What is the capital of Italy?

Rome (Roma) is the capital and largest city of Italy. It is located in the Lazio region in central Italy at coordinates 41.9028 N, 12.4964 E. Rome serves as the country's political, cultural, and historical center and has a metropolitan population of over 4 million people. It has been the seat of the Italian government since 1871.

What currency does Italy use?

Italy uses the Euro (EUR, symbol €) as its official currency since January 1, 1999, when it became one of the founding members of the Eurozone. Coins and banknotes entered circulation on January 1, 2002, replacing the Italian Lira (ITL). The European Central Bank issues the currency.

What time zone does Italy use?

Italy observes Central European Time (CET, UTC+1) in winter and Central European Summer Time (CEST, UTC+2) during daylight saving time, which runs from the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in October. The entire country is in a single time zone.

What is Italy's population?

As of 2024, Italy's population is approximately 59–60 million people, making it the 23rd most populous country in the world and the third most populous in the European Union. Italy's population has been declining slightly due to low birth rates; the most populous cities are Rome, Milan, Naples, Turin, and Palermo.

What is Italy's international calling code?

Italy's country calling code is +39. When dialing from abroad, dial your country's exit code, then 39, followed by the local number. Italian landlines include the area code (e.g., 06 for Rome, 02 for Milan), which is retained even when calling from abroad, unlike many other countries.

When was Italy unified?

Italy was unified as the Kingdom of Italy on March 17, 1861, following the Risorgimento (Italian unification movement) led by figures such as Giuseppe Garibaldi, Count Cavour, and King Victor Emmanuel II. Rome was incorporated in 1871. The Italian Republic was proclaimed on June 2, 1946, after a referendum abolished the monarchy.

Italy Country Facts

Instantly browse key facts about Italy — geography, demographics, economy, and government — all in one organized reference card.

Official Name

Italian Republic

Repubblica Italiana in Italian

Capital City

Rome

Roma — 41.9028 N, 12.4964 E

Total Area

301,340 km²

116,348 sq mi — rank 71st globally

Continent / Region

Southern Europe

Apennine Peninsula; borders France, Switzerland, Austria, Slovenia

Bordering Countries

France, Switzerland, Austria

Also: Slovenia, San Marino, Vatican City

Time Zone

UTC+1 / UTC+2

CET in winter; CEST (daylight saving) in summer

Coastline

7,600 km

4,722 mi; borders Mediterranean, Adriatic, Tyrrhenian seas

Population (2024)

~59.8 million

Rank ~23rd globally; 3rd most populous in the EU

Official Language

Italian

Regional: German (South Tyrol), French (Aosta Valley), Slovene

Calling Code

+39

Area codes retained when dialing from abroad

Major Religion

Roman Catholic ~74%

Non-religious ~23%; home of the Holy See (Vatican)

Largest Cities

Rome, Milan, Naples

Also: Turin, Palermo, Genoa, Bologna, Florence

Life Expectancy

~83.5 years

Among the highest in the world; 2023 estimate

Government Type

Parliamentary republic

Unitary constitutional; bicameral parliament

President

Sergio Mattarella

In office since Feb 3, 2015; re-elected Jan 29, 2022

Prime Minister

Giorgia Meloni

In office since October 22, 2022 — first female PM

Republic Founded

June 2, 1946

Monarchy abolished by referendum; Risorgimento unification 1861

Administrative Divisions

20 regions

107 provinces; 5 special-statute autonomous regions

National Motto

No official motto

EU membership since founding in 1957 (Treaty of Rome)

Currency

Euro (EUR, €)

Replaced the Italian Lira (ITL) on January 1, 2002

Nominal GDP (2023)

~USD 2.1 trillion

Rank ~8th globally (IMF); 3rd largest in the EU

GDP per Capita (2023)

~USD 35,500

PPP: ~USD 53,000 (World Bank estimate)

Top Exports

Machinery, vehicles

Also: pharmaceuticals, food, fashion, chemicals

Major Industries

Tourism, manufacturing

Also: fashion (Milan), food and wine, automotive (Ferrari, Fiat)

Internet TLD

.it

Administered by IIT-CNR since 1987

ISO Codes

IT / ITA

ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 and alpha-3

National Holiday

Republic Day

June 2 — Festa della Repubblica; celebrates 1946 republic referendum

Drives On

Right side of the road

Steering wheel on the left

UNESCO Heritage Sites

58 sites

Most in the world; includes Colosseum, Venice, Pompeii, Florence

Annual Tourists

~57 million arrivals

Among top 5 most visited countries globally (2023)

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Summary

Italy is a Southern European nation covering 301,340 km² on the Apennine Peninsula, with a population of approximately 60 million people. As a founding member of the European Union and home to the world's greatest concentration of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Italy ranks among the world's top 10 economies. This reference tool presents Italy's essential facts — geography, demographics, government, economy, and culture — in a clear, searchable layout.

How it works

All facts are organized into thematic sections: Geography, People, Government, Economy, and Culture.
Use the search box to filter facts by keyword across all categories.
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Use cases

Quick lookup for students doing geography or social studies homework.
Travelers preparing for a trip who need currency, timezone, and calling code info.
Business professionals researching Italy's economy and GDP figures.
Journalists or writers needing accurate demographic and political facts.
Trivia enthusiasts brushing up on Italian country statistics.
Teachers preparing classroom materials about European countries.
Researchers studying the EU's third-largest economy.
Anyone curious about Italy's geography, government, history, or culture.

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Last updated: 2026-06-11 · Reviewed by Nham Vu

Italy Country Facts

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