Historical Timeline
April 21, 753 BCE – Traditional founding of Rome
509 BCE – Establishment of Roman Republic
27 BCE – Beginning of Roman Empire under Augustus
September 4, 476 CE – Fall of Western Roman Empire
December 25, 800 CE – Charlemagne crowned Emperor
February 2, 962 CE – Holy Roman Empire established
circa 1300–1600 – Renaissance period flourishes in Italy
May 6, 1527 – Sack of Rome by Charles V’s troops
1796–1797 – Napoleon invades and occupies Italy
June 9, 1815 – Congress of Vienna concludes
March 17, 1861 – Proclamation of the Kingdom of Italy
September 20, 1870 – Rome annexed; final unification
May 23, 1915 – Italy enters World War I
October 28, 1922 – Mussolini’s March on Rome
June 10, 1940 – Italy enters World War II
July 25, 1943 – Mussolini deposed
June 2, 1946 – Italy becomes a republic via referendum
January 1, 1948 – New constitution takes effect
March 25, 1957 – Founding of the European Economic Community (Treaty of Rome)
January 1, 2002 – Euro becomes official currency
October 22, 2022 – Giorgia Meloni becomes first female Prime Minister
General Information
Country: Italy
Location: Southern Europe
Capital: Rome
Language: Italian
Currency: Euro (€)
Population: ~59 million
Time Zone: Central European Time (CET)
Topography
Borders: France, Switzerland, Austria, Slovenia
Landscape: Alps, Apennines, plains, Mediterranean coastline
Islands: Sicily, Sardinia
Major Rivers: Po, Tiber, Arno
Demography
Ethnic Group: Predominantly Italian
Religion: Mostly Roman Catholic (approx. 74%) (last updated: 2021)
Urban Population: ~71% (last updated: 2023)
Aging Population: ~24% aged 65+ (last updated: 2024)
Culture
Famous For: Art, architecture, music, cuisine, fashion
Cuisine: Pasta, pizza, olive oil, espresso, gelato
Arts: Renaissance, opera, sculpture, literature
Sports: Football (soccer), cycling, motorsports
Economy
Economy Type: Mixed, advanced
GDP: Approx. $2.3 trillion USD (last updated: 2024)
Major Industries: Fashion, automotive, tourism, agriculture, manufacturing
Key Exports: Machinery, vehicles, clothing, food, wine
Unemployment Rate: ~7.4% (last updated: 2024)
Economic Regions: Industrial north, agricultural south
Politics/Government
Government Type: Parliamentary republic
Head of State: President Sergio Mattarella (last updated: April 2025)
Head of Government: Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni (last updated: April 2025)
Legislature: Bicameral (Chamber of Deputies & Senate)
Constitution: In effect since 1948
Travel Attractions
Rome: Colosseum, Vatican City
Venice: Canals, St. Mark’s Basilica
Florence: Uffizi Gallery, Duomo
Milan: Fashion capital, Milan Cathedral
Nature: Amalfi Coast, Tuscany, Dolomites, Lake Como
UNESCO World Heritage Sites: 59 (last updated: 2023)