#158: Using the definite article with geography
The definite article has a special set of rules when applied to geographic place names, such as cities, geographic formations, lakes, rivers, cities, locations within cities, etc. The following rules below govern the use of the definite article:
The definite article is used with the names of continents, countries, and regions. The continents (i continenti) are all feminine:
l’Africa
l’America meridionale| South America
l’America settentrionale | North America
l’Antartide | Antarctica
l’Asia
l’Europa
l’Oceania | Oceania, which includes Australia and nearby islands
The regions (le regione d’Italia) of Italy vary between masculine and feminine:
la Lombardia
la Campania
il Lazio
la Sicilia
il Veneto
il Piemonte
l’Emilia-Romagna
la Puglia
la Toscana
la Calabria
la Sardegna
la Liguria
le Marche
l’Abruzzo (m.)
il Friuli-Venezia Giulia
il Trentino-Alto Adige
l’Umbria (f.)
la Basilicata
il Molise
la Valle d’Aosta
When the names of continents, countries and regions are used with the preposition, in, the definite article is not used (exception: nel Veneto). However, if the name of the continent, country or region is modified by an adjective, then the definite article is used.
Vado in Molise per la mia vacanza.
I’m going to Molise for my vacation.
I ricercatori vivono in Antartide per studiare i pinguini.
The researches are living in Antarctica to study the penguins.
Mia sorella è andata nella magnifica Francia per la luna di miele.
My sister went to magnificent France for the honeymoon.
If the noun (country, city, etc.) used with the preposition, in, is plural, then the definite article is used:
Andremo negli Stati Uniti a marzo. Mio marito vuole visitare i suoi.
We will go to the United States in march. My husband wants to visit his parents.
The definite article is used with continents, countries and regions with all other prepositions:
Partono per la Francia domani mattina.
They are leaving for France tomorrow morning.
The definite article is omitted with cities unless they are modified by an adjective (exceptions: L’Aquila, La Spezia, Il Cairo). Remember that cities are generally feminine unless indicated otherwise: la Roma, la Milano, La Palermo.
Mi piace la vecchia Parigi con le strade antiche.
I like the old Paris with the ancient streets.
With quarters or neighborhoods within cities, the rule vary on whether or not to use the article. Take your lead from native speakers or what you read and hear. Also, the names of the soccer teams always take the definite article. If the name of the team takes the adjectival form, then the team is feminine (for example, la Fiorentina). Otherwise, the teams are masculine (il Palermo, il Milan, L’Inter). Note the exception for Rome: la Roma, la Lazio.
The article is optional for streets:
(La) Via Veneto è sempre magnifica a Natale.
Via Veneto is always magnficient at Christmas.
Omit the article when street names and piazza names are used with prepositions:
La mia amica abita in Via Cardoni 26.
My friend lives on Via Cardoni 26.
With the name of piazzas, the article is not used when the name of the piazza includes a family name. With other piazzas, the definite article is used:
L’ho vista nella Piazza del Plebiscito.
I saw her in the Piazza del Plebiscito.
Vuoi incontrare in Piazza Farnese?
Do you want to meet in the Piazza Farnese?
Small islands do not take definite articles, but there are exceptions: l’Elba, il Giglio. Large islands use definite articles: La Sicilia, La Sardegna, La Groelandia (exceptions: Cipro, Creta). Island groups and archipelagoes use the definite article: le Eolie, le Canarie, le Baleari.
The definite article is used with mountains and mountain chains as well as with the names of rivers, lakes and seas. Rivers, lakes and seas are generally masculine.
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