Italy Facts for Kids

Tap to Read ➤ Kundan Pandey

One of the most beautiful countries of Europe, Italy is among the top 10 holiday destination in the world. Over 40 million people visit Italy every year. Your browser doesn't support HTML5 video.

Your browser doesn't support HTML5 video. With the lifestyle, scenic beauty and rich cultural heritage that the country has, it is no surprise that Italy is often called Bel Paese, which means beautiful country.

Your browser doesn't support HTML5 video. Your browser doesn't support HTML5 video. Mention the word Italian or Italy to kids and they very often relate it to pizzas, spaghetti or fashion, but this amazing country has a lot more to it than just these things.

Italy has been ranked as the world's 24th most-developed country. It also has the highest number of World Heritage sites recognized by UNESCO. Your browser doesn't support HTML5 video.

Your browser doesn't support HTML5 video. Some famous cities for visitors are Rome, Venice, Florence, Milan and Naples, they are well-known for architecture, visual art, literature, music, fashion and cuisine.

Your browser doesn't support HTML5 video. Here is some information about Italy as a nation and some amazing facts that will help you understand this land and its people in a better way.

Officially, Italy is known as Italian Republic Capital: Rome Languages: Italian, German, French, Slovene Religion: Roman Catholic Currency: Euro Quick Facts

✥ Rome was founded on April 21st, 753 BC, by twin brothers Romulus and Remus, raised by a she-wolf in a cave.

✥ The Roman empire, one of the greatest and most influential the world has ever seen, stretched from Portugal to Syria and from Britain to North Africa around 117 A.D. Your browser doesn't support HTML5 video.

✥ Italy is the birthplace of Renaissance - the movement that swept Europe in 15th/16th century and revolutionized the way people thought. This movement saw many artistic development. Some of the famous contributions were made by Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo.

✥ Italy also witnessed wars of city-states like Greece. Northern Italy and upper Central Italy were divided into a number of warring city-states. These divided city-states finally unified to form a single nation of Italy on 17 March 1861. Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

✥ Italy joined the Triple Alliance in WWI. Despite victory, gains were modest compared to the war's toll.

✥ The dictator, Benito Mussolini took over Italy's control and gave some stability to the country but failed miserably in Second World War, the aftermath left Italy with a destroyed economy and a divided society.

✥ Italy became a republic after a June 2, 1946, referendum, now celebrated as Republic Day. It remains a democratic republic today.

Your browser doesn't support HTML5 video. ✥ Italy boasts Sicily, the largest Mediterranean island with active volcanoes, and Sardinia, known for its mountainous landscape.

✥ Italy is surrounded by six countries viz., France, Switzerland, Austria, Slovenia, Vatican City and San Marino. Surrounded by five seas namely, Ligurian, Tyrrhenian, Mediterranean, Ionian, and Adriatic, Italy is slightly larger than US state of Arizona.

Your browser doesn't support HTML5 video. Interesting and Fun Facts

✥ Italian is considered to be one of the most romantic languages. Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Your browser doesn't support HTML5 video. ✥ Italy is the second largest wine-producing country in the world.

✥ 20% of Italian population is above 65 years of age. Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

✥ Pizza is one of the very few words which is understood all over the world, it originated in Naples, Italy!

✥ Italy has over 3,000 museums and more hotel rooms than any other European nation.

✥ Italy's soccer fervor is unmatched, with the national team winning the World Cup four times.

✥ The boundaries of Italy give it a shape like that of a boot!

✥ A famous UNESCO World Heritage site, Venice is known for its waterways but has over 400 footbridges and it is sinking gradually.

✥ Italy's musical influence has been greatly admired by western world. Composers like Gioacchino Rossini, Giuseppe Verdi, and Giacomo Puccin contributed immensely in popularizing Italian Romantic opera all across the globe.

✥ Roman Colosseum - the gigantic structure that stands testimony to the genius of Roman architecture, is known for its amazing design and is one of the wonders of world. Another famous architecture that Italy can boast of is the Leaning tower of Pisa.

✥ One of the interesting facts about Italy is that it houses some of the world's biggest fashion brands, like Armani, Dolce & Gabbana, Prada, and Benetton. Italy has more famous fashion designers than any other country.

Your browser doesn't support HTML5 video. ✥ Sixty percent of the world's art treasures are in Italy.

✥ Ferrari, Lamborghini, Alfa Romeo, Maserati, and Fiat, some of the best cars in the world, are manufactured in Italy. In Lazio, you can't outrun the police even if you try. They drive Lamborghini's!

✥ Some Italian inventions include the thermometer, radio, piano, eyeglasses, cologne, and even ice cream cones! Volt, the SI unit of voltage is named after Italian physicist Alessandro Volta, the inventor of the first chemical battery. Your browser doesn't support HTML5 video.

✥ The famous children's story, Pinocchio, was written by an Italian, Carlo Collodi.