Italy — Capital, Flag and Country Facts

Explore Italy: capital Rome, population, flag, geography, languages, history and culture.

Italy is in Europe. Its capital is Rome.

Climate

Predominantly Mediterranean; Alpine in the north with cold winters, hot dry summers in the south

Rugged and mountainous with the Alps in the north, the Apennines running down the peninsula, and fertile plains in the Po Valley

Italy has more UNESCO World Heritage Sites than any other country.

Italy has a free wine fountain in the village of Caldari di Ortona that runs 24/7.

The University of Bologna, founded in 1088, is the oldest continuously operating university in the world.

753: Traditional founding of Rome by Romulus

1271: Marco Polo begins his journey to Asia

1861: Kingdom of Italy is proclaimed, unifying the peninsula

1946: Italy becomes a republic after a popular referendum

1957: Italy is a founding member of the European Economic Community