[3] Although located close to the independent Republic of San Marino, Forlì-Cesena does not share a land border with the sovereign state.

The city was later governed by Girolamo Riario and his wife, Caterina Sforza; during this period, the Holy See attempted to regain control but was unsuccessful.

Antipope Clement VII's troops almost completely destroyed Cesena in 1377, and the Pope gave the city to the House of Malatesta.

[5] In 1921, there was a rapid advance of the Fascist movement in the region triggered by issues connected with agrarian reform.

To the west lies the Metropolitan City of Florence and, further south, the province of Arezzo, both in the region of Tuscany.

The role of the provincial capital is shared by the two cities of Cesena and Forlì, the latter of which is situated on the bank of the Montone river about 70 km (43 mi) southeast of Bologna.