Emilia-Romagna is a horizontal swathe in the north of Italy, from the Adriatic right up to Piedmont, comprising the provinces of Bologna, Ferrara, Modena, Parma, Piacenza, Reggio nell'Emilia, Forlì and Ravenna. The fertile plains of Emilia around the River Po produce wheat, sugar beet, tomatoes, maize, rice and other crops. Food processing is the principal industry and this region produces probably the best regional dishes and foods in Italy. Emilia is also the home of Parma ham and prosciutto, Parmesan cheese and balsamic vinegar di Modena, not to mention coppa, mortadella and pancetta. Romagna is a tougher part of the world with wooded, rocky mountains, fertile plains and coastline and their food is mainly coarser, peasant food or fish.
