambrose for his account.
The German name for the city is Mailand, while in the local Western Lombard dialect,
the city's name is Milán, similar to the French.
PLACE TO VISIT
The Duomo - in Duomo Square, is Milan's main cathedral, a massive late Gothic
church (started in 1386) in white marble, with hundreds of spires and thousands of
statues on its exterior. Its famous facade is currently partly covered in scaffolding.
Don't miss the chance to climb up onto the roof. Great views between the Gothic
spires.
Saint Mary of the Graces - ('Santa Maria delle Grazie') , which houses the
famous Last Supper ('Cenacolo Vinciano') by Leonardo da Vinci. You must make a
reservation several days in advance as tickets are usually sold out, recently by as
much as three weeks or more. Tickets can be only be reserved by phone
(02.8942.1146).
Saint Ambrose - in Piazza San Ambrogio, a beautiful huge Byzantic/Romanic
church which was almost destroyed by allied bombing in World War 2. Some of its
Byzantic mosaics are well preserved.
Saint Maurice - A must-see! A stunning fully frescoed Renaissance church.
Most of the painting are the work of Luini.
Castello Sforzesco - where the Sforza-Visconti ruling families of Milan
resided. Later it was the Austrian governor's residence, when Lombardy was part of
the Hapsburg empire. It houses several museums.
La Scala Theatre - one of the most renowned opera house in the world. It first
opened in 1778 and re-opened in 2004 after extensive renovations.
Cimeterio Monumentale - Milan's old cemetery in Neoclassical style. It is
filled with lavish sculptures and monuments. Well worth a visit!
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele - the mother of all shopping malls: upscale
shops in a splendid 19th- century palace of a mall. Now has a McDonald's. for real
Milanese cheap food, go to Luini for a Panzerotti on nearby Via San Radegonda
Biblioteca Nazionale Braidense - is a library established in 1770 by the
Austrian governor. In has since acquired other historical collections and the archives
of RAI (Italy's state television). It's very active in organising workshops and debates
on new media and new technologies.
Piazza Della Scala - is the location of the Statue of Leonardo Da Vinci and La
Scala theatre. Great photograph opportunity, and right next to Galleria Vittorio
Emanuele.
WHAT TO DO
Football - Watch the AC Milan or FC Internazionale , at the famous Meazza
Stadium, also known as San Siro. Tickets for most matches are available in advance
or on the day. Watch out for the scalpers at the stadium as they sell the tickets much
expensive than the official ticket offices. As many as 60 matches per year are played
in San Siro from late August until late May.
Exhibition Fairs - A lot of exhibitions are held during the year, ranging from
wines to computers, industrial equipment and chocolate. The old exhibitions area is
in central Milan (MM1 Amendola Fiera or MM1 Lotto - Fiera 2 Stations), the new one is
in Rho (North West Milan, MM1 Rho Fiera Station, A4 highway Pero exit). For more
information, visit the Fiera Milano website
If you want to see Milan from above you can go on Duomo roof (by stairs or lift),
between spires and statues. It's a great experience. Another choice is the Branca
Tower (Camoens street, near Triennale, inside Sempione Park), built in 1933 by
architect Giò Ponti. The tower is 108 m high.
HOW TO REACH
By plane - Malpensa airport The main international airport is Malpensa (Milan
Malpensa, code MXP). It's a two runway airport, well connected to the center of the city
by public transportation. The airport has two terminals, with terminal 1 being the most
used. Terminal 2 is used by some budget airlines, such as Easyjet. Linate airport
Some European or national flights arrive at Linate Airport (LIN). This small, one-
runway airport is closer to the city centre than Malpensa, but a less number of air
companies fly there.
By train - The main railway station is Central Station , which is served by
Trenitalia , the State Railways. Regular trains serve all Italian cities (Turin, Venice,
Rome, Naples, Florence and many others), and some European cities (Barcelona,
Zurich, Geneva, Munich, Paris, Stuttgart, Zagreb, Vienna)
By car - The main highways linking Milan to the rest of Italy are:
A1 , the Autostrada del Sole (Highway of the Sun), linking Milan to Bologna, Florence,
Rome and Naples;
A4, linking Milan to Turin, Brescia, Bergamo, Verona and Venice;
A8, the Autostrada dei Laghi (Highway of the Lakes), linking Milan to Como Lake,
Maggiore Lake and Switzerland.
A7, linking Milan to Genoa.
The main highway operating company is Società Autostrade
Because of heavy traffic, it is strongly recommended not to drive in Milan during
working days. Driving is much better during weekends. Perhaps you should leave
your car in one of the well-marked car parks near the highway ring: they're managed
by ATM and are easily connected with Milan undergroud lines but they close at
around midnight. They're near highway exits in Cascina Gobba (East), Lampugnano
(West) and San Donato (SouthEast). If you must drive in Milan during weekdays, then
make sure you have an up-to-date map showing the one-way system.
By bus - FS Garibaldi Train Station is also Milan Bus terminal.
The main national bus lines are operated by Autostradale but there are many other
small companies offering even international travel.
