As the hyphenated name suggests, Emilia-Romagna includes two distinct areas with Bologna, the region's capital, marking more or less the dividing line Emilia, with its prosperous provinces lined along its ancient Roman-built Via Emilia, occupies the western sector, while Romagna lies to the east of Bologna and stretches all the way to the Adriatic Sea, the historic town of Ravenna and the well-known resort of Rimini Back in the time when agriculture was the main source of business in the area, well-being and wealth were synonymous in the local culture and speech The fertility of the Emilia-Romagna plains generated riches and strongly influenced the traditions and popular festivals.
Nowadays, Emilia-Romagna's cities rank at the top of the national listing for the quality of life with Modena and Reggio Emilia competing at times for the title of Italy's wealthiest city Bologna is the oldest European university site and its medical school still draws many international students under her comfortable and reassuring porticos The Accademia Militare di Modena, or Modena Military Academy, was founded in 1669 by Duke Carlo Emanuele II of Savoia and in 1678 it became the first Institute for Military Training (Istituto di Istruzione Militare) in the world Today it still attracts future heads of state and military officers from various parts of the world and the view of a 'cadetto', dressed in traditional uniform is a common sight under the porticos of downtown Modena.
Emilia-Romagna has given many remarkable artists and professionals to Italy and the world such as opera stars Luciano Pavarotti and Mirella Freni, composer Giuseppe Verdi, film directors Federico Fellini and Pupi Avati Fashion guru Giorgio Armani, the amazing painter Ligabue, popular singers Lucio Dalla, Vasco Rossi, Francesco Guccini and Zucchero Fornaciari, and poet Giovanni Pascoli are also from this area Of course, we must also include Enzo Ferrari and Ferruccio Lamborghini, world famous automobile makers.
