Italy, Republic in Southern Europe
Italy is a state in Southern Europe that stretches out into the Mediterranean on a long peninsula, with the Alps in the north and islands like Sicily and Sardinia to the south. Coasts, plains, and volcanic areas alternate to form a highly varied landscape.
After the fall of the Roman Empire in the fifth century, the territory remained divided into many separate regions for centuries. Unification under King Victor Emmanuel II in 1861 created a single state, which became a republic by referendum in 1946.
Local kitchens vary by region, with bread styles, cheese, cured meats, and wines changing from valley to valley and coast to coast. Olive groves shape the southern countryside, while vineyards and rice fields define northern farming areas.
High-speed trains connect the largest cities from north to south, while international airports offer access from abroad. Spring and autumn work best for travel, when the weather is milder and many places are more accessible.
Two sovereign microstates, San Marino and Vatican City, lie entirely within the borders. The former Venetian Republic territory was incorporated after the Third War of Independence in 1866.
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