Italy is one of the most popular countries in the world. How much do you actually KNOW about it though? Whenever I visit a new country, I like to study up on the facts, and I usually find some very interesting things that I didn’t already know. I first did this in Perth, Australia, and again in Jakarta, Indonesia. Both times, I found some really weird stuff that I wouldn’t have known otherwise!
There are plenty of amazing Facts about Italy, and most of them would probably surprise you. I know they surprised me!
So today I have put together 14 of my favorite!
Table of Contents
- Facts About Italy – History
- Facts About Italy – Tourism
- Facts About Italy – Geography
- Facts About Italy – Culture
- Summary
Facts About Italy – History
A country as amazing as Italy is bound to have some pretty cool history. There are actually a LOT of very interesting facts about Italy that date back thousands of years. So much, in fact, that it would be REALLY hard to list them all. So here I have listed just a few of my favorites.
Rome is actually 2000 years old
It’s hard to believe, but true. Rome is actually that old!
We have all heard about the Roman Empire, and understand that it ruled Europe for a very long time. Personally, I had never actually put together the numbers to understand how long ago that really was.
So when WAS it?
The city of Rome was founded way back in 753BC. The Roman Empire, however, was not formed until 27 BC. As we all know from books and movies, (as well as actual history), that Empire went on to dominate Europe and Northern Africa. It ruled over these continents until 395AD. After the Empire crumbled, Italy broke apart and formed different states for a long period.
How long? Check out the next fact…
Italy is one of Europe’s youngest countries
The country of Italy was only formed in 1861. As countries go, that makes it very, very young. Especially in Europe.
Up until then the country had been made up of many different independent states. These had been formed after the fall of the Roman Empire. There were 11 states in all, with Venice probably being the most famous. It even had claimed its very own colonies along the coastline that is modern day Croatia!
Italy only became a single nation under King Victor Emmanuel II, and even then it took a few years to accomplish!
Believe it or not, there is an upside. Any visitor to Italy will be able to attest to how differing the culture can be as you travel around the country. This can be almost entirely attributed to that very long period in time that the country was split apart. The Italy that we know and love today was the result!
Much of Southern Italy once belonged to Ancient Greece
Ancient Greece was a lot bigger than most people give it credit for. One of the most interesting and lesser known facts about Italy is that the Greek Empire actually called Southern Italy home.
But it wasn’t just Southern Italy. In fact, Sicily was also a large part of the Empire. At one stage, the city of Syracuse was the largest city in the Greek Empire. It was even bigger than Athens!
To this day, much of that Greek influence still remains, and there are even pockets of Sicily that still speak Greek!
Facts About Italy – Tourism
The tourism Industry in Italy is responsible for 5 percent of its total economy. That’s a large chunk! With good reason too. Tourists flock to Italy every single year, from all over the world. Why? Because it’s amazing, that’s why!
Italy is the 5th most visited country in the world
Italy sees almost 100 million tourists a year, and sits in 5th spot for the most international tourists per annum.
The majority of visitors head to the big name cities and attractions, such as Venice, Rome, Milan and Florence. These places alone can be crowded with tourists at most times of the year. Winter tourism is also very popular in Italy, with visitors crowding into the ski resorts of the Dolomites every season.
So what draws this many tourists to Italy? The answer is simple.
The Culture, Food, Architecture and History. The Fashion and the Art. The list goes on. There is not one city or town in Italy that is not overflowing with all of these, and you don’t HAVE to be in the big cities to experience it.
If you want to visit Italy, and get away from the crowds, consider seeking out some smaller towns or Hidden Gems. There are plenty to find!
Tourists throw over €3000 in the Trevi Fountain every day
That’s a LOT of revenue for the city. It actually amounts to over €1,000,000 every year!
So what happens to all of that money? Well, obviously it is illegal to try and fish the money out of the water yourself! There are actually very large penalties if you are caught. So don’t try.
All of the proceeds from the Trevi Fountain are given to charity, or at least, used for charitable purposes. Which is a wonderful concept, and makes me even more willing to throw my hard earned into its waters.
Which begs the question – WHY do people throw so much money in?
Well, according to legend, if you throw a coin into the Trevi Fountain, then you are destined to return to Rome one day. If you throw in TWO coins, then you are destined to live there. Three? You will find love in Rome. There IS a catch though. You must throw the coin over your left shoulder, or else you may be bringing some bad luck upon yourself instead….
The city of Venice is Sinking
It’s a fact. Anybody that has ever been to Venice would understand, and it would probably not be a real surprise.
I come from a place in Australia where they built great mansions on reclaimed sand from the ocean. Those structures are slowly failing, and many of the ones that were built early on are sinking.
So it goes for Venice, where a city built on reclaimed land is getting the same result. They say that by the year 2100 it will be totally submerged. Even today, the city floods almost every winter. We have all seen the photos of Saint Marks Square under a foot of water.
Add to the fact that the sea levels in the Mediterranean are also rising, and the prospects are not good for one of Italy’s most popular tourist destinations!
Facts About Italy – Geography
One of the Facts about Italy that you will read regularly is that one third of it is covered in mountains. This is true, but the Geography facts about Italy do not stop there!
Europe’s only 3 active volcanoes are in Italy
Italy “enjoys” the fact that it is home to the only 3 active volcanoes in Europe. The reason for this is its location in relation to the plates in the Earth’s crust. This is just above the boundary of the Eurasian Plate and the African Plate. The meeting of these plates, and the effect of them overlapping causes volcanic activity.
So what are the volcanoes in question?
In no particular order they are –
- Mount Vesuvius near Naples which last erupted in 1944. It was famously responsible for the destruction of Pompeii, and to this day is still the only active volcano found in mainland Europe.
- Mount Etna in Sicily which still sees continuous volcanic activity, as recently as 2021.
- Stromboli, on the Aeolian Islands which saw an explosive eruption as recently as 2019.
The Vatican is the smallest country in the world
In 1929 the Vatican became a City State, totally independent from Italy. It is officially overseen by the Pope, and covers an area of 121 acres, with a population of just over 800.
The Vatican City State, known simply as The Vatican, is the smallest country in the world by both population and area. Within the City State are such famous buildings as the Sistine Chapel, St Peter’s Basilica, and the Vatican Museums which house some of the most famous paintings and sculptures in the world.
Italy has over 1500 Lakes
Italy is famous for some of its lakes. In particular, such places as Lake Como and Lake Garda are known worldwide and visited by tens of thousands every year. But did you know that there are more lakes than just the famous ones? Over 1500, in fact.
These lakes are located everywhere. Some are hidden, and found only by the adventurous. Others are right out in the open, but passed by as people head for the “well known” lakes.
All of Italy’s lakes are gorgeous, and it is easy to find one and have it nearly to yourself. High in the mountains, or right next door to a major city. You don’t really have to venture far to find one.
Italy has the most UNESCO Heritage Listed Sites in the world
Italy has now fully overtaken China to have the most sites listed as UNESCO HERITAGE sites.
Their record now sits at 58, just ahead of China on 56.
These sites range from the Dolomites, to Venice and Rome. You can find them stretched right across the entire length of Italy, which makes the country an even more wonderful place to visit.
As if it wasn’t already!
Facts About Italy – Culture
If you are making a list of Facts about Italy, you just HAVE to include some cultural facts. It is the culture of Italy that really makes the country what it is. Sure, the country side is beautiful, and the scenery is incredible. It is the culture though, that people come to Italy to REALLY experience!
Italy is home to the oldest University in the world
Where? In Bologna.
Yes, the University of Bologna is the oldest University in the world. It was founded in 1088, and is even older than Oxford University. But not by much.
The term “university” comes from the Latin “universitas magistrorum et scholarium”, which means “community of teachers and scholars”. The term was first used by the University of Bologna, and obviously is still used today.
Pizza was invented in Naples
The modern day pizza was invented in Naples. Throughout history, however, there have been many variations of flatbreads that were probably the early origins of the humble pizza we know today.
Some believe it was around the 1700’s that the first true pizza was born in Naples. It was a baker by the name of Raphaelle Esposito, though, that is given most of the credit for inventing the Pizza Pie. There is a legend that when King Umberto I and Queen Margherita visited Naples, Esposito cooked for them a Pizza and topped it with fresh tomato, basil and Mozzarella Cheese. This famously became known as the Margherita Pizza, and is still known as that to this day.
Italy has a FREE wine fountain
Italy is famous worldwide for its wines. It is also one of the most well known facts about Italy that the country is the largest producer of wine in the world. Now, to add to the reasons for any wine love to visit Italy, there is also a FREE Wine Fountain!
This amazing concept has been built by the Dora Sarchese Vineyard in Abruzzo, on the East Coast of Central Italy. The wine fountain will run continuously, and be absolutely free to drink from.
Italy has the 3rd oldest population in the world
A whopping 23 percent of the population of Italy is aged 65 or older. That’s incredible!
The only older populations in the world are in Japan and Monaco. Japan, in first spot has 29 percent of its population 65 years old or older.
In Italy, the average age is 45.9 years old. This will only increase in coming years.
The Reason? There are a couple of theories, but the most obvious are probably also the most true. There is a very low birth rate in Italy, and extreme longevity. So the math just adds up.
There is even one small town on the coastline south of Naples that claims to have over 300 residents over 100 years old! Scientists from all over the world want to know why, as do we!
Summary
There are plenty of amazing Facts about Italy. I could have made a list of hundreds of them. I hope you have enjoyed some of my favorites!
If you have any others that you think should be on my list, then feel free to drop them into the comments below.
For more articles about Italy, including places to visit and hidden gems, click the link below.
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