Editing Milan (section)

== Geography ==

=== Topography ===
[[File:Milan by Sentinel-2, 2020-07-25.jpg|thumb|Satellite picture of Milan. The post-WW2 northward [[urban sprawl]] is visible]]
[[File:Naviglio Grande, Milano.jpg|thumb|[[Navigli]], a system of interconnected canals in and around Milan, dating back to the Middle Ages]]

Milan is located in the north-western section of the [[Po Valley]], approximately halfway between the river [[Po (river)|Po]] to the south and the foothills of the [[Alps]] with the great lakes ([[Lake Como]], [[Lake Maggiore]] and [[Lake Lugano]]) to the north, the [[Ticino (river)|Ticino]] river to the west and the [[Adda (river)|Adda]] to the east. The city's land is flat, the highest point being at {{cvt|122|m|2}} [[Above mean sea level|above sea level]].

The administrative {{langx|it|comune|links=yes|label=none}} covers an area of about {{convert|181|km2}}, with a population, in 2013, of 1,324,169 and a population density of {{convert|7315|PD/km2}}. The [[Metropolitan City of Milan]] covers {{convert|1575|km2}} and in 2015 had a population estimated at 3,196,825, with a resulting density of {{convert|2029|PD/km2|PD/sqmi}}.<ref name=MilanoMetropoli>{{cite web|title=Metropoli Milano 2016|url=http://www.cittametropolitana.milano.it/export/sites/default/civica/pdf/Civica_Nx3-2015_Metropoli_Milano_web_rid.pdf|publisher=Statistical Service of the Metropolitan City of Milan|access-date=26 July 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160802190222/http://www.cittametropolitana.milano.it/export/sites/default/civica/pdf/Civica_Nx3-2015_Metropoli_Milano_web_rid.pdf|archive-date=2 August 2016}}</ref> A larger urban area, comprising parts of the provinces of Milan, Monza e Brianza, Como, Lecco and Varese is {{convert|1891|km2}} wide and has a population of 5.27&nbsp;million with a density of {{convert|2783|PD/km2|PD/sqmi}}.<ref name=Demographia>[http://www.demographia.com/db-worldua.pdf Demographia: World Urban Areas] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180503021711/http://www.demographia.com/db-worldua.pdf |date=3 May 2018 }}. Retrieved 6 September 2015.</ref>

The concentric layout of the city centre reflects the ''Navigli'', an ancient system of navigable and interconnected canals, now mostly covered.<ref>{{cite book|last=Raffaele Pugliese, Marco Lucchini|title=Milano città d'acqua: nuovi paesaggi urbani per la tutela dei navigli|year=2009|publisher=Alinea|location=Florence|isbn=978-88-6055-469-7|page=32}}</ref> The suburbs of the city have expanded mainly to the north, swallowing up many {{langx|it|comuni|links=no|label=none}} along the roads towards Varese, Como, Lecco and Bergamo.<ref>{{cite book|last=King|first=Russell|title=The industrial geography of Italy|year=1985|publisher=Croom Helm|location=London|isbn=0-7099-1501-2|pages=250–254}}</ref> In the 21st century the Navigli region of Milan is a highly active area with a large number of residential units, bars and restaurants. It is also a well-known centre for artists.<ref>Italy Green Guide, Michelin, 2012-2013, entry for Navigli, Milan</ref>

=== Climate ===
[[File:Milano Santa Maria delle Grazie ogrod.jpg|thumb|The cloister of [[Santa Maria delle Grazie, Milan|Santa Maria delle Grazie]] in the spring of 2010]]
Milan features a mid-latitude, four-season [[humid subtropical climate]] (''Cfa''), according to the [[Köppen climate classification]]. Milan's climate is similar to much of Northern Italy's inland plains, with hot, humid summers and cold, foggy winters. The Alps and [[Apennine Mountains]] form a natural barrier that protects the city from the major circulations coming from northern Europe and the sea.<ref>{{cite web|title=The ENVIBASE-Project – Climate of Milan|url=http://www.stadtentwicklung.berlin.de/archiv_sensut/umwelt/uisonline/envibase/handbook/climate3.htm|access-date=14 August 2012|archive-date=28 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190228142756/http://www.stadtentwicklung.berlin.de/archiv_sensut/umwelt/uisonline/envibase/handbook/climate3.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

During winter daily average temperatures can fall below freezing ({{cvt|0|C|disp=sqbr}}) and accumulations of snow can occur: the historic average of Milan's area is {{convert|25|cm|0}} in the period between 1961 and 1990, with a record of {{convert|90|cm|0}} in January 1985. In the suburbs the average can reach {{convert|36|cm|0}}.<ref>[http://www.aineva.it/pubblica/neve60/6_fazzini/immagini/fazzini_fig1G.gif] [https://web.archive.org/web/20171029172712/http://www.aineva.it/pubblica/neve60/6_fazzini/immagini/fazzini_fig1G.gif archive]</ref> The city receives on average seven days of snow per year.<ref>{{cite web|title=Weather Overview for Milan|url=http://www.holiday-weather.com/milan/|publisher=Holyday-Weather.com|access-date=14 August 2012|archive-date=29 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180529172600/http://www.holiday-weather.com/milan/|url-status=live}}</ref>

The city was often shrouded in thick cloud or fog during winter, although the removal of rice paddies from the southern neighbourhoods and the [[urban heat island]] effect have greatly reduced this occurrence since the turn of the 21st century. Occasionally, the [[Foehn]] winds cause the temperatures to rise unexpectedly: on 22 January 2012 the daily high reached {{cvt|16|C|0}} while on 22 February 2012 it reached {{cvt|21|C|0}}.<ref>{{cite web|title=Recorded temperatures, Milan|url=http://www.accuweather.com/en/it/milan/214046/month/214046?monyr=2/01/2012|publisher=Accuweather|access-date=14 August 2012|archive-date=26 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190626222115/https://www.accuweather.com/en/it/milan/214046/month/214046?monyr=2%2F01%2F2012|url-status=live}}</ref> Air pollution levels rise significantly in wintertime when [[Thermal inversion|cold air clings to the soil]], causing Milan to be one of Europe's most polluted cities.<ref>{{cite web|title=Smog in Northern Italy|date = 29 December 2005|url=http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/NaturalHazards/view.php?id=15900|publisher=NASA|access-date=14 August 2012|archive-date=11 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200611140852/https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/15900/smog-in-northern-italy|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=18 June 2021 |title=Italy's northern cities rated among the worst in Europe for air pollution |url=https://www.thelocal.it/20210618/italys-northern-cities-among-the-worst-in-europe-for-air-pollution/ |access-date=1 April 2022 |website=The Local Italy |language=en-US |archive-date=26 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220526230113/https://www.thelocal.it/20210618/italys-northern-cities-among-the-worst-in-europe-for-air-pollution/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
[[File:Precipitation in Milan from 1940 to 2023.jpg|thumb|left|Total monthly precipitation in Milan from 1940 to 2023. Data from open-meteo.com]]
Summers in Milan are hot and humidity levels are high with peak temperatures reaching above {{cvt|35|C}}. Due to the high humidity, urban heat effect and lack of wind, nighttimes often remain muggy during the summer months.<ref>{{cite web|title=Historical temperatures, Milan|url=http://www.accuweather.com/en/it/milan/214046/month/214046?monyr=7/01/2012|publisher=Accuweather|access-date=14 August 2012|archive-date=30 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180830174144/https://www.accuweather.com/en/it/milan/214046/month/214046?monyr=7%2F01%2F2012|url-status=live}}</ref> Usually the summer enjoys clearer skies with an average of more than 13 hours of daylight:<ref name="WeatherSpark">{{cite web|title=Average weather in Milan|url=http://weatherspark.com/averages/32256/Milan-Lombardia-Italy|publisher=WeatherSpark|access-date=14 August 2012|archive-date=2 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160402012356/https://weatherspark.com/averages/32256/milan-lombardia-italy|url-status=live}}</ref> when precipitation occurs though, it is more likely to be accompanied by thunderstorms and [[hail]].<ref name="WeatherSpark"/> Springs and autumns are generally pleasant, with temperatures ranging between {{cvt|10|and|20|C|0}}; these seasons are characterized by higher rainfall, especially in April and May.<ref>{{cite web|title=Average monthly precipitation over the year (rainfall, snow)|url=http://www.weather-and-climate.com/average-monthly-Rainfall-Temperature-Sunshine,Milan,Italy|publisher=World weather and climate information|access-date=14 August 2012|archive-date=30 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180830142332/https://weather-and-climate.com/average-monthly-Rainfall-Temperature-Sunshine,Milan,Italy|url-status=live}}</ref> Relative humidity typically ranges between 45% (comfortable) and 95% (very humid) throughout the year, rarely dropping below 27% (dry) and reaching as high as 100%.<ref name="WeatherSpark"/> Wind is generally absent: over the course of the year typical wind speeds vary from {{cvt|0|to|9|mph|kph|0|order=flip}} (calm to gentle breeze), rarely exceeding {{cvt|18|mph|kph|0|order=flip}} (fresh breeze), except during summer thunderstorms when winds can blow strong. In the spring, gale-force windstorms may happen, generated either by [[Tramontane]] blowing from the Alps or by [[Bora (wind)|Bora]]-like winds from the north. Due to its geographic location surrounded by mountains on 3 sides, Milan is among the least windy cities in Europe.<ref name="WeatherSpark"/>

{{Milan weatherbox}}