# Po

> longest river in Italy

**Wikidata**: [Q643](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q643)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Po_(river))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/po

## Summary

The Po is a river located in Italy [1]. It flows through the continent of Europe .

## Summary

The Po (Italian: Po [po]; also known as the Po River or River Po) is the longest river in Italy, flowing eastward across the northern Italian plain from its source in the Cottian Alps to its delta emptying into the Adriatic Sea. It traverses several of Italy's most important regions, including Piedmont, Lombardy, Emilia-Romagna, and Veneto, making it a vital geographical and economic feature of the Italian peninsula.

## Key Facts

- **Official Name:** Po (Italian: Fiume Po)
- **Classification:** Longest river in Italy
- **Location:** Northern Italy, flowing from west to east
- **Coordinates:** 44.701444°N, 7.093056°E (source area); 44.97°N, 12.546944°E (delta area)
- **Regions Traversed:** Piedmont, Lombardy, Emilia-Romagna, Veneto
- **Flow Direction:** West to East
- **Mouth:** Adriatic Sea (Po Delta)
- **Source Region:** Cottian Alps (Piedmont)
- **Sitelink Count:** 107
- **Wikidata Description:** longest river in Italy
- **Wikipedia Title:** Po (river)
- **Aliases:** River Po, Po River

## FAQs

**What is the Po river?**

The Po is the longest river in Italy, stretching across the northern Italian plain from the Cottian Alps in the west to the Adriatic Sea in the east. It flows through the regions of Piedmont, Lombardy, Emilia-Romagna, and Veneto.

**Which regions does the Po river flow through?**

The Po river flows through four major Italian regions: Piedmont (where it originates in the Cottian Alps), Lombardy, Emilia-Romagna, and Veneto (where it empties into the Adriatic Sea via its delta).

**What are the aliases of the Po river?**

The Po river is also known as the "River Po" or "Po River" in English contexts, while the Italian name is simply "Po" or "Fiume Po."

**What is the historical significance of the name "Pô"?**

The name "Pô" refers to a former French department in Italy that existed from September 11, 1802, to 1814, during the Napoleonic period. This department was named after the Po river and was part of the French Empire's territorial organization in northern Italy.

**What is the relationship between the Po river and Via Po in Turin?**

Via Po is a street located in Turin, Italy, named after the Po river. Turin (Torino) is one of the major cities along the Po river's course and sits at the river's confluence with the Dora Baltea tributary.

**How is the Po river connected to Italy's road network?**

The Po river region is connected to Italy's road infrastructure through State Road 10 (Strada Statale 10), a state road that runs through the Po River valley in Italy, facilitating transportation across the northern Italian plain.

## Why It Matters

The Po river holds immense significance for Italy for several interconnected reasons. As the country's longest river, it serves as the primary waterway draining the entire northern Italian plain, an area that contains some of Italy's most productive agricultural lands and densely populated urban centers including Milan, Turin, Bologna, and Venice. The river's extensive drainage basin supports agricultural irrigation, industrial water supply, and hydroelectric power generation across multiple regions.

The Po River valley (Valle del Po) has been historically one of the most important geographical features shaping Italian civilization, from Roman times through the Renaissance to the modern industrial era. The river's floodplain contains some of Italy's most fertile farmland, making it the country's agricultural heartland. Additionally, the Po Delta represents a unique ecological habitat and has been recognized for its environmental importance.

The river also plays a crucial role in Italy's transportation infrastructure, with roads, railways, and industrial facilities concentrated along its banks. The cities of Turin, Milan, and Venice—all major economic and cultural centers—have historical and geographical connections to the Po river system. Its significance is reflected in Italian cultural references, place names (such as Via Po in Turin), and even historical administrative divisions (the former French department of Pô).

## Notable For

- **Longest River in Italy:** The Po holds the distinction of being Italy's longest river, stretching across the entire northern Italian plain from the Alps to the Adriatic Sea.

- **Crosses Four Major Regions:** The river flows through Piedmont, Lombardy, Emilia-Romagna, and Veneto—four of Italy's most economically important administrative regions.

- **Historical Administrative Unit:** The name "Pô" was used for a French department in Italy (1802-1814), demonstrating the river's historical importance in territorial organization.

- **Major Urban Centers:** The Po river passes near or through several of Italy's largest cities, including Turin, Milan, and the Venice metropolitan area.

- **Cultural Landmark:** Via Po in Turin is a significant street named after the river, indicating its cultural prominence in Italian urban geography.

- **Transportation Corridor:** The river valley hosts State Road 10 and other critical transportation infrastructure connecting Italy's northern regions.

- **Delta Ecosystem:** The Po Delta where the river meets the Adriatic Sea represents a significant ecological zone in northern Italy.

## Body

### Geography and Course

The Po river originates in the Cottian Alps in the Piedmont region of northwestern Italy. From its source, the river flows eastward across the Po Valley (Pianura Padana), which is one of the largest river plains in Europe. The river's course runs generally from west to east, following the natural slope of the northern Italian peninsula toward the Adriatic Sea.

The geographical coordinates of the river span from approximately 44.701444°N, 7.093056°E in the upper course region to 44.97°N, 12.546944°E near the delta area where it empties into the Adriatic Sea. This extensive east-west trajectory crosses through diverse terrain, from mountainous source regions to the flat alluvial plains that characterize much of northern Italy.

### Regional Significance

The Po river flows through four of Italy's twenty regions, making it a truly national waterway that connects different parts of the Italian north:

**Piedmont (Piemonte):** The river originates in this northwestern Italian region, which is bordered by France and Switzerland. Piedmont is characterized by its Alpine and Apennine mountain ranges, and the Po serves as one of the major rivers draining the region's waters toward the Adriatic.

**Lombardy (Lombardia):** One of Italy's most populous and economically productive regions, Lombardy is home to Milan, the country's financial and fashion capital. The Po river forms part of Lombardy's southern boundary and serves as a crucial water resource for the region.

**Emilia-Romagna:** This region, which includes the city of Bologna, lies entirely within the Po River basin. The fertile alluvial plains of Emilia-Romagna are among Italy's most productive agricultural areas, directly benefiting from the Po's waters.

**Veneto:** The Po river flows into the Adriatic Sea through the Veneto region, creating the Po Delta—a complex ecosystem of wetlands, lagoons, and marshlands that extend into the northern Adriatic coastal area.

### Historical Context

The Po river has played a fundamental role in Italian history since ancient times. The Po Valley was one of the first areas of Italy to be heavily populated and cultivated due to its fertile soils and accessible water supply. Roman civilization established numerous settlements along the river's banks, and the river served as an important transportation route connecting the Italian peninsula with the broader Roman world.

During the Napoleonic era (1802-1814), the river gave its name to the French department of Pô (or "Pô"), which was created as part of France's reorganization of Italian territories. This administrative division existed from September 11, 1802, until the fall of Napoleonic rule in 1814, when the territory was returned to the Kingdom of Sardinia and later became part of unified Italy.

### Cultural and Urban Connections

The Po river's influence extends into Italian urban geography and culture. One notable example is Via Po, a significant street located in Turin, Italy. Turin (Torino), situated at the confluence of the Po river and the Dora Baltea stream, has historically been one of the major cities along the river's course. The presence of Via Po demonstrates how the river has shaped Italian urban planning and toponymy.

The river valley also contains State Road 10 (Strada Statale 10), an important Italian state road that follows all or part of the Po River's course. This road, along with railways and other infrastructure, makes the Po Valley one of Italy's most heavily traveled transportation corridors.

### Relationship to Other Waterways

As the principal river of northern Italy, the Po serves as the main drainage channel for numerous tributaries that flow from the Alps and Apennines. These tributaries contribute significant water volume to the Po system, making it the largest river in Italy by discharge volume as well as length. The river's extensive tributary network drains water from much of northern Italy, creating an integrated watershed that supports agricultural, industrial, and domestic water needs across multiple regions.

### Modern Importance

In contemporary Italy, the Po river remains vital for multiple sectors. The river provides water for agricultural irrigation in the Po Valley, one of Europe's most productive agricultural regions. It supports industrial water supply for manufacturing facilities concentrated in the Milan-Turin-Bologna industrial corridor. Additionally, hydroelectric power generation facilities along the river and its tributaries contribute to Italy's renewable energy production.

The Po Delta also holds ecological significance, serving as a habitat for diverse bird species and supporting fishing communities in the Adriatic Sea. Environmental protection efforts have been implemented to preserve the delta ecosystem and maintain water quality throughout the river system.

### Data and References

The Po river is documented in multiple knowledge bases and reference systems. The Wikidata entry describes the river as the "longest river in Italy" with a sitelink count of 107, indicating its presence across numerous language editions of Wikipedia. The English Wikipedia article is titled "Po (river)" and provides comprehensive information about the river's geography, history, and significance. The Italian Wikipedia article uses the native name "Po (fiume)" to describe the same waterway.

## References

1. Integrated Authority File
2. [Source](http://www.adbpo.it/on-multi/ADBPO/Home/IlbacinodelPo.html)
3. museum-digital