Europe · Southern Europe
Italian Republic
Italy is a boot-shaped peninsula in Southern Europe, extending into the Mediterranean Sea. With the world's greatest concentration of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Italy is a treasure trove of art, architecture, and history, from the Roman Colosseum to the Renaissance masterpieces of Florence and the canals of Venice.
Lombardy
Region · Milan
Lazio
Region · Rome
Campania
Region · Naples
Sicily
Region · Palermo
Veneto
Region · Venice
Tuscany
Region · Florence
Piedmont
Region · Turin
Emilia-Romagna
Region · Bologna
Rome
Population: 2,857,321
The Eternal City, Italy's capital and a living museum of ancient history
Milan
Population: 1,406,242
Italy's fashion and financial capital, home to the world's top designers
Naples
Population: 917,130
The birthplace of pizza, set beneath the shadow of Mount Vesuvius
Turin
Population: 848,748
Industrial city known for its Baroque architecture and as the first capital of unified Italy
Florence
Population: 358,079
Cradle of the Renaissance, home to the Uffizi Gallery and Brunelleschi's Dome
Venice
Population: 247,000
City built on 118 islands, connected by canals and bridges
Italy occupies the Italian Peninsula and includes the islands of Sicily and Sardinia. The Alps form the northern border, while the Apennines run down the length of the peninsula. Italy is surrounded by the Tyrrhenian, Adriatic, Ionian, and Ligurian seas.
Northern Italy has a continental climate with cold winters and warm summers. The Mediterranean climate dominates the center and south, with mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers. The Alps have an alpine climate.
Colosseum
Rome
Ancient Roman amphitheater completed in 80 AD, once hosting gladiatorial contests and public spectacles
Vatican City
Rome
The world's smallest independent state and seat of the Roman Catholic Church
Venice Canals
Venice
UNESCO World Heritage city built on a lagoon with 150+ canals and 400+ bridges
Leaning Tower of Pisa
Pisa
Famed bell tower with a pronounced lean of about 4 degrees
Amalfi Coast
Campania
UNESCO World Heritage dramatic coastal scenery with colorful villages and turquoise waters
Italy has 20 regions, each with its own distinct culture, cuisine, and dialect.
Italy has more UNESCO World Heritage Sites than any other country in the world.
The Italian peninsula is bordered by three seas: the Adriatic, the Tyrrhenian, and the Ionian.
Mount Etna in Sicily is the largest active volcano in Europe.
Italy is the world's largest wine producer by volume.
Italian is spoken by approximately 85 million people worldwide.
Italy has more UNESCO World Heritage Sites than any other country.
Italy holds the world record for the greatest number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, with 58 properties inscribed on the list. These include ancient Roman ruins, Renaissance cities, natural landscapes, and prehistoric rock art.
France's 13 metropolitan regions were established in their current form in 2016, following a major administrative reform. Each region has distinct geography, culture, and economic characteristics that make France one of Europe's most diverse countries.
Switzerland is one of the world's most successful federal democracies. Discover how this landlocked Alpine nation harmonizes 26 sovereign cantons and four official languages without centralizing cultural power.
Test your knowledge of world capitals. Can you match the country to its capital city?
Can you identify which country these flags belong to? Test your flag knowledge with this visual geography quiz.
Last updated: 2024-01-01