Italy Facts

Italy is a favorite destination for travelers all around the world, who want to experience this European nation's famous historical sites, food, and charm. Find information about Italy including history, maps, tradition, cities, currency, and economy.

Where is Italy?
The Italian Republic is a nation located in southern Europe on the Italian peninsula. Italy is bordered by France, Switzerland, Austria, and Slovenia around the north, and around its other three sides, it is surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea. Sardinia and Sicily, two islands in the Mediterranean, are also part of the Italian Republic. The total area of the republic is 301,338 square kilometers (116,346 square miles) and it has an estimated population of 60,813,326.

What is the capital of Italy?
Rome is the capital of Italy. Rome is located in central Italy, along the west. The total area of Rome is 1,285.31 square kilometers (496.26 square miles) and it has an estimated population of 2,777,979. Rome was also the capital city of the Roman Kingdom, the Roman Republic, and the Roman Empire.

What is the currency of Italy?
The euro replaced the Italian Lira in 2002, and is the sole currency of the country.

What is the largest city in Italy?
The largest city of Italy is Rome. Situated on the Tiber River, Rome has a history that spans 2.5 thousand years. It is the third most visited city in the European Union, and its historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site for the many historic features it holds.

What is the official language of Italy?
Italian is the official language of the Italian Republic. There are numerous dialects spoken in each region of the country. French is the co-official language in Valle d'Aosta, while German has the same status in the province of South Tyrol. Slovene is recognized in the provinces of Trieste, Gorizia and Udine in Friuli-Venezia Giulia.

What is the religion of Italy?
About 87.8% of the population of Italy identifies as Roman Catholic. As home to the Vatican and numerous cathedrals, Italy is famous for its rich Catholic culture. Roman catholic art and architecture flourished during the Middle Ages. Italy has the greatest number of cardinals in the world. There are also populations of Jews, Baha'is, Muslims and Sikhs in the country.

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Last Updated On : December 14, 2012