Italy

In brief

Italy is a country in Southern Europe. Its capital is Rome. With 58.9 million inhabitants in 2025, it ranks 25th in the world by population, out of the 195 countries recognised by the UN. Its area is 301,336 km². It shares land borders with Austria, France, San Marino, Slovenia, Switzerland and Vatican City.

GDP per capita stands at $43,309 (2025), 28th in the world. Life expectancy at birth is 84 years (2024). 70% of the population lives in cities.

History of Italy

Cradle of ancient Rome, a republic and then an empire that dominated the Mediterranean, Italy then remained divided for more than a thousand years: city-states, the republics of Venice and Genoa, the Papal States. Florence saw the birth of the Renaissance. The Risorgimento led to unification in 1861, and Rome became the capital in 1871. After Mussolini’s Fascism (1922-1943), a referendum established the Republic in 1946. In 1957 Italy signed the Treaty of Rome, which founded the European Community.

Geography of Italy

The boot-shaped peninsula is closed off in the north by the Alps, with the Po plain at their foot, and runs along the Apennines. It includes Sicily, Sardinia and active volcanoes such as Etna and Vesuvius. Its highest point is on the Mont Blanc massif. San Marino and the Vatican are enclaves within it.

Map of Italy

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Flag of Italy

The flag of Italy is red, white and green. Its official proportions are 2:3 (height to width).

• Green33%
• White33%
• Red33%

Share of the flag’s surface taken by each colour.

What the flag stands for

Green, white and red, inspired by the French flag brought by Bonaparte’s armies: it first appeared in 1797 with the Cispadane Republic. The green is said to come from the uniforms of the Milan civic guard.

Sources: Wikipedia, articles “Italy” and “Flag of Italy”.

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Fact file

Economy and society