Italy is a country in southern Europe, known for its rich history, art, cuisine, and scenic landscapes. Shaped like a boot, it includes the mainland as well as the islands of Sicily and Sardinia. Italy covers a land area of approximately 301,340 square kilometers (116,350 square miles) and has a population of around 58.9 million people as of 2024. The capital city is Rome, famous for its ancient landmarks such as the Colosseum and the Vatican City, the center of the Roman Catholic Church.