Situated in the North West of the country, on the banks of the Po River and surrounded by the Alps, Turin is the administrative center of the Piedmont Region and the third biggest city in Italy. The urban area is bordered by what has always been historically known as the "Corona Delle Delizie", the crown or ring of delights, formed by the Royal Residences dotted around the outside of the city. Turin's great location, close to mountains, countryside, rivers, and lakes, provides an excellent environment for a wide range of sports and outdoor activities. Ski slopes and mountain walking trails are only an hour's drive away. Rowing, rafting, and kayaking are very accessible: many of the city's rowing clubs, on the banks of the Po River, were founded over a century ago.