Starting Population     2,000                   % of Worldwide          6.5%                    

                                                Population                                      

Starting Income         60,600                  % of Worldwide          9.4%                    

                                                Income                                          

Starting GDP            720,067                 % of Worldwide GDP      11.6%                   

Starting Surplus        600                     % of Worldwide          1.8%                    

                                                Surplus                                         

1 fief Province: Lomb0186.htm                               Overlord:               Visconti (17)
           

Lombardia                                                                                       

Kingdom: HRE:Italy

Comments: Lombardy is a large region in the northern part of Italy. Originally a part of Gallia Cisaplina, it was Romanized before the Christian era, and became one of the most prosperous areas of the Empire. Upon the fall of the Empire Lombardy fell succesively under the control of the Ostrogoths and the Langobards --hence the name "Lombardy"-- before being incorporated into the Carolingian Empire by Charlemagne himself.

Passing later to the control of the Holy Roman Empire, the many small feudatories and communes of Lombardy proved mostly loyal to the papacy in the long struggle between emperors and popes which culminated in the triumph of the latter in the late 12th century. The principal city of Lombardy, Milano, passed under the control of the Visconti family in 1277, and they have proven to be excellent rulers, albeit harsh, and have extended their rule over much of the region. Ecclesiastical authority is invested in the Archbishop of Milano, who has usually been a Visconti. There are universities at Piacenza and Vercelli, numerous banking and commercial establishments, a very extensive woolens industry, as well as other manufacturing interests. In addition, Lombardy is favored with the richest fields in Europe, and produces an abundance of agricultural produce, all of which makes it among the richest lands in the world.