The region is mostly mountains and hills, on the north-western border of Italy with France and Switzerland; surrounded by some of the highest mountains in Europe, such as the Gran Paradiso and Monte Rosa, it is occupied to the East by the Pianura Padana, crossed by the largest river in Italy, the Po, and its many tributaries.
Most of the population live in the plain, especially in the wide metropolitan area of Turin, Novara and Vercelli where a great many mechanical and car industries are located. Thanks to the great abundance of water agriculture is very important, the main products being rice, wine, maize, potatoes and the precious white truffle.