Italy is a country in Southern Europe, one of the 10 entries this site files under that subregion. The long form of the name is Italian Republic. Rome is the capital.
By land area it covers 301,336 km², which ranks it 74th of the 250 countries and territories in this dataset — just behind Oman and just ahead of Ecuador. That makes it a fraction smaller than Poland.
Around 59.0 million people live there, placing it 25th of 250 by population — between South Africa above it and Kenya below. Measured only against its own subregion, it is 2nd of 10 in size and 1st in population.
How Italy sits on the globe
The coordinates the dataset gives are 42.8° N, 12.8° E, which puts it in the northern hemisphere, roughly 4,768 km from the equator, in what geographers would call temperate latitudes.
Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan sit at almost exactly the same latitude on other parts of the globe.
It borders 6 neighbours: Austria, France, San Marino, Slovenia, Switzerland and Vatican City. The largest of them by area is France, which is also the most populous. Together those neighbours hold about 88.9 million people.
It has both a coastline and land borders, which is the most common arrangement of all.
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
Population, density and language
Spread across 301,336 km², that works out at about 196 people per square kilometre, which makes it more crowded than the typical entry on this list. For comparison, the median entry on this list sits near 90 per square kilometre.
Someone from Italy is an Italian.
The one official language is Italian. It shares that with San Marino, Switzerland and Vatican City.
Inside Europe it places 5th of 53 by population, and it accounts for 45% of everyone living in Southern Europe.
Currency and codes
The currency is the Euro (€, EUR). That is a shared currency: 37 other entries use it, including Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria and Croatia.
Its internet country code is .it. The international dialling code is +39. Standard country codes: it and ITA.
Rome is the city to remember for this country.
It holds a seat at the United Nations, one of 193 entries here that do. The other 57 entries are territories, dependencies or observers, which is why totals on this site run to 250 rather than the familiar 195.
Neighbouring countries
Italy shares borders with 6 countries:
Fun facts about Italy
- Ranked by land area, Italy is 74th out of the 250 countries and territories on this site.
- Its full official name is Italian Republic.
- Websites based there use the .it domain.
- Its currency, the Euro, is shared with 37 other entries.
- Population density works out at roughly 196 people per square kilometre.
- Its capital city is Rome.
- It lies about 4,768 km from the equator, in temperate latitudes.
Italy — frequently asked questions
- What is the capital of Italy?
- The capital of Italy is Rome.
- What is the population of Italy?
- Italy has a population of about 59.0 million, which makes it the 25th most populous of the 250 countries and territories listed on this site. South Africa sits just above it and Kenya just below.
- How big is Italy?
- Italy covers 301,336 km², ranking 74th of 250 by land area. That makes it a fraction smaller than Poland.
- Which countries border Italy?
- Italy borders 6 countries: Austria, France, San Marino, Slovenia, Switzerland and Vatican City. France is the largest of them by area.
- Where is Italy located?
- Italy is in Southern Europe, part of Europe. Its reference coordinates are 42.8° north and 12.8° east, roughly 4,768 km from the equator in temperate latitudes.
- What language is spoken in Italy?
- The official language of Italy is Italian. It is also official in 3 other entries on this list.
- Is Italy a country?
- Yes. Italy is a sovereign state and one of the 193 UN members listed on this site.
- What currency does Italy use?
- Italy uses the Euro, written € (currency code EUR). It is shared with 37 other entries.
