Como is a city and comune situated in the Lombardy region of Italy. It serves as the administrative capital of the Province of Como. The city rests on the southwestern branch of Lake Como, positioned at the southern end of this western basin. Its location is defined by proximity to the Alps and wooded moraine hills that surround the area.

The settlement was originally inhabited by the Celtic Orobii tribe during the Iron Age. Around the first century BC, Julius Caesar ordered the town moved to its current site, draining nearby swamps and establishing a walled city with a Roman grid plan. This new foundation was named Novum Comum and granted the status of municipium.

The urban landscape features opulent palaces, verdant gardens, and significant religious sites including the Duomo and the Basilica of Sant'Abbondio. Notable landmarks include Villa Olmo, the Tempio Voltiano within public gardens, the Teatro Sociale, and the medieval Broletto town hall. The city also contains Casa del Fascio, a key example of modernist architecture.

Como attracts tourists due to its prime location and rich collection of art and history. It is renowned for being the birthplace of figures such as Pliny the Elder, Pliny the Younger, and Alessandro Volta, the inventor of the electric battery. Historically famed for silk production until the late 1980s, it remains a popular destination for visitors seeking cultural heritage.

The city has a population of 83,184 as of 2023. It borders Switzerland to the northwest, forming a unique urban area with Chiasso, and lies approximately 40 km from Milan. The climate features hot summers and winters with frequent snow, while rainfall averages around 1,500 mm annually, supporting a humid environment.