Italy Republic deatls

 Italy, officially known as the Italian Republic, is a country located in Southern and Western Europe. It features a peninsula that stretches into the Mediterranean Sea, bordered by the Alps to the north, and includes notable islands such as Sicily and Sardinia. Italy shares borders with France, Switzerland, Austria, Slovenia, and two enclaves: Vatican City and San Marino. Covering an area of 301,340 km² (116,350 sq mi), it is the tenth-largest country in Europe and the third-most populous member of the European Union, with a population of nearly 60 million. The capital and largest city is Rome, with other significant urban centers including Milan, Naples, Turin, Florence, and Venice.

**Italian Republic**  

*Repubblica Italiana (Italian)*  

**Flag of Italy**  

**Emblem of Italy**  

**Anthem:** "Il Canto degli Italiani" ("The Song of the Italians")

Venezia Giulia includes co-official languages such as French in the Aosta Valley, Slovene in Trieste and Gorizia, and Ladin in South Tyrol and Trentino. Friulian is co-official in Friuli-Venezia Giulia, while Sardinian holds co-official status in Sardinia. Before 2002, the Italian lira was the currency, but the euro is used in Campione d'Italia, where the official currency is the Swiss franc. To call Campione d'Italia, the Swiss code +41 is necessary.

In ancient times, Italy was inhabited by various peoples, with Rome emerging as a kingdom before evolving into a republic that conquered much of the Mediterranean and later ruled as an empire. With the rise of Christianity, Rome became the center of the Catholic Church. The fall of the Western Roman Empire marked the beginning of the Early Middle Ages, characterized by migrations from Germanic tribes. By the 11th century, prosperous Italian city-states and maritime republics were pivotal in commerce, laying the foundations for modern capitalism. The Italian Renaissance in the 15th and 16th centuries spread throughout Europe, fueled by Italian explorers who opened new trade routes. However, internal rivalries kept the peninsula divided for centuries, and by the 17th and 18th centuries, Italy's economic prominence declined.

After centuries of fragmentation, Italy achieved near-unification in 1861 following the wars of independence and the Expedition of the Thousand, forming the Kingdom of Italy. Rapid industrialization occurred mainly in the north from the late 19th to early 20th centuries, while the impoverished south contributed to a significant wave of emigration to the Americas. Italy fought alongside the Entente in World War I and later fell under fascist rule in 1922. During World War II, Italy initially joined the Axis powers before switching sides to the Allies following its surrender. After the war, Italy transitioned from a monarchy to a republic and experienced a strong recovery.

Today, Italy is a developed nation with the ninth-largest nominal GDP globally and the second-largest manufacturing sector in Europe. It plays a significant role in regional and global affairs, being a founding member of the European Union and participating in organizations such as NATO, the G7, and the G20. Italy is also a cultural powerhouse, known for its contributions to art, music, literature, cuisine, and fashion. It boasts the highest number of World Heritage Sites (59) and is the fifth-most visited country in the world.