Back to Italy Page

Facts about Italy

  • Rome is the capital of Italy and was established in 753 BC
  • There are 7 famous hills in Italy - Viminal, Quirinal, Palantine, Esquiline, Capitoline, Caelian, and Aventine.
  • There are over 3,000 museums in Italy.
  • There are over 1500 lakes in Italy.
  • The Po is the longest river in Italy.
  • There are 16 regions in Italy with 4 autonomous regions.
  • Eyeglasses, the Vespa, Gelato, and the thermometer were all invented in Italy.
  • Over 2/3rds of Italy is mountainous or hilly.
  • The alps border part of northern Italy.
  • Italy is surrounded by the Mediterranean, Lugurian, Ionian, Tyrrhenan and Adriatic seas.
  • There are several smaller islands in Italy, but Sicily and Sadinia are the larger islands.
  • There are 3 active volcanoes in Italy - Vesuvius, Etna and Stromboli.
  • Milan is the second largest city in Italy and the head of fashion and finance.
  • Italy's national dish is pasta.
  • Ancient art uncovered, revealed that Italians have been eating pasta since the 4th century BC.
  • Pizza originated in Naples in 1860.
  • Italy is the largest wine producer in the world.