Rome

Rome is the capital city of Italy.

It is also the administrative center for the Lazio region. This city is located in the central-western part of the Italian Peninsula. It sits along the shores of the Tiber Valley. Rome is a very large municipality. The special area known as Roma Capitale covers 1,287.36 square kilometers. It has a population of about 2.7 million people. Within the European Union, it is the third most populous city by population within city limits. The wider Metropolitan City of Rome Capital is even larger. It has 4.2 million people living in its area. This makes it the most populous metropolitan city in Italy.

One unique feature of Rome is its geography. People often call it the "City of Seven Hills." This refers to the hills that define the landscape. Rome is also known as the "Eternal City." Another ancient name is "Caput Mundi," which means "Capital of the World." Inside the city boundaries lies an independent country. This is Vatican City. It is the smallest country in the world. It serves as the headquarters for the Catholic Church. This is the only existing example of a country located inside a city.

The history of Rome spans 28 centuries. It is one of the oldest continuously occupied cities in Europe. Archaeological evidence shows humans lived in the area 14,000 years ago. Scientists found stone tools and pottery from 10,000 years ago. The city likely grew from small villages on hills like the Palatine. These villages joined together through a process called "synoecism." This means several small settlements merged into one large town. This growth happened because people produced extra food. They used this surplus to trade with Greek colonies in southern Italy.

Ancient myths provide a different story about Rome's beginnings. The most famous legend involves twins named Romulus and Remus. According to myth, a she-wolf suckled the twins. Romulus eventually killed his brother after an argument. The city then took the name of Romulus. This legendary founding is dated to 21 April 753 BC. There are other theories about the name "Roma." Some believe it comes from the Tiber River. Others suggest it relates to the Etruscan word "ruma." This word might refer to a wolf or the shape of the hills.

Rome's political structure changed many times over the years. It first functioned as a monarchy for 244 years. The early kings were of Latin, Sabine, or Etruscan origin. In 509 BC, the Romans expelled their last king. They established an oligarchic republic instead. This republic was led by two elected consuls. Eventually, Rome became a massive empire. Under the Emperor Augustus, the "principate" began in 27 BC. The empire reached its greatest size during the second century under Emperor Trajan. During this time, Rome was the center of the known world.

After the Western Empire fell, Rome entered the Middle Ages. The city slowly came under the control of the Papacy. In the 8th century, it became the capital of the Papal States. This period lasted until 1870. During the Renaissance, popes worked to make Rome a cultural center. They followed architectural programs for over four hundred years. This led to the birth of the Baroque and Neoclassical styles. Famous artists and architects created many masterpieces here. In 1871, Rome became the capital of the Kingdom of Italy. Later, in 1946, it became part of the Italian Republic.

Today, Rome is a major global hub for many industries. It is a center for fashion, design, and film. The Cinecittà Studios have produced many Academy Award-winning movies. Many large Italian companies are based there. This includes companies like Eni, Enel, and Leonardo. The city also hosts important international organizations. Several United Nations agencies are located in Rome. These include the Food and Agriculture Organization and the World Food Programme. In 2019, Rome was the 14th most visited city globally. It welcomed 8.6 million tourists that year.