Ancona is a city and a seaport in the Marche region of central Italy, with a population of around 101,997 as of 2015. Ancona is the capital of the homonymous province and of the region. The city is located 280 km (170 mi) northeast of Rome, on the Adriatic Sea, between the slopes of the two extremities of the promontory of Monte Conero, Monte Astagno and Monte Guasco. The hilly nature around Ancona is a strong contrast to the flatter coastline in areas further north.