Italy
Italy is unmistakable on the map — a long boot-shaped peninsula kicking the island of Sicily into the central Mediterranean, with Sardinia to the west. The Alps form its northern wall and the Apennines run down its spine.
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Key facts
| Capital | Rome |
|---|---|
| Continent | Europe |
| Region | Southern Europe |
| Main language(s) | Italian |
| Land borders | France, Switzerland, Austria, Slovenia, San Marino, Vatican City |
Geography
Two of the world's smallest states sit entirely within Italy: San Marino and Vatican City, the latter an enclave inside Rome itself.
Neighbours
Italy shares land borders with 6 countries: France, Switzerland, Austria, Slovenia, San Marino, Vatican City. Knowing a country's neighbours is one of the best ways to fix its place on the map — try our Name a Neighbour game to practise.
Did you know? Italy completely surrounds two other countries: San Marino and Vatican City.