Italy
Rome · Southern Europe
Italy is a country in Europe. Its capital city is Rome, the official currency is the Euro, and the main language is Italian.
With a population of roughly 58.9 million people spread over 301,340 km², Italy is the 25th most populous country in the world and the 71st largest by area. That works out at about 195 people per square kilometre.
Italy shares land borders with France, Switzerland, Austria, Slovenia, San Marino and Vatican City — 6 neighbours in all. Its largest urban centres are Rome, Milan and Naples. The highest point in the country is Monte Bianco, at 4,808 metres.
For scale, it covers almost exactly the same area as Philippines, while its population is closest to that of South Africa.
- Capital
- Rome
- Region
- Southern Europe
- Population
- 58,900,000
- Area
- 301,340 km²
- Currency
- Euro
- Main language
- Italian
- Highest point
- Monte Bianco
4,808 m - Land borders
- 6
Italy: things worth knowing
- Italy completely surrounds two other sovereign states, San Marino and Vatican City.
- It has more UNESCO World Heritage Sites than any other country.
- Mount Etna in Sicily is the most active volcano in Europe and has been erupting on and off for at least 2,700 years.
Italy in context
Europe has 44 sovereign countries in total. Italy ranks 5th among them by population.
See the full list of Europe countries, or browse all 195 countries.