Italy
Italian Republic
People: Italian
Italy is home to more UNESCO World Heritage Sites than any other country, from Rome's Colosseum to the canals of Venice. Italy is located in Southern Europe and has a population of around 58.9 million. Its capital city is Rome, and the most widely spoken official language is Catalan.
By the numbers, Italy is the 25th most populous of the 196 countries covered on this site, home to 0.74% of the world's population. By land area it ranks 72nd out of 196, with a population density of roughly 196 people per km².
Facts last checked 31 August 2026.
Italy — key facts at a glance
| Official Name | Italian Republic |
|---|---|
| Capital City | Rome |
| Continent | Europe |
| Region | Southern Europe |
| Population | 58,927,633 |
| Area | 301,336 km² |
| Currency | Euro (EUR) € |
| Official Languages | Catalan, Italian |
| Dialling Code | +39 |
| Internet TLD | .it |
| Timezone | UTC+01:00 |
| Drives on the | Right side |
| Emergency Number | 112 |
| ISO Code | IT / ITA |
| Borders | Austria, France, San Marino, Slovenia, Switzerland, Vatican City |
Travelling to Italy?
Before you fly, run through a free packing checklist for Italy. Pack a universal travel adapter for your devices. You can also check clothing and shoe sizes in Italy before you shop, and look up popular foods from Italy if you want to know what's on the menu.
Leaving your car at a UK airport? Compare off-airport parking with Airparks before you fly to Italy. US: Want to learn a few phrases before you go? Try a 1-on-1 lesson with a real teacher on italki.
Getting to and around Italy
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Planning a trip to Italy?
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Frequently Asked Questions about Italy
What is the capital and currency of Italy?
The capital of Italy is Rome and the currency is the Euro (EUR), symbol €.
What is the capital of Italy?
The capital of Italy is Rome.
What currency does Italy use?
Italy uses the Euro (EUR, symbol: €).
What language do they speak in Italy?
The official languages of Italy are Catalan and Italian.
What is the dialling code for Italy?
The international dialling code for Italy is +39.
What side of the road does Italy drive on?
Italy drives on the right-hand side of the road.
Countries bordering Italy
Austria
France
San Marino
Slovenia
Switzerland
Vatican CityThis page contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission if you purchase through our links, at no extra cost to you. Learn more.
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