Home to a floating city of bridges and canals and the largest wine production in the world, these are the most interesting facts about Italy.
Fast facts
Official name: Italian Republic
Population: 60,964,931
Area: 301,340 sq km
Capital city: Rome
Major languages: Italian (official)
Major religions: 80.8% Christian (predominantly Roman Catholic)
Time zone: UTC+01:00 (W. Europe Standard Time)
Interesting facts about Italy
1. Italy is located in south-central Europe and is often recognized for its boot-like shape.
2. Italy is the 3rd most populous state in the EU. Only Germany and France have a higher population.
3. Greeks first settled in the southern tip of the Italian Peninsula in the eighth and seventh centuries B.C.. The Etruscans, Romans, and others inhabited other areas until the peninsula was brought together by the Roman Empire, which eventually collapsed in the fifth century A.D.
4. The Renaissance was the rebirth of Italy, marking a period of change in the 15th century. During this era, the kings of England, France, and Spain, as well as the Pope and the Holy Roman Emperor, contended for dominance over the prosperous Italian peninsula.
5. From the 15th to the 18th century, Italian territories were governed by France, the Holy Roman Empire, Spain, and Austria.
6. After World War II, the 1947 peace treaty led to some changes in Italy’s borders. A small part of its border with France was adjusted, and the eastern border area was given to Yugoslavia. The area around the city of Trieste was made a free territory. In 1954, this free territory was divided between Italy and Yugoslavia, with the city of Trieste going to Italy.
7. The Roman Catholic Church’s role in Italy has been defined by agreements with the Italian government since the Church lost its temporal power in 1870. The Lateran Pacts of 1929, which are part of Italy’s current constitution, recognize Vatican City as an independent state.
8. In 1984, Italy and the Vatican updated these agreements, ending Roman Catholicism’s status as the state religion of Italy.
9. Italy’s monarchy was abolished in a referendum and was replaced with a republic in 1946.
10. Italy’s flag consists of three vertical stripes of equal width. The colors are green on the left, white in the middle, and red on the right. The green is often associated with the country’s plains and hills, white represents the snow-capped Alps, and red symbolizes the blood shed in the wars of Italian independence.
11. Italy was an original founding member of the European Union in 1957. Just six countries, Italy, along with Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands, joined forces at that time to form the organization.
12. Italy receives the fifth-highest number of international tourists globally. They served 49.94 million tourists in 2019.
13. About €3,000 EUR worth of change gets thrown into the Trevi Fountain every day. That’s roughly one and a half million euros every year.
14. An enclaved country is a sovereign state that is completely surrounded by the territory of one other country. There are only three enclave countries in the world. Two of them are within Italy: Vatican City and San Marino.
15. Italy’s cultural contributions were significant during the Renaissance. Achievements in painting, music, poetry, sculpture, and architecture flourished at this time.
16. Italy is the biggest wine-producing country and exporter by volume. It produced about 50 million hectoliters in 2022.
17. Italy has the fifth-lowest fertility rate among the EU member states in 2022, at 1.24 live births per woman. Only Albania, Spain, Ukraine, and Malta had lower fertility rates.
18. Italy is home to 60 properties on the UNESCO World Heritage list, the country with the highest number of UNESCO heritage sites in the world. China takes second place at 59 properties.
19. Via Appia Antica, or Appian Way, was 60th on the World Heritage list. It is considered the earliest and most important road built by the ancient Romans, which they began building in 312 BC. Many important monuments and milestones mark the 360-mile ancient road, which connects Rome to its distant settlements.
20. In 2023, 58,496 more people moved to Italy than left it. Italy has the fourth-largest positive net migration number recorded within the EU. Only Germany, France and Ukraine had higher numbers.
21. Italy’s economy changed dramatically over the years. Before World War II, Italy relied on its agriculture, but it later became an industrial powerhouse. Italy is the second-largest manufacturing country in Europe and the seventh-largest in the world.
22. That’s not to say that Italy has neglected farming. Their agri-food system contributes to around 15% of the GDP, making it the fourth-largest exporter of processed agricultural products (PAPs) in the EU in 2023.
23. The oldest first-time mothers in the EU were found in Italy and Spain (31.4 years).
24. Italy was the world’s largest exporter of pasta ($4.16B) and processed tomatoes ($2.55B) in 2022.
25. Mount Etna, Europe’s most active volcano, is located in Italy. It is the largest of Italy’s three active volcanoes.
26. Mount Vesuvius destroyed the city of Pompeii in Italy in 79 CE. It was rediscovered in 1748. The city meets the Guinness World Records standards for “longest continually excavated site.”
27. Despite Italy not growing or producing coffee beans, the Italians love coffee and follow a particular schedule for their consumption. Cappuccinos are consumed in the morning before 11 am, Caffe Macchiatos in the afternoon, and Espressos after dinner.
28. Venice, also known as the “City of Canals”, the “City of Bridges”, or “The Floating City,” has often been named one of the most beautiful cities in the world. It is situated across 118 small islands separated by 400 bridges and canals.
Every effort has been made to verify these facts about Italy using primary sources. However, if you find an error or have any questions, please contact us.
Caitriona Maria is an education writer and owner of The Facts Institute. A teacher for seven years, she has been committed to providing students with the best learning opportunities possible, both domestically and abroad. Dedicated to unlocking students' potential, Caitriona has taught English in several countries and continues to explore new cultures through her travels.