Interesting Facts for Children

Here are some interesting Italy Facts which were chosen and researched by children especially for children.

• Population: 61.6 million people live in Italy (2016)
• Capital: Roma (Rome), which is often called 'Eternal City', with 2.6 mio inhabitants and Italy’s biggest city.
• Name: Repubblica Italiana (Italian Republic) or simply: Italia, Nickname: 'Bel Paese' which means beautiful country
• Government: Democracy, Republic
• Language: Italian as well as German, French and Ladin in some regions in Northern Italy.
• Literacy: More than 98% can read and write.
• Religion: mainly Christians (Roman Catholics 90%)
• Currency: 1 Euro=100 cents, before 2001 Italian Lira
• History: The country has a long history, as Rome its capital city today was founded in 753BC. After the Roman Empire broke down in 395AD, there were many separate kingdoms and city states. However, Italy became one nation only in 1861 and since then includes the islands of Sicily and Sardegna. It was a kingdom until 1946 after the second World War, where Italy sided with the German Nazis. Italy is founding member of the European Union (EU) and the NATO.
• Flag: The colors represent these virtues: hope (green), faith (white), and charity (red).

Where is Italy? - Italia Map

Italy lies in Southern Europe, a flight to Rome take roughly 2.5 hours from London/England, 8 hours from New York/USA

 

Italy is easy to recognize on any world map, as the country is shaped like a high-heeled boot, as you can see on the map above. It looks like the boot is kicking a ball, which is the island of Sicily, don’t you think?

Italy Facts: Geography

Italy has more than 7,600km (4,722miles) of coast line as the peninsula is located for a large part in the Mediterranean sea. Italy has two bigger islands Sicily and Sardegna and many smaller ones such as Capri, Elba and Ischia. In the North, the mountain range of the Alps separates Italy from the other European countries France, Switzerland, Austria and Slovenia.

Italy has many hills and mountains and the highest mountain of Italy can be found in the Italian Alps which are the mountain range in Italy's north. It is the Monte Bianco, better known as Mont Blanc, which is 4,807m or 15,776ft. There are many long and deep lakes in the North of Italy, bevor the country flattens in the Po Valley. The river Po is Italys longest river.

The Apennines are another big mountain range which go all along the boot and separate the East and the West of the country. And in Italy, there are volcanos!

In the South of Italy you will find Italy’s three active volcanoes: Vesuvius near Naples, Etna on Sicily and Stromboli off the Coast of Italy. Italy is subdivided in 20 regions, like Tuscany, Veneto (around Venice) and Lazio (around Rome).

Did you know that Italy surrounds two of the world’s smallest countries? These are San Marino in Northern Italy, the oldest republic in the world and Vatican City in Rome, the smallest country in the world. Vatican City is led by the Pope and is the headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church, led by the Pope.

Italy Attractions for Kids

• Florence: Home of many of the Italian artists such as Michelangelo with many famous museums
• Pisa: 'Hold' the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Quite a sight!
• Venice: Lagoon City build on islands and known for its Carnival

• Rome: Great place to learn about Romans and ancient history
• Ravenna: See stunning mosaics and splendid churches
• Tuscany: great place to chill in the countryside with lovely towns and villages
• Alps: Great for skiing, hiking and relaxed holidays and Bolzano’s Natural History Museum with Oetzi, the mummy from the Ice-age is great for kids too.

There are so many great places in Italy to visit, just to many to mention here. Check out our special page of Italian landmarks and attractions read more exciting facts about wonderful Italian places.

Italy Facts: Animals in Italy

Sheep are held mainly in Southern Italy and the donkeys still help farmers in remote villages to carry heavy loads over steep terrain.

Some years ago there was a big scare in Italy about brown bear, which attacked farm animals in Northern Italy. Brown bears are protected in Italy, as there are only few bears left in the wild now.

In the Alps you will very likely see the marmots, which make a very high pitched calling sound. And if you are very lucky you might even spot a lynx - see the little hair tuffs on the ears?