Italy 
 

Italy Location: Southern Europe, jutting out into the Mediterranean Sea.
 

Capital: Rome, Italy
 

Area: 116,336 sq. miles (301,310 sq. kilometers)
 

Population: 57,534,088
 

Currency: Lira $ 1.00= $ 1,800 lire
 

Language: Italian

Italy is a country in southern Europe. It is known for its rich
cultural heritage and natural beauty. Its cities have spectacular churches and large central
plazas. Their museums contain some of the world's best-known art. The countryside has warm,
sandy beaches; high, glacier-topped mountain peaks; and rolling hills covered with green fields
and vineyards. Italy occupies a boot-shaped peninsula that extends into the Mediterranean Sea
from southern Europe. The country also includes two large islands, Silily and Sardinia. Two
independent countries lie within Italy's borders: the tiny Republic of San Marino, in
north-central Italy, and Vatican City, which is located completly within the city of Rome. Italy's
landscape is dominated by two mountain ranges-- the Alps tower across the northernmost part of
Italy. The Appennies form a backbone that runs nearly the entire length of the peninsula. Italy got
its name from the Ancient Romans. The Romans called the southern part of the peninsula Italia,
meaning land of oxen or grazing land.  When the Italians made pizza, they had only mozzerella cheese,
green belpeppers, and tomato sause.