Italy¶

Area

Europe

Italy is in southern Europe and is composed of the Italian peninsula (the big boot), and two large islands in the Mediterranean Sea (Sicily and Sardinia). Starting with the Greeks in the 8th century BCE, Italy has been the site of many important cultures and civilizations that have influenced the development of the entire Mediterranean area over the centuries, as well as Europe. The Etruscan Civilization was well developed by the time the Roman Empire began its rise in the area. Italy played a central role in the development of science and culture during the middle ages and Renaissance, and today is home to the world's greatest number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

In 1861, King Victor Emmanuel II, King of Piedmont, Savoy, and Sardinia assumed the title of King of Italy to become the first king of a united Italy. Rome remained under the control of the Papacy for a decade, before uniting with Italy. (The Vatican remains an independent enclave surrounded by Rome. Italy also contains the indepdendent country of San Marino within its borders.)

The Italians call their country Belpaese, which means "beautiful country."

Italy on Wikipedia