Ancona is the regional capital and its a natural port, dating back to the 5th century BC, when it was founded by Greek exiles from Siracusa in Sicily. Together with Pesaro, which is the birthplace of composer Gioacchino Rossini, its one of the pivotal centres of the coastline. In the hinterland the medieval highlights of the region are the cities of Ascoli Piceno and Urbino.

The region is full of natural beauty and has two national parks (Monti Sibillini and Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga) and four regional parks (Monte Conero, Sasso Simone and Simoncello, Monte San Bartolo, Gola della Rossa and Gola di Frasassi). The Grotte di Frasassi are caves dating back thousands of years and with their small lakes, stalactites and gigantic stalagmites are among the largest accessible caverns in Europe.

The region's traditional industries are papermaking, shipbuilding, shoe manufacturing, food, furniture, musical instruments and synthesizers and apparel. Among the typical local products are: ceramics, terracotta, copper, rugs, wooden pipes, hats, musical instruments, toys, leather goods, furniture, gold, paper, straw, wicker and travertine.

The many delicacies of Le Marche include ciauscolo salami, cheese from Talamello matured in caves, prized truffles from Acqualagna, Sant'Angelo in Vado and Sant'Agata Feltria, casciotta cheese from Urbino, ham from Carpegna and salami from Fabriano.

Among the local dishes you have Ancona-style dried cod, "vincisgrassi" (lasagne made with chicken livers and truffles), Olive all'Ascolana (stuffed, fried olives from Ascoli Piceno), and 'brodetto' (fish stew).

The region has 12 DOC wines, the main regional white is the excellent Verdicchio, and other whites are the Bianchello del Metauro and the Bianco dei Colli Maceratesi. As for the reds Rosso Conero and the Rosso Piceno.