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Milan Facts & Worksheets

Known for being a center of Italian culture and fashion, the city of Milan is situated in the country’s northern Lombardy region.

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Known for being a center of Italian culture and fashion, the city of Milan is situated in the country’s northern Lombardy region. It holds the second largest population after the capital city of Rome. Due to its strengths in the field of commerce, art, education, finance, and tourism, Milan is considered as a leading global alpha city.

See the fact file below for more information on the Milan or alternatively, you can download our 20-page Milan worksheet pack to utilise within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

ETYMOLOGY

  • There are varying accounts for the possible source of the name Milan and its ancient term Mediolanum. One is that the Latin name Mediolanum derives from the roots medio (in the middle) and planus (plain).
  • Another theory is that the name is linked to the figure of the boar sow which was an ancient emblem of the city.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

  • The ancient city of Mediolanum, now modern Milan, was founded by a Celtic group known as the Gauls around 600 BCE.
  • It was conquered during the Roman Conquest of 222. and became the capital of the Western Roman Empire. In 539 the city was completely destroyed by the barbaric Goths.
  • By the 10th century, city life once again flourished. Through the leadership of the Carolingians, Milan increasingly prospered.
  • During the 12th century, the guilds of the new industrial classes increased in power and authority.
  • Milan was again attacked in 1450 by the general Francesco Sforza. Owing to the power of the Sforza family, Milan experienced its golden period of Renaissance.
  • By 1499 however, Milan fell to the hands of Louis XII, then King of France, but was again returned to the Sforza family in 1529.
  • Charles V, the Habsburg Holy Roman Emperor, conquered the city in 1535.
  • In 1805, Milan was recognized as the capital of the Kingdom of Italy under the leadership of Napoleon Bonaparte. When Napoleon fell in 1814, Milan lost its role as capital and returned to Austrian authority.
  • During the 19th century, Milan became the epicenter of Italy’s socialist reform movement. Mayor Emilio Caldara ran the city under a reformist socialist administration beginning in 1914.
  • The outbreak of the two world wars led Milan into an unstable political and economic period. The city also fell into a fascist regime under Benito Mussolini.
  • The 1970’s in Milan was a period marked by terrorism and depression. The city was able to recover by the 1980’s after a succession of mayors from the Italian Socialist Party and through the leadership of Milan’s Prime Minister Benito Craxi.
  • Entering the 21st century, Milan was eventually able to transform itself into an economic and industrial powerhouse with many of the city’s areas undergoing redevelopment.

GEOGRAPHY AND CLIMATE

  • Milan rests in the heart of the Po Valley, in between the Po River and the southern range of the Alps. The land on which the city rests is flat with minimal elevation.
  • The entire comune, or township, covers an area of 181 square kilometers while the metropolitan city of Milan covers 1,575 square kilometers of land.
  • Milan experiences a mid-latitude humid subtropical climate with hot humid summers and cold foggy winters.
  • Being bordered by the Alps, the city is protected from any major circulations brought by northern European sea.

ECONOMY

  • Milan is the most important economic center in Italy. The city houses the Italian Stock Exchange and the headquarters of national and international banks and corporations.
  • Milan’s 2014 GDP generated 10% of Italy’s national GDP. This prosperous economic condition led to Milan being one of the most expensive cities in the world.
  • The city is also home to various industries, manufacturing companies, and media corporations. Tourism also contributes a significant factor to Milan’s economic development.

HIGHLIGHTS AND ATTRACTIONS

  • Milan’s Cathedral of Santa Maria Nascente, which the Milanese call just “Il Duomo,” is one of the world’s largest cathedrals. It is known for its striking Flamboyant Gothic design.
  • The Santa Maria delle Grazie church is one of Leonardo da Vinci’s most famous works – The Last Supper. It was painted on the wall between 1495 and 1497.
  • There is also an abundance of museums and art galleries in Milan including the Poldi-Pezzoli Museum, Museo Bagatti Valsecchi, and the Leonardo da Vinci National Museum of Science and Technology.

THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW

  • Milan constitutes an important transportation hub for the entire country and the whole of southern Europe through its railroad, bus and tram systems, and aviation.
  • Major luxury fashion houses such as Gucci, Versace, Dolce and Gabbana, and Prada have their headquarters in Milan.
  • Milanese take their drinking very seriously. Restaurants, bars, and cafes offer aperitivo or “happy hour” drinks and food from 7 to 9 PM regularly.
  • The city also has numerous reputable higher education institutions that produce research and scholarship.
  • There used to be several channels allowing water from the rivers surrounding Milan to flow through the city. In the 20th century only three channels were left uncovered to allot space for automobile roads.
  • Over 20% of Milan’s population is composed of immigrants from countries such as Egypt, Peru, the Philippines, Ukraine, and Ecuador.

Milan Worksheets

This is a fantastic bundle which includes everything you need to know about the Milan across 20 in-depth pages. These are ready-to-use Milan worksheets that are perfect for teaching students about the Milan which is situated in the country’s northern Lombardy region. It holds the second largest population after the capital city of Rome. Due to its strengths in the field of commerce, art, education, finance, and tourism, Milan is considered as a leading global alpha city.

Complete List Of Included Worksheets

  • Milan Facts
  • A Timeline of Culture
  • Comuni Di Milano
  • Facts Only
  • Milan Culture
  • Yes, You Do the Cooking
  • Celebrity Spotted
  • Trendsetter
  • Festivals and Celebrations
  • Milan Bucket List
  • Visit Milan Soon

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Link will appear as Milan Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect, October 20, 2020

Use With Any Curriculum

These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.

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